A friend in the midst of strangers.

Living in Florida has been such a great adventure for our family, but every now and then, a wave of homesickness hits me—especially on Sundays. Growing up, Sundays used to mean family. They meant sitting beside people who knew my history, who shared my story, who loved me. But far from those familiar faces, Sundays can sometimes feel like the loneliest day.

We’ve been attending a new church lately, trying to find our place, and this past Sunday, a family sat in front of us. Watching the mom interact with her daughters tugged at something deep inside me. It made me miss being close to my own family. 

As I watched the dad in front of me singing, I couldn’t help but think of my own dad, and for a moment, I imagined him in heaven. I pictured him singing with even more joy and passion than I’ve ever seen here on earth. The thought brought a bittersweet smile and a lump to my throat.

At the end of the service, as the family was gathering their things, the mom turned around, looked me right in the eyes, smiled and said, “Have a good week.”

Simple words. A simple gesture. But they were everything I needed. I smiled and wished her the same, and in that moment, I felt like I wasn’t alone. I felt seen. I felt like I had a friend.

Isn’t that the beauty of the body of Christ? Strangers aren’t really strangers. They’re brothers and sisters—family we just haven’t met yet. That mom’s kindness reminded me that even in a sea of unfamiliar faces, God places people in our path to remind us that we belong.

Even now, as I’m writing this, tears are rolling down my face. That moment meant more to me than I can put into words. It made my week.

So, let me remind you: never underestimate the power of a smile or a kind word. You never know the impact they might have on someone. For me, it was a moment of connection in the middle of my homesickness. It was a reminder that even far from home, I’m never truly alone.