An Unlikely Friend in an Unlikely Place 

We all need a friend like Will in our lives…Someone who will take the time to notice when a person looks lost, confused, or disappointed. Someone who steps in to encourage when shoulders are slumped and heads are hanging down…who stops their busy schedule to intentionally sit down next to another on a lonely park bench to talk and pray with them through disappointments, hurt, or confusion.

At some point in our lives, we all can relate to Pete’s story of searching for purpose and discovering our unique God-given destiny. Once we find our place and step into what God has called us to do, we also can take what we’ve learned and help somebody else, just like Will does with Pete in the story. It’s in those moments of uncertainty or desperation when friends like Will come along, put an arm around our shoulder, and make us feel like we are one of the most important people just by taking the time to listen. 

Maybe as you are reading this you can think of a “Will” in your life. Make sure to appreciate them and thank them for taking the time to invest in your destiny. And, maybe as you are reading this, you are realizing that you, in fact, are a  “Will” to somebody at this very moment.

Our prayer should always be to have eyes to see those that may need life-giving words of hope and encouragement, and may God use us to speak those words and turn a frown into a smile, a forlorn expression into a light bulb moment…one in which someone walks away feeling like they truly have meaning and purpose in life…Because, Friend, they certainly do! And, you could be that very person to ignite hope in a heart today. 

Pete’s Perspective 

Meeting an unlikely friend in an unlikely place happened for me when I had lost all hope. Looking down at my shoes as I was walking that long dusty road away from everything familiar I wasn’t sure what to expect anymore. As I looked up in the distance, I saw a friendly curly-haired boy smiling and waving at me as if he had known me forever. I blinked a few times wondering if this is what some people would call a “mirage”, but I wasn’t in the desert, so I realized this was a person waving straight at me. In that moment, the fact that someone took the time to care changed my entire perspective.

I suddenly felt as if I wasn’t invisible. It’s amazing the change that can happen in a person’s life when they realize that they matter, that they aren’t just a number in a crowd, that they are seen for who they truly are…the wonderful masterpiece that God created! That is what happened to me when Will decided to come over, sit down on the park bench, and talk with me about why I had traveled all this way, and why I seemed so sad. 

What would happen if we all could be “Will” to someone? It’s simple, really. Everyone who feels unnoticed or insignificant would realize that they are completely important and needed in this world. I encourage you today, Friends, to look outside of yourself, and see beyond your immediate to-do list.

Ask the Lord to show you  if there is someone that God wants you to cross paths with today that could be inspired because you took the time to listen. Maybe it’s the new kid in school or church who you’ve noticed is sitting by themselves or not quite making friends,  maybe it’s a family member that you know needs a reminder of how special they are…Ask God to highlight how you can encourage someone else.

Because let me let you in on a little secret: Even if you are still discovering your purpose, you can still be a “Will” to someone, too. 

Cheering for you, 

Pete