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One day while living and working in Alaska I was wandering downtown and decided to walk past my office building.
As I turned the corner, one of my colleagues called out to me, "Your spidey sense must have been going off again - I can't find my key!"
My key was in my pocket, so I was able to let her into the building and we chatted for a few minutes about her shift and then parted ways.
Her "again" referred to another time a few weeks before where I felt like I should stop by and say hello. I no longer remember the details, but I know she was in need that day too and I was able to fill her need.
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This experience came to mind today when I had a virtual meeting with two women who are serving missions for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Talking to missionaries is always uplifting and inspiring to me. There is a light and happiness about these incredible people who dedicate themselves to a cause they believe in and who choose to focus on others. They have chosen to put their life and education on hold, pay to receive training and for their room and board, move to a new area, and committed to teaching all those who are interested about the gospel of Jesus Christ.
During our conversation they challenged me to pray and ask God to help me think of someone who I could reach out to and share some of God's love and truth with.
What a cool challenge! Who can't use some extra love and light in their life?
As they made the challenge, I thought about my interaction with my colleague in Alaska. For years I have regularly prayed for God to help me find someone I can serve. I say something to this effect:
Heavenly Father, please help me to be aware of the people around me and to know how I can share thy love and light with them.
Or something like this:
Heavenly Father, please allow me to be a conduit of thy love to those around me.
Or this one:
Heavenly Father, please help me know who I can serve today.
Then I go about my day. Typically, these prayers help me become aware of little things - like holding a door open for someone, smiling at strangers, allowing someone else to go first while merging in traffic, or sending a message to a friend or family member who is on my mind.
I believe that what my colleague identified as a "spidey sense" is an example of God's hand in my life. His answer to my prayers. His direction in my life - giving me an opportunity to help one of His children.
When is the last time you benefitted from someone following their "spidey sense"?
My invitation to you is to tell that person thank you for what they did - in person, via text, write a letter, make a phone call - we all need to know that what we do, even the little things, matters to someone.
Oh, and next time you feel inspired to go somewhere you weren't planning to, or when someone pops unexpectedly into your mind, accept the invitation to follow your spidey sense and reach out in love. You never know, you just might make someone's day!
