The little ice-b(r)eaker

One afternoon, after work, I went to Harderwijk to get an ice cream. As I was walking back toward the parking garage with my ice cream, I saw an older man sitting there. He was enjoying the sunshine on a bench. I had the sense that I should tell him that God loves him. But I had already worked, I was tired, and honestly, I didn’t feel like it. So at first I just kept walking to throw away my little ice‑cream cup. Yet something made me turn around again, and I eventually gathered the courage to walk up to him.

I sat down next to him and told him that God loves him. It turned out he was a believer too and active in his church community. He appreciated that I did this and that I dared to step out. We ended up having a warm and meaningful conversation that lasted about fifteen minutes. I myself was encouraged by it as well.

I still find these kinds of moments exciting and a bit nerve‑racking, but this experience lowered the threshold just a little for the next time.