I never tire of God’s amazing surprises. How could I possibly? I often preach that one should not worry if you can’t get out of your house to evangelize due to your duties with small children, elderly parents, or sickness, or other important reasons. I always say that God will BRING the evangelizing opportunities to YOU!

Recently, when I was home working on my writing, way back in the woods here in rural Connecticut, I heard the sound of a horn blowing out in my driveway.

Who could that be and why is that person blowing the horn? I wondered.

I got up from my computer and away from my percolating thoughts about my writing to check it out. I went outside my front door to see a man sitting in his truck with the window rolled down.

“Can I help you with something?” I called out. I felt a tad annoyed that he had honked his horn which had “disturbed” me, calling me outside to see what was up.

“Yes,” he said.

So, I ventured towards his truck, still feeling a bit put out. He got out of his truck and showed me his credentials. It turned out that he had come to my home representing the electric company who wanted to trim some trees in my property that could be interfering with the electrical wires. I had no problem with that and agreed that I would sign the release to give my permission.

But, what unfolded in our conversation was fascinating. I would not have imagined it earlier on but God has an amazing way of keeping life interesting. It began with me commenting on the beauty of the day. The man–his name is Hector, lamented that he couldn’t be at his home on the deck with “a couple of cold ones” to thoroughly enjoy the beautiful weather. He was instead busy with his work.

Well, I went into talking about the importance of our work (always having my dear friend Fr. John A. Hardon’s sentiments ringing in my ear: “There’s work to be done!”) and the fact that I work constantly. I didn’t go so far as to say, “There’s no rest for the weary!” though, as I am known to say. But, the conversation unfolded about faith and prayer because I ended up telling him that I was an author and worked all day on my writing from my home most times and then if I am not writing, I travel all around the world to speak.

I was NOT planning to say any of this. It’s just how it happened.

He wanted to know more. He asked what kind of author I was and I told him I was a Catholic author and that I love to inspire faith in others. Very gently–so I wouldn’t hurt his feelings or seem judgmental–I went on to say that I believe that what is more important than sitting and relaxing and “having a couple of cold ones” is the great importance of getting across to others that life is short and we need to be ready–we need to help get others ready to meet God!  I felt so passionate about sharing this with this complete stranger!

Hector’s face lit up.

“You didn’t think you would have this kind of conversation today, did you?” I asked him.

“No! But it is refreshing! I mostly hear from disgruntled people using the ‘F-word’ complaining to me about their trees!”

Hector suddenly seemed deep in thought. Then he told me that he just lost a friend and co-worker on Easter week end. He said he was directing traffic at a job site and was killed when hit by a car. He seemed very troubled about losing that man on that particular holy week end and said it was so hard.

“We never know what tomorrow might bring. It’s important to get our lives straightened out today,” I told him.

Hector then shared a very personal story about someone he knew who got into trouble in the past and now after prison, tries very hard to help others. I’m sure that neither one of us expected to have such a conversation that day. It was seemingly out of the blue. God is so good to us to provide these types of amazing opportunities for His grace to work in our hearts.

I believe that it all starts with our prayer of the Morning Offering, asking God to use all of our prayers, works, joys, and sufferings of the day and asking Him to sanctify them and use them for His glory.

He does!

posted with his permission

My new friend walked away that day with a very hearty hand shake, a promise of prayers for him and his family, as well as a signed copy of my memoir The Kiss of Jesus. And, let’s not forget, the four blessed Miraculous Medals–one for him, his wife, and his two children.