Thank you for visiting my blog named Life and Random Thinking today.
My blog consists of a number of posts and I place them into categories, such as Thinking Out Loud (an example post here, or the short short story series with Ravi and Maria called CB and PB ( their nick names standing for Cinnamon Buns and Peanut Butter) – episode 3 here
I am not sure what category this post will fall into, probably a few different ones.
A week or so ago I was watching a subtitled Korean show on Netflix, just a normal morning – my right hand intertwined with my wife’s and my left holding a coffee. Then I heard the phrase – God Shot.
In the series a young man begins a job working as a barista in a small coffee shop with the proprietor who has previously always worked alone. The proprietor’s girl friend described the young man as a God Shot.
My ears popped when I heard that phrase “God Shot” and I have been thinking about it daily since then.
The Netflix show talked a lot about coffee but that is not the way I understand or envision the term “God Shot“.
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A “God Shot” seems to have a number of different interpretations so this is mine.
A “God Shot” is when the perfect person, happens into someone’s life semi – miraculously.
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If you have ever sat with someone and listened to their story/situation and had a Eureka moment (forehead slap – joy of satisfaction from knowing or discovering) because you know “just the right person” to help that other person.
Well I have been thinking that God is always listening and “God is Well Connected” – he knows everyone – so he does the best “God Shots” as in connecting the right people at the right time.
– but the surprising part is that he uses everyone. Everyone is you, me and us.
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This happened so long ago that I can’t say for sure what year it happened.
I know it was Christmas and it was before 1983 when my daughter was born.
My friend, Gerry, loved to tell this “God Shot” story and told it over and over and he especially liked to tell it when I was there to hear him tell it again. He never called it a God Shot, it was just how we met.
This is the story of how Gerry and I first met.
Around 1981 Gerry was at a low point due to a business collapse and had to phone the Federal Government tax department, and I answered. But I shouldn’t have been there, I was only there to answer the phones for a couple hours.
I was covering the phones for two hours in that department and he called the one and only time I was there to answer that phone.
I was able to answer his questions and encourage him with empathy and understanding. He had called the Tax Department with trepidation, and nervousness; not knowing what to expect.
He didn’t expect encouragement and support.
Gerry said he hung up the phone stunned, and said “that’s the Tax Department?” (then he would grin and laugh when he told the story!)
I even called him back a few minutes later, and I gave him my name and direct phone number, in case he ever needed it.
Gerry said that our two quick calls were very special and just what he needed at that time.
Gerry never forgot that call and my name; but we never met in person.
Until two years later, at that time my kidney was failing, it was probably spring of 1983 and I was getting sicker. I was not on dialysis yet but ………
My friend Steve had invited Gerry for dinner and I was coming over later that night to Steve’s house.
Steve asked Gerry to hang around for few minutes so he could meet me as a group of my friends were going to pray for my health.
Gerry listened to Steve talk about it, then he asked Steve – what’s your friend’s name?
Steve told him. It was a God Shot introduction.
Gerry stayed after dinner, and we met and he became family and a special, amazing friend to me and my family.
That friendship lasted four decades until Gerry passed, and I miss him still. We had so much fun together and it was always mutual, relaxing and delightful.
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Gerry and I were friends for decades, so many wonderful stories to tell, including;
When I was in the hospital five months, Gerry was there to visit a lot, he even snuck me out, with permission, to have Chinese food one night.
A lot of nights in Vancouver General Hospital where I laughed because Gerry was there.
Gerry was not a friend, he was family to me, and us.
Definitely now I see it as a “God Shot”
God is very well connected and he makes the best introductions – the neat part now for me is seeing that I was a God Shot for Gerry when we met by phone, and Gerry was a God Shot for me when we reconnected in person.
I hope that this post will bring to mind someone, or many someones in your life that made a difference.
“God Shot” persons.
I certainly can think of quite of few in mine.
They are the people who make phone calls and connect, they travel long distances to support you on birthdays, they send books and cards when they can’t be in person.
