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:
 
 
 
American women often pride themselves on their ability to multitask. However, recent studies of how the brain functions are beginning to indicate that multitasking may not be all that great—our brains themselves, not to mention our productivity, may be better off if we try to accomplish one thing at a time and get one task done before we start another.

I had a week recently that was the mother-of-all multitasking weeks. Although I tried to concentrate on one job at a time and complete it until I began the next job, I found myself hip-hopping from task to task.

However, by the end of my monster week (having cut a few things out of my schedule that I simply couldn’t fit in), I was beginning to feel a little smug. I really had moved through a mountain of to-do’s, checking them off the list one by one. Drafts had been written for the new weekly e-mail sales campaign. The donor letter was off to the designer. Autumn arrangements now filled the outside pots beside the walk to the front door. I’d caught up on most of my e-mails. I’d spent good time in prayer before the Listening Groups, and they had both gone well. The house had been cleaned. I’d brought the geraniums in from outside just before the first frost to overwinter in front of a south-facing window.

It had been a productive week—I’d even set the table for Thanksgiving. That much would be ready when I returned from a six-day trip to California right before Thanksgiving week.

And, I was fitting in a Sunday dinner with a friend, using up the produce in the refrigerator in a beef and vegetable crock-pot dinner. What a gal!

Sorry to report that not one thing I prepared to serve at that meal was fully cooked. The beans in the black-bean broth were just this side of crunchy. The carrots and the potatoes were decidedly on the firm side, and the meat—well, the meat (a grass-fed beefalo roast purchased from Michaela Farms, run by the Franciscan sisters in the convent of St. Mary’s at Oldenburg, Indiana) ... was more than a little chewy.

The conversation at our beautiful Thanksgiving table set two weeks before the holiday, however, that was very good. My guest commented on how tasty the gravy was (the only food served from that menu that was not undercooked!).

As I was cleaning up dishes in the kitchen, standing over the soapy water at the sink, I heard that sure, firm, clear inner word. So, you thought you were a pretty great gal, huh?

Oh drat—that old proclivity of mine, pride in accomplishment—had been insidiously worming its way into my attitude. Yep! I had been thinking I’d been a pretty great gal with all this successful multitasking—forgetting completely that I had prayed every morning, pausing to pray at noontide and evening, asking God for His help to get through the mountain of work that waited for me before I flew off to California. An undone dinner was the attention-grabber to warn me of a little inappropriate ego jigging around on the inside of this “great gal.”

I am so thankful I have a Heavenly Father who loves me enough to warn me that I’m patting myself on the back a little too much. Without His help, without the help of friends, without a husband who pitches in willingly and often, without staff—I might not accomplish much of anything.

Despite what people say, multitasking is not all that great.

Even in the midst of learning—or, perhaps especially in the midst of learning—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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