The last few posts brought up how thankful I am for the friends God has given me. I know it can seem silly, but now that I have reached my thirties, I have ‘real’ friends for the first time in my life. As an introvert, it can be challenging to make them, and by that, I mean I enjoy doing things alone and am a homebody. Within the last couple of years, God has transformed my heart, and I have stretched myself to reach out to people. Making efforts is a massive struggle for me because I enjoy solitude way more than I should. I guess? However, I do enjoy telling everyone hi and believe the world would be much better if we simply smiled more at each other.

One of the most significant factors in this relational heart change is my buddy, Brent. He has no shame and makes friends everywhere he goes. Seriously, he made me friendly just by being himself. He has no problem going up to someone he has never met while we are out in public and telling them something embarrassing about me. The other cool thing about Brent is that everyone is their genuine self around him because he is sincere and kind. He is a safe space for your heart, knowing he will never crush you and always see your best. Many people look down on those with disabilities out of ignorance when God uses the ‘disabled’ to teach us the greatest lessons of all through simplicity. Brent is the kindest person I know and, with limited understanding, has a great sense of humor. He is genuinely hilarious and loves to make jokes. He does not limit himself and is strangely accurate with anything that requires logic; where we would err, he is usually right. It seriously blows my mind. He has brought me out of my shell for sure and taught me it is ok to be myself and have fun in whatever I am doing. He is truly the best person in the whole world, but he is not the point of this post (although it seems he is stealing the show again???). Brent’s mom laughed when she found out he is essentially my wingman. When in doubt, which is a lot, I bring up Brent.

The theme of my blog seems to be Jesus, Brent, and the miracle baby as I bring them up every time. ha. I can’t help it, and I am ok with that.

I did not know exactly how or what to tie in with the following story besides background info and a weird segue into the recent grand road trip moving my cousin to Washington. We stayed a night in a hotel in Wyoming, and our room was next to an older couple whom we said hello to passing in the hall while we were locked outside the room in our bathing suits because our key did not work. They seemed nice, and I noticed that the wife was wearing a “Christian” themed shirt.

Being cramped in the car for days I needed to stretch my legs. I found the gym, walked on the treadmill in the morning, and then went to breakfast while everyone was still in bed. While I was at my table noticed an older gentleman across the dining room drinking coffee and reading his bible and realized it was our ‘neighbor’! I wanted to talk to him so badly and was so excited, but I did not know why or what I would say. I enjoy finding fellow Christians because it is a rare treasure. I went on my merry way to the room to pack up my belongings. My cousin brought her kids to breakfast, and I met them when I was finished packing. While at the table, I noticed the man was still reading his bible. I did not mention him to my cousin but could not get him out of my head. We were leaving, and I could not take it anymore, so I lapped the lobby to play it off. I got ANOTHER cup of coffee to avoid looking like a weirdo and went up to the man and said, “I know Him, too.”

He just looked up, smiled, and said, “Good for you!” in a friendly tone and not sarcastic.

It made my whole day for some reason. We left the hotel and stopped for gas before heading on the road, when low and behold, the man was pumping gas right in front of us! I had not told my cousin any of what you have just read and blurted out, “Oh my God! That’s my brother!”

You can imagine her reaction of total confusion.
“What?!?”
“Oh, I forgot I didn’t tell you the story.” and we cackled like hyenas.

I went inside to buy water, and he was in there as well. We passed each other, and he commented about seeing me again, and I smiled and said to have a great day. He found his wife and must have told her what happened in the lobby, for I heard him pointing me out.

This was a major significance in my life, though I have not truly figured out why. God never misses a detail in our lives and we do not have to search for what He has planned for us. He always presents HIS gifts to us, even if it’s just meeting your brother in a hotel lobby for the first time.

“Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” – Matthew 6:25-33

“Jesus gave me a Brent” Faithful is He that calleth you that also will do it…

One extra chromosome changed my life…

Desires of the heart: When God sends you on a cross-country road trip with your favorite person— and two kids.

I met ‘the miracle baby’!

The Dr. said <1%… but, God…

Some people are worth the drive.

How will you find them? What if they’re looking for you?