The power of showing up — one lunch at a time

“I didn’t think I’d ever see you again.” 

That’s what Milton said when he sat down in the library with Roy, his Lunch Buddies mentor. 

Last month, we shared the story of how Roy and Milton reconnected at a new school this fall.

Milton was surprised that Roy had found him again—and overjoyed to meet with his buddy once more. “I have so much to tell you,” he said and much of it had to do with the fact that Milton’s parents both struggle with chemical dependency. Life has been unpredictable, full of change and uncertainty. But Roy keeps showing up. Week after week, he listens, laughs, and shares lunch with a young man who is slowly learning that some people really do keep their promises. 

When I spoke with Roy on the phone recently, he was wrestling with the weight of Milton’s challenges. I said, “I get it—we want to fix the problems in their life. But we don’t get to. We get to walk with them as they struggle through life, planting seeds of hope and belief.” 

Roy paused and said quietly, 

“I’ve been watering a lot of seeds lately.” 

That’s what our mentors do—at every table, in every conversation. They keep showing up, watering seeds of hope, trusting that God will give the growth.  

And we thank God for the opportunity. 

*Names and details changed to protect privacy.