It’s story time, and you’ll want to settle in, because this is a good one!
In March of last year, I sat down with my friend Phil from University Baptist Church, and we recorded a podcast about how life with a terminal illness has changed my path, but not my faith. As an icebreaker, Phil asked me about my bucket list, and I shared with him how I would love to spend a day with Ann Voskamp, a Christian blogger and author whose work has always inspired and challenged me. Phil said, “that’s a Christian Make-a-Wish right there,” and we chuckled.
Fast forward to this summer, when my dear friend Jen texted me: “Ann Voskamp is coming to town in November!” And sure enough, author Jennifer Rothschild’s tour was coming through our area, with Ann Voskamp as her guest. I immediately got to work.
Knowing that prominent people like Ann are likely inundated with fan messages and requests, I tried to find a more reliable route to hopefully bring about the opportunity to spend a few moments with her. I wrote to every email address I could find that was connected to the event team at the host church, offering to volunteer with the hospitality team for the event in hopes of finding a few minutes to meet Ann and take a quick picture. Weeks faded into months with no response.
I reached out again when I found a few more contacts to try to get in touch with. The calendar rolled to November, and I still had heard nothing in response to my queries. As the date of the event approached, I contented myself with at least getting to hear Ann speak in person, though disappointed that it seemed we would not get to be introduced.
Then November 8th, the day of the event rolled around, and with longing in my heart I made one last ditch attempt to connect with Ann that evening; I sent a message to her directly on social media. I had so little faith in her ever even seeing that, let alone responding, that I forgot to even check for a reply.
Jen and I were granted early access to the event that night since I needed wheelchair accessible seating, and a kind woman took notice of us and further rearranged things so that we could be seated in the front row; what a joy!
Once we were settled in our seats we had quite a bit of time before the event was scheduled to start. We sat through the VIP session with Jennifer Rothschild, and got to meet her and take pictures with her, which was sweet.
As we settled back into our spots in anticipation of the event beginning, I suddenly remembered my earlier message, and thumbed back to see if it had been read.
I cannot even explain the emotions that swelled through me; words fail. Needless to say, I’m afraid I wiggled with anticipation through the first half of the night. And then, intermission. My sweet Jen, as well as a random stranger captured the moments for me.
And not only did I get those precious 15 minutes with Ann Voskamp, but the wheel is turning for us to be reunited for that marvelous day I dared to dream of when I aired my bucket list!
God had written this night into His plans long before I ever knew to hope for it. Despite my doubts, my own striving to make things happen, and the quiet disbelief that I could even be worthy of such an honor, He gently made a way. And not just a way, but one far more beautiful, generous, and abundant than anything I could have dared to ask for or imagine. What I struggled to orchestrate, He had already set in motion, and I will forever be grateful.
If you are interested in hearing the podcast that started this whole thing, you can find it here: Talking Points Podcast
Thank you for joining me on this marvelous adventure. What is one thing on your grown up bucket list?
