"You look familiar," the young man says. "Did you once live in a white house with a staircase going up the side?"

"Yes," I answer inquisitively with raised brows.

Then he says, "I used to come to your house."

"Really?" I ask.

"I was a Jehovah's Witness, and I would come and talk to you."

"REALLY!" I reply, "I hope you remember me for good reasons and not bad reasons."

"It was good," the young man reassures me. "I came to talk with you three times."

"Wow," I remark. "I don't remember. I mean...you kinda' look familiar."

"Yeah, I was just a kid then."

I sip my coffee and then ask, "What happened after the third visit?"

"You asked me not to come back."

"Oh." I reply. And then ask him, "You said you were a Jehovah's Witness. What happened? Was there something untrue about there belief-system that made you stop practicing?"

"No, not really. I mean I couldn't take the hypocrisy. The leaders would say we had to live one way but they would live a different way. That...and...they basically made me choose between my girlfriend and the church. So I was disfellowshipped. No one there will talk to me anymore. They won't even shake my hand. If I see them, I'll say hi but they won't initiate a hello."

I can tell that he's open to discuss more so I say, "If you are no longer a Jehovah's Witness, would you consider yourself an atheist or do you believe in God."

"No," he answers. "I believe in God."

"Is this your first time at the cafe?"

 "Yeah," he replies.

"Well, I want you to know that you are welcome here."

"Thanks," he says.

We didn't speak much after this...just a little chit chat. But I believe a relationship was ignited. The young man hung out a bit longer watching his buddy finish a chess game. And I believe he'll be back to hang out. I'll see him again.

While sitting at the cafe watching him and his friends, I was reminded of Paul's words, "Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone" (NIV, Colossians 4:5-6).

I must've been practicing this verse when I first met him roughly ten years ago. I shudder to think of how his response to seeing me again at the cafe today would've been, if I had not welcomed him into my home. Even if it was for only three visits.

He is now back in my life, and God may be giving me a new opportunity to not only tell him about the love of God found in Jesus Christ...but maybe to live it before him. This means that I need to be ready to own my hypocrisy and the hypocrisy of my brothers and sisters in Christ. Pray for me. I need to be honest and authentic before this young man. I need to exhibit a life of repentance and faith before him so that He can see Jesus.

The child holds me with her tiny hands. One hand grasping my arm. The other gripping my back hair. (Yeah...I have back hair). Her razor sharp, newly formed fingernails scratch my sun beaten skin. I step carefully into the cool water reassuring her along the way.

"I've got you," I lovingly whisper.

My daughter is not convinced. She is only a few years old. The pool is a new experience. The clear water is rugged and wild. Things look strange under water. It is unexplored territory filled with fear, anxiety, worry...the unknown. Mollie is uncertain of what will happen by going in the water.

The water rises and wraps around us as I step further out and away from the pool deck, away from what is known, what is safe, what is comfortable. It is deep enough to tickle her toes. Her grip tightens, but I hold her. I embrace her securely as she hums and moans looking back to dry land and reaching for mommy.

I recently had a vision from the Lord. It was similar to this. In the twitter list e-mail update, I mentioned that I heard Him say, " I love you." And, "Live life."

In this vision, I am the baby and God the Father holds me securely in His mighty arms. He does this for His children. He carries us into unknown waters, into new territory, new experiences. We hold on with desperation not wanting to go, because it is terrifying and filled with anxiety and fear and uncertainty. Maybe your unknown water is the death of a parent or a child. Maybe it's the loss of a job. Or any uncertainty you may be facing. You feel like you'll surely stop breathing. You worry and wonder if you'll even survive. But you will. You'll survive.

Please know that He is holding you saying, "I've got you, and I love you."

Dad's got you. He is walking you into unknown waters filled with strange and wonderful things all while reassuring you along the way. We're reminded by the Psalmist, "...with a mighty hand and outstretched arm; His love endures forever" (NIV, Psalm 136:12).

This isn't just poetic encouragement. It is real. Unknown waters are rising around you. But He's got you in His arms, and He loves you.

Are you holding on?

Do you trust Him?

Or are you looking back at the pool deck?

Live life my friend and explore. And don't look back.