This wasn’t on my proverbial “BINGO” card.

But by the grace of GOD, I’m glad it’s happening to me.

After leaving my full-time position as a Special Educator, I began working as a PRP Counselor. One afternoon, after navigating rush-hour traffic to make a scheduled 5:00 p.m. appointment, I found myself sitting at the living room table of one of the young men I have the privilege of serving.

We were playing UNO.

As we played, we talked about school, home life, and the excitement of summer break. It was a great conversation between a 52-year-old man and his eleven-year-old counterpart.

Somewhere between the card game and the conversation, a thought crossed my mind:

How did I end up here?

How did I end up leaving work to go to work?

How did I end up spending my evening playing UNO with a child?

The thought was brief, but it was there.

Then, as our session came to an end and I prepared to leave, something happened that immediately answered my question.

I stood up and extended my hand.

Instead of shaking it, the young man hugged me.

He.

Hugged.

Me.

And in that moment, I remembered exactly how I ended up there.

I’m a servant.

The work I do as a PRP Counselor is an act of service. Every conversation, every game, every shared moment matters more than we sometimes realize.

That hug reminded me that my presence matters.

That hug reminded me that our time together is meaningful.

That hug reminded me that this work has never been about me.

It’s about the people we serve.

I ended up here because GOD ordered my steps.

And HE knew there would be a group of young men who would need encouragement, guidance, support, and someone willing to show up consistently in their lives.

So even though it wasn’t on my proverbial “BINGO” card, I’m grateful for where I landed.

Because that’s exactly how I ended up here.