March 15, 2012
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Running Into an Old Friend
Last night while coming home on the subway with Sky, a former boy from my home happened to get on the same car as us. It was quite a surprise because such random run-ins are extremely rare with anyone on the subway. The boy graduated from high school after 2006 and has been living outside of the home since, so he isn’t really a boy anymore. In fact, he will be 24 in a few weeks. O.O
I hadn’t seen him since my Korea wedding celebration when he stopped by to congratulate us. He was working at a bar then and had to be excused to take a brief break to see us. He and I enjoyed playing sports together in 2006, but my Korean language proficiency was weak then so our communication wasn’t that strong. I loved being with him in 2006, but I could tell he was frustrated with life and a bit aimless. While he had relatives, I knew they had no interest in him and I knew that fact was hard on him. It doesn’t seem he keeps in touch with any of them now.
Seeing him last night we had a brief time of catching up. He is currently not working and instead studying English to try and enter university, but he doesn’t know what he wants to major in. He was headed to meet a friend to drink together. I could tell he is still aimless. After we talked for a bit we both went silent for a moment, and I knew in my heart there was a reason why we ran into each other. I asked God for wisdom and then just went for it and began speaking life into him. I began by telling him that I knew he will do well because he is a smart kid and he is also sensitive at feeling other peoples’ emotions. As I spoke more life over him he at first rejected it, but continued to listen, almost surprised by the positive words being spoken to him. After speaking into him he leaned back in reflection, still surprised by what was all just shared, and slightly nodded his head. It was at that moment that we arrived at his stop and he had to get off.
I feel for him. I don’t think anyone has spoken much life into him. It’s true that he didn’t do great in school and also can get irritated with people or choose to avoid them, but I can see through all that. The enemy often tries to label us the opposite of who we are so that we will never become who God made us to be. What he really needs is the knowledge that he has value, particularly because he was created by God. While his heart has been closed to the Lord since I’ve known him, I know he respects me and listens to me. And I know that every word of love spoken is in truth a word from God, because apart from God no such words could be shared. I pray he will come around soon and fully understand how much God cares for him.
Thank you Lord for such “chance” meetings…
