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:
 
 
 
Sometimes we humans move in a kind of fugue state—not a loss of memory, but a loss of motivation—a kind of ennui of function. We know there is a lot that needs to get done, but just thinking of where to begin causes us to descend into the molasses that is in our minds.

Traveling overseas, then coming home, usually leaves me in this kind of funk. It’s not depression. It’s not discouragement. It’s a weird intercontinental displacement, which some people call “jet-lagging.” So, I accept it partly. This too will pass (although the to-do list is getting longer and longer). But, I also pray that God will restore the initiative in my spirit and the organizational capacity in my mind, so I can get the work done that I need to do.

After coming back from Africa (after almost a month out of the States), where we are working at building a micro-enterprise that specializes in African bags, I immediately went into this post-trip fog.

However, little “angels” were sent my way to assist me. Linda Scharaga has been popping into our office to volunteer when she has some extra time. This has been of inestimable value. Retired from teaching high-school home economics, Linda loves to pick up the domestic chores that are neglected. I gave her a bunch of those little sewing tasks that have been sitting in drawers, waiting for the day “when I would have enough time.”

The half-curtain in the guest room hung about eight inches off the floor. Too short, it looked like a child wearing cast-off clothes. We always have someone in our guest room. Right now a Wheaton College professor is renting a room for the school term. I had made the curtains myself from a rough muslin fabric and had even found a remnant of checked cotton that would be perfect for a ruffle. That had sat in a drawer for about eight years. It’s embarrassing to admit (I admit).

I had also found a couple yards of end-of-bolt fabric on a clearance table to hide the rod above the window that my writing desk faces. The study had undergone a purge last spring—every drawer, every shelf in the bookcase had been cleansed and ordered. I bought a shade that cuts the southern exposure so I can see my computer screen when the sun shines. I had two small chairs (unearthed at a Goodwill store for $2.50 each) upholstered, had my desk chair recovered in a fabulous remnant and my upholsterer made me a matching pillow that fits my back perfectly, but I just couldn’t finish the raw edges of the fabric to tie around the rod—just to soften the top of the window.

Linda took the curtains and the ruffle fabric, took the fabric for the rod, also took a summer skirt that had torn at the waist line, took the “by-the-way” vintage-print cotton I had once used to tie back the curtains in our Oak Park, Illinois house (we lived there from 1969-1978) and cut and hemmed them into charming tea towels.

There is nothing like a helping hand to lift you out of fugues, funks and fogs. This kind of practical care, this kind of tangible effort always touches me in the deepest of ways. I feel God’s loving interest through the kindness of friends and strangers (and loving volunteers).

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 microfinance 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. The 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.
 
 
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