Meet Beatrice and Lydia.

Is there such thing as a holy desperation? I hope so. I was desperate today to continue my journey out of normal, comfortable, religious Christianity. Risk, where are you? Here I come.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I am not an adrenaline junkie. However, I am utterly convinced that this is the season to be found doing what you were told to do. Part of the reason I am here is to encounter total strangers with the love of Jesus and teach others how to do the same.

Well, today was a day where I searched all over and couldn’t find nobody. I searched high and low and still couldn’t find nobody. (Do you know that song? If so, comment below.)

I drove to Target. I waited in the Safeway parking lot, looking closely at every person who came out of the stores. I wonder if I looked suspicious. Sitting in a dark parking lot staring at everyone who walked into the store. 5 minutes passed, no dice. I still couldn’t find my treasure.

I decided to head home. I guess today isn’t the day. God, where is the woman I saw this morning in prayer? If not that women, can you send anyone wearing animal print? It doesn’t even have to be leopard print, which is what I put on my list.

As I drove home, I found myself passing my house. Where am I going? Oh to the other Safeway? Here we go again, perusing the aisles searching for leopard, zebra, or even pig print? Pig? Is that a print? Maybe I should have included leather jackets.

No one. I left Safeway with my popsicles and salads in hand and defeat in my soul. Okay, it wasn’t that serious, but I did feel let down. Wondering, what happened with the day. I had been having so much fun.

Looking up to make sure cars wouldn’t hit me, I saw a woman moving out of the shadows, a tree blocked her full figure. I felt a pulling from Holy Spirit to stop.

She looked like the woman I saw in prayer. Shades of caramel, short hair, above the shoulders, a woman of experience making it through the day and now night.

Hi, do you go to Shiloh? I asked. She said yes sometimes. Why do you ask, she inquired? I have no idea, I replied. I just felt the Holy Spirit say to stop and ask if you needed prayer. That was how a 30-minute conversation about the Lord, our families, our hopes, our dreams began in the parking lot of Safeway. We prayed throughout this time, as more and more revelation came forth about her children, their welfare, their struggles and God’s desires for them. It was the jumpstart of hope again for a mother who had been fighting the good fight of faith for her children. It was also a kiss of hope for me. God knows my desires and He is always on time.

I never found the leopard print, but I did find the black woman I saw in prayer, outside of a shopping center, who had a need for prayer for her children’s welfare, with black short hair. Check the image. She was on the list for sure. This is what we call close enough. Holy Spirit knew who He wanted me to encounter today and I was happy to oblige.

It’s more than a game, it’s a lifestyle.

Join the Tribe – Play The Game