"Breakfast with Al" pt.1

"Finally, Brethren,whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which you have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do; and the God of Peace shall be with you."

Philippians 4: 8 & 9

"What's your story?"

Several months ago, I reconnected with my Uncle Al. It was what most people would call chance. But being a Christian, I call it a Divine Appointment. I hadn't seen my maternal uncle, or his family, except, on a few occasions, over the past forty years. Work, raising families, & the general busyness of life , provide too many easy opportunities, to lose contact with people, and track of time. It's a sad reality. How Uncle Al and I reconnected, is a story in itself. It turns out , we both, frequent a coffee house, in a town, neither of us live in. During a conversation with the owner, I came to find out, a group of retired educators and coaches, meet on Friday mornings. My Uncle Al , being one of them. At the time, I wasn't able to meet with them, due to my work schedule. But, as it so happened, a work injury required an extensive time of recovery, providing the opportunity to meet up with him. Friday mornings, breakfast with Al, and his friends. I have learned and heard, many things about my family, that I never knew before. The stories Uncle Al and his friends share, gives a perspective from people, who have "lived life a little". Their stories offer a present perspective, and "how it was" 60, 70 & 80 years ago. I started to think back, and realized, we all have a story. Stories that tell of success, failures, tragic events, joyful times of love, and heartache, and always by God's Grace and Mercy. Whether we realize it, or not, He always is speaking to us, we just need to take time, to look and listen. He does it in innumerable ways. There are people, who He places in our paths, whose lives intertwine with ours, at various times and seasons. All of us have had people,in life, that have influenced our life situations, in both good ways, and not so good ways. We have all "learned, heard, and seen" from them, and their stories and examples. These situations and examples, influence our makeup, our character, and our stories. How about you, who are the people that played a part in your life. Take a little time, think about it. Maybe, even take time to thank them. Above all, think on the Lord's Goodness, and Faithfulness, and thank Him for it. After all, as He leads you in life, you might cross paths with someone, who may just ask you, "What's your story?"