From Paula in California:
My husband and I had faced some unforeseen financial challenges in the last year. I was in the bank with him to cash what I thought was a paycheck for roughly $975. He looked at the check again, and realized that it was just a statement and that all of the pay had gone towards deductions. Our rent was due that day.
I also had another check to cash for about $800 that I had been saving to put towards the rent. The bank teller said, “I’m sorry, but we have to put a hold on this and cannot cash it for you today since there’s not enough in your account to cover it.” I said to her, “But you don't understand. I have to pay the rent today. Otherwise it's going to be late and incur a $100 late fee, and we can barely pay the rent now.”
I asked if she could get a manager to override the policy, and she said she would see what she could do. In the meantime, there was a gentleman standing next to me who said, “Excuse me, I could't help but overhear you. Do you need $800,000 or $800 dollars?" I laughed and said that while $800,000 would be good, but I only need $800 to pay my rent. And I turned back away as I thought he was joking. He said “If you need 800 dollars, I will give it to you. You just write me a check and put a date on it.” He now had my undivided attention. My husband became very concerned, wondering what was the catch might be. Meanwhile, I'm getting out my check book!
He wouldn’t specify a date, so I dated it for two weeks later when I knew we could cover it. The gentleman then counted out eight crisp one-hundred dollar bills and handed them to me! With tears in my eyes, I gave him my postdated check. I thanked him profusely. I told him that he was an angel sent by God. I told him that it is the rare occasion when a person gets to look into the face of God and that it is an overwhelmingly touching situation. He humbly said, “Oh, no, I am not God.” I said, “I know, but I see God working through you and it is beautiful and miraculous.”
My husband stood there with mouth open, and we walked out of the bank with the rent money in hand. My husband said, “I don't believe what just happened.” I said, “Believe it, it just happened!” All said and done, it was nothing short of a miracle. This was truly a sacred intersection!
Arriving at that bank a day before, 5 minutes before, or 1 minute later, I never would have met this gentleman, and I don't know where we would be. Possibly evicted? I don't know. But I do know that that meeting was arranged by God!
The story doesn't end there. Two weeks later I was able to deposit the money to cover the postdated check. That date has come and gone, and the $800 is still there! He has not cashed that check! And I have not touched that money! Everyday I check the balance, and I am in awe of the amazing kindness and generosity of this total stranger.
I only hope that one day I can pay this forward to someone else -- not only that I have the means, but the heart as well.
From Dan in California:
When you spoke at our church a few weeks ago, I thought you did a great job. I've heard a number of people who have read your book and it has them thinking differently now.
Over the years, I have had many sacred intersections but I wanted to share one. I was in St. Louis on business and was preparing to leave my hotel in the morning to drive to the airport. I placed my bags in the trunk of the car and closed the trunk lid. I then felt my pockets for the keys and I realized I had just locked them in the trunk. I called the rental agency and discovered that there are no extra keys. I was stranded. After many hours had passed, with tow trucks and mechanics working on it, I finally had my belongings but I had missed my flight home and had to leave the next day. Frustrated about having to stay another day, I got a hotel room and went to dinner. As I talked with my server that night, she opened up about her rocky marriage. She said she was about to call it quits. I was able to share some of my perspectives about healthy marriages, and she said after we talked that she was encouraged and was going to look at it differently and work with her husband on making it better. The next morning I went to the airport. As I sat waiting at the gate a soldier sat next to me. I thanked him for serving as I always try to do and then we started talking. He told me about his job as a doctor in the Army. As the conversation progressed he opened up about his struggles to love his wife the way she deserved. I had just been reading a book on exactly what he was going through. I explained the things I had been learning and then shared my story about stranding myself for an extra night. I told him that now understood why. It was because I was supposed to be there to talk with the server the night before and him now. I'm so grateful that I did not hold on to my frustration and was able to see God's hand in it.
From Lisa in California, after hearing me speak about Sacred Intersections:
...Your message on Sunday was wonderful. On Monday night I saw a woman my age at Trader Joe's [grocery store] pushing a cart, but she also had a cane and it was obvious she was having difficulty. When I walked out she was loading her car and had to put her cart away. I smiled at her and offered to put her cart back for her. She lit up at my gesture. I gave her back a warm smile.
We all need to be reminded to reach out to strangers, friends and family. You reminded me of this... Thank you.
From Patrick in California:
UNDER THE FREEWAY
I needed to get my grandson to go to sleep, which we usually do via the stroller and a walk. However, this day it was raining and hailing hard, so we went for a drive instead. We live in urban Sacramento and have a large homeless population throughout our community. We do have many shelters, but many homeless people choose to live on the streets for any number of reasons. (Mental health issues seem to be the most prevalent -- they just can't handle confinement and lots of people in one place.) Anyway, this day with Anthony in his car seat I drove around downtown/midtown past all the places I know my "friends without homes" frequent. I hadn't seen anyone, which was puzzling considering the weather, as I expected to find them huddled up in their normal places. On the way back home, I decided to drive the street that passes by the elevated freeway, often a temporary home to many. As we drove by our YMCA I looked to the left under the freeway and saw the familiar loaded shopping carts and large boxes (homes). We pulled in and I grabbed my bags of energy bars, etc.. Since Anthony was now asleep, I couldn't actually get out to visit like I normally would. As I rolled down my window, a pleasant man ambled up to me. I handed him my bags and simply said, "Grub." He replied, "I know you. I knew you was a'comin." I said, "God is good isn't He?", and he replied, "Yes, He is." We gave our blessings and parted company; him to a friend lying in a sleeping bag keeping warm and me to our all too comfortable and warm home to put Anthony in bed. Now, that would be story enough I suppose, but there's actually more.
