Small, Significant Faith

Monday around 7 PM I was on my way home from the office, riding the T and reading a letter. We passed Central Square and I put the letter aside and pulled out my mini Bible - it's a good time to catch up on what the Lord is saying :) - and started to read a Psalm. The girl sitting a couple seats away on my left leaned over and said, "Are you a Christian?"

Stop there. I'm in Boston, remember? This doesn't happen very often and I wasn't sure what was coming next.

I replied, "Yes, I am a Christian." She went on to say that she reads verses on the T, too. I asked if she was a Christian (you never know...) and she said that she was, but had walked away from God for a while and made some choices that didn't help her relationship with him. She went on to say that she was in the process of figuring that out and wanting to know him.

She asked me what I do for a living. Funny question. I bet she didn't expect my response.

"Actually, I work with students, well, more in operations these days, but with a Christian student ministry," I shared. I asked if she worked in the city. "No, I'm a student." And, she clarified that she goes to Harvard. Wow... Harvard. It was the next stop on the T; and, thinking time was short, I asked if she liked it.

"No."

I haven't heard that response from a Harvard student before. We went on to talk about faith and how walking with Jesus is a process... a journey. We talked about his love and how he wants us to know him and makes that possible. And then she shared something that I've been thinking about for days...

"Actually, I have been praying that God would allow me to meet Christians in Boston. And I keep meeting Christians."

You might wonder what was so significant about this statement. I did. And it continues to stay with me. Here is this sweet third-year student who is trying to figure out what this relationship with God looks like again and although her faith is small, it's significant.

God is answering her prayers!

Now, that is something.

What a challenge and encouragement to me in my faith. God answers prayers. She is seeing the tangible evidence of this in her life and it's faith-building. It reminded me how I long to see God do this in my own life. The question I face is this: Am I willing to ask? Am I willing to believe that he will answer? Am I willing to wait on his timing?

I so appreciate the Lord allowing me to be apart of the answer to her prayer and, even moreso, am grateful for the lesson. Faith, even small faith, is significant. God hears and he responds.

Tourney Time!

Ahhh, March! The weather is warming (at least for the moment), the Charles' ice has melted, trees are beginning to bud and spring is on its way. I'm loving the new daylight savings time! Longer days are here again... Although, after a recent business trip, I am a bit on the slow side having transitioned three hours instead of two. But, life is good because the Tourney is finally here!!!

Have you filled out your bracket today?

Only about an hour twenty to go... My stomach always goes into knots because I tend to care about how my bracket stands in comparison to others. But really, what fun would the Tourney be without a little anxiety? :) I love it.

This time of year always reminds me of a favorite teacher who passed away early in my college career. Mr. Main introduced me to the Men's Tourney in high school and to Kentucky who has since become "my" team – it’s funny how certain things stay with you. During my freshmen year in college, I couldn't wait to visit his family during my spring break and show him my bracket. Before I made it to their house that week, he suddenly passed away. Every year at this time, those memories resurface and I'm thankful that I had the chance to know him and his family.

So, here's to you Mr. Main! And, here's to one of my annual highlights, the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. I can't wait to see what happens this year...