Her name was Annie.

She was seated poolside, legs stretched out on the lounge chair, with oversized sunglasses covering most of her face. Her long blonde hair pulled forward, falling just right over one shoulder.

The laptop she was working on just didn’t fit with the rest of the image. After all, who comes to a pool at a resort in Maui just to work?

It seemed like she was in her own world. If you saw her, you’d think she had it all together, and you might even feel a little intimidated to approach her.

Things aren’t always what they seem. The glasses were really to mask her puffy eyes and the laptop was a shield from having to pretend she was okay when she wasn’t.

She didn’t know that she was about to meet a couple who would change her life.

Cindy and Bob were staying at the same resort. They came here to vacation, yes, but even more than that, they came here every year on mission. They prepared and prayed before every trip.

So, when they stepped on the pool deck that day, they were looking around and inwardly asking God who He had for them to meet that day.

Cindy saw Annie, and wondered to herself if she was the one. She didn’t engage her immediately. Instead, she and Bob reclined in the seats beside her and relaxed into vacation mode, soaking up the sun and breeze.

A little while later, Annie closed her laptop with a click. Cindy noticed but still didn’t say anything.

“I guess I looked a little crazy on my computer out here by the pool,” Annie said to Cindy. “Anything to take my mind off of why I’m here, but then I overheard you two talking and just felt like I was supposed to talk to you.”

She had Cindy’s full attention by now, as Cindy realized that this was the exact connection she was supposed to make that day.

Annie continued, “My name is Annie. Did I hear that your husband’s name is Bob?”

Cindy was a little puzzled, but she said, “Yes, it is. And my name is Cindy.”

“Bob. That’s what I thought I heard. That was also my fiancé’s name.”

“I’d love to hear your story, Annie. Tell me about Bob.”

Annie went on to tell Cindy about how she’d tragically lost her Bob during their engagement, and how this was supposed to be their honeymoon. Yet here she was, all by herself, wondering how she would cope.

Cindy listened quietly as Annie shared through her tears. “I think God sent me to you to tell you He loves you, and that you aren’t alone. He’s with you in your pain. How are you coping with your loss?” Cindy asked.

The conversation went on that afternoon. Cindy silently prayed as she listened, asking God to give her the words and wisdom about how to love Annie well in this moment.

Before they parted ways that day, Cindy asked if she could leave a printed copy of her own personal faith story with Annie. Cindy always keeps a few with her for opportunities just like this. Annie was happy to accept it.

They would go on to connect several more times during their vacation. Before they returned to their own homes, began texting.

That was seven months ago. Cindy and Annie are still talking and texting regularly. Since that day at the pool, Cindy has shared the Gospel with Annie several times. Annie says she’s thinking about what it means.

When we share our faith, often we want results to happen quickly but sometimes that’s just not how it works. Sometimes it takes an investment of ourselves in people’s lives. We make deposits over time, faithfully and consistently loving others because God loved us first.

When Cindy talks about the way she is led to share her faith with others, she says that she believes God brings her people that she can connect with uniquely. She says she just trusts God and looks for Him to lead her.

When we partner with God, He is faithful to introduce us to those who need what He will offer through us.

If you were talking with Cindy, you’d find that her story of Annie is one story in a host of many. It seems like she is always in the right place, at the right time, connecting with just the right person God has appointed. How does that happen? Some of it is certainly her unique gifting and personality, but she would tell you it’s way more simple than that.

The conversation went on that afternoon. Cindy silently prayed as she listened, asking God to give her the words and wisdom about how to love Annie well in this moment.

Before they parted ways that day, Cindy asked if she could leave a printed copy of her own personal faith story with Annie. Cindy always keeps a few with her for opportunities just like this. Annie was happy to accept it.

They would go on to connect several more times during their vacation. Before they returned to their own homes, began texting.

That was seven months ago. Cindy and Annie are still talking and texting regularly. Since that day at the pool, Cindy has shared the Gospel with Annie several times. Annie says she’s thinking about what it means.

The difference is the power of preparation. She has developed a pattern that feels natural for her. She says anyone can do what she does and watch God work in amazing ways!

Here’s how she does it:

1.) She prays and looks for those God sends to her.

Cindy orders the book Stonecroft’s book Aware before vacationing each time. She reads through the familiar book and marks in it the names of people she wants to check on once they arrive, and she prays with expectancy for new people God will place in their path. She highlights the phrases and reminders that jump out to her.

2.) She begins conversations by simply asking, “What’s your story?”

She asks if they can take a picture together. (This both helps her remember and pray for them, and points out to the person that they are significant to her!)

She listens well, asks great questions, and connects her story to theirs when it makes sense.

3.) When she feels prompted by the Holy Spirit, she asks if she can share her faith story with them.

Cindy took the time to write down her own faith story, in her own words. She has them on her phone to send via text, and she also printed them out on small cards that she carries with her. She shares whichever one fits the situation best.

4.) Then, she continues to cultivate the relationship, nurturing it along.

She exchanges contact information so that she is able to continue to keep in touch, encouraging them and asking how to pray for them along the way.

5.) She prints the picture to remind her to pray and continues to reach out over time.

Seeing their faces keeps the memory of their interaction fresh, and prompts her to send a text or call to check on them, as well as reminding her to pray.

Are YOU prepared for what God wants to do through you today?