Monday 21 April 2008

The Unexpected Traveller


The subway car came to a screeching halt. Doors slide open. My friend Sandra and I scramble in and find our seat. Reflecting on the lovely time we just had eating, drinking (coffee that is!) and being merry with her sister Shari and another mutual friend who had driven up for the evening from Kingston, I think I glimpse a familiar face sitting behind us.( forgive my run-on sentence!) I ask Sandra if this young man is carrying a sports bag. She replies with an affirmative YES and adds, “He is staring at you like he knows you.” I was 98% sure this young man was a former student of mine.

Finally, gathering the courage to speak to him, I turn around and ask if he was “J.” Suspiciously, he looks at me and tentatively says, “Yes.” I continue to affirm his last name and former school. He still looks suspicious. I then add, “It’s me, Miss Whalen.” Smiling he replies, “oh, you cut your hair!”

This young man was in my grade 8 class three years ago and held a soft spot in my heart, in spite of his unhealthy reputation. He made some bad choices and got himself expelled. I remember being very sad, in fact I cried over the whole situation. This boy really touched my heart. I remember thinking he could go either way in life. He was a phenomenal basketball player and I would occasionally go to watch his high school games. I felt relief knowing he turned his life around and would be okay!! I had lost touch with him, until last night! I have prayed for him over the years. What are the chances that Sandra and I would get on the exact subway car “J” was already in!! It was a God moment for sure. In fact, Sandra and I had contemplated not taking the “Kiss & Ride” subway into Toronto. We were going to drive downtown. But, obviously there was a reason I felt pressed to opt for this method of transportation!!:)

“J” appeared to be traveling our way so I offered him a ride home. Hesitantly he accepted my offer. I assured him I was trustworthy and still the same Miss Whalen he knew!! After I dropped him off, Sandra and I commented on how so many teenagers today have to grow up so fast. This grade 11 student was coming home from a basketball tournament in the US and had to find his own way home. It was late at night. He was traveling all alone in a somewhat unsafe area. How sad he had no adult in his life, for whatever reason, to make sure he arrived safe and sound.

I believe God allowed our paths to cross with “J” last night on that “red rocket” subway car. I may never know why but am so glad I followed my heart to reach out to him in this practical way.

61 comments:

Runner Girl said...

Wow, Karyne! What a ministry you have--touching young lives every day, week, and year! Very touching. My heart goes out to "J". You are truly an inspiration! I love your passion! And because I adore you so much, I've tagged you with a meme. Link back to me at Hokey Pokey to find out what to do...if you want to do it. Don't worry, if you don't participate in these meme things, I will so not be offended! Hope you're having a great week!

Bar L. said...

Somehow I missed commenting on this the first time I read it. It really stuck with me because my son is that age, 11th grade. I am glad J got to cross paths with you.

Now please explain "Kiss and Ride" and "Red Rocket". I want to go on a Kiss and Ride :)

Jules said...

You know life's funny that way. i used to teach in an inner city school, long ago. One day I was at a nearby library and saw a young man whose appearance rang a bell, sort of. Turns out he was in my Grade 3 class 15 years earlier. I stopped. I turned and asked him. And he remembered me! And said that I hadn't changed a bit (bless him)!

I'm coming from SITS. Congrats by the way!

trash said...

I love how life interlinks like that :-)

Buttons and Dots Photography said...

What a sweet, yet sad, story! I am glad you were there for him, it may be the one thing that gets him through his remaining teen years!

Heather said...

Gotta love those God moments! :)

By the by, I just figured out you're on the other side o' the lake (Ontario, that is) so just wanted to tell you that whenever we're driving up by the lake, my kiddo always "waves to the people in Canada" so please know that waaaay off to the southeast, there's a little girl saying hello!

Cheers!

Claremont First Ward said...

This story gave me goose bumps. YOu are exactly the sort of caring teacher I hope for my children to always have!

Lori said...

That's a sweet story.

Kathi Roach said...

I love this story. God is so great. What an impact you've had on "J."
It is so neat that you got to see him again.
Happy SITS day!

Creative Junkie said...

This was a very very sweet post. I'm glad you were there for him - that might have been the best part of his day that day.

aspiritofsimplicity said...

Wow! that sure seems like a God thing to me.

-Bridget said...

Thank you for reminding me how God speaks to us so softly it is often easy to ignore. What blessings we reap when we choose to hear him!

Michelle said...

Kudos to you for saying something. Too often people let it pass. My husband also teaches grade 8, and there are students that he sees a few years later who remember him but they look so different! I'm impressed that you recognized him. Funny that you were slightly less recognizable to him!

Sherri said...

God often speaks to us in a still small voice.

Party of 5 said...

You are the kind of teacher I want my children to have.

Happy SITS Day.

Brooke said...

So, this is the third post that I have read. I am so glad I found your blog, it is definately a feel-good blog and will be just the thing when I need a pick me up.

Kelly Deneen Raymond said...

Oh, yes! Happy SITS day. I have enjoyed reading your posts. I will check out more.

How wonderful that you ran into "J" and got to see how he was doing!

EmBee said...

