Recently I was shopping in a store when I heard from the next aisle a man and woman "having words". I glanced up as they walked by and thought nothing more about it. Later, with shopping all complete, I took my place at the end of a long wrap-around checkout line. Then I noticed the man and woman were only two ahead of me and stood where the line curved, enabling me to clearly see them.

God has given me a ministry to help and care for hurting women. A part of His equipping me is what I call "spiritual radar". Whenever He wants me to do something, He clicks this radar on and I zoom in to see what He wants me to do, like a pilot awaiting instructions from the air traffic controller. As soon as I saw this couple in the line, my spiritual radar activated.

The woman looked very sad. As I watched, her eyes filled with tears and spilled over. I knew I was to do something, but did not know what. I have learned that I must wait on the Lord and not get ahead of Him. (I wait for the Lord, my soul waits--Psalm 130:5a, NIV).

In my "holding pattern", I studied the man to discern any clues God had for me. Is he abusive? If so, my "approach" would require extreme caution, making sure I did not endanger her.

He seemed oblivious, then finally noticed she was crying. Reaching down, he drew her close to him. She buried her face into his chest. He now appeared very concerned and kissed her cheek. They did not speak...verbally.

My heart was breaking for her. She had no tissue and kept wiping her eyes and nose with her hand. Suddenly I received God's "clear to land" instructions and knew what to do. Pulling a tissue from my purse, I walked over, touched her arm, and gave it to her.

She just looked blankly at me and took the tissue. No thank you or anything. However, the man gazed at me in a soft amazement and thanked me. I smiled, then quickly returned to my place in line.

God can work so amazingly fast. From receiving His instructions to getting back in line, everything occurred in the span of 10 seconds. At times, He must feel the need for speed.

We ended up at different checkouts. They were still at the cash register when I got to mine. As they finished and walked past me toward the door, she didn't look at me or say anything. But he touched my arm, smiled, and again said, "Thank you."

It was a "successful landing". I have no idea what impact my "mission" had, but God knows and that's all that matters. Blessings all around!

If you would like to be used by God for your own missions, ask Him to give you His spiritual radar. Be sensitive to His leadings. Wait on His instructions as you circle for landing. Then follow them.