When people are asked if they have a special talent, they usually reply with feats of juggling, contorting themselves in an interesting way, or some kind of party trick that brings ohhhs and ahhhhs. My special talent, as my family has dubbed it, is going deep into situations with strangers – as in one moment I don’t know them, and the next we are involved in a defining moment in their lives. I have a friend who asked how I find myself in these strange situations. My best answer? The Lord knows I enjoy these interactions and so He tees up some of the most creative exchanges for His glory and my great pleasure. And, I thoroughly believe He made me for them.

There was the time I found myself helping a prostitute find her way “home” because she was in an unfamiliar territory, and I guess I looked like I could help, or at least wouldn’t be a threat. A lot transpired in our short time together, including a call to her parents who hadn’t spoken to her in a year. Her grateful dad sent an Uber to the location. While we were waiting for her Uber to pick her up, I sat with this young woman on the curb. I told her I would wait with her, and as we sat, I felt the absolute stirring to break the awkward silence. This would be the only opportunity to talk to her, and I didn’t want to waste it. I didn’t know how she would react, but I told her she was an image-bearer of God. I told her that He loved her dearly and created her with a purpose. I told her she had worth just because God created her and called her His child. And that He desperately wanted a relationship with her. She looked directly at me as I spoke, and she didn’t interrupt me… so I kept talking. As her Uber arrived, she said, “Thank you. No one has ever told me God loved me.” I counted it a holy privilege to share that time with her.

Another stranger-turned-special-friend moment happened about six years ago. I was going about my day and the man who has serviced our pool for years called me. I answered his call thinking he probably wanted to tell me about a problem he found with our pool equipment. Instead, after a few minutes of chatting he said, “The reason I’m calling has nothing to do with your pool. I’d like to ask you a favor, and you can say no if I’m overstepping in asking this of you.” I should preface this story by saying I tend to become friends with people who come to our house on a regular basis even, for service calls.

He told me again I could “say no” to the favor he had yet to ask, and I finally said, “Just ask.” He said, “As you know, I’ve been raising my niece.” I knew all about his niece and how proud he was of her. He continued, “She received a full-ride scholarship to a university on the East Coast. But as you know, her mother left her when she was little due to an addiction.” He paused again and offered to let me decline the favor he was about to ask me. I reiterated, “Just ask.” He said, “As I’m about to send her off to college, I realized she’s never had a mother-daughter talk about what to expect and what is waiting for her. Would you be willing to talk to her before she leaves for college?”

I’m not going to lie… it was a big ask. But I didn’t feel put out in the least. Instead, I felt nothing but absolute honor to be asked to speak into his niece’s life as she was getting ready to start a new chapter. A few days later, she came to my house for our talk. I’d never met her, but there we sat at my breakfast table talking about launching her into college life. I was honestly surprised by how open she was with me and how many questions she came prepared to ask. She had some apprehension about her dorm situation we were able to discuss. She asked about guys and dating, and we discussed qualities to look for in potential dates and boundaries she deserved any man to respect. I was thoroughly enjoying our time together – this girl was precious. As we jumped from topic to topic, I wasn’t quite ready for what she said next.

She said, “You seem like you’re a good mom. I really want to be a good mom someday. But I am so afraid I won’t be because my mom left me when I was so young, and I never had a good example.” My heart broke. With my eyes welled up I said with absolute confidence, “You will be an excellent mom someday.” She looked like she didn’t expect that response. I continued, “You already love and are concerned about the children you haven’t met yet. They are already in your heart. You know pain and neglect because of your mom, but you are going to make sure your own kids have a loving mother.” She smiled and nodded.

I seem to have more of these types of stories that “just happen” in my life than most people. I suppose there is the option of not getting involved, but is that the best option? Jesus told a lawyer in Luke 10:27 to love “your neighbor as yourself.” When the lawyer asked, “Who is my neighbor?” he was really asking, “Whom do I have to love?”

It can be hard enough to love your family and friends, but what about neighbors – and who are our neighbors? Jesus answered the lawyer, but not with an answer the lawyer probably wanted. Jesus told the parable of the Good Samaritan. The story starts with a man – just a man, we don’t really know anything about him except he’s traveling on a path. As he’s traveling, he’s beaten and robbed. A priest and a Levite come upon the man. The man was a stranger to the priest and the Levite, and neither of them did anything to hurt the man. They simply ignored his obvious hurt; they didn’t get involved. Jesus continued to tell of a third man, a Samaritan, who came upon the scene of injustice. The Samaritan felt compassion and sympathy for the beaten man, but he moved beyond feelings, helped the man and invested in his recovery.

Jesus essentially told the lawyer, neighbors are not merely the people sharing a street address, but rather, anyone the Lord puts in our path. We may not have had any part in causing hurt to someone, but once they are in our path, if it’s in our ability, we can help in their restoration.

In both of the stories I shared above, I didn’t know either of the women, and frankly, it would have been easier to not get involved. And no one would have faulted me (or have even known) if I ignored their circumstances and just lived my own life. But in both instances, I felt very sure that the Lord placed these women in my path to speak His restoring and redemptive words to them.

I am honored He put those women in my path. The Lord seems to have made me for these odd, unexpected, couldn’t-prepare-for-even-if-I-tried encounters. And I love Him for it.

Dear Lord, Thank You for giving us opportunities to love our neighbors – even when they are strangers You put in our paths. May we always be ready to answer Your call and bring Your Kingdom to this fallen world. There are few joys like knowing we are Your ambassadors. Lord, give us even more opportunities to love and encourage in Your Name and for Your glory. You are only good. We love You. Maranatha! Amen.