My Atheist Friend Returns...

Joyce, an atheist and acquaintance but repeat attender to one of my recent LOL events, came to say,
"Hi Sue. I'm back!"
I responded, "Hi Joyce! I'm so glad you're back!"
"Well, you know I'm still not into all this God-talk, but I come because I like to laugh..", she said.
"I was looking for you this year and I was thrilled to see you again", I said.
Joyce smiled big. The pastor's wife, Carol, has consistently invited her for these special women's events, and she comes....simply because she's personally invited.

It's not up to me to be God. I just let God use me. Her smile indicated to me that her disbelief in God has nothing to do with the connection that we as God-people should pass along to our God-less world.

"You made me cry tonight, Sue. That's a first for me in a church..", Joyce whispered.
"Joyce, you're making me cry right NOW and that's NOT a first for me in a church. I find it to be a real and wonderful signal, that I've been greatly touched by something bigger than I."

I then hugged her and told her I'm praying for her.
She said, "Well, I can't tell you not to pray for me, that's for sure. But thanks for the hug."

She came back. She smiled. We hugged. This is what we do.