CONTRIBUTED BY JULIE ATWOOD.

Even before we leave Tom Thumb on this misty Saturday morning, we again receive one Treasure . . . and the surprising hint of a second one.

Sharon’s clue of blue plaid shoes points at once to Abby—who’s needing prayer for time management. “That’s another one of my clues,” Sharon exclaims with a smile. She prays aloud for the co-leader, while the rest of us intercede in silence.

And when Cheryl, the other co-leader, calls for name clues, she startles Julie with her own. “I received Julie and Sarah Thomas.”

Julie’s heart stutters as she speaks up. “I have a friend named Sarah Thomas. We’re in the same writers’ critique group.” She adds with a grin at Cheryl, “It’s interesting you’re the one who got her name—because you remind me a lot of her.”

In response to the location clue received by both Cheryl and Abby, we head this overcast morning off to Target. “I also received sunshine and flowers,” Abby shares with a chuckle, glancing out the window of Cheryl’s car at the mass of inky clouds gathering overhead. “But since it’s threatening to rain any minute, I’m guessing my flowers are the indoor variety.”

“And the sunshine might be on the flowers themselves, meaning they’re yellow flowers.” Checking her paper, Julie’s referring to both her own clue and Sharon’s clue of dandelions.

“Well, Target has plenty of yellow flowers,” Cheryl assures us.

Before heading into the large red-and-white convenience store, we split up into three pairs—Cheryl with Larry, Abby with Sharla, and Sharon for a second time with Julie. Scatter in three directions to hunt for separate Treasures. But though at first the aisles seem strangely empty and quiet for a Saturday morning, we all end up finding a surprising plethora of human Treasures.

Most of these sport pony tails . . . bobbing or swinging from the heads of toddlers, seven-year-olds, mommies, girls and women of all ages.

Including Cheryl herself . . . whose clue this is.

But it’s Cheryl’s sneakers, not her pony tail, that causes Sharon to point her out. “Look, Julie.” She nudges her teammate. “Cheryl’s shoes are striped with all your colors—green, yellow, purple, and pink.”

With Sharon’s prompting, Julie blesses Cheryl before we take off in pursuit of other pony-tailed Treasures.

For Sharon and Julie, the next Treasures prove a mother and daughter pair. At Sharon’s cheery call, Linda brakes her shopping cart where Charlene, her seven-year-old, perches in the child seat swinging lanky legs. Both their pony tails—Linda’s chocolate, Charlene’s honey-blonde—bounce in surprise as Linda whips round in response to Sharon. But right after the Treasure Hunter points out all their clues—including small Charlene’s green jacket, tossed over a shirt festooned with pink trim and green-and-yellow flowers—Linda’s ready with a prayer request.

“You can pray for that boy who went missing from the high-school trip back in Indianapolis. I teach at an elementary school, but I can’t help feeling concerned about that missing high-school boy.” She beams with gratitude as, again with Sharon’s encouragement, Julie asks God aloud for the lost teen’s safe return.

As we bid them good-bye, Sharon points out to Julie that Linda’s husband Tom, trailing close behind them, is wearing a green shirt.

Rounding a corner into the next aisle, Sharon and Julie meet a second mother-daughter duo, both sporting glossy midnight-black pony tails. Katie, this young mother, asks only for a blessing. The Treasure Hunters speak God’s blessings over her and cuddly two-year-old Marie, who—bundled into a sweater striped pink and purple—studies us with wide eyes from her car seat.

As Katie eases her cart round the next corner, an object flutters to the floor from little Marie’s dimpled hand. Sharon scoops it up. “Look, it’s a toy flower with pink and green petals.” As she hurries after their Treasures and thrusts the flower back into the toddler’s outstretched fist, she points out these additional clues to Marie’s surprised and thankful mommy.

Betsy, their third human Treasure—who sports a flaxen pony tail and a purple shirt—tells them with a wide smile, “We’re trying to have a baby.” As Julie prays aloud for this potential new family member, she marvels over the fact that babies is one of Cheryl’s clues.

Meanwhile, Cheryl and Larry meet a Treasure bundled into a purple jacket.

“Do you need prayer for anything, Jana?”

Jana fixes Cheryl with wary eyes and shrugs. “I don’t know.” But she still receives a special blessing . . . as her very reply proves one of Cheryl’s clues.

