She smiled at me...

I smiled at her…
    She smiled at me…
            She smiled at me…
                      I smiled at her…
And so it went for about 10 minutes as I tried to get my computer online at the public coffee shop where I had just finished an accountability meeting with a close friend.  As we had wrapped up our time together, I felt compelled to linger a bit longer….
        And she smiled at me…
            I smiled back…do I know her?...no, I don’t recognize her…

Oh Lord!  How I long to show Your glory to the Nations!  How I long to speak to the hearts of these people I am surrounded by day by day!  I struggle so with this language!  Make me your instrument!  When do I know when it is the right time to share Your truths?  I do not want to get ahead of you, but I am so impatient!  It’s not like someone is just going to come up to me and ask me to lead them to You!  Oh Lord, help me!  (This is my prayer, whispered in my heart as I ride in the tuk-tuk along these crowded streets.)

            And she smiled at me as she approached my table…we began a simple conversation about my computer (that still wouldn’t get online!)
                    May I sit here with you?
                        Well, certainly!  How are you?
                            Well, I feel such joy when I see your smile.  Why do you have such joy in your smile? 

Oh Lord, forgive my doubting ways!
Thank you friends for praying! 

After many hours of listening, talking, sharing, listening, talking some more, I asked this dear lady if she wanted this joy today; after getting over her shock that she didn’t have to wait for a special ceremony or time, she said “Yes!” and we prayed together there in that coffee shop. 
And as we lifted our heads together
she had tears in her eyes as
She smiled at me and said
“I am so happy to see your smile.  Now I have the peace and joy I have been seeking for so many years.”

Shine Jesus Shine!