Encounter

10/31

Yesterday I went to get the air pressure checked in my tires. After waiting in a line of about six cars, I made it to the front. The place I went to has someone who fills up your tires for you because people (including myself) are lazy.

Anyways, the man there introduced himself and scanned the barcode on the inside of my door to see what tire pressure was recommended for my car. After spotting the cross hanging from my rearview mirror, he asked, “Are you a believer?”

“Yes,” I said. “Are you?”

Sure enough, he was.

While he checked my tires, we talked about church, Biblical prophecies, and the odd things that are happening in the world today. I would love to say that I talked with confidence, but that’s not the case. I was nervous.

This was the first time I can remember where I talked with a complete stranger openly about my religion. Despite my initial unease, we had a great conversation about our shared faith.

When my tires were all filled up, I thanked him and said, “It’s always great to see another believer” while offering my hand to him out the window.

We shook hands…and something happened.

As I drove away, I felt something that I can only attempt to explain, and I’m sure that he did too.  

This deep sense of peace and warmth flowed into me and I couldn’t stop smiling. It was like a warm fire in the center of my body. Like a ball of light within that continued to expand. The peace that transcends all understanding.

I’m convinced that the Spirit of God was at work.

I always thought I’d truly experienced God’s presence before, but this time was different…

It was a true encounter with the Creator of the universe…and it was beautiful.

I know next to nothing about the man who filled up my tires. But when we shook hands, we did so not as strangers, but as brothers in Christ.

For the Christians reading this, I urge you to talk about your faith and share it with others…this is why so much of The Hemingway Post is about my own faith in God.

For the non-believers reading this, I only ask that you keep an open mind. I feel obligated to share this encounter because it is something I want you to experience as well.

I understand that not everyone likes when I talk about religion, and I understand that.

However, this is what I believe radically changes lives; There is nothing more important that I can write about.  

I hope this encounter of mine inspires you whether you yourself are a believer or not. I sincerely thank you for allowing me to share it.

Keep making progress. Change for the better. Live the Heming-way.

Til next time,

Trevor