PT2018.5.8 No coincidences #4

8 May, 2018

I'm up early, listening to the rushing snow-melt stream at Baker Creek Camp Ground in Great Basin NP. Altitude about 7500 feet. No other campers in sight. Sensing a presence, I look up from my coffee to see a Tom Turkey strutt'in his stuff in the road. He distracted me from the scripture cards I was reviewing -- but not for very long.

Have you ever felt an impulse to do something totally out of character for you, socially odd, but not in any way illegal, immoral, or wrong? If the impulse has potential to bless another, especially a stranger -- it may be the Holy Spirit prompting.

I perceived that I was to offer scripture cards to the first three people I met that day...

* Out of character for me -- check.

* Socially odd -- check.

* Not illegal, immoral, or wrong -- check.

* Potential to bless another -- check.

So, I put the scripture cards in my day pack (with my water and lunch), and set out climbing.

After a few hours I reached the snow line, around 9,000 feet, having encountered no one, on a truly glorious day. Mindful of my "Mission," when I met a man climbing upward, after the usual hiker's exchange, I asked him: "would you do me a favor?"

"Maybe."

As I fanned out the cards: "Take a card, read it, and if it has any meaning for you, just keep it. If it is not for you, just return it. That's it."

"OK. But first, how old are you?" He asked. (This was an odd coincidence: I had already decided to offer my age as a 'bribe' to any reluctant stranger -- I'm 70 and look it -- and young hikers always try to subtly get this info...). "Really? I'm 72 myself!"

So he chose a card, read it with a smile, and said, "Scripture! I've taught the Bible my whole adult life!"

What sweet fellowship ensued -- one brother from Georgia, the other from Louisiana --in a remote part of the most remote National Park in the lower 48!

A bit after we parted, I met a young couple who looked perhaps Eastern European. The woman took a card, and holding it in both hands, looked up and said, "this is lovely! Thank you!".

"Have a great hike! No sermon today!"

I have no idea which cards they drew...nor do I need to know. It's all bread on the water...

11/23/2024