They sat across from each other, smiled, and laughed. Easily the two happiest people in the coffee shop. Nearly everyone else, including me, stared at a computer screen or their homework. Our MP3 music created a personal sound barrier.

The lady and her daughter talked excitedly over their lattes. When my earbuds went silent between songs, I heard the mom say, "This is an opportunity for us to shine Christ's light into the world; for friends to see something good. Want to know what that looks like?"

The next song played louder than her daughter's reply. But she must have said "yes" because the conversation continued its lively pace. Eavesdropping seemed somewhat shady, so I let the music play and tried to concentrate on my work.

But I failed.

No, I didn't turn off iTunes and listen to them talk. Instead, I decided to write an answer to a burning question: What drove her to do this?

What inspired her to share truth, to impart the secrets of a faith-filled life, to help her girl feel excited ...