Arkansas: Part 10

For those of you who have been following my blog, you will definitely understand why this question is not an easy one for me to answer. As you know, there is so much to tell.

So many people. So many circumstances and situations that need to be explained.

What brought me to Arkansas?

A smile stretched across my face and I took a deep breath. I responded . . .

“It really is an amazing story and I would love to tell you. But it’s going to take a little bit of time. Do you really want to know?”

He leaned back in his chair with ease and replied, “Yes, I really think I do.”

And so it began . . . very much as this blog began.

I told him about my life in Colorado, my job . . . the longing for something more.

I told him about the coffee day with Becca and Stephanie and the phone call with James.

I told him about coming and visiting only 5 months early. Meeting Ms. B. Meeting Lisa.

I told him about quitting my job and the rollercoaster of events that had happened.

My concluding thoughts were about the drive out with Stephanie . . and ended my story with the classic . . “And now I’m here meeting with you.”

All in all . . it took about 35 minutes.

Telling my story to someone face to face is always a wonderful experience. To see their eyes fixated on my every word. To watch them nod their head in agreement because there is something about my story that they can so easily relate to. To share tears about life’s twists, turns and the common ground of “my heart longs for something more.”

I love sharing my story.

Greg was amazed.

He said that a lot of people at the church in Conway had similar stories.

It was as if God was strategically bringing people to this place.

Preparing a group of hearts for some amazing part of His story.

Gathering His people for something epic.

Greg had another question for me. . . . “Do you want to know the story about this job

position?”

With great eagerness I listened as Greg began to explain his side of the story. Like my story, he had to back up a few months and give me some context so I would understand the full scope of everything. He shared about the people in the office, what they did and who they were. He explained how the position had become available. He explained how they didn’t want to post a “now hiring” ad for the job. He only wanted to look for someone by word of mouth. Nothing flashy. Nothing fancy.

Let me share with you his story:

We knew we were looking for someone specific. We knew that it wouldn’t be easy to fill the position, so we knew it may take some time. The only real deadline we were up against was tax season, which really gets underway in January. My wife and I were praying the Lord would bring us the right person for the job, that He would raise someone up and bring them to us. I wanted to get my mom involved. She’s a little o’le prayer warrior up in northern Arkansas, so I called her and told her we were making some changes in the office and would she be praying for us. I also told her about the position that we were needing to fill, but also our desire not to broadcast that we were hiring. My mom was very eager to be praying for us. So after talking with her a little bit longer we hung up and I continued with my day. About 15 minutes later my cell phone rang and it was my mom. She was very excited and told me that she thought I should talk to Rick Bezet.

Time out: Gotta give you some quick context. Rick Bezet is the lead pastor at the church I was attending in Conway. He has been the pastor of the church for about 9 years. The important part for you to know . . . his mom . . . is Ms. B.

Continuing on with Greg’s story . . .

I thought this was an interesting approach to take and thanked my mom for the idea. I told her that getting a hold of Rick was no easy task. Now that the church has multiple campuses . .. well, Risk is just a very busy man. I told my mom that I had an even better idea. . . I would see if Ms. B knew of anyone that would work for the position. I don’t know if you know this yet, but Ms. B practically knows everyone in Conway. (I thought to myself, oh yes, I know this) I didn’t remember to call her for a little while. But as we were approaching the beginning of November and I knew the holidays were right around the corner . . . I knew I needed to get a hold of her . . . and I needed to get a hold of her soon The next day I was unexpectedly working late at the office when my son called me and asked me if I wanted to meet them for dinner. It was time for me to get home so I took them up on the offer. I asked where we were gonna go and the only place they wanted to go was Ruby Tuesday’s. Now I’m not a big fan of Ruby Tuesday’s, but I was too tired to really object. So I left the office and headed to the restaurant to meet with them. Now when I got to the restaurant and walked in . . . you will NEVER guess who was seated at a table just inside. . . MS. B!! She was sitting there with two other women. I couldn’t believe it . . . .

Greg continued to tell the story, but I phased out for a second.

He doesn’t remember!

He doesn’t realize that I was one of those women sitting at the table that very night!

In that moment . . . it was as if worlds were colliding.

Greg and his wife had prayed that someone would be raised up and brought to them. Greg’s mom had the idea to talk with the Pastor Rick and Ms. B.

Greg and his kids just “happened” to eat at Ruby Tuesday’s the very same night Ms. B, Stephanie and I had!

This was CRAZY!!

What was happening?!

I knew that I had to tell Greg.

I had to interrupt.

I had to tell him.

“Can I stop you for just a second? I have to tell you something.”

He politely let me interrupt his story. . . . “Sure.”

“That night . . . at Ruby Tuesday’s . . . I was one of the women at Ms. B’s table.”

He remembered. . . . and worlds collided once again.

I will never forget how he sat back in his chair and just stared at me.

It was as if I could see the dots quickly connecting in his mind.

He was having the same recollection I had only seconds ago.

Finally he said . . .

“It was you . . . it was you . . . it’s always been you.”

We then sat in silence for what felt like forever. But it was a good silence. And when the moment was right . . . I smiled and said . . . “Welcome to my story.”