For three months, I’ve walked past the same Mexican food cart almost every day. There’s a woman who always greets me with a wave and a smile. Always so kind.
Today, I stopped.
I hadn’t planned to. But after passing the cart, I felt the Lord nudging me to turn around, look at the menu, and maybe start a conversation. And that’s how I met Raúl.
I ordered a breakfast burrito and decided to practice my Spanish. I told him I was still learning and feeling nervous. He encouraged me. If I didn’t try, I wouldn’t learn.
So we talked. I told him I’d lived in a van for four years.
“Oh, you’re living the dream!”
“Yeah, well, I found God. Well, He found me. But I found out God is real, and that’s the real dream.”
Later, when he told me my burrito was already almost ready, I exclaimed, “No way! Shut up!” Then I wondered whether that expression might sound rude in his culture. So I asked.
That sparked a conversation about language, culture, and the different ways we express ourselves. And it got me thinking.
We don’t always understand one another’s words, expressions, or customs. But maybe we don’t need to know every detail. Maybe what matters is wanting to understand.
For three months, we’d exchanged smiles and waves. Today, we exchanged names, stories, laughter, and a little understanding.
I got a breakfast burrito. I met a new friend. And I’m looking forward to learning more Spanish.
Love. In the simple everyday moment at the food cart. So beautiful.
Dios los bendiga. ❤️