It is rare for me to write a blog post these days. Writing a book demands focus and intention and giving my best effort to the words I feel called to write in that space, as opposed to writing in my tiny square of the internet.  But something happened recently I want to remember,
and what better way than sharing this happy little story right here?

 

To say I’m not getting out much these days is no understatement. If I staple my rear to a chair in front of my laptop, I figure eventually the words will come. I’m doing my part as best I can, begging God to lead and inspire me to write the parts of my story that will encourage and extend hope to readers and bring glory and honor to Him. That’s my target; may it be so.

 

Yesterday, we found ourselves needing to complete a little home improvement project, thanks to an opportunity that left us little choice otherwise. I decided to tag along with Tad when he headed to our local big box hardware store, wanting to spend time with him but also happy for any reason to get out of the house. I may or may not have also been motivated for a chance for a little retail therapy; one of my favorite discount shops is right next door.

 

Though Tad loathes those kinds of stores, he indulged me a visit. His simple plan was to circle the parking lot until he found a nice shady spot under a tree to wait. This is the love born of 30-plus years of marriage, finding a compromise with which we’re both satisfied.

 

It was ridiculous, really. I didn’t need anything, I just wanted to look at all the pretty things. I mean, if something begged me to buy it, I would’ve been happy to oblige, but I wasn’t planning on it…I just wanted to lookie-lookie. Even imaginary retail therapy works wonders.

 

Wandering aimlessly but blissfully happy, I meandered up and down the aisles, ever-mindful of the time. Since Tad was basically a human amoeba floating in a hot asphalt parking lot sea, I moved quicker than I might have otherwise.

 

About that time, I stumbled across some darling Rae Dunn tableware. Gah–she is an evil, evil temptress, and her creations are kryptonite to me. I want everything she makes. Clever word art is one of my love languages, all the better when it’s pretty and on something useful.

 

I was lost in thought, exercising admirable restraint while silently explaining to myself why I did not need to buy any of the things, when my subconsciousness heard something not yet detectable to my conscious brain.

 

“J’adore…” 

 

If you know me at all, you know I speak imaginary French, and J’adore is one of my oft-used phrases. Somewhere in the back of my head, I heard it again and thought, That sounds like something I would say….

 

Slowly snapping out of my fog, I turned to see one of my very best friends doing her level best to get my attention. We haven’t seen each other in ages, and she had to miss an opportunity just the other day to join a small group we’re a part of, to gather and finally catch up with life after being apart most of the summer.

 

We squealed and hugged like school girls while her teenage daughter smiled (laughed?) at us. Right there in the housewares section of Marshalls, we had ourselves a Divine Moment. This is how I feel loved and deeply valued: when I’m known so well a friend speaks to me in Imaginary French.

 

It is in ordinary moments like that I sense the presence of God Himself. The “random” timing of needing to replace a kitchen faucet coupled with me taking advantage of ten minutes of retail therapy; and being okay with Tad waiting in a parking lot because he didn’t want to come inside rather than managing his happiness. Or put another way, recognizing my need for a sliver of self care, and accepting Tad’s willingness to do what he wanted while I did what I wanted.

 

Except in this case, what I wanted and what I needed were two different things. OF COURSE, if I knew my friend was fooling around in Marshalls, I would’ve said, “Let me run in and hug Leigh’s neck.” I didn’t know she was there, but God did, and in His kind and generous ways, He gave us a little visit. I’m convinced of it.

 

Precious are those moments when we know beyond all shadows that we are known and loved. Praise God for the Light by which we’re able to see both.

 

—

If you’re interested in joining a band of prayer warriors to carry me through the last six weeks of book writing, please . I’d love to have a few friends who’ll faithfully walk alongside me to the end. I’ll only be sending out a few updates between now and then, but prayers are welcome anytime and often <3.