Interviewing others and hearing their God Shots inspired me to look within and take note of the countless times I had been carried through, held up and restored. Big, small, powerful, funny, my God Shots were all over my life story. Here’s the one that started it all. 

Growing up in the 70’s nothing impressed me more than Charlie’s Angels and lip gloss. So, imagine my delight when my mother gifted me with my very own, adult size, extra shiny stick of magic. I don’t remember the brand name, but it was in a see-through glass tube, with a black cap and white writing. The gloss inside was a lovely golden color and the sweet, fruity scent was to die for. My seven-year-old self brought that lip gloss everywhere. I was ready. For what? I’m not sure, but my lips would sparkle.

Before we became Midwesterners, we lived in the Big Apple, a few blocks from Central Park. My very first Saturday as a lip gloss owner, I went to the park with my dad and brother. We threw the football, ran, laughed and played games. Before I knew it, it was time to freshen up my pout, but when I reached into my pocket, to my complete horror, my most prized possession was gone. GONE! Sometime after my last touch up, my lip gloss had fallen through an unknown hole in my pocket. I cried like a second grader.

After considerable searching and retracing of our steps, we had to call it a day. When we got home, I didn’t bother asking my mother for another lip gloss. She had warned me not to bring it and she was always telling us to take care of the things we valued. I should have been more careful. Monday at recess I would be playing Bosley when I should have been an Angel.

Three weeks after what felt like the crime of the century, we were back at the park playing and throwing the football. I use the word throwing very loosely because all I ever really managed to do was get it in the air and away from me, but not anywhere near the intended recipient. So, when my dad walked about six feet in front of him to retrieve my latest pass, I didn’t think much of it, until he reached down for the football and said, “What’s this?”

Before he had a chance to speak, I could see what he was holding in his hand. It was my beloved lip gloss in all its luscious glory. It looked a little worn and had some dried bits of grass on it, but the cap had stayed on tight, and the liquid gold was still intact. My dad laughed and shook his head. “Unbelievable!” He mused.

Even though I was only seven years old, I knew that something big had just gone down. As a family we went to church on Sundays, we said grace before meals, and we said our prayers at night. But it wasn’t until that moment, that I had my first true spiritual connection. My eyes were opened to the possibilities of the universe and the power of divine force. I knew with a certainty felt deep within my young soul, that if I could lose a small object in Central Park, and three weeks later throw a football that lands right next to said object, there was only one explanation. God was REAL. And on that particular day, many years ago, He had spoken directly to me in a way that I could fully understand. He had sent me comfort, faith and so much wonder. 

Though I didn’t know it at the time, it was a God Shot. My very first one. But, the only one involving lip gloss. 

 Central Park in the 70’s with my dad and brother. That day we opted for baseball.