I got to admit, I haven’t blogged in a while. Work. Kids. Family. Life. These have taken the wheel and blogging ,well, it is not even in the back seat but has been riding cargo,stuck in the trunk.

But tonight, I made room to reflect and allow for my thoughts to move up to “ shot-gun.” Yep, riding next me as an active passenger in my congested life.

Here’s what this week brought.

I walked into a church. A new bible study. A women’s group. I took a workbook and took a seat .

“ Hi! I’m Cindy. I really need this group because I am a widow and been raising my kids since they were seven and eight.This group kept me grounded.”

My mouth twitched.

“Wow,me too.”

“You’re a widow?”

“No, but definitely a single mom.”

My shoulder was touched and a tear formed in my eye.

It was like the seat had a reserved sign that read,“ Sit here. Welcome to Santa Barbara.”

I drove home and thought about random seats.

Indianapolis.A month ago. And an empty airplane terminal seat.

“Is this seat taken?”

A fresh freckled-face smile coaxed me over.

“No, you can sit here.”

Her nervous chatter was like her jaw,chomping gum.

“I’m 18. I’m headed to Australia for the summer. My mom doesn’t want me to go but I need to pursue my dream .She thinks I should do something practical but I love music…”

I listened. I nodded . I smiled.

“God gave you gifts and he expects you to use them. You will be great. You need to be happy.Your mom will understand.”

Tarah chimed in,”Yes,my mom always says to dream the big dream.”

Her lids lowered and a soft smile appeared.

“Thank you. Honestly kinda nervous about the trip. Sorry for talking your ear off. It’s just that my dad is a cop and he was injured on the job and is on disability. This trip is a lot of money for my mom.”

I glanced at the ceiling. Seriously, God, a cop who is disabled ? Same as my kids’ dad. Did you plan this?

“Oh, honey. I understand but your mom wants you happy.”

We hugged and departed.

A seat. Yep, a seat brought strangers together.

Who knows maybe our hope down the road depends on our seat choice?

Sit next to a stranger. Listen. Really hear them. You may help someone take the next corner with ease versus bouncing around in cargo.

“Is there anything as Christians cheering each other up?”

Phillipians 2:1