Soon this pair of Treasure Hunters run into an old friend of Larry’s. “Hey, I know you from where you work over at the community center!” Pam strides up to Larry, regards him with a grin and dancing eyes.

But a shadow crosses her face as, deeper into their conversation, she indicates her small son Braden. Dressed in Cheryl’s clue of a blue shirt, slumped over in their shopping cart, the two-year-old is skimming a toy car across one palm. (Car is also one of Cheryl’s clues, along with babies.) “Braden has a rare brain disorder,” the concerned mother shares in a quieter voice. She receives with gratitude the Treasure Hunters’ prayers for Braden’s healing . . . and, after her husband Ken joins the group from where he’s meandered down another aisle, prayers regarding their search for a new church.

Next, Cheryl and Larry meet Steve . . . whose T-shirt is splashed with pictures of Santa and reindeer. “There’s your unseasonal Christmas tree, Larry,” Cheryl points out with a grin. “Well . . . close enough. And look, his son’s T-shirt has a picture of your skull.”

Steve requests prayer for his newborn baby niece, again confirming Cheryl’s clue of babies. He then surprises the Treasure Hunters by asking with a grateful smile, “Hey, can I pray a blessing over you guys?”

Finally, Cheryl and Larry meet Joyce.

Clad in Sharla’s clue of a white shirt, this Treasure expresses concern for her sister-in-law Jill. “She’s needing a bone-marrow treatment for cancer, and she’ll have to undergo seven days of chemotherapy. On top of that, she’s a teacher. And she’s also caring for her son Eric, who’s bedridden from an accident.” Joyce shakes her head in as much admiration as sorrow over her loved one. “Jill’s really amazing. I can’t imagine how she’s handling it all at once.” The Treasure Hunters agree with Joyce, then join her in speaking words of God’s healing over Jill and Eric.

In the meantime, Abby and Sharla find Liz—unseasonably clad on this blustery wet morning in Sharla’s clue of a tank top. “I’m starting a new job,” Liz confides. The third pair of Treasure Hunters speak over her words of God’s provision (Abby’s clue).

Next, they speak God’s blessings over a blended family . . . whose members include little Joshua (one of Abby’s name clues).

And then they bless little Joseph . . . another of Abby’s name clues. He’s an extra-lively two-year-old who, heedless of the leash leading from his chest harness to his harried mother’s hand, goes scrambling out over the side of her shopping cart. “That poor mom could definitely use our blessings,” Abby comments to Sharla with a chortle.

At last, Abby and Sharla meet Renee . . . one more lady with Cheryl’s clue of a pony tail. “I’m not feeling well,” she confesses, gripping tight to her sunshine-yellow purse. Her face looks more cloudy than sunny as she continues, “I’m experiencing a lot of stress at work, and it’s giving me really bad headaches.” But as the Treasure Hunters lay hands on Renee and speak words of God’s healing, the sunshine returns to her eyes and grateful smile.

After all six of us congregate near the checkout counter to swap stories, Cheryl checks her clue sheet. “It’s about time for us to leave, but Larry and I haven’t yet visited the bakery.”

“Gotta check out those cakes and donuts,” Larry jokes, referring to two more of Cheryl’s remaining clues.

As they dash off to the bakery section, Abby breaks off narrating her final story to glance out into the aisle with sparkling eyes. “Hey, check out that lady who just passed us. She’s wearing another one of my clues—an orange jacket.” After a brief dash of her own up to the Treasure, followed by an interview, she returns and reports with a wide grin. “Her husband’s sister’s having a baby. And guess what his name is? Joshua!”

Soon Cheryl and Larry race back over from the bakery with a final story of their own. “We just met another one of Larry’s friends.” Cheryl elbows him in a teasing way. “You’re sure popular today, Larry.” Then turning back to the group, she reports, “Greta bustled right up to us, smiling big and smoothing down my clue of an apron.

“She told us her son Tim is in the Air Force, where he just got re-stationed from Germany to Romania. He’s been separated from his two-year-old son Ryan, and the little boy is having a really hard time with the separation.” She reflects with a soft smile, “We once again got to speak God’s words of comfort over a baby.”

