unexpected friendships

*Names have been changed for the protection of students

As a Young Life leader at Saline, I get the opportunity to see God show up in places I never would have expected. And honestly, it’s in those moments where I don't expect God to show up where He does, and continues to surprise me again and again.

The night of our last all-area club, I had invited every single guy who I knew. Every single one. And not a single one said that they could make it. Before the night had even started, I was already convinced that the night was going to be a failure, that I wouldn’t get to even talk with a single guy from Saline. But later, as students started to roll in, I heard a voice from behind me, “Daniel! Daniel!” half-whispered and half-shouted. It was one of the girl leaders at Saline. She told me that one of her high school girls brought a friend…her boyfriend. Benjamin. Just like that, the night that had initially felt like a defeat was completely turned around.

Trying to act as cool as I possibly could, I found Benjamin and introduced myself to him, and within two minutes I learned two things about him: the guy loves cars, and the guy loves taco bell. And if you know anything about me, you know that Taco Bell is basically the key to my heart. Before the night ended, we exchanged numbers. A week later, we were sitting across from each other at a Taco Bell talking about life. Yes, we talked about cars and his go-to order (Doritos Locos Taco and a Quesedilla, a great combo). But we also talked about his family, his future, and his relationship with Jesus. What started out as a night filled with disappointment turned into a sweet (but mostly greasy) story. God has taught me the power of just showing up, even when I don’t expect anything to happen. Because you never know when you’re going to meet a new, unexpected friend.

— Daniel Kowalczyk, Saline High School Leader