Hi Jody, I finally found some time to read this story. So good! I myself have never met a stranger. My son, Andy is similar. We like to talk a lot to anyone, but I also like to ask questions. I am naturally curious and tend to ask a bunch of questions because I honestly want to know and learn things. I do share when appropriate and usually really enjoy talking with whoever I meet along the way. My husband is not real talkative so I do enjoy conversations with strangers whether visiting other places, on airplanes, in stores etc. Sometimes I get to encourage others. Having been a teacher for 39 years I am a magnet for children and enjoy talking with them as well as their parents. I find so many things in common with others that I so enjoy swapping stories. I never know where conversations will lead, but God does. If He does come up in conversations, I tend to go with the flow. We’ll never know how conversations we have with others might affect their eternity. I love the wisdom you shared with the young family man. You shared in such a way it may have given a glimpse of how our heavenly Father loves and treats us. If he grasps that truth, it will be the Holy Spirit revealing God to him in such an innocuous conversation with a stranger on a plane. One can never discount the providence of God. I had a teacher colleague who met a man on a plane and connected so much with him that she ended up marrying him. He was from Ireland and she from America, but somehow, they found each other and joined their future together beginning with a chance encounter on a plane. Now that would make an interesting romantic story to read. Anyways, thanks for the lovely story!

Shyrle, I don’t know how I didn’t see your comment earlier, but I’m glad to read it today. “God made us to communicate.”
I like that. Thank you for taking the time to share your words of communication right here : )

I’m so glad you and Pam enjoyed the story, Richie! I like that idea, too (I think it’s a comfort for moms that our kids may be out of our sight and care, but that God has people everywhere!). Your comment about “coincidence” got me digging a little bit. I don’t remember the source for that information and searching on the internet shows some differences of opinion. I think what I read was referring to ancient Hebrew, for modern Hebrew has a word which is the combination of “co” and “incidence.”

If anyone has anything to add to this conversation about “coincidence” in Hebrew, I’d love to learn more : )

Darla, you have once again painted a vivid picture/story to ponder. Thank you for sharing all of these thoughts on the joys and challenges of communication. I love that you pray in both the sweet interactions and the not-so-sweet ones. What better thing could we do?

Thank you, Carol! I love that you’re a talker as well as a writer : )

I was told once to smile at everyone and nod or say hello because you never know when that’s what someone needs, just a simple acknowledgement to know they are not invisible.

I recently have joined an established bunco group where they have been playing together for many years. They don’t like me. I know this by the whispers, the looks, the constant chastising I get each week for some small indiscretion I have done…last week it was the alarm on my phone was annoying and I needed to turn off my phone..I told them no not turning it off. I have minors that need me..I was told only important phone calls were allowed so I then informed them every call is important to me…the week before that I was hiding the score from them..I literally just set my arm down because I was tired of it being up. But the point is I have tried in every way I can to be polite to them to try and talk them out of their moods or whatever it is that’s got their panties in a bunch…to no avail. So for the first time in my life I have stopped talking..I play the game. I don’t speak to anyone and then I go home. It’s hard to do for me. I am finding it lonely and not so much fun being in my head for 2 hours. I am bursting at the seams to scream..what’s your problem? What exactly did I do to you? But I don’t. I pray silently for the 2 hours to end and wish I was anywhere else but there..but as one of my main sources of entertainment, so I am not a total hermit, I keep going back each week.