Before we head toward the exit doors, Cheryl once more checks her clue sheet. “The only clues I have left on here are my two name clues—Julieand Sarah Thomas.” She smiles over at the group’s quietest member. “So, Julie, I think that means we’re meant to pray for your friend with that name. Does she have any special prayer needs?”

One flashes at once into Julie’s mind from a recent e-mail conversation. “Yes. She told me she has a son who’s not a believer.”

The Treasure Hunters surround Julie, lay hands on her as a proxy for our morning’s final Treasure.

Next morning during church . . .

Bob from the worship team steps forward with an exciting report. “You know that high-school boy who’s gone missing from that band trip in Indianapolis? Well, a lot of folks got together to pray for his safe return—and I want to let you know God heard those prayers. The lost boy has been found!”

Julie’s heart thumps with excitement as she recalls the moment she got to pray for that very boy. Only yesterday morning . . . through the request of Katie, her and Sharon’s sec

CONTRIBUTED BY JULIE ATWOOD.

Amidst flapping flags, prancing pooches, and bouncing birthday balloons, we find a total of sixteen human Treasures on this sunshine-splashed—yes, sunshine is one of our clues—Saturday morning in July.

Several of these Treasures show up before we even leave Tom Thumb.

“Thank you, guys, for putting the tables back.” As Starbucks employee Sandra hurries past us through our usual beginning meeting place, she smiles at the sight of us shoving the chairs back into place.“So many people who come in here don’t think to do that.” Still beaming her gratitude, she pauses in midstep to receive Sharon’s blessings over her business and prayers for strength.

Near the donut shop in Tom Thumb, Abby and Rema pause to chat with Jason, a sixteen-year-old birthday boy whose mom, Renee, is wearing a blue shirt (a clue of several people). They pray for fun and safety at Jason’s upcoming party, where he plans to play Whirly Ball (a sport that involves Rema’s clue of spinning). Sharon and Rema offer prayers for Ann (Sharon’s clue name), blessing this busy donut shop employee in her business. And Brandy prays blessings over Jose, another employee at the donut shop.

As the nine Treasure Hunters leave Tom Thumb, several spot a bevy of seagulls (Dustin’s clue), soaring over the store’s roof in a graceful snowy arc.

Along with first-timer Michele and Julie’s daughter Rema—who received the respective clues of donut shop and donut—Abby, Brandy, and Sharon head off toward Rockwall in search of yet another place that sells this confection. They end up at a downtown donut shop where Sonia, a weary-eyed employee clad in a blue shirt, welcomes the prayers offered her. “I’m from Vietnam, but have lived here in the States for eleven years. My husband divorced me because I couldn’t have children, and I’ve suffered through a lot of loneliness and depression. In fact, I’ve tried to commit suicide twice . . .”

After Brandy speaks words of deliverance over this distressed but believing woman, Rema envelops Sonia in loving prayers. Michele stands back a bit to observe the action, but she soon receives from God a prophetic word for Sonia. She steps forward with boldness to share this prophecy, as well as to offer Sonia practical advice gleaned from her own experiences as a counselor.

As the group heads out toward the parking lot . . .

“Wait, you guys!” Brandy’s eyes sparkle with excitement. “I’m sorry, but I think that guy is limping. I’ve gotta go pray for him!” She tears at breakneck speed after Steve, who’s inching on unsteady legs toward his car. When Michele and Rema catch up to them, the three Treasure Hunters pray for Steve’s cramped-up calf (an area of leg between the clues of knee and foot).

“On a scale from one to ten, how does it feel?” Brandy asks him, following the prayer.

Steve considers the question. “It went from a four to a three.”

In the meantime . . .

Driving through Rockwall, the four other Treasure Hunters—Cheryl, Dustin, Julie, and first-timer Judy—pull into a velvety-green small park in which, to the left, they spot the location clue of a bridge. “Let’s cross over the bridge,” Cheryl calls, speaking word for word the entire clue. As they stroll across the small wooden footbridge, they spot their two potential human Treasures. Two men, both clad in blue shirts, fishing in the lake at opposite sides of the shoreline. “Let’s pray for the first one who looks up and sees us,” Cheryl suggests.

At that instant, the younger man raises his head and grins in the group’s direction. As they head over to him, they notice a small American flagembroidered on his shirt—fitting Judy’s clue of blue, red stripes, and white stars. William throws us a startled look when Cheryl tells him the first clue that drew us to him. “You mean you folks crossed over that big huge thing?” He turns, points to an enormous bridge that spans the nearby highway. When we shake our heads and indicate the footbridge, he bursts into chuckles. “Aw, you all took the easy way here!”