A few days later, with my minivan reloaded with clothing, food and blankets, I went for another drive. I headed back to the same area. This time I stopped and got out with my larger bags. I set them down and noticed that a young man was sitting with the pleasant fellow I'd met last time and his buddy (still in his warm sleeping bag), reading from the Bible. I didn't interrupt, but simply exchanged smiles and a thumbs-up with my "friend" and went on my way, content that God was at work in another sacred intersection. And I suppose this story could certainly now come to an end. But, the beautiful epilogue was provided by my wife, who coincidentally swims daily at the YMCA. She came home the other day and said, "I saw your friend I think? He was wearing your parka, the brown and yellow one. Did you give that to him?" :-)
From Wil in California:
FENDER BENDER
It’s the sound no one wants to hear when backing up the car. I wasn’t going very fast, but that crunch and crack was unmistakeable. Something just went wrong, and worse yet, it was my fault.
I stopped and got out of the car, praying that no one was hurt and the damage wasn’t too bad. “You weren’t paying attention.” said the man getting out of his car. “Yes, you’re right. I’m sorry.” I replied. I was relieved to find that the damage was minor, and that the man and his wife were both okay. I told him that I would pay for the repairs out of pocket rather than go through my insurance, and wrote my contact information on a piece of paper. He took the paper from me, not even bothering to check for himself the accuracy of the information. I, on the other hand, inspected his license, wrote down the number, address, and phone number! I noticed that he had a Dutch name, a slight accent, and some Asian features...and he reminded me of many of my parents’ friends from Indonesia. The man said he would get several estimates and call me in the next few days.
Several days later, I got the call. I agreed to the amount and arranged to meet him at the parking lot of a retail complex near his home. The plan was to give him the money, have him sign a release, and I would be done.
I gave him the envelope containing the cash, and asked if he was from Holland. “Yes!” he replied, very surprised. I told him I recognized the accent, and that my parents were from Indonesia, a former Dutch colony. “I was born in Indonesia!” he exclaimed! We shared stories about how our families ended up in the USA, we talked about the foods he missed, the Indonesia of yesteryear, and what it was like there today. Our wives called to check up on why we were both gone so long. The short transaction was now over an hour long!
As we parted, he looked at me ruefully and said “I’m really sorry we had to meet this way.” I grinned at him, ”I’m not. I’m glad I bumped into you!” We both laughed, shook hands and drove off...carefully.
(And... In the few months since, we have intentionally bumped into each other a number of times and our families are enjoying a growing friendship.)
From Rita in California:
I serve on the board of a non-profit agency. I found myself at Heathrow Airport a few weeks ago waiting for a plane back to L.A. after a conference held by our agency. I was with old friends and new. I looked around the table where we had gathered to pass some time: a Scottish woman married to a wild Frenchman and their four-year-old son, this family who have become so like a second family to my husband back home and myself, a New York Jew who is a dear, long-time friend to us, and a Tunisian man and his Texan wife with their new baby girl, new friends and newly treasured. As this Tunisian told me his story of how he came to be here in this place, his journey, I couldn't help but marvel at how all of these disparate people were here together for a short time, would get on their separate flights to their destinations, and on with their own stories. A little blip on each person's radar for a few minutes in time. And yet so sweet and wonderful that it won't be forgotten soon. A very sacred intersection.
From Matt in Uruguay:
Last week I went to a conference in Buenos Aires. There I saw a face I recognized from my distant past. The ants that run all the clockworks inside my brain went rapidly in search of the photo file and gave me the necessary info as I was in the process of speaking to him: "Do I know you?" "No, I don't think so." "Are you from the United States?" "Yes." "Memphis?" "Yes." "Did you work with a group called 'Break' at Memphis State around 1990?" "Yes!" "So I DO know you! Or at least I know your face."
We spent the next two days together comparing notes and swapping stories about his journey and my journey and my work with a faith community in Montevideo and his work in Buenos Aires.
I went and sat down in a roomful of people and tried to make polite conversation with a mature woman behind me. It turns out she was Anglo-Argentine. I began name dropping of Anglo-Uruguayans I knew to see if we had some mutual friendships. She replied, "I'm afraid I don't know too many English in Uruguay. The only ones I knew, and I believe they have passed on now, were Stuart and Irene Heath." This couple were the ones who had originally developed the San Geronimo estate that we are currently purchasing and retooling for a training and retreat center. She spoke longingly of San Geronimo and told me of the many delightful visits she had had there over the years, and how happy she was to know what was happening there now.
From Sascha in California:
Traveling from Africa back to NY, I boarded the plane near three African gentleman sitting together and seeming very nervous pre-flight. I started a conversation with them about flying, that I have spent years in the planes and that it was mostly a pleasant experience. We continued talking as the plane took off and they did not even notice the excitement of being high up. This was their first time out of Africa and first time in an airplane. They were elders from a small village asked to come to the UN and report on their farming, sustainability, etc.
As we landed in NY, all seemed well and after I got my luggage and cleared customs, I spotted the three of them sitting outside on a bench, so I went over and asked if all was well, did they need help with a ride or taxi. They answered: "No, all is well. We are waiting for our souls to arrive." I never saw them again, but will never forget their lesson to pay attention to the soul.
From Teal in Colorado:
I have been watching the show “Touch” (Fox, Kiefer Sutherland) and continuously think of Sacred Intersections! We rarely know how the intersections in our lives will impact others. Sure, occasionally, we get to see the impact; but I gotta believe for every time we do know, there are 10 times (perhaps 100? more?) that we do not get to know the future impact our intersection had.
I have been working like crazy for 2 months on an event I'm coordinating. Up until a week ago, the response was well below what was needed for it to work, but we decided to take a leap of faith and run it. Over the past week, sacred intersections that have been planted for months, and in some cases years, came together, and today we sit with more than enough people for it to move forward successfully!