Day 4 – March 8, 2025

The Right Person at the Right Time

I thought moving back to my hometown would be a breeze after nine years as an expat, but the transition was harder than I expected. Family dynamics had changed—my mom and grandparents had passed away, and my dad had remarried. My worldview had shifted, and I struggled to meet people with similar outlooks and interests. And then COVID hit, making it tough for Alex and I to find our place in the community. 

One day I was out for a walk with baby Elliott, frazzled from new motherhood, when a woman I didn’t know pulled her car over to ask about the baby. Under normal circumstances, I might have been wary—random sidewalk conversations aren’t my strong suit—but at that point in life, I was too sleep-deprived to be picky about social interaction.


As it turned out, we had a lot in common. She was a young mom from overseas, and we swapped stories about adjusting to Huntsville and the chaos of parenting. She also spoke about God so naturally, with a confidence and certainty that was both refreshing and challenging. I didn’t have many Christian friends, and her presence reminded me of the kind of faith-filled relationships I was missing. It wasn’t a grand, majestic moment, but looking back, I realize how much I needed it.


In Matthew’s gospel, after Jesus endured His time in the wilderness, angels came to take care of Him. But sometimes, I think God sends help in subtle ways—not through dramatic revelations, but through the right people at the right time. That day, my neighbor extended a small kindness that changed the trajectory of my time in a “new” city. I went out for a quiet walk and came home with the friend I’d prayed for.

Jessica Blanloeil

Prayer: Loving God, you have a way of bringing life-giving in such simple ways, just when we need it. A thoughtful conversation with a stranger, a kind smile, a warm hug – can all change the trajectory of our hearts in an instant when received in times of wilderness. Help us to look for your blessings everywhere, not just in the mountaintop moments, but in the whispers as well. Amen.

Note from Huntsville First: 

Don’t forget to set your clocks forward 1 hour tonight. Tomorrow at 9 am, we will have doughnuts in the gathering room by Sanctuary (main building room 214) before ONE SERVICE of WORSHIP at 10AM.  See you at church tomorrow!