“God bless you!” he said emotionally when we made eye contact. “Obviously, you’re women of faith. I’m inspired.”
“Are you eavesdropping on us?” I said jovially.
“I’m a believer myself, and I’ve been going through some hard times.”
“Do you have a church community to support you?”
“Not at the moment,” he said, wiping his eyes with a finger.
“Come to St. Francis Catholic Church, across from Sutter’s Fort! Easy to find and it’s very inclusive.” Sometimes I can be very blatant in my love for our community.
“Thank you!” he said. “I’ve been going through some rough stuff. I just spent a week in jail for domestic violence.”
I found myself at a mental crossroads. I had one hour booked outside my office for this meeting with Mary, and if I made time to listen to this man, I would add stress to an already overbooked day. Could I spare the time? Not really.
But deep inside, I recognized that I couldn’t ignore him either. I pushed our small table up to his and scooted my chair over too. So did Mary.
What is my call each and every day? Am I not called to find God in all circumstances, however unexpected? How can I live truly, deeply present to the immediate moment and ignore a man crying at the table next to me?We heard about drugs, Bible college, his R&B group, counseling, and his classes for domestic offenders. It wasn’t our place to judge, as Pope Francis says. Mary, a retired counselor, was a great listener.
“I need our family to be healed,” the man said.
“Would you like us to pray with you?” I asked, knowing that time was evaporating.
“Yes,” he said.
I reached for his hands and Mary’s. Right there in the middle of the coffee shop.
We prayed, and afterwards, he thanked us. I scooted our table back to its original position. He was crying again. I suppose they were tears of gratitude.
Mary and I finished our conversation and rose to leave. Mary hugged the man; I asked his wife’s and daughter’s names and promised to pray.
As Mary and I left, we both felt stunned. Overcome. Profoundly aware that we had just experienced a sacred moment in an unexpected place.