Book excerpt: Have you ever stopped to wonder if a chance encounter had meaning? Or perhaps you have felt an urge to speak to a stranger who crossed your path, or have had a nudge to call an old friend? These promptings and gentle pricks of your heart are more than mere passing thoughts. Follow along on Mary's journey to see how the threads of her real life stories are woven together to create incredible relationships. The year was of 2011. It would prove to be a year of spiritual awakening and discernment for Mary. Her seemingly normal and somewhat random and "chance encounters" culminate into a remarkable friendship between three women from remarkably different backgrounds. Over the course of that year, it became crystal clear to Mary that many of her divine appointments were not merely chance meetings. She came to realize that God was using the very people he was planting in her life to encourage her to place more of her trust in Him; to act and submit upon those promptings and nudges. You will see for yourself how God weaves those seemingly small and insignificant details of our day to day lives into His plan for us: to reach out and connect with those around us. Those connections will grow you in your faith and character. Words matter. Actions matter. Don't wait for circumstances to be just right. Our words have the power to give life to someone's dream, their calling or their passion. God has uniquely designed each one of us with a specific plan and purpose for our lives, I challenge you to open your minds and your heart and God will begin to use you in ways you could never imagine! Mary Hicks is a wife, mother to two sons, a daughter, a sister, a friend and a Mimi to a precious grandson and soon arriving granddaughter. She lives in Newnan, Georgia where she helps with the family travel business. She never meets a stranger and has a way of listening and connecting on a deep level. This is Mary's first book. Follow on Instagram @ maryhicksauthor.