Connections

Last fall, my small group was talking about what we thought our spiritual gifts were.  As I thought about it, the only thing I could come up with was connections.  It sounded lame in my head and even more lame when I said it out loud.  My group razzed me a little and assured me that I had other spiritual strengths as well, even if I couldn't think of anything else off hand.  Well this has continued to be a running joke all year.  And, it's funny, I laugh with them and poke fun at myself.  But, as the year has gone on, I've been hyper aware of all of the connections I make, and how they serve the Lord.
My very first year teaching I was at a rough middle school on a rough side of town.  I learned a lot that year and made what I thought were a lot of meaningful connections with the students I had.  There have been several times over the years that I have though back on those students and wondered where they have landed in life.
In February, I bumped into one of them.  We recognized each other right away and I could tell we were both super excited to see one another.  I tried to keep myself cool and calm (I tend to be a bit of spaz).  A couple hours later, I had an email from her, gushing about how great it was to see me and how great it was in her junior high band class and what fond memories she has from that year.  It was all exactly how I was feeling!  Yay!  We decided to meet for dinner and catch up.
Last night we had that dinner and it was an amazing time that was totally orchestrated by God.  How overwhelming to know that 11 years ago, this young woman in my band, was there and we connected because down the line, He needed the two of us to reconnect so that I could connect her to some people in my life that she needs to know.
I, of course, was very excited while we were talking and fully disclosed that I believe God uses me to connect people according to His will.  She was excited about that, too.  It was a fun time, and we will meet again, soon I hope.  I'm looking forward to seeing how God will move now in her life and in mine.
What a fun thing to be used by God in such a tangible way.
Thanks you Lord!
You are good!