Friends Reunited

"A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps." Proverbs 16: 9

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I was booked to work at this corporate event where they were expecting 30,000+ visitors. There were 250+ agency staff at the event.

I was looking forward to seeing old friends I've worked with. Here's how it all unfolded. The names I am using are not their real names.

The first friend I thought of was "Mary." I wondered if I would see her.

Training Day

Before a big event, we are briefed about the show and some staff are given training.

While we were all walking to the training room, someone called my name. It was a colleague I've worked with from another agency that specialises in museums, theatres and galleries. I told her I didn't know she was registered at this events agency. She reminded me that I had given her their contact details and this was her first job with them. We sat together.  There was a vacant chair in front of me. Even though the room was filling up, I noticed no one was claiming that chair. Suddenly, someone standing behind me playfully covered my eyes with their hands. When I turned round, I was amazed to see Mary. After we exchanged hugs, I told her to sit in the vacant seat in front of me. I told her that God must have reserved that seat for her. I discovered all three of us were in the same training group.

Next, I wondered whether I would see "Sam", "David" and his wife, "Kate."

Day 1 of the event

My shift was meant to start at 10am, but I arrived just before 9am. One of the managers asked if I could start at 9am instead.  I told her I was happy to start early. She told me they were going to move me to the speakers lounge. (I presumed the staff who was meant to be working there was either late or a no-show).  When I arrived at the lounge, I saw my friend, Sam.  What a lovely surprise!

At one point, I wondered what time my first break was. Within a minute, two of our supervisors walked over and asked me if everything was okay.  I asked my supervisor what time my break was. She told me she had already texted me that information and I needed to check my phone.

During my break, I went to the staff room to have my sandwich. The first person I saw was David. I asked him if his wife, Kate, was working at the event. He said she was somewhere in the halls.

After my break, I headed back to work, but I got disoriented. Immediately, I saw the two supervisors I had seen earlier and they pointed me in the right direction.

I had also been wondering about another friend, "Bob" who I've  worked with on set and at other events. I wondered if he was working at this event.

Day 2

On day 2, I was asked to arrive two hours early. On the way, I decided to buy a croissant from this coffee shop. I wondered whether I should have it at the shop or have it on the way to work.  As I was still early, I  decided to relax on their comfy chair and enjoy my croissant. Suddenly, someone walked in. It was Bob. I was delighted to see him.  While he was waiting for his coffee, he sat with me. He told me it was his first time working for this agency and Sam had recommended it. He said he was very early.  He asked me if I had seen the couple, David and Kate. I told him I saw David the day before, but not Kate. After Bob got his order, we walked together to work. When we arrived at the staff room, we saw David and Kate. I told her we had been talking about them. 😂

Day 3

I was now working at a different theatre. At one point, I got chatting to an American client about accents. She told me she was able to recognise different English accents. She said she went to the theatre the night before to watch a play based on an old British comedy. I told her one of my colleagues was actually working on that play and I told her the character he was playing. My American friend said it was her favourite character and she wanted to meet him. I said I wasn't sure whether my colleague was working today. Within a few minutes, my colleague came in to speak to a supervisor. I pointed him out to the client, but she didn't recognise him.  My colleague was too busy to chat. I believe my colleague was an understudy for the character in the play that's why the client didn't recognise him.  Both of us marvelled at how he had come to us just as we were talking about him.

Later, I reflected over the event. The interesting thing is I was actually booked to work for three days at this particular theatre,  but I ended up being moved and worked in three different places.

I believe only God could have arranged my shifts and break times so I got to see everyone I had been hoping to see. In other words, every decision I had made or was made for me was actually God making the decision.

It just shows who is really in control.

Thank you, God, for reuniting me with old friends and introducing me to new ones.

You are wonderful! ❤️

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Relevant Bible verses:

"Oh, give thanks to the Lord!

Call upon His name;

Make known His deeds among the peoples!" 1 Chronicles 16: 8-9