Hallelujah Hot Tub

I went swimming last Saturday and saw something I have never seen before and expect never again to see: a prayer meeting in the hot tub. I was meeting my trainer in the pool at 10:30 a.m. and, as is my habit, got there 30 minutes early to swim. I walked to the far end of the pool but heard something...interesting.

In the hot tub, surrounded by a cloud of antibacterial bubbles, was a multicultural, multi-age group of three men and one woman. Led by a fervent prayer leader, they held hands. As a fourth generation Baptist familiar with the pattern of prayers, it was clear that this one had been going on for a while before I got in the water. Heads were nodding.

Yes, Jesus, said the woman, just slightly audible over the bubbles and the pitch of the pastor. Swimmers were, well uncomfortable does not describe it.

I swam a few laps, trying to be even quieter than I normally am (not a messy swimmer, I) lest I disturb the spirit. Six laps later, the prayer was still going on. Hands were flapping. Foam was flying. I swam two more laps, looking up as I returned to see a penitent open his eye to look at the prayer leader.

Lord, please!, he appeared to be saying, let it end if it does not offend Thee.

Perhaps five minutes later, after maybe 20 minutes, it did. They raised their hands in a hearty hallelujah. I kicked a little more vigorously and said to the preacher, "So, prayer meeting in the hot tub?" "Yes!", says he. "Where God finds us, we meet Him.

You should have gotten out and joined us."

"Oh, I'm fine," I said. "God's in the pool, too."