I was hanging out in a waiting room and switching between doing some emails on my phone and getting a book out to do some reading. As I was putting some things away, the book was on my side on one of those extra-large chairs, so the cover was easily visible.  Another person in the waiting room noticed the book and asked about it. The book is Mama Bear Apologetics by Hillary Morgan Ferrer. I asked them if they had heard about the book or read it before. It has made a small splash in the Christian community. I was reading it to see if there was anything there worth paying attention to, and so was curious about other opinions. The person said that they had never heard of the book before and then I opened the conversation up. 

I asked them if they were a Christian, because this is a Christian book. Boom! The conversation took a whole other track. Just like that I was having a conversation about this person's spiritual journey. They may not have framed the conversation in such terms. We were talking about their relationship with God and their struggles with why they were in the waiting room. 

I shared that, for me, Christ is the reason I keep going. Jesus makes all the nonsense make sense. I didn’t answer the person’s problem or solve anything. Really, all I did was listen with a non-judgmental ear. At the end of our conversation when they were about to head back to see their care provider, this person walked over to me and, with a tear in their eye, offered their hand. I shook it, cause, well, that’s kinda what you do in those situations. Then they said I really “touched them.” 

Alright, that feels good. It feels good that I was able to touch someone. But what did I do!? No, really, what did I do because isn’t this what we all want? To have conversations so powerful that at the end others in the waiting room are thinking maybe they need to move their seat next to you so they too can have a conversation. As Christians isn’t this the goal? To share the message of Jesus Christ with the world? 

Frankly, I don't know what I said to this person. I wish I could tell you there was some formula. That if you say these things in just the right situation you too can have a miraculous experience. More than likely the Spirit did the work. I, and my words, weren't magic. God showed up and moved that person and I am happy that I was a part of it. 

Now, that last bit, about being a part, I can help you with. That’s what the Kingdom of God looks like. Showing up for Jesus and sometimes Jesus shows up with you. I was open to the conversation, and I opened the conversation toward Christ. I was open and non-judgmental. I showed love and patience. You can do these things. You can be receptive. Meet people's eyes, give a smile, start a conversation or simply be open to having a conversation when the moment arises. 

This is not really the best way to spread the Word of God. The goal here is simply that the interaction with me, a Christian, was good enough that the way is a little straighter for the next interaction with some other Christian. It is John the Baptist evangelism: make the way straight. We can all do that and should. And, sometimes, as we are doing the work of God, God shows up.