Another Name for God...

I learned something yesterday.  I learned that another name for God is "Something".

Let me tell you how I learned this awesome information with a little story about this amazing moment with an amazing old man.

Yesterday I went to the mall during my lunch break to buy a black maxi skirt.  I was really hoping to just get in and get out.  (You need to know that the mall is probably my least favorite place to be...ever.)  As soon as I walked in the door I saw this adorable little old man leaning on his cane and walking towards me and the exit.  (You also need to know that old people kind of scare me.  I never know what to say to them!)  He was probably 20 yards away and already he was talking to me. 

He was so appalled that I wouldn't be wearing shorts and flip flops in this weather.  I explained to him that I agreed.  It's terrible that I have to be wearing office appropriate clothing in the middle of summer!  He then asked me where I worked and told me that I looked really familiar to him.  I thought he might have come into work and that's where he might have seen me, but no.  He walks in the mall 5 days a week and swore that he has seen me in the mall.  (Little did he know that I avoid the mall like the plague!)  At this point I was thinking about how much I wanted to get away and get on with my shopping.  But that wasn't in the plan. 

He continued to pepper me with questions like "Are you married or living with someone?  Any kids?"  and told me that I was a very beautiful young woman.  And then he shocked the heck out of me!

"Would it be alright if I prayed with and for you?" he asked.

"WHAT?!" was the initial reaction that bounced around in my head.  But instead I said, "Sure!".  And I'm so glad I did. 

He reached out and grabbed my hand and right there in the middle of the crowded mall with people passing all around us, we bowed our heads, closed our eyes, and he prayed for me. 

It was the sweetest prayer.  He prayed over me and my life, and that Heavenly Father would bless me with something special today.  Something that only God can give me.  Sure it was a little bit weird, but mostly it was one of the most touching things I've experienced in my life.  How much better would the world be if we all had the courage to lift up our voice and pray over complete strangers in the middle of a crowd!

When he was done he asked if I was a Christian to which I replied with a "yes".  And he asked me if I knew any other names for God. 

"Well sure, I call him Heavenly Father."  I said.

But that's not what he was looking for.  He told me that another name for God is "Something." 

"Because Something told me to stop and talk to you today."

I could have hugged that sweet old man right then!  As he was walking away he told me to keep my eyes out for something amazing to happen to me today.  To which I replied, "I think it was you!"

I feel so blessed to have walked into that mall entrance right when I did and blessed to have had that strange and amazing interaction with such a sweet old man!