After blessing William for his twenty years of military service, and honoring his request for wisdom regarding relationships, Cheryl asks him about other prayer needs. “Any problems with your left knee?” She shows him Brandy’s clue on her sheet.

“Naw, but my father over there”—William points to the other fisherman, an elderly man with a flowing white beard—“he’s got some problems with his knees.”

Moments later we’re laying hands on William Senior, who’s paused from his fishing to plop on a nearby bench for a rest. He’s just recounted numerous medical procedures performed on his knees, none of which have resulted in much success.

“How badly does it hurt?” Cheryl asks him before praying. “On a scale from one to ten?”

“ ’Bout a six.”

After her prayer: “It feels a lot looser now.” His leathery brown face creases into a million smiles as he praises God for the healing.

As the Treasure Hunters head back to the parking lot Cheryl observes with a grin, “Those two guys sure fit Judy’s clue of happy!”

Moments later, they’re off to our third location clue—a nearby dog park. Soon the first team of Treasure Hunters shows up here as well. As we all stroll into this area, we see a lineup of more flags flapping in the breeze.

To the left cyclone fences divide the park into two grassy areas designed for romping canines . . . one for smaller doggies, where a lone Malti-poo darts about in hopeful search for a playmate. While Cheryl, Judy, and Rema take turns cradling the lamblike pup, they chat with his humans, a cheerful couple named Dan and Alicia. “I’m a teacher, developing a science software program called Star P. Learning,” Alicia shares. The three Treasure Hunters pray God’s blessings over her program and her vocation as a teacher.

In the section for larger dogs, everything from a pit bull to a frisky cockapoo to a huge lumbering Golden Doodle dashes round with plenty of companions. And some of their humans prove no less eager to share.

“My dog Rex had kidney failure and died at age seven.” Kevin’s eyes still look heavy with grief. After wrapping him up in prayers for comfort, Cheryl questions him about other prayer needs. “You can pray for our country’s rebound, both morally and economically.” As Cheryl honors Kevin’s request, several notice his patriotic spirit reflected in his shirt . . . which is colored red, white, and blue.

Brandy, who’s received a word of knowledge, then steps forward. “Does your son have any prayer needs, Kevin?”

Kevin’s eyes widen with surprise. “Yes. He’s struggling with some serious issues right now, and he could really use your prayers.”

As Brandy prays, Kevin welcomes with gratitude this confirmation that God cares so much for his son.

Along with her husband Dustin, Brandy also holds up Corinne . . . whose shoes, toenails, and doggy-poop bag all sport a vivid shade of purple(Rema’s clue). Between her orders of “Quiet!” directed at her extremely vocal canine Morris, Corinne welcomes prayers for leadership and wisdom (Cheryl’s clue) regarding her church’s growth group.

On our way out from the dog park, Sharon indicates a colorful bed of blooms. “Look, Julie, there’s your flowers!” But while we’re throwing final smiles at the sea of poodle mixes gallivanting across the grass—none of whose fleecy bodies faintly resembles a dachshund—Dustin quips to Judy, “I don’t think any of them is named Hot Dog.”

As both teams of Treasure Hunters head back to the parking lot for Pallio’s Pizza Shop, several spot a huge bouquet of birthday balloons, all bobbing above the beaming face of little two-year-old Mia. And several Treasure Hunters pause to bless her . . . the second of three “birthdayTreasures” we’ve encountered this morning. The third is one of our own group—Abby! After sharing a pizza with her friend and several others, Cheryl surprises Abby with a cake decorated to resemble a drama script . . . aptly reflecting her work as technician for a theater.

While most folks in the group shower the blushing, grinning celebrant with gifts, Sharon reveals another surprise. “Ann is my middle name, and I’m wearing a yellow shirt and pale-green shorts.” She points with a chuckle to her clue sheet. “That means today I’m my own Treasure!”

ond Treasure at Target. And the news this lost boy has been found thrills her with a greater hope when she thinks about the son of her friend Sarah—the group’s final Treasure. For God is One who seeks and finds His Treasures . . . those who are lost in more ways than one.