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 everyday occurrences of your life. Here’s one of my personal God Hunt Sightings:
A new big-box store resale shop has come to our area: SAVERS? Since I was driving past it today on my way to run another errand and since I had a little time, I dropped in just to see how they were organizing themselves.
Sure enough, there were six cobalt-blue juice glasses exactly like the one I broke in the dishwasher this morning. They are usually 99 cents at Goodwill, but these were marked 6 for $4.99—a little less than what I usually pay for cobalt-blue glasses, stemware or plain water tumblers. Strolling through the aisles, I found wool blankets that could be felted for the micro-enterprise Mitten Project (mittens made out of recyclable wool sweaters and random fabrics) that we are conducting to see how cost-effective this enterprise would be for refugee and immigrant families settling in our church neighborhood.
Some warm pajamas got tossed into the cart—I’m always short on those. Nothing in the shoe racks. I noticed a woman at the coat end of the store holding out certain of the garments and checking her cell. “You look like a serious shopper,” I remarked. She explained, “Oh, I love to check the brand names and see which ones are really good.”
“Are you looking for prices?” I asked. She nodded. Suddenly I remembered my daughter had instructed me to find bright winter coats and jackets. They’ve just moved to a rural community during what she discovered was the hunting season. A beautiful black-and-red plaid cape coat hung right in front of me. I tried it on. My new shopping friend said, “Oh, I looked at that. That’s a wonderful garment. It shows off your hair really well.”
Truthfully, I wasn’t thinking much about my hair. Mostly, I was thinking of my family not taking on rifle shot. “Here,” said the lady. “This is a coupon for 50% off. You can use it. I’ve already used one this month so I can’t.” I was right: She was a serious shopper.
Fifty percent off—I pulled another red wool coat off the rack, then noticed a beautiful suede jacket in my size—definitely one of the brand names, Oleg Cassini. It was marked $29.99, but 50% of that would be $15! This time I was thinking of myself—not huntsmen in the 18 acres of marsh that surround my daughter’s renovated barn and stables.
I often think that God delights in helping me find things I need (and things I don’t know I need) in the resale shops of the world. I’ve taken a vow to only purchase what the poor can afford (and sometimes resale is a stretch for them) so sure, with this God who cares about the minutiae of our lives, I walk in and find six glasses like the one I broke this morning. I find a lovely designer leather suede jacket. I find old wool blankets in good condition and in great colors for the church project. I find bright, bright red coats that anyone could see while stalking in the woods and fields and forests during hunting season. With my gift 50% coupon, I spent $56 this morning and came home laughing about my purchases and feeling really, really loved. (Six new cobalt-blue glasses like the one I just broke this morning!)
I spy God!
————————————————————————————–
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.
