Picture it Sunday March 22nd, New Heights church 7:04 am
Set up had just began. We are part of the set up team for children's ministry. So I had already stacked some chairs and moved some mats. The morning was moving right along. Then it happened. The crotch of my pants split. Yep just like that. What in the world was I going to do? 1st tie a jacket around my waste, classic cover up. I felt like I was back in junior high and had started my period! However this was just a seam coming undone and I am way past the "OH MY GOSH how am I going survive this age" I am, by now, a seasoned veteran at handling the unexpected:) So off to walmart I go thinking how crazy and unlikely this scenario is..why now?
I roll into the super center parking lot on Hwy 62 at 7:24 am I hurriedly make my way to the women's clothing department telling myself over and over this is no big deal I have time to find something and get back by 8:30! But I was feeling pressure. "You're early" I hear a pleasant voice greet me. "Yes," I reply some what sheepishly "my pants came unsewed.. in the crotch." "OH my" the lady commented. I paid no more attention to her. I was focused on me and my dilemma. I began grabbing two sizes of every pant I think I might like. The soft voice that greeted me belonged to the elderly lady working the floor of women's clothing. She graciously opened up a fitting room. While I am changing, she continues talking something about her hips and blood clots. Shamefully, I was not paying much attention to her. After the first couple of pants failed inspection I opened the door to continue my search and for the first time noticed the lady. Really noticed her. I felt the Lord whisper "pray for her". UH Oh, not now lord! Seriously like now? I am in a fashion crisis. So I push past the Lord's prompting and pursue pants. Then it comes. The I missed my chance wished I would have done it, Lord I am sorry feeling. I have been blessed so much in those times when I have obeyed my Lord and followed him up to a stranger to pray for them. But, I missed it. Ok, well I will do better next time, I tell myself and my savior. My search continues I find some pants, ok and a cute shirt but who could resist. Elated at my find I am walking back to replace my unwanted items and I see her again. "So will you really do better next time?" ya gotta love the lord and his sense of humor . This is my chance, so what I am to do. "Excuse me mama, would you mind if I prayed for you" I hear myself say. I am certain no matter how many times the lord requires this of me, I will never get used to it. "Why not at all, I wouldn't be alive with out prayer!!" she smiles "let's go on into a dressing room." and so we did. She sat on the bench. I knelt before her and my lord and prayed for this lovely women. I thanked God for her, for this opportunity. I begged of the Lord to keep her healthy until the day she would die. Afterward, she told me that she was 85, works a 40 hour week and has had 23 major surgeries. What a woman, what an opportunity and Why didn't I get her name?
I walked away feeling humbled and giddy with joy. I had met a fellow saint and was given the chance to pray together with her. I was placed there in that moment at that time via a bizarre splitting of the pants. I hope it meant something to her, I hope it made my Lord proud, I hope that you have chances like this and I hope I never ever pass up opportunities like it ever again.
Thank you God for splitting my pants:)
