Synchronized Swimming and the Gift of a Stranger

A Smile, a Wave, and a Whisper from God

I didn’t expect much when I headed to the beach that day—just some fresh air, a long walk, and sand under my feet. But life has a way of adding punctuation marks when you least expect them. Like a smile from a stranger. Like a line of humor that lingers in your chest long after it’s said. Like a small moment that somehow changes your whole emotional weather.

We’d just wrapped up a long, heart-deep walk. My friend and I talked about everything—dating, navigating relationships, and even the challenges of bringing up AI with people who don’t quite get it. Some days I feel like I’m building the future while others are still side-eyeing the blueprints. It’s draining, trying to explain wonder to people who only see warning signs.

But then—God, in His soft and funny way—sent me a reminder that lightness still finds us.

As I got to my car, the guy parked next to me smiled. I smiled back. I didn’t think much of it.

As he packed up his beach gear, I said, “Oh hey, I guess we’re leaving at the same time.”He laughed. “Might as well do synchronized swimming,” he said.

I wasn’t even sure what he meant—but I laughed anyway. It felt like someone cracked open a window on a heavy day—just enough breeze to remind me joy still exists.

When he pulled out, he waved. I waved back. It wasn’t flirty. It wasn’t awkward. It was just pure human joy.

A flicker of unexpected delight.

Later I thought, “Why did that moment matter so much?” I think it was because I didn’t see it coming. It was light in the middle of weight. Surprise kindness is like God’s way of saying, “See? I’m still paying attention.”

“Joy is not made to be a crumb,” Mary Oliver once wrote. And that tiny exchange? It was a full slice.

We’d just been talking about the heaviness of people not being open—how exhausting it can feel to constantly advocate for something others won’t understand. I felt misunderstood, a little discouraged. But that stranger’s smile reminded me of this:

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” —John 1:5

Even when things feel dim, moments like that light a match.

Maybe the Spirit knew I needed a little wink from the universe.

I almost asked him, “Were you the guy biking earlier?”—I thought I saw him along the path. But the moment passed too quickly. Still, something about that exchange made me long for new connections. Not romantic ones—just new people with fresh energy, outside my usual circle, people I can learn from and be uplifted by. There’s a kind of soul hunger in me lately for that.

“Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” —Hebrews 13:2

I’ve always loved that verse—not just for the mystery, but for the reminder that holy moments wear ordinary clothes.

And maybe that’s what this was.

🌊 Soul Insights

What a Stranger’s Smile Can Teach Us

1. Not Every Gift Is Loud.

Some blessings arrive like lowercase letters—subtle, small, but still complete sentences from God. A wave from a stranger might just be God’s way of saying, “You’re doing okay.”

2. Moments Matter More Than Milestones.

We chase big breakthroughs, but it’s these micro-moments that truly alter our spirit. Like author Cheryl Strayed said: “Tiny, beautiful things. That’s what life is made of.”

3. Lightness Is a Kind of Healing.

I didn’t need a therapy session—I just needed a reminder that not everything is heavy. “A cheerful heart is good medicine,” says Proverbs 17:22. Sometimes, healing comes in the form of a laugh you didn’t see coming.

4. We’re Wired for Connection.

Even a 30-second exchange can nourish something deep. We’re created for communion—not just the bread and wine kind, but the passing, human-to-human kind too.

5. Surprise Is Sacred.

When we stop scripting every moment, life gets room to surprise us. That’s often where God shows up—in the unscripted. In the randomness. In the “oh wow, that was nice” moments.

🌅 Final Reflections

I think I’ll go back to the beach again next week. Maybe this time I’ll soak my feet in the water. Maybe I’ll bike. Maybe I’ll meet someone new again. Or maybe not. But I’ll keep showing up—because showing up makes space for grace.

And if that guy’s out there again, I might ask, “Do you come here often?” Not as a pickup line, but as a hello from one open soul to another.

In a world where everything can feel heavy, guarded, or rushed, that moment of lightness reminded me: God is in the glimmers. Not just in the Sunday sermons or quiet prayers—but in parking lots, playful jokes, and spontaneous waves.

“Attention is the beginning of devotion,” —Mary Oliver

And that day, I was paying attention. So I won’t forget it.

Your Turn

✨ Have you ever had a moment like this—a tiny, unexpected encounter that lifted your spirit?

I’d love to hear about it. Drop a comment below or message me with your story.

Let’s remind each other that even the smallest glimmers can carry big grace. 💫

And if this post moved you, feel free to share it with someone who might need a little spark today.

We’re all just walking each other home—one smile at a time. 🕊️

Soul Path Insights