When you are at the brink of destruction; at your most vulnerable and desperate hour and everyone has given up on you, this is when the stranger appears. The stranger arrives when your heart is broken open, ready, and believing. The stranger’s eye is clear and not stained with your past mistakes. They are the ones who will leave you that hundred dollar tip or unexpectedly offer you a new opportunity. They are the ones who will stop and change your tire on the freeway, or give you a place to stay for a while.

She is the one who compassionately looked you in the eye in the store when your abusive partner was yelling at you. Like an angel, s/he came in at the last moment and gave you the support or the advice you needed. They made the call to a friend and put themselves at risk to open an essential door for you because they saw something amazing in you.

The stranger is the one who gave you something that was a much bigger personal sacrifice than you ever knew, because s/he did it with humility, grace, and with no expectation. The stranger is the one who believed in you when no one else would. The stranger uplifted you with words of hope and optimism when you were at your lowest. The stranger silently suffered to give you room to recover and to try again.

The stranger meets you halfway on a bridge called faith. The stranger is coming to make someone’s dreams come true. The stranger’s hand is appearing out of nowhere and rescuing someone just before they slip over the edge. The stranger’s appearance is in perfect time and is a miracle. The stranger could be a real life angel. Have faith and courage, and — BE THE STRANGER.