They normally travel in a small army, all walking in like they are cooler than ice.  It’s hard to take them seriously when they come together, always joking and each one wanting to be cooler than the other one.  I’m never impressed, I outgrew that somewhere along the way.  In a lot of ways, I have seen one of them as my starfish.  You know the story.

Today was different though.  Today, my starfish was the lone ranger.  I much prefer each of them that way; they’re more apt to be totally honest, completely real about what’s going on in their world these days.

He came in grinning, “What is up?  Where were you for Orientation yesterday?  I didn’t see you anywhere.”

“I was there.  I was in a side room, troubleshooting Admissions issues for students.  Where were you?  I looked for you too!  Come to think of it, I didn’t see any of you guys yesterday.”

“Oh, we were there.  Representin’.”

“So… why are you really here?”

We talked about a change in current plans and the endless possibilities that were in store for him.  We talked about knowing God’s heart so we can trace His hand and walking so closely with Him that we’re right there in His footprint as He moves.  We admitted we’ve asked God to bless things that we didn’t seek His face on first and how that usually leaves us with us on our faces instead, exactly how it should be.  We dreamed big things for his summer and got excited over all the ways he could impact the kingdom if he’d just take that leap of faith.  He got ready to leave and said, “I just tweeted about you.  You always do this; change my life from that chair.”

When he left, I knew I had just done what I needed to do.  I picked up that starfish and I threw him back.  Tonight, as I sit and remember that moment today, I’m thankful for all of the people who have picked me up and thrown me back.  I’m also left wondering if it’s time for me to take that same leap I encouraged him to take.  And pondering what I would be jumping to.

I got excited because I know that I already know….