![\"\"](\"https:\/\/snailgoop.com\/2009\/04\/police_line_donotcross-300x235.jpg\")
A strange thing happened the other night… I was out for a walk late at night, and I found that the intersection by my house was all blocked off in police tape because of an accident, walking by I could clearly see two cars involved, and a body in the street covered by a tarp, somebody had died. I walked by slowly, for once appreciating the opportunity to see how collisions are handled without holding up traffic, and noticed one of the parties involved was being questioned by the police with her family. I decided to continue with my walk, musing as I went about the fragility of life and the fact that at the moment this happened, I was less than a mile away telling jokes with my neighbors.\nBy the time I returned en route back to my house, one of the lanes had been cleared, most of the shrapnel had been cleaned up, and the family was sitting on a bench outside the police line, One woman who had clearly been driving, was bent over in tears. My heart went out to the woman and her family, she had killed a man that night, she knew it, and she obviously felt the full significance of that. I heard someone way "Well, they say we're free to go" and the woman looked up from her tears and choked out the words "You mean, they're not gonna pit me in prison?" almost in unison the family responded "NO! you're okay it was an accident, the police know that" As her they tried to comfort her I quietly and politely walked by, or at least I tried to.
\nThis is probably a good time to mention that I'm pretty skeptical as Christians go, I don't do a lot based on emotion or tradition, I like facts and figures. This translates poorly into certain doctrines and certain spiritual experiences. For instance, I have never been "slain in the spirit". I don't speak in tongues, I hate it when people investigate first dates in terms of "God's will for their life" and I have never, ever, felt supernatural pressure to talk to, pray for, or evangelize a stranger. Ever!…until the other night.
\nSo God and I had this argument in my head that went something as follows. (if you're reading and you're not a Christian, The voice of God sounds to me much like a thought in my head. Sometimes I get the two confused, but in situations like this where I'm apparently thinking things I disagree with it's easier to tell)
\nSo In my head I said "Boy I sure hope God puts some people in her life that can help her through her grief" and the idea arrived in my head that went something like "I just did"
\nThis all happened very fast, and I'd love to say that at that moment I realized that it made no sense to be arguing with the almighty in my head and proceeded to make the right decision, but i didn't have time to think that through before I retorted back "No I mean like a grief counselor or something, someone who's an expert in this…" and almost as soon as the thought was formed it dawned on me…" You're a Pastor"…
\n"Shoot, missed opportunity, I'm already passed them now"
\n"You could go back"
\n"I can't go back, that's awkward, that's weird, this person does not need another stranger who…"
\n"What did you think you were on this walk for anyway?"
\n…Well now that shut me up. I don't know, I had just felt the need to take a walk, It's not normally my style to leave a social environment to go for a walk but sometimes you just need a walk, and now I'm here, and there was this accident and this woman needs someone to comfort her, and I'm arguing with myself that I need to go back and…Got it, I need to go back.
\nSo I turned back towards them, the oldest son caught my eyes and I felt completely creepy, I was a total stranger, younger than anyone there, wearing jean shorts and a cotton green sportcoat from a thrift store, walking towards them… barefoot…
\n"Hi… I'm so sorry to but my nose where it doesn't belong, but… Is there anything I can do To help?….I'm a pastor, Can I pray for you?
\nThe man didn't pause "Yeah!" he said nodding "That's okay ma?"
\nShe looked up at me "Yes….I'm Jewish, but…"
\nI smiled, "That's okay" I said waving my hand
\n
\nWhen the prayer was over she looked at me, holding back tears. "Thank you! Thank You….thank you." and she gave me a hug and then headed to her car to go home.
\nAs I left another woman approached me "You're a pastor?…Where do you work." I briefly explained and she said "I mean where can I find you? I'm a lost lamb, I need a church" So I have her my contact info to help her find a place locally.
\nAnd that's the story, that's it. No fire from heaven, no spirit descending like a dove, she didn't accept Christ that night, she just prayed with me, and I think it helped.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"