Because I had to pick up my wife's car, which had been in for repair, I visited an unfamiliar mall for lunch today. As has happened the previous two outings, none of my "appearance" clues panned out. However, I did have opportunity to bless two people. As has become my custom, I blessed a cashier as I left her register. She responded by commenting on the book I was carrying, which concerned Judaistic interpretation of Scripture (that is, Mishnah), and confessing that she, too, knows the Lord. The conversation took me by surprise and I so I failed to properly follow up her lead. But, I did bless her again before moving on.
I had determined to leave the mall at 3 p.m., but decided to leave earlier because pain due to a recently ongoing medical problem was causing substantial discomfort. As I retraced my steps to the place at which I'd entered the mall, I happened across a kiosk where customized hats and caps are sold. I purchased a baseball-style cap bearing the Christian fish icon (containing "ICHTHYS," a Greek acronym for "Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior") below the text "Free Prayer." I'm excited to see whether the cap is a help or hindrance during my next outing, which should occur tomorrow.
As I signed the credit slip for my purchase, the cashier helpfully placed it on a book published by the Christian publisher Thomas Nelson. I should have been more alert and prepared to follow up that opportunity. But, because my cue came so quickly and unexpectedly, I let it slip by. I did bless the cashier who seemed appreciative. But, since the text and icon on the cap hadn't seemed to mean anything whatsoever to her (she had difficulty finding the "religious" icons in her book of symbols and originally entered into the computer the text "Free Player" rather than "Free Prayer"), I decided to push no further.
I hope that God is understanding of my slow spiritual reflexes. I'm asking him to speed them up and anticipating that at least something good will happen by way of response. During devotions today, I was drawn to Matthew 7, where Jesus promises that "everyone who asks receives." The picture of prayer formed in my mind by that phrase resembles getting a wrapped birthday gift. I know I'm getting something and I know it's going to be good. I just don't yet know what it is.
Another interesting phenomenon during today's outing was the new way in which I felt impelled to spend my time while walking in search of treasure matching my clues. I found myself singing choruses of praise--the chorus that begins "Lord, You are holy" in particular.
Given my less than adequate singing talents, I hope that my voice was low enough to be heard only by angels. I wonder about the effect of such singing. I don't have any evidence that my singing affected the spiritual environment, but I think that it must have, even if it didn't have enough effect to bring recognized breakthrough. Previously, I have spent my walking time in silently blessing passersby with the Father's love. I suspect that it would be good for a team to do both sing and pray concurrently, which I cannot manage solo.
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