Taormina was our final stop on our two-week journey through Sicily. We had looked forward to visiting this beautiful town, especially the ancient Greek Theatre, Isola Bella, and the hilltop village of Castelmola. Unfortunately, the weather had other plans. It rained much of the time, and we never made it to Isola Bella or Castelmola.
But the rain didn’t stop us from enjoying Taormina. We explored the town, visited the ancient theatre, and enjoyed some wonderful Sicilian food. After all, eating our way through Sicily had become one of our favorite activities!
One evening, we were having dinner at a restaurant. As we always do before eating, we gave thanks to the Lord. Our son said grace, and we enjoyed our meal. We didn’t think much of it. About an hour later, while walking through Taormina, we ran into a young couple who had been sitting at the table next to ours during dinner. They were visiting from Munich, Germany.
They told us they had noticed our son praying before dinner and were very moved by it. We were surprised. Although they had been sitting right next to us, we hadn’t realized that his prayer had made such an impression. As we talked, we learned that they were Christians too. We enjoyed a wonderful conversation about our shared faith in Jesus Christ. Although we came from different countries and had never met before, we immediately had something important in common. The following day, we happened to run into them again! We took photographs together and exchanged WhatsApp information so we could stay in touch.
I’ve thought about that encounter several times since returning home. Our son has said grace before meals countless times. Whether we’re eating at home or in a restaurant, it’s simply something we do. We thank God for His provision, and then we eat. I suspect that most of the time, nobody even notices. But that evening in Taormina, the couple sitting next to us did.
Jesus said:
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 5:16 (ESV)
I’ve always understood this verse as an encouragement to live our Christian faith openly, allowing others to see Christ through our words and actions. But our experience in Taormina reminded me that we don’t necessarily know when someone is watching or what might encourage them.
Our son wasn’t trying to make a statement. He wasn’t attempting to attract attention or start a conversation about Christianity. He was simply thanking the Lord for his food. And that was enough to touch the hearts of two fellow believers visiting from another country.
I find that particularly encouraging because we sometimes associate witnessing for Christ with something that requires special preparation or courage. We might think of sharing the gospel with a stranger, teaching a Bible study, or participating in a mission trip. Those are all worthwhile activities, but our daily conduct also reveals something about our faith.
How we speak to others, how we treat those around us, whether we express gratitude, and how we respond when things don’t go our way can all communicate what we believe. Even something as familiar as saying grace before a meal. There’s another part of this experience that I appreciate. We didn’t approach the young couple. They approached us. They wanted us to know how much our son’s prayer had meant to them. And when we met again the next day, we had the opportunity to continue that friendship.
Of all the remarkable places we visited in Sicily, from magnificent cathedrals to ancient Greek temples and Roman ruins, this encounter in Taormina will remain one of my favorite memories. We had traveled thousands of miles from California. They had traveled from Munich. Neither of us knew the other would be in that restaurant that evening, much less sitting at neighboring tables. Yet a simple prayer brought us together.
As I reflect on our final days in Sicily, I’m reminded that opportunities to encourage others in their faith may come when we least expect them. We don’t have to manufacture these moments. We can simply be faithful in the ordinary activities of life and allow the Lord to use them as He sees fit.
Who might be encouraged by something you do today without your ever knowing it?
Love and trust in the Lord; seek His will in your life.
#faith #trustinggod #christianity #jesuschrist #bible #seekinggodswill #truth #sanctification #godisincontrol #godhearsourprayers #salvation #providenceofGod #aprayerthatconnectedtwocontinents #Matthew5:16
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One of our most memorable experiences in Sicily wasn’t visiting a historic site but meeting two fellow Christians from Germany who were moved by our son’s simple prayer before dinner. It reminded me that even our most ordinary expressions of faith can encourage someone in ways we never anticipate.
Have you ever experienced an unexpected connection with someone because of your shared faith in Christ? I’d love to hear your story.