It's My Life - Melody Carlson [73]
“Yeah?”
“Well, one Sunday, not too long ago, this really weird thing happened.” He paused again, kind of making a face.
“Yeah?” I'm trying not to strangle him, but I really hate it when people string me along like this.
“Okay, I'll just say it. I think God has called me to be a missionary.”
Well, blow me down! I literally almost fell off my bar stool. I mean, I had never written Josh a single word about the whole thing that had happened to me; nothing at all about the missionary stuff. I mean, I didn't even understand it all myself, and I knew I could never explain it in a letter.
“Caitlin?” I heard him saying my name, kind of like if I'd fainted and was flat out on the floor and just coming to. “See, I told you it would sound crazy.”
I shook my head, barely able to form words. “Not crazy.”
“But I can tell you're shocked. And if you're shocked, I can't wait to hear what my parents will think.” He shook his head. “And here's what's really crazy–I actually WANT to do it. Can you believe that? Josh Miller a missionary!”
I nodded. “I can believe it.”
“But isn't it weird?”
I nodded again. “Pretty weird.” But then I was starting to smile.
“Why are you grinning like that?”
Now I was starting to giggle. “I can't help it.”
He frowned slightly. “Are you laughing at me?”
“No.” And then I proceeded to tell him the whole story about how I thought God was calling ME to be a missionary too, and how much I'd struggled with it at first, and how my parents had totally wigged out when I said I wanted to go to Mexico next year.
“You mean without even finishing college?”
I nodded. “Yeah, I figure those kids are hungry right now.”
He grinned. “Well now, I thought I was a little extreme, but you're something else, Caitlin O'Conner.”
Then I told him how I was even signed up to go to a missions conference the very next month.
”Really? Do you think it's too late for me to sign up?” he asked eagerly.
“Check with Greg tomorrow,” I suggested.
“I'll call him today.”
We talked for about an hour, and it was totally amazing how we had both gone through so many of the exact same emotions and personal turmoil as a result of this strange calling. Then I finally said, “Do you really believe it's God leading you in this direction, Josh?”
“As weird as it may sound, I do.”
“Me too.”
“Do you think it's just a coincidence that we both have been experiencing the same thing?” I could tell by his expression that his question was utterly sincere.
“I don't know. I've heard Pastor Tony say there's no such thing as coincidences.”
He nodded, then cleared his throat as if he had something to say that was going to be difficult. “Do you think this means we'll end up together, Catie?”
Well, I made myself laugh, just to lighten the moment. “I don't know, Josh. But I hope we'll always be friends. It seems God has given us a really special friendship, don't you think?”
“Yeah.” He seemed relieved.
“Well, I promised Beanie I'd be back by noon,” I said, suddenly uncomfortable.
“Yeah, my folks wanted me to have lunch with them. And I was thinking I'd tell them about this whole thing today.”
I felt my brows rise up.
“You think that's a bad idea?”
“No.” I paused, remembering the day at the Chinese restaurant. “Just go easy on them, Josh. It's a hard thing for parents to understand and take in all at once. I think they imagine us marching off into deep, dark Africa never to be seen or heard from again. Just go easy.”
He smiled. “Thanks for the advice.”
Then we hugged, a purely platonic hug (well, that's what I keep telling myself anyway). And now, I'm back at Grandma's, and Beanie and Jenny went out, and Oliver's taking a nap. It's all quiet, and I'm still in a partial state of shock. Josh Miller wants to be a missionary?!?!!!??
TWENTY-THREE
Tuesday, December 25 (happy birthday, Jesus!)
Yes, I know, it's been eons since I've written in my diary. I'm not even sure why. Other than life's been busy;