“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” 1 Peter 3:15

“THAT is the BEST RANCH DRESSING EVER!” I was holding the bottle of dressing in my hand, reading the label, when the voice came from behind me. I turned to see a woman with a big smile, standing there with her daughter. She went on to tell me a LOT more about the dressing than I could have read on the label. Her enthusiasm was contagious and conversation flowed to other subjects.

We hadn’t needed much from the store, but Ranch dressing had come up the day before. We didn’t have any and it is Katie’s favorite. Since I had to drive by Aldi anyway I thought, “I’ll just stop in and grab some.” As I reached for my keys, I saw a “Your Invited” card laying there. It’s a card we pass out to invite people to our church. I felt a nudge to grab it, but remembered I had one in my wallet.

Pulling into Aldi and exiting my truck I looked down and saw another one of those cards sitting on my consul, then felt another nudge with, “take that with you!” so I stuck it in my pocket. As I talked with ‘enthusiastic Ranch lady,’ we discussed many things… where she lived, where she was from, the hot weather, her daughter etc. When we started to part ways I felt the nudge… “give her the card!” So I did.

You’d have thought I had handed her a diamond! When I told her about the church and that I was the pastor, her joy was overwhelming. She said, “we just moved here and talked about looking for a church! This is just such a coincidence!” I smiled because… I don’t believe in coincidences. God smiled too because, I think He was worried I’d miss what He was trying to get me to do! WHEW!!

I have discovered that the longer I read His Word and walk with Jesus, the more opportunities I get to hear and act on His Heavenly Nudges. As I pay attention, good things happen. It just takes concerted effort and practice to hear that ‘still small voice.’ AND to ‘be prepared to give an answer from ‘The Hope’ that is in me from Christ Jesus. And all over a bottle of Ranch Dressing!!!! Hmmmmm!

Are YOU prepared?