This is a guest post by Doreen Frick. Doreen is the daughter of prophecy writer Salem Kirban, and was most influenced by the people in her life who showed her Christ in the practical ways. She and her husband, Wes, have four “kids” and 11 grandkiddies.
You can view her other writings at Grand Magazine, “I Long to See My Fairy Godmother” and Edge Magazine, “Rain, Rain.” You can read more about Doreen here.
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She was my seatmate on the train. She had the window seat. I joined her later when I got on near Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Quiet, a slight smile when I asked if I could sit there next to her, she seemed absorbed. Judging her age to be about the same as mine, I understand the need for solitude. I was on a happy trip to see family. I wasn’t sure hers was for something as pleasant. She took a call on her cell phone and I got up to give her some privacy.
I think in that simple gesture, she knew I could be trusted.
We met later in the snack car. I was buying a salad and a cup of coffee, she a Corona and lime. This time when her cell phone rang, she asked me to stay. “No need to leave,” she smiled. “I don’t mind.”
I wasn’t really eavesdropping, but it wasn’t possible to not leave and not hear. She was headed somewhere to get her daughter out of jail.
When she hung up, I gave her one of those, “Yeah. It’s OK,” looks. And then we went back to our seats, and she extended a simple kindness to me when she watched me trying to clean my eyeglasses with a sorry looking piece of kleenex, reaching into her purse for an eye-doctor type packet of cleaning wipes.
I don’t know why that touched me so much, but it did. We didn’t chat. She was tired, that was obvious, but we were connected due to the long miles behind us.
Me. A non-drinker, non-everything good Independent Fundamental Baptist Free Methodist Presbyterian, sometimes not even a church goer, daughter of a religious author girl. There was no evidence that she wasn’t a Christian, (and why do we have to even try and figure that out? I guess I’m still letting that one go in favor of just loving whoever God puts me beside). In my mind she was probably someone with deep and tried and true faith and we could have shared the next Corona if I could drink (it makes me dizzy, that’s why I don’t). But the biggest thing we shared that day was a burden.
I took on hers.
Thank you Doreen. Especially for, “There was no evidence that she wasn’t a Christian, (and why do we have to even try and figure that out? I guess I’m still letting that one go in favor of just loving whoever God puts me beside).”
Doreen excellent post. I ask my self what would Christ do in such a situation. My answer is what you did. Simple, gentle, a sprinkling of grace and empathy. Divine appointments every day, we just have to be sensitive to the event, when God pops them up in front of us. Blessings
Doreen very thought provoking article. When I gave my life to Christ I was indoctrinated with the thought that we must look at every person as someone that needs Christ, and I had to be the one to tell them. Even today, living in the south, the churches are all into “discipleship” which is the more palatable word for soul winning. We need to share the church, bring people to church, grow the church, therefore we must always “give an answer” whether the question is asked or not. That whole thought pattern seems rather much like drinking milk, than eating meat. There is a time for empathy, a time for love, and a time for sharing Christ. I will always try to show love and empathy, and wait on the Spirit for direction on sharing Christ. I am sure that though the bible does not speak to encounters like your, Jesus certainly had moments like yours.
By the way I still have some Salem Kirban books in the library that I read when I first found my Lord. Thanks.
Thanking all of you who were kind enough to read my story, and comment.
I’m glad of it, and super happy my dad’s books are still out there !
Sincerely,
Mrs. Doreen Frick
Good story, Doreen. You obviously created a connection between you and your seat mate. You helped brighten her difficult day, and should you meet again she will remember you and you can take up the relationship where you left off.
Great story Doreen! You always manage to put into words the things I would love to say but don’t. I am encouraged! Thank you!
Doreen, is it possible to republish 666 & 1000 into ebook format. I would buy them and I believe a great many others would as well.
I am looking for Doreen Kirban Frick. We went to high school together. Your high school reunion is coming up and John is trying to get a hold of you to share the information about it. I do not want to leave his number here, but perhaps you could e-mail me at the email address I left, which is not published. I am sorry that this comment is not about the guest blog, but I really did appreciate it. This is the closest way I have found to connect with you. Lynda