Surprise at the Swimming Pool–March 2025

I like to go swimming once a week these days as I find it relaxing and healthy at the same time.  But one added benefit to swimming is that no one has in ear buds (which is not true when you go to the gym).  Those without ear buds are easier to talk to than those with ear buds.  You get the drift. 

After swimming laps one day, I did what I usually do—go relax and sit in the hot tub.  I happened to notice a young man sitting about 10 yards away from me.  I can’t say I was really in the mood to talk to anyone—I just wanted to relax.  But he didn’t have in any ear buds…

When I “notice” people, it is God’s way of highlighting them to me in order to minister to them in some way.  Sometimes, this is just through silent prayer right where I am at, and I never engage in conversation with them.  Other times, I feel prompted to talk with them.  This time as I started with prayer for the man, I started to receive words from the Holy Spirit for Him.  I felt the Lord wanted me to share with him, so I did!

After some small talk, I was able to transition the conversation. I shared how I had noticed him as I sat in the hot tub and God put some things on my heart for him.  When I shared the words with him, “R” really resonated with the words and was intrigued how I could know such things.  Apparently I had described one of his dreams from the night before with one of the words God gave me.  He shared that he was “spiritual” but didn’t really know how to define it.  I shared about how I believe in the reality of the supernatural spirit realm but that I believe Jesus Christ, my Lord, is the greatest of all spirits and I would only receive things from Him.  I shared how I had come into relationship with Jesus in college and how His Spirit reveals things to me. We had a good talk and “R” shared a bit more of his past spiritual experiences. Eventually we parted ways and were both thankful for the conversation.  But that wasn’t the end. 

I saw “R” the next week and said hi briefly, but I told him I didn’t have a lot of time that day.  He came over and sat down next to the hot tub and we talked for whatever time I did have.  He told me that one of the words I shared with him had happened and he was curious about my journey and how I had started to hear from God.  I shared a bit more of my story with him and other things God had shown me over the years.  I told him we would talk again. I think I forgot to take a shower that day after my swim as I was pondering our conversation and what God was up to… 

The third time I saw “R” I was able to give him my contact information, along with a Pocket Testament. I offered to meet up with him if he ever wanted to talk more.  He shared how he used to go to youth group with his Christian friends and how he was interested in learning more about spiritual things.  It seemed from our conversation like He may be ready to reach out to those friends again!

I look forward to seeing “R” again.  God is pursuing Him! Let’s pray and ask God to “grow” the seeds in the heart of “R” and whoever may be on your heart today as you read this.

There are opportunities all around us if we keep our eyes open and don’t go into autopilot mode.  And people that are in places that we frequent and can see again are especially noteworthy of our attention.  Lord open our eyes.  Speak to our hearts.  Help us to be Your ambassadors!