It’s true. Today, instead of putting my mail in the mailbox at the street, like usual, my letter carrier came to my door to hand deliver my mail. He asked me if I was a consultant and what kind of work I do. And I told him.

He then said for twenty years or so, he’s been volunteering in the jail, teaching life skills to inmates in a work release program. He asked me if I’d be interested in helping. He went on to share a little bit of his story with me and in less than five minutes, he showed great passion for the work he’s been doing.

As it turns out, I’ve known Roger, peripherally, for many years. He used to play tennis with my ex-husband (more than a tennis elbow ago) and he’s been delivering my mail for a couple of years. Roger said he works well with men, but he truly believes “Men are from Mars, Women Are from Venus.”  And he thought I might be able to speak to the women at some point.

I couldn’t help but think of one of my favorite books, Vital Friends, which studies the science of friendship. The book actually begins with a story of a lady named Maggie, who overcame homelessness because someone “expected her to be somebody.”

Like so many things in life, I don’t see clearly how things will take shape. I do know that I saw God in the eyes of a mailman today. And I gave Roger my business card.

When and how has God surprised you recently? And who are the Vital Friends in your life who have expected you to be somebody?