While visiting a water park over the past weekend with my family, we happened to be standing in line behind a very thin young man. He was painfully thin; so much so that we could see his spine. We carried on our conversation amongst ourselves and acted silly in line, as usual. We joked around, sang, and danced the new "running man." The young man and his friend seemed to turn around a few times and laugh with/at us. I didn't think too much about him and his friend, but I did wonder to myself a little about why he was so thin.
After a while, I overheard him speaking with my husband. He randomly told my husband that he has had or currently has cancer- it was not completely clear. Regardless, it was heartbreaking to hear it. He couldn't have been more than 18 years old. The conversation was brief and everyone went back to enjoying their respective company and going on the slide.
As we were standing in line during the next ride, and discussing whether we wanted to purchase the additional "fast passes", or whatever they are called, which would get us through the lines faster, it crossed my mind that we should buy such passes for the young man from the last line and his friend. I use the term "crossed my mind," but really, after looking back on that moment, I realize it was actually God speaking to me. You see, I let that thought "cross my mind," but I ended up not actually pursuing it, even after we randomly came across the same young man a little later at the park. Thousands of people were at the park that day and God gave me a second chance to help bless that man, but I didn't take the opportunity.
I believe that life is full of these God-given opportunities to bless others. We can either listen to that voice or we can ignore it and just move on with life. My family and I still had a great time at the water park, and I'm sure that young man and his friend did, as well. It's not like God needs me in order to bless others...right? To be sure, I missed the opportunity to show that man a clear example of God's love by giving him even more of a fun day by buying him a "fast pass." It's simple, quick moments like this that occur throughout our lives, which can define our lives.
I have decided that I don't want to miss these opportunities any more. Any chance I can get to show God's love, I want to take it. After this experience, all I can do is pray for this young man and pray that he survives the cancer, but it would it would have been so amazing to show him how much God loves him, is proud of him for getting out, and wants him to enjoy life.
We can practically show God's love to others every single day if we choose to. All we have to do is listen and act.
