Ordained Encounters

I've been going to the same place to get my hair done for two years (I have a lot of gray hair for my age...).

I desperately needed to get my hair done and so I scheduled an appointment and took the slot that was available. As a result I had a young lady tend to my hair that I've never met before.

We got to talking and she revealed to me that she used to be a stripper. We started talking about it and when she was 18 she met a guy who was 28 who got her to try it out. They went to a club and she made $1200 on the day time shift her first day. She was hooked.

She says she was really into the "glamor" of the whole thing and the cash was great. After about four years she says she's what's called a "has been"... time to find something else to do. When the economy got really rough the men wanted more for their money and it made her uncomfortable so she eventually got out and went back to school.

I told her that I was a Christian and she was confused. She said that I was listening to her and wasn't judging her like other Christians have done to her--that I wasn't shocked to find out about her past. Ouch.

I think Jesus would have listened to her story and wouldn't have been afraid of what she was saying. Why are we so often afraid to engage? I try to carry on conversation with cashiers all the time and I really try to remember the names of the employees in the places that I shop consistently--badge or no badge.

She was such a nice young lady. I plan on going back to see her again.

I'm thankful for the people that God puts in our path and for the ordained encounters that he gives us. We just need to realize them and do something with them. What will you do?