God certainly does work in mysterious ways. We all seem to take that as a given, but I know it’s true!

I’m a realtor in San Diego. Fifteen years ago I was one of 150 agents working from the same office. My broker decided that out of 150 agents, I would get the referral of a certain couple, Paul and Chris. Little did I know at the time that God would use this couple to change my life.

Something was missing

I was baptized with my entire family in the 1950s. Over the years, I had gravitated to the popular nondenominational Calvary Chapel Church that had a membership of more than 5,000. When I met Paul and Chris, I was settled in at Calvary Chapel and enjoyed ushering and the large events that captured the community. The Bible studies were invaluable. But something was missing.  I could never put my finger exactly on what it was. At best, I suppose that I could describe it as a little unease or discomfort, but it was only a little thing. 
At Calvary Chapel, I could worship the Lord and not have visibility or connection with others. I could hide in plain sight among the crowd. That was fine with me, because I could worship with love in my heart and passion for Christ and then leave. But I still felt that something was missing.

My contact with Paul and Chris began as a professional client-based relationship, but it quickly moved to one of friendship. I had never met young people so passionate about their faith, its traditions, its history, and the idea of grace. The weeks stretched out into months and years. They had children; we got closer; and they invited me to events at their church, Reformation in San Diego. I would go and observe with my heart partially closed because my mind was convinced that Lutheranism was very much like Catholicism, and that just was not going to work for me.

For 15 years, I occasionally attended Reformation with Paul and Chris and their family, went to women’s retreats, met church members at their home, and watched their children get confirmed. Chris’ father, a Lutheran pastor, showed such kindness by giving me books to help me understand “this Lutheran thing.” But I kept believing that Calvary Chapel was the place for me.

Loss led to peace