Excuse me sir. How Many Books Do You Read A Week?

That was the way our conversation began. He asking me that question.

I was already aware of him.

In a public library I sat down at a computer to check a book title. There beside me was a young man with two plastic bags with clothes in them. I see interesting things all the time, so this did not shock me. Catch my attention, yes. Shock me, no.

We did not interact there. A few moments later I was in the non-fiction section between the 800’s and 900’s browsing when he walked straight toward me and I could see the interaction coming but not sure what would take place.

He walked up to me and said, “Excuse me sir. How many books do you read a week? For some reason, of which I still do not understand why, I responded, “About four.” Well, let me tell ya, as much as I read, which is a lot, I do not read four books a week. It was the first thing that came out of my mouth. So anyway, there’s your confession. I unintentionally lied to the young man.

For some reason, that answer satisfied him. And then he asked, “What type of reading?” This time I collected my answer first and said, “Mostly non-fiction.”

And he walked away. I thought interesting encounter but nothing earth shattering.

A few moments later he approached me again, and asked, “Have you ever been tested for words per minute?” I said, “not since I was very young, why do you ask?” He replied, “Because you look like you are are smart and you look dapper.”

Now how many young men use the word dapper…so I knew there was a blog here.

I then took over. I asked him his name which he gave me and I introduced myself. I asked if he was in school and he said he was eighteen and trying to complete his GED. I asked him about his plans for college and he had none yet. I tried to lead him toward college obviously and he said he would consider it.

This was not a coincidence. I will go back tomorrow sometime and see if I again see him and explore his life further. But this was no coincidence.

The Bible says, “The Lord had made everything for its own purpose.”

Nothing catches God by surprise. I can rest in that, because I have met a lot of interesting characters in my life and I want t to believe that not one of those chance meetings was a mistake.

So tomorrow, be alert, be mindful that the person you come in contact with may very well be in the design of God for your life. Never see people who come into your life, even momentarily, as a coincidence.

Your personal encounter with God was not coincidental. Why do you think your encounter with His creation would be.

JHH