Have you ever gone on a God Hunt? A God Hunt begins when you teach yourself to look for God’s hand at work in the every day occurrences of your life. Here’s one of my personal God Hunt Sightings:
The only flights David could arrange for me on his United Frequent Miles program to California went through San Antonio to Los Angeles on the trip out from Chicago. Coming home the arrangements were even worse; from John Wayne airport in Santa Ana, to a layover in Denver, to a layover in Sioux Falls and finally—12 hours later—arrival in Chicago. These were two journeys I was not eager to take, but since it was the only way I could attend the wedding of my nephew in California, I accepted the miles from my husband with admittedly some minimal grumbling about the endurance demands of the transit.
At the gate to San Antonio at O’Hare, however, the ticket agent looked at me and asked a question that in all my air travel no one has ever asked me before: “I can get you on a direct flight to California. Would you prefer me to book you on that flight?”
To save money, I had packed lightly, and looking down at my carryon case, which I had not surrendered at the check-in counter, realized I could easily haul it to whatever terminal the direct flight was departing from. “When does that flight leave?” I asked. It was now 7:25 a.m. My San Antonio flight was booked to leave in an hour at 8:31.
“It’s boarding now and the gate closes at 7:45.” That was just enough time for me to hurry from gate C6 down through the United connecting tunnel to gate B12. “I can just make that.” And, I took off racing through the bustling morning crowd.
Sitting in my seat on the direct flight to LAX, I calculated I had shaved four hours off my trip and another hour of waiting at the gate—five hours total. Now if I could only figure how to get from the airport to the Marriott Residence Inn in Westlake Village, California. My brother-in-law, Steve Bell, had arranged under the original plan for me to drive to the hotel with his brother and wife, who were scheduled to arrive at 3:45 p.m., about a half-hour after my original scheduled arrival time. If all went well, it seemed like a fortunate plan.
But, I didn’t want to wait for them if I could find other transport. An afternoon nap before the rehearsal dinner seemed like an even better scheme.
“Steve?” I inquired, using my new smartphone. “I’ve arrived four hours early in L.A., and I can get a shuttle up to Westlake Village. But, is there anyone else arriving about now?” Thank God for cell phones.
“No, no, no. Don’t take the shuttle,” he instructed. “Daryl and Brenda (brother-in-law and sister) have just called. They are right now at the car rental. I’ll get back to them and have them circle around for you. Are you at Terminal 7?”
I indeed was at Terminal 7. I told Steve to have them look for a white-haired lady in a brightly colored jacket (indeed, it seemed as though I was the only white-haired lady in all of the LAX airport!) waiting just before the “Taxi Pickup Only” sign. Within 45 minutes we were on our way, bopping along the 101 Freeway in a dark-blue, rented Mustang convertible. I was in my room by noon, had time to unpack and take a long nap, then dress for dinner.
What was an original travel plan that worked became a truly perfect travel plan orchestrated by a loving heavenly Father who cares when His aging children dread the impact of a long and exhausting journey. It surprised me and exceeded any of my expectations.
I recognize His caring hand. I give Him credit and thanks. My husband is praying that I will catch a direct flight home.
I spy God!
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Award-winning author Karen Mains has long had an interest in spiritual formation and the obedient Christian walk. She has written about the God Hunt in her book by the same name, The God Hunt: The Delightful Chase and the Wonder of Being Found. A hardback copy can be ordered from Mainstay Ministries for $10.00 plus $4.95 shipping and handling. Contact Karen at info@mainstayministries.org and she will be happy to autograph a copy for you.
Karen continues to write content for her Christian blog, “Thoughts-by-Karen-Mains.” In so doing, she desires to touch the lives of Christian women and men and help them find ways to walk closer with the Lord Jesus Christ. In addition, through silent retreats, spiritual teaching, women’s retreats, Christian vacation opportunities, and other ministry activities, Karen helps each Christian woman and man receive vital spiritual food.
Through her Hungry Souls ministry, Karen serves as a spiritual coach to many Christian women and men, and teaches a mentor-writing class. And, through the Global Bag Project, she is working to develop a network of African women who sew exquisite cloth reusable shopping bags, Africa bags. This micro-finance women opportunity helps provide a much-needed sustainable income for struggling African families. For more information on this critically important project, please click here.
For decades, Karen and her husband, David, have served God through religious communications—radio, television, and print publication. They are the co-authors of the Kingdom Tales Trilogy: Tales of the Kingdom, Tales of the Resistance, and Tales of the Restoration. To find many valuable resources for pastors and congregations at the Mainstay Ministries main website, please click here.
Likewise, pastors will find special resources to help them prepare effective, life-transforming Sunday sermons by visiting David Mains’ website by clicking here.