Thank you!!

Have you ever met someone who you know you will never forget? How they made an impact on your life that you did not even realize until later?

It was about 12 years ago, we were looking for a church to join. Part of the process was to meet with another couple from the church and talk about ourselves and why we wanted to join the church. So, we were invited one day to have lunch at their house and get to know one another.

I remember seeing their house for the first time, and thinking “I am really out of place here”. And the inside was as beautiful as the outside.

So, we had lunch with them. All I remember from that lunch was the butternut soup, and it was so good. But I also remember getting to know them even as they were getting to know us. We had 3 countries covered that day, Canada, England, and the USA, but all of us in the same place. So we talked about how we grew up, what our beliefs are now and how we got there. We learned about our different families, what we liked to do, why we wanted to join the church. We did not know at that time they would become friends to us along the way.

We later chose to become part of their small group from church, a bible study group. We would go in the early evening, have a few snacks, and talk, then study. Every so often we would meet for a meal too. With everyone bringing something, each meal was different, but the talking was wonderful.

We discovered that these two people were kinda like their house: a little intimidating from the outside, but once you got to know them, very warm and inviting inside.

I have met only a handful of people that I would describe as representing Jesus and He would want us to do. Loving, kind, friendly, willing to help out when possible. Dedicated to the Lord and to each other and their family, and that spreads out to their adopted family of God as well.

I don’t know if we will ever become like them, but we try. I do know that I will never see roosters without thinking of her kitchen, or edamame and brussel sprouts without thinking of him, and hearing him ask if my hubby had never tasted them, how do you know you don’t like them? (we now eat edamame, brussel sprouts are still a no go).

So, hearing that she was not well, that makes me sad because the world needs more people like them. And even though our paths only cross now and then, they are still part of our life story. So we pray, we thank God for knowing them, and that His will be done.

And one thing I do know, if you have people in your life that have made a difference for you, that make the world a better place, tell them! Tell the ones in your life that you love them, tell the ones that helped and made a difference. Just tell them, you don’t know when you will see them next, if ever. God’s will is always done in His time, so just tell them.

So, Paul and Julia, you made a difference for us, and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.