“In the moment” or “as you are going” spiritual care — a crazy story!

A critical element of providing spiritual care is relationship. “Being there” when the baloney hits the fan for someone often (usually?) begins with relationship that’s already been established by doing life together, talking about football or breaking bread or serving alongside each other at the local Union Gospel Mission.

But sometimes it’s just what happens, right? Consider…

Kristine and I were en route from eastern Tennessee back to Nashville as part of a trip where we were praying over where God would have us serve. And after a stop for some food, I wanted a Diet Pepsi for the road, so we pulled into a gas station that had a mini-mart.

I got to the counter with my prey and said to the gal behind the counter, “How’s your day?”

Tracie — the store manager by the designation on her name tag — didn’t look good. And she said so.

In a way that was jovial (almost jokingly, if I’m honest) I said, “Is it time for us to have a prayer meetin’?” 

She didn’t skip a beat, and she didn’t take it as a joke: “Yes. My friend JUST got raped and just tried to commit suicide.” 

By this time a sharply-dressed black man came in the store and was standing behind me. I motioned him over. He stepped up to the counter. I didn’t —as I usually do — ask for permission to put my hand on her shoulder. I don’t even know why…I just did it.

And I started praying, out loud, there in the gas station, for her friend.

Minutes later Kristine and I were on the freeway and I just sat there in stunned silence. I barely remember what I prayed. In hindsight I could have probably offered to call the police or something. I’m sure I could have prayed a better prayer.

But God doesn’t need our perfect prayers…He delights in our willingness to step into battle. And I was feeling “winded” because I had just gone into spiritual battle at the drop of a hat… …with a gal and some other stranger in a gas station mini mart.

I don’t share this in self-aggrandizement. I share because I look back and realize how unlike me — and how very much like the Spirit — that was.

It’s one thing to think formally about spiritual formation and providing spiritual care to students or coworkers or parishioners.

But it’s maybe another thing to equip them to be ready at any given moment to, “as you are going,” step into the fight.

Truth and the true church of Christ will always be under assault. We may or may not have time to premeditate our response.