Yesterday I wrote about feeling lonely and missing having a close friend and how hard it is to meet new people. Now, I’ve written about that on more than one occasion with no change, but if you look close enough, you can almost always find God’s hands in your life.
I’ve been attending a water aerobics class for almost a year now. Most of the people in the class are retirees and significantly older than me. Not that I haven’t had plenty of friends that are older or younger than me. But while we can chat just fine in class, a friendship has not formed. Heck, I don’t know most of their names! In January, the instructor I’d been going to decided to move on and we got a new instructor.
Katie. She’s perky and social and extremely ADHD. I’ve enjoyed taking her class. She is very close to my age (only 4 years older) and has children around the age of mine (as well as some older ones). We have spoken a little and frequently will send silent messages to one another through eye contact occasionally. Last Friday I had been debating on staying after class and spending a little more time in the water. When class was over, the locker room (where my clothes were stored) was closed so the maintenance guy could fix a toilet. I saw it as a sign that I needed to stay. So I did. And it just so happens that Katie stayed and got into the water with another woman. We swam and talked for about a half hour, then I decided it was time for me to leave. I enjoyed talking with both women well enough.
Yesterday, as I arrived at the natatorium, Katie pulled into the spot right behind me. We walked into the building together and she mentioned having a dramatic weekend and needing her prayer warriors. I told her “I’ve got you covered.” We had to part ways to get ready for class and I figured I’d never know what she needed those prayers for, but knew that God did and I didn’t need to.
After class Katie was busy talking to someone else, so I decided not to stick around. I went to the locker room, showered, and dressed. Just as I was putting my bag into my car, Katie came out of the building. We stood in the parking lot talking for an hour! She told me all the drama she’s been dealing with. My Stephen Ministry training stepped in as I listened without judgement and offered support rather than solutions. She wasn’t looking for solutions. I shared a little with her, though not a ton. I did tell her that just that morning I had been journaling about not knowing where to make friends and that maybe she was the friend I’d been praying for. We exchanged phone numbers and hugs and parted ways.
Is she an answer to my prayer? I don’t know. But the timing of it sure is remarkable. Now, I realize that we’re not “best friends” and might not ever be. But remember how I said that my best friends tend to be extroverts that adopt me? Well, that’s exactly what this felt like. For some reason she felt compelled to share her story with me. Now, with as ADHD as she is, it was a rambling jumble of a story and I didn’t follow everything, but nonetheless she trusted me. Perhaps one day we will get together outside of the natatorium or its parking. For now, I’m leaving myself open to the possibility, but trying not to get my hopes up too high.
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