Yuletide Providence

Yesterday, I posted a call to focused prayer for witches due to Yule.  And let me just tell you-- we do have an awesome God!

It was a very difficult day...  I've been in a lot of pain this week, physically, and Luka has been acting out a lot (not only is he a two-year-old, but he's missing his brother, who is in California for two weeks visiting his mommy).  I desperately needed a break (and my husband was working over-night), so my mom and brother picked up Luka and I and took us out with them for some shopping, just to break up the routine.  And Luka loves his Unky Matt, so he was cheerful.

While we were out at the store, I was checking out the batteries, and suddenly, I hear a woman behind me saying, "Ma'am, can I just tell you, I love your tattoo.  So beautiful."

Startled, I turn around, and there's a woman smiling at me, and gesturing to my upper back.  "You're tattoo, it's just beautiful.  That's the triple goddess-- triple moon....  Wow." 

I admit:  I froze.  I sputtered out a very weak, "Thank you." 

I was so tired from that day that, yes, at first I decided I didn't want to put forth the effort to share Jesus with this woman, especially in the case of a possible confrontation-- because I'm always nervous about that kind of thing.  Very selfish of me.

I hurried away, and we finished shopping.  The more I kept shopping, the more I was thinking.... This woman, if not a practicing witch, was obviously very familiar with the symbolism.  There had to be some kind of paganism there.  I had the feeling she was truly a witch.  And then I started to feel the gentle nudging of the Spirit.

I actually left the store.  I made it to my mom's car.  My brother asked me what was wrong (I guess I looked disturbed).  Without answering him, I asked my mom if she had any of the church's Christmas service invitations with her.  She did, and so I grabbed one from her purse and sprinted back into the store.

You see, as I reached the car, I was almost bowled over by a realization from the Holy Spirit.  I had prayed for witches earlier.  A lot.  And it was the second time I had ever fasted.  And it was Yule-- a sacred day to witches.  Coincidence? 

I don't do coincidences.  I tend to think of them as God's way of grabbing your attention, and bringing you into a state of awe at how He can work things out.

I found the woman in line.  I hurry over, and say, "Ma'am, I'm sorry if I seemed stand-offish before, but you see, I was nervous... That tattoo on my back is from my old life.  I'm a Christian now, because a few years back Jesus Christ kind of burst into my life.  I hadn't planned it;  I didn't go looking for it.  I wasn't raised in the church, and I was actually kind of irritated with it at first.  But He's changed me.  He's changed my life.  Now, I have to go, because my family is waiting, but I wanted to invite you to church this weekend, to our Christmas Eve and Christmas day services, if you'd like to learn more."

I handed her the invitation card, and she smiled and thanked me and she and her pre-teen daughter both wished me a happy holiday. 

And then I left again, shaking like a leaf.

Because I'm much better at writing than I am at speaking.  I was terrified, but I felt as if God gave me those words, and He made it so I wasn't stuttering-- which I usually do when I'm nervous, especially talking to strangers.  I shook for twenty minutes, and during that time, I finally filled my mom and brother in on why I had behaved so strangely.  We all prayed for the woman-- and her daughter and the people in line around her who were also listening to me.

I felt such a rush of joy afterwards.  That was the very first time my tattoo had actually been a conversations starter with a stranger.  And what a day for it to happen!

Now the seed is planted.  And I really pray that that woman comes to church.  If not this week, maybe some day.  If not my church, maybe some church. 

But wow!  What God does!  He amazes me!  And that is too weak of a description!