Thanks Be To Peanut Butter

I was in the produce section of Whole Foods yesterday. Just standing there. Staring at CARROTS and CELERY. Trying to decide. You know... putting in the work. Making the right choice.

When all of a sudden this smiley lady walks up to me and says, "Peanut Butter".

I blink a couple times.

"Do you really like Peanut Butter?"

Why, I wonder, is this perfect stranger asking me such a thing? Do I look like I eat a lot of peanut butter? I don't have any peanut butter in my basket. I wasn't even planning on buying peanut butter here today. But...

"Well... yes," I say "I guess I do. I'd have to say peanut butter is probably a staple of my diet."

Her grin widens.... obviously this is the right answer... and I'm thinking - OHHHHH - this must be about the salmonella thing with the Peter Pan peanut butter.... But no.

"We've been practicing listening to God's voice at church and as I was walking by you He said 'Peanut Butter' to me."

"Ok." blink. blink. "Interesting thing for him to say."

Upon which she steps closer and asks me if I knew Jesus - which I said I did... relatively speaking - upon which she grabbed my hand and had me repeat a prayer aloud after her... which I did... as all the liberal organic-loving DINKs of Seattle milled about me perplexed as this ebullient and rather audible PDA for the Lord took place. Then she sent me home to read the book of John. (Which I -later- did).

...and then she told me that my life was going to have more meaning from here on out.
Gosh. I wonder if that part is true. I'm not opposed to it. It would be cool if it really happened. And.. I have to say it was awfully nice for someone to walk up out of the blue with a message like that to encourage you a little. (Even if the message had to be sent in the form of an evangelical Christian lady wandering through an organic produce isle).

Funny, eh? Who knew? Not only does God know your heart, your mind and your soul... He also follows you around checking out your purchases at Whole Foods.

Well... all I can say is... thanks be to peanut butter.