The Group Hug

Today, I am walking in a different place than I ever thought I would find myself. In twenty-five years of ministry I see myself, the world, and the body of Christ, facing unprecedented challenges. It seems that many of my phone calls come with a cry for help from on High. Where could we go, but to the Lord?

So it is not unusual to find myself in an almost constant state of prayer. When I first read the admonishment from the apostle Paul to pray without ceasing, I wondered how that was possible. Today that scripture holds much more clarity for me.

During the wee hours of the morning…3:00 a.m. to be exact, I was crying out to the Lord for encouragement. I needed a reminder that He was hearing any of my prayers, and quite frankly, a hug would have really been nice.

You might say, “Sister that is a sign of doubt and unbelief!” Maybe, maybe not…it’s OK. The Lord and I are tight. I am His daughter, and He understands the cry of my heart. He knows what I need and where I need to be for that cry to be fulfilled. So of course, He sends me to Wal-Mart! Ok... I know you are shocked!

I was limping a bit, actually a lot, and was pre-planning how to shop quickly and more effectively; therefore, I was going to skip the produce department entirely. I just didn’t have time for any nonsense today! As my husband would say, “ARE YOU KIDDING?” YOU ARE AN EPISODE WAITING TO HAPPEN!”

Hurrumph! I’m sure he doesn’t mean that.

I was heading across the parking lot sure that I had not left an inch of opportunity for the tiniest of episodes. UH-OH…I heard someone yell, “HEY GIRL! WHAT CHA DOIN?” It was one of my all time favorite Wal-Mart buddies!

I am still not sure how we met, but just so thankful we did. We have laughed and cried many a time on each other’s shoulders in just about every department in the store. She is hysterical and we are always comparing adventures. We always say we are going to get our lawn chairs and coffee, park in the meat department, and just watch.

By this time we were standing at the front door arm in arm laughing hysterically. We were oblivious to people having to take a different route around us to avoid getting giggled on.

Before we knew it, the most adorable little lady complete with her curly hair, freckles, and matching hat and tee - shirt stepped into our circle wrapping her arms around us both! We were in a GROUP HUG! She threw her head back and was laughing more than the two of us together. Did she know something we didn’t?

She said, “It’s so good to see you!” I had never met her before! I was thinking she was an angel on a mission. The Lord knew I for sure needed some comic relief and of course, the hug. Then I read the front of her shirt. She held her shirt out for me to read more clearly, “I DON’T HAVE TIME FOR ANY MORE DRAMA. MY SCHEDULE IS FULL!” 
Bahahahahahahaha!

                    Isn’t that the truth?

     t-t-f-n (ta-ta-for-now)