Surprise, surprise

Yesterday I was contacted by someone whom I used to despise.

I remember being ridiculed by this individual for various reasons---my faith being one of them.

He was a junior in high school when I was a freshman. He was popular upperclassman, and I was timid fresh meat.

He had a charming demeanor with his bright blues eyes and innocent smile. You could see in his eyes the depth that lay beneath, but it often was hidden by a boy who wanted to be accepted by his peers--and having depth was never socially acceptable for a youth of his stature. All the girls fell for his charm but I resisted it because to me, actions speak louder than words. I saw the way he would tease and belittle people and I wasn't about to let an attractive young man woo me from my morality.

"Hey I was thinking about you the other day" he wrote on facebook chat, "there was a chaplain who gave us a bible and my buddies and I were reading it...one of them became a christian..."

He is currently in the Marine Corps serving in Afganistan when he wrote this to me. I haven't talked to his guy in years.....the last thing I remember of him was that he yelled "QUITTER!" to me as I walked the hallways of high school after I quit the track team before I moved to Redding. I remember feeling humiliated. Not sure if I've talked to him since then.

I remember having a four hour discussion with him on a bus trip back from an away football game. He was basically trying to convince me that my beliefs were wrong and I was to determined to defend my beliefs. Lets just say the conversations didn't go well.

I had no idea what to say to this guy who used to intimidate me in high school and is now serving our country in Afghanistan. I was delighted that he thought of me because of the christian ordeal, it definitely made me chuckle--and there is no sense in holding a grudge against silly high school drama---so I engaged him in polite conversation.

His stories were mind boggling. I guess its true what they say---all is fair in love or war.

Stories of his life seem so unfair.

Tragedy, trauma, tribes, and tribulations.

He's definitely grown leaps and bounds since I last saw him.

I'm still in awe over the whole encounter. I feel incredibly proud of this guy who chose to step out of his comfort zone and put his life on the line for his country. I feel my heart going out to him in his heart ache and pain he's encountered. I empathize with him.

I choose to forgive instead of be bitter of the way he treated me in the past so I can embrace who he is now. I'm thankful that I get to see the change in him and be able to converse with him while he remains in the hardships of Afghanistan life.

He helps me remember how short life is and how much I have to be thankful for. He tells me of the frequent deaths he encounter and his immunity to the thought of dying. To know that life is precious and it's wonderful to live right now out loud---being all we were created to be.

Free to be.

Thank you Lord for your incredible provision, peace, joy, hope, faith, and love you've given to me. It's only by your grace that I am incredibly blessed. Please protect J******'s mind, body, and spirit as he serves in Afghanistan. Lord that you would comfort him and his friends---give them overwhelming peace, joy, faith, hope, and love. Thank you, Father, for you care and for this encounter.