I am standing in the checkout line at the grocery store. The woman in front of me is in need of a “price check” not to mention she has more items than the allowed “10 or less.” I can feel my blood pressure rising; I have never been good at waiting and my intolerance level is rapidly climbing. I turn to the stranger in the line behind me and say, “You’d think by now I would realize when I ask God to give me patience He will inevitably put me in these situations, but I will always fail miserably.” The woman replies, “I am fortunate to be blessed with the patience of Job.” Thus begins our twominute conversation about God and His timing. We leave the store, probably never to cross paths again, yet I feel we have shared something of whom we are and where we are spiritually. I had a similar experience waiting for my car at the dealer. I noticed a woman reading a spiritual book I had recently finished. I said to her, “I hope you’re enjoying that as much as I did.” Her eyes lit up and for the next 45 minutes we talked about our God, how He uses us, the importance of letting Him into our lives and much more. We were sorry when our cars were ready. As it turns out she lives in the alley behind Mediator and invited me to sit on her porch at the next West Park concert.

I am always pleasantly surprised when I strike up “My Faith” conversations with total strangers. Most seem willing if not eager to share their faith experiences. How can we incorporate “showing our faith colors” to each other in our daily life? (That was one of the questions discussed at our vestry retreat in February and the reason for this writing. How can we grow and express ourselves spiritually, individually and as a church “How do we find ways to encourage each other to speak about our faith?”) Invite someone to church? Pray for someone? I think we need to do more than that. If we are to be witnesses for Christ, shouldn’t we be talking about Him? It is my view that until we make “Faith Talk” a routine part of our everyday conversation, we may be overlooking our most valuable gifts, the opportunity to share our faith with someone else. It is as easy as talking to a stranger. Share your faith with someone today.