I have been blessed by those people in my life, and I hope you have also. – David
Life and Random Thinking 
Oh my goodness! Love this! Thank you for sharing yours and Gerry’s story!! Though I’ve never hear of a ‘God Shot’….I have heard of ‘God Wink’ moments…I think I like the both 😊
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Now I am going to think about God Winks♥ – I am glad you liked this post. I appreciate you reading and commenting. I am glad I had a chance to chat with you here. – David
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Wow, I love this. Gave me goosebumps all over. And it made me think of the post recently where you had us send good wishes to your friend in the hospital. I think you set us all up to be God shots…thank you, David!
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Thanks Wynne, miraculously we are exactly that I think, despite our humble feelings about ourselves – we are meant to be there for others and we are exactly the right person.
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God is so good and His timing is perfect!
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Thanks Linda! – I will take that as a “thumbs up” ♥ – David
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Oh, my, David, what a moving story. You were spreading your kindness and someone very much in need of your instinctive empathy was the grateful/lucky recipient. The fact that you connected again in this way was the miracle. Thank you for sharing.
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Gerry and I were like brothers. He was there for me always and cared for my family sincerely. It was so hard to say goodbye to him in the hospital but even then he was praying for my family and I, while I couldn’t speak at all. An inspiring man, father and friend. – David
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This is the most beautiful of posts, David! Had me tearing up!
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That makes me feel really good to hear that you were touched by the post. Thank you for your kind words♥ – David
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I echo all the above accolades and add an extra large hug to wrap them all up in!! God is so BIG and this is a perfect example of JUST how big He can be. Rejoicing over you both for the kindness you showered upon one another throughout those many blessed years you shared together as “family.” 🥰
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Thank you so much for the positive wave you splashed me with- I really appreciated it. Gerry was very young at heart with me, my father’s age but the way we interacted was very much fun, open, and supportive. I always will feel like I was blessed he was my friend because he gave and listened from the heart. – David
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Blessed, indeed!❤️
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This is a lovely post. It made me cry at the joy of your friendship with Gerry … a two-time God Shot for you both. Definitely a PLANNED CONNECTION through divine intervention & not a coincidence.
I’m sure there are God Shots in my life. I just need to think about who & when. Those of us that have them are truly blessed.
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I always feel uncertain when I share certain stories. As a result, your comment is especially appreciated. Thank you. – David
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I love the whole concept of “God shot” – I’ve never heard the term before – and your stories were lovely!
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Thank you Joni, I appreciate your encouragement. I always feel nervous with posts like this and thank you for reading. – David
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You shouldn’t feel nervous for sharing something so inspiring!
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I guess you and Sue are playing it forward cause I feel you are both ‘it’ for me!; Very special inspirations and deeply meaningful relationships that are like food for the soul AND that decadent desert we crave and savor every time we connect!
I’m not as religious as you but ‘that God walking beside me’ image on the beach is what it feels like having friends like you… you lift all of us up in his image indeed!
Thank you for all your lovely writing and wisdom, and for being exactly who you are to so many….xo
You are a Godshot who lights up like a pinball wizard, ‘Carry-on Dave!’❤️
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Thanks Jackie, you are always so kind. hugs. The image of the hippos is from a card that you sent me three years ago, I use the card as a bookmark and regularly enjoy your encouraging words enclosed. Thank you for being a Godshot! – David
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Happy New Year Folstad’s! Thanks for the hat tip back David, but I really think God made me more in Lucille Ball’s madcap image than in his own to be sure!! Hopefully with vaccinations in us we can see our families more this year. Ajai and I are first ‘vanning’ down to AZ on January 20th over a weeks time; there till mid March. Catch us if you can or we’ll come to you! Big hug to all, Love Jackie
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Your wonderful letter and photos arrived today. Safe travels – I have researched Lucille Ball – she is inspiring! – Thanks for following my blog. – David
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A wonderful story, Dave. I’d never heard the term ‘God Shot’ either, but I’ll be reflecting on it.
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God Shot is a sticky concept for sure! Hugs!
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Hi David,
I thought I had already commented here, so this may be a duplicate.
I love the memories and message here. God is indeed always listening!
Blessings!
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