I have to apologize in advance because I’m posting out of order. Is that ok? I mean, I guess I don’t have to ask but I don’t want you upset with me. Are you upset? Eh, it will be okay and you’ll get over it. I have to tell you a ridiculous story. I have to tell you something that will warm your heart on this chilly fall pre-winter evening. And if it doesn’t, I hope your under a blanket and ate soup for dinner. And, you might not even have a soul.

Anyway, Friday was about the hardest day I’ve had in weeks. I know, I know. I’m also ready to be done talking about hard days but I can’t lie about it. The struggle was/is real.

I had planned the day off and instead of doing that, headed to a coffee shop to get some work done. Aren’t days off dreamy?! Now, I am bound and determined not to lose vacation time so I made a noon deadline and packed my stuff up promptly after turning on my out of office message and after a quick stop at the bank, headed towards Holland.

I’d thrown my bike on the car that morning in the hopes that I could get a nice ride in. I don’t think I realized exactly how long of a ride I was planning but as I drove to Holland, I thought, ‘you know, you did ride to Grand Haven and back as a teenager. you should do that.’ And, why?

The problem, I would later realize, is that I grabbed my hybrid and not my road bike. Road bikes are for long rides. Hybrids, eh, not as much. But it’s doable. It was about 2:30 when I left and I figured I’d be back by 6 at the latest.

The ride north was beautiful. I listened to music until I got worried my phone would die and although I faced a lovely head wind, I couldn’t help but appreciate the gorgeous day I’d gotten as a little gift. I arrived in Grand Haven around 4:00. I headed towards the pier for a break and because you know, water. Unfortunately, they’d fenced off the path to the end of the pier so I had to climb the rocks to grab a quick photo of the lighthouse. Don’t worry; I was wearing a helmet. I actually jumped down and almost shot up like a gymnast because it was further than I thought and I knew people were watching.

I hopped back on my bike and took a deep breath knowing it was going to be a long ride back. I started riding, though, and saw a couple walking. I mentioned that I’d stopped at the bank earlier. The women I met with bore a striking resemblance to an interim pastor we’d had (whom I loved dearly). I mentioned it to her and pulled up Facebook to show her some pictures. She agreed they could be sisters. Anyway, as I rode closer, I knew it was her. I said, ‘is that Sarah Farkas?’ She quickly turned and I nearly let my bike trail away from me as I grabbed her.

Sarah was the first person I saw that day that I knew and it felt so good to see her especially after she’d been right in my face (in pics) earlier. We exchanged the normal ‘hello’s’ and then she asked how I was and I think it was two seconds before tears were streaming. She actually does this to me every time so it wasn’t a first, but still. So embarrassing. Her poor boyfriend was like, ‘eek, maybe we should go.’

But Sarah. She was just so sweet and stood there talking to me for probably 20-25 minutes. There is so much about her that I relate to … some of the things she’s experienced in the past, some of her relationships … lots of things. But what I love most about her is the way she loves on other people; the way she’s shoved aside every fear to do exactly what God wants her to do. And she’s making it. I can see it. And I’m so proud of her!

Before we said goodbye, Sarah asked if she could pray with me. So there we stood on the pier, her arms around me as I straddled my bike, tears pouring down my cheeks as people walked by, and prayed. Her words were inspired and meant absolutely everything to me in that moment.

We hugged and I hopped back on my bike for home. Wouldn’t you know I still had a head wind on the way back? And my body was tired and I kind of wanted to quit a few times? Well, I made it. It was around 7:00 and the sun had set, but I made it.

Sarah and her words were one of the reasons I’ll make it. And I know some would like to call this a coincidence but … I just refuse to buy that. I believe it was so much more.

“Strength and honor are her clothing, 

and she can laugh at the time to come” -Proverbs 31:25