COSTCO: Where Prayers Are Answered
Costco has everything you need. Even the words you want to write.
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My name is Tanner Olson and I am an author, poet, and speaker. Here I share whatever comes to mind. Often I’ll post a prayer or poem or reflection or story. Before you move onto the next thing hit the subscribe button! Thanks for being here.
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Arcadia, Michigan
May 28, 2024
At 9:44 AM I had a staring contest with a blinking cursor. I wanted to write, but didn’t have the words. When this happens I know it’s time to get up and leave the house. Most of the time the words I am looking for need to be found. I grabbed the keys and drove down the winding one lane road for 61 minutes to get to the nearest Costco. Costco has everything and I thought they might have the words.
I listened to an old playlist before switching over to an audiobook before eventually shutting off the noise. There is something peaceful about silence and a long drive. I followed the GPS as I let my mind wander. I thought about old friends from high school that I haven’t talked to in years. I wondered about the conversation I had last night with Ryan. I thought about tigers and wondered if they were still endangered. I made a list for Costco in my mind and wondered if I should get a hot dog while I’m there.
My wandering thoughts turned into a prayer, but the prayer felt like one long brain dump.
I thanked God for another day.
I asked God for wisdom as I began to prepare for a few upcoming speaking events.
I prayed for the words to write when I got home.
I prayed that I would be quick to love and slow to anger.
I prayed that I would laugh at what usually makes me frustrated.
I prayed that I would become softer with myself and others.
I prayed that I would be slow to speak and quick to listen.
I asked God to protect the tigers.
I prayed for my wife, our son, and our dog.
I asked God if I should get a hot dog while shopping at Costco.
Most of the prayer was silence. I am finding again and again that I do not always have to be speaking to be praying. I listen for God. I sit with Him, just as He sits with me. Words are not always needed to give thanks and praise. They are not always necessary for connection and growth. Sometimes it’s just about being with the One who brought you to be.
My mind was quiet enough to notice the things around.
Flags flown on front porches.
A dog with his head out the window.
Two people standing close in the middle of a graveyard.
A man stretching on a dock in the mid morning sunlight.
A bumper sticker that read, “Tell your cat I said pspspsps.”
I noticed my hands on the steering wheel. The light bursting through the window, highlighting their age. “They’re changing,” I said to no one but myself. They are beginning to look like my father’s hands from when I was a kid. Worn and faded with wrinkles gifted from the glowing sun and age. My right hand has vitiligo. A doctor hasn’t told me this, but Google says this is what I’ve got. Also, according to Google it’s the same skin condition Michael Jackson had. It doesn’t bother me. At least, not yet. But it’s there.
My thinking came to a halt when the car behind decided to ride my tail as they blasted techno music. I hate techno music almost as much as I hate people who feel like they need to drive two feet from my bumper. There is something about techno music that makes me want to explode. I’d rather listen to country music. Even new country music which sounds unfortunate, but not as unfortunate as what the person behind me was blasting.
Anger started to rise inside of me, but quickly turned to joy when I checked my rearview mirror. The techno driver was smiling a contagious smile. Their car was a rave and they were lost in the music. This was their therapy. Their hands were off the wheel as they danced to the unending thump, thump, thump. They had no idea what was going on, which was concerning because they were operating a motorized vehicle. I pulled over to the shoulder and let them pass. They sped by, left hand pumping out of the window like they were young and free, because they were.
My stomach growled and I wondered if that was God telling me I should get a hot dog. I brushed it off, but mentioned to God that if I was really supposed to get a hot dog to give me a sign.
I walked 2500 steps around the store.
I sampled popcorn, breakfast sausage, trail mix, and some kind of cheese served on a toothpick from a man with long nose hairs and a big smile.
I overheard one woman say to another woman how she gets irritated when they move items around in the store.
“I can’t find what I’m looking for!”
“Me too! The chips were here and now where are they?”
“Right? And where is the oatmeal?”
“I’m walking everywhere! I end up getting more than I need.”
“Amen, sister! Amen.”
I filled my cart with sparkling water, chips (not to brag, but I found them quite easily), nuts, and other random items we didn’t need.
I waited in line for longer than you want to wait in line.
I watched a mother tell her child to stop doing what they were doing at least 100 times. She gave me a look like, “Is summer break over yet?”
It’s not.
Not even close.
As I waited in line I looked up.
Just beyond the checkout line was the food court.
In big blue letters it said, HOT DOG $1.50.
That was the sign I was looking for.
Thanks God.
Decision made.
I ordered a hot dog, smothered it with ketchup and mustard, and carried it out of the store like it was small puppy.
I carefully put the hot dog in the front seat before unloading the cart.
I turned on the car, thanked God for the hot dog, and took a bite of what I had been waiting for all day.
It was delicious.
It tasted like summer and my childhood and patriotism.
I took another bite and that’s when it happened.
A swirling clump of ketchup and mustard fell from the hot dog and landed directly onto my lap.
In the past I would have gotten frustrated.
But not today.
Today, I laughed.
My prayer had been answered.
Thank you for being here. If you’re a paid subscriber, or if you’ve purchased my books, I can’t thank you enough for your continued kindness.
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That was just what I needed!!
Thanks!!
I always enjoy reading your stuff! You teach us to see life.