God Shops at Target

I was raised, and continue to be a practicing Catholic.  According to my sister it is against the Catholic faith to ask God for "signs" which she explained suggests a lack of faith.  However and despite being blessed with a strong and natural faith, it is in having done just this that I experienced one of the most profound spiritual experiences of my life. 

Sometime after my divorce and with four young children to care for I began to search for ways to generate income.  Friends suggested I write a book thinking my not-so-usual divorce story might make interesting fodder for others' entertainment.  While I was willing to share these sordid details with a thinner and more attractive me in the lead, the fact was despite regular, sincere and enthusiastic encouragement I couldn’t/wouldn’t/didn’t put pen to paper.  What started as an exciting idea and possible fulfillment of a lifelong dream soon became my ball and chain.   After months of feeling exasperated I thought to put the idea in God’s hands. One night before bed I dropped to my knees and begged Him for direction.  Was writing a book my idea or part of God’s plan for me?  If His I reasoned He wouldn’t mind letting me know.  Not only was I direct in asking for a sign but I asked that it be 1) clear, 2) obvious and 3) soon.

The following day with the kids in tow, I headed to Target.  What started as a surprisingly quick trip came to a screeching halt at the register.  The cashier was so slow and while the kids remained reasonably well behaved I knew I was on borrowed time (all four were under 8 years old).  Worse yet, the elderly gentleman behind me seemed similarly frustrated but not, it seemed with the cashier but rather with me or my kids or both.  Admittedly, being newly divorced I was feeling sensitive and judged particularly by this man’s generation.   As I turned to leave he said something to me.  Surprised,  I turned to face him and said, “Pardon me?”  First of all, having not made eye contact with him earlier he wasn’t what  I expected.    Despite white hair and a well-trimmed white beard, he wasn’t as old as I thought.  He looked more approachable and friendlier than I imagined.  In a surprisingly quiet voice he repeated, “You should write a book.”  I was dumbfounded.  In disbelief I said again, “Pardon me?” to which he repeated, “You should write a book.”  What followed was the most remarkable and extraordinary ten-minute conversation of my life during which I shared with him that he was the answer to my prayer.  We talked some more, he paid for his purchases, I thanked him for his guidance and we parted ways. 

It’s been years since that conversation in Target and regrettably and maybe even shockingly I still haven’t written my book.   Upon hearing this story a friend suggested very seriously that I was tempting fate and was obligated to hold up my end of the deal.  This blog is my attempt to begin to put pen to paper which I hope and expect will reveal the book God clearly intends for me to write.  Until then, I know God shops at Target.