There are so many instances in life which encompass a touch of the divine... It really is a blessing to those who take the time to stop and notice those occurrences.
:-)

Anonymous said...

Happy SITS day!

That was a great story. Sad that he doesn't have an adult watching out for him, but great that he is doing well despite that!

Melanie Dickens said...

Wow. We never know what God's intentions are but they are always pure. Hopefully someday you will get to know exactly what this meant to "J".

Live.Love.Eat said...

Very sweet story. Like the other ladies said, I hope my son has a teacher like you someday. You do magic in & OUT of a classroom.

Jennifer P. said...

God moves in mysterious ways! Love when He throws a little something our way just to let us know He's listening :)!

SO glad you got to have that moment.

Karen said...

I don't know if I could've said something. Good for you to recognize God's hand in it.

Anonymous said...

That's really sweet. I'm sure he was grateful for the "accidental" meeting as well. Congrats on the well deserved feature.

Anonymous said...

I do think everything happens for a reason. And here is some proof!

Gina said...

How neat!! Definitely a God moment!!!!

Alison said...

It's awesome that you see God's plan for you to help your students!

Unknown said...

I hope that all children are so fortunate to have a teacher who cares what happens to them- good job. Poor J, how lovely that you remembered him- I'm sure it made him feel special.

sassy stephanie said...

Man, teachers like you are rare these days!

EmmaP said...

It is the Tender Mercies of the Lord that are the daily miracles of our lives. Good on ya for listening to the "promptings" to take the train and not drive. He is definitely being watched over...

Tracy P. said...

That's awesome! You could have so easily second guessed yourself and said nothing.

I ran into a former student last year--a second grade boy turned high-schooler. But his face was the same. It was a huge encouragement. I love how God affirms our investments when we least expect it.

CindyDianne said...

I don't understand this either. Poor kid. My son wouldn't know what to do! Thank you for being there for the ones that will let you.

Ronnica said...

What a great opportunity to reconnect with a former student!

Nik said...

What a great moment for you to be able to find a bit of finality to your positive thoughts for him throughout the years. Hey - at least he was still alive, that's saying a lot about some kids.

The Peacock Pearl said...

i love reconnection stories!

Adiel | Rose Gold Lining said...

With few exceptions, if I saw and old teacher of mine, I'd turn and go the other way.

wendy said...

What a small world! I recently learned my first grade teacher lives in the same town as I...and we are several states from where we started!

Congrats again on the SITS feature!

Blog said...

Small world. Neat how things go full circle in life.

Karol said...

That's awesome how things work out!

j said...

I am with you. That was a God Moment. He ordered your steps so that you would meet up with that young man again. And so that you would be reminded to pray? Maybe he is facing new challenges and needs the benefit of prayers going before the throne on his behalf. Glad that you were given that experience!

Jen

katylinvw said...

WOW! i am so inspired by you! thank you so much for being so open and wonderful :)

♥ Becky ♥ said...

How truly amazing that is that you would both be there on the same train. I believe God works in ways that we not used to and knows when we are needed. Who's to say what could have happened had you not been there that night.
You are a truly amazing woman who obviously uses God to bless others.
Thank you for sharing.

Jess NBP said...

That's wonderful Karyne!! I agree so many teens are growing up way too fast lately.

Anonymous said...

i'm glad you caught up with him again. i worked at a high school for a while and grew VERY attached and concerned for nearly every child there. i still think about them all to this day.

Peggy said...

God definitely puts us where we are needed. You were both blessed.

mrsmouthy said...

As a teacher, I remember learning that it takes 8 adults caring about a student to help that student turn his/her life around. You are doing an amazing thing by being one of them.

mrsmouthy said...

As a teacher, I remember learning that it takes 8 adults caring about a student to help that student turn his/her life around. You are doing an amazing thing by being one of them.

Kristy said...

Aw how sweet. I'm sure there was a reason ya'll passed ways. Very touching.

Summer said...

Right place at the right time. My favorite "miracle." :) Keep it up- this was sweet.

Laura said...

That's a great story, and I'm certain there was a reason you were on that train that night.

Lisa@BlessedwithGrace said...

You may NEVER know what that night was all about. God does. That young man may have just needed to know that someone out there remembered him and still cared about him. You showed him that, in that one moment, listening to your heart. That is GREAT!

Dana said...

Great post! That is so sad that there was nobody there for him. I cannot imagine having any of my children traveling alone....

Julie H said...

Isn't it amazing how people suddenly "appear in your path". Truely some other force at work!

Stephanie said...

That's so cool! What a neat experience.

Tami said...

That is an awesome story!

Another reason teachers are soooo amazing :)

Melissa Lester said...

It sounds like he needs someone in his corner to pray for and encourage him. Glad you got to see the fulfillment of your prayers thus far in running into him again!

Belle (from Life of a...) said...

There are no coincidences. You might not cross paths again but for sure, there was a reason that you did on that evening.

kelly said...

isn't it amazing how people come in and out of our lives?

Judy Schwartz Haley | CoffeeJitters.Net said...

wow, that's really something else

Christine said...

How nice of you to bring him home.

Rhea said...

That's so amazing you ran into him. Surely not a coincidence...divine intervention? Fate? Very cool.