The Mingling of Immortals

A couple days ago, I was running some errands and popped into a local store. I found what I needed and went to the checkout. There were three people in front of me. There were two girls in their twenties, who were checking out at the register and a young Muslim woman was directly in front of me. The girls' dresses were very short and skimpy. Almost instantly, the contrast between their short short dresses and modestly dressed Muslim woman was striking. One was modestly dressed and the other two weren't.

As the girls in front left, I felt compelled to say something to the Muslim woman. I wanted to tell her thank you for dressing modestly, but wasn't sure what was the best way. Then her husband came in. He was also of Middle Eastern descent and dressed in a sort of casual European soccer outfit.

When they were about to leave, I stopped him and said, "Could I just tell you that as a Christian, I appreciate that your wife is dressed modestly."

He seemed happy, yet thought maybe that I was confused. Thankful for the gesture, he gently said, "But we are Muslim".

I replied, "I know, but I still appreciate her modesty."

At that point, he was visibly pleased. He told me that she is from Bahrain and when she first moved here two years ago, she found it very difficult because of how she dressed.  The cashier then interrupted us to get my signature on the slip, which abruptly ended our conversation. We exchanged smiles, as they left and I finished my transaction.

I wanted to keep talking with them. I wanted to tell them that my wife and I understand dressing different in a different culture. I wanted to ask them what burdens they have faced living in a new place and share our cultural mistakes and success. I wanted to reach out to them. I have no idea how many friends they have here, they may have many or none. In that brief meeting of three souls, I wanted to do my best to represent Jesus to them. I may not ever see them again. I can only hope that any other Christians they meet will treat them as Jesus would.

In me it was the stirring of the Spirit.

Every time you come in contact with another person, it is a meeting of souls. Souls are eternal, either spending eternity in Heaven with Christ or condemned to separation from God in Hell.

And now, I am kicking myself a little. Not because of talking with them though, the only regret about that is the conversation wasn't long enough. I'm kicking myself, because I don't listen as intently every time I meet someone to hear what plans God has for me with them. Each missed opportunity is lost and I pray that God keeps my eyes open and uses me every day in every situation, whether gassing up the car or paying a bill. 


The interchanges we have as we go through each day are not important. Oh they may seem important at the time, but in reality they are only important inasmuch that each soul is moved closer to God in that moment.