Recently on Facebook, I reconnected with my friend Heather from college.
We shared the same women’s dormitory, Hauser Hall. She lived across from me. Fun-loving, always smiling and with a slight edge, she brought levity to shared classes and to our residence.
We chatted about great memories like doing up our hair for the Christmas Banquet, as well as scary ones – like when a paramedic had to be called because she had an allergic reaction and her throat closed. (Obviously, she’s still with us!)
As we caught up on ‘where we are now’, her story broke my heart.
She was unemployed, unable to pay bills, and was really struggling. Heather was coming to terms with some things in her past, but combined with her current situation, it was all overwhelming her at once. She couldn’t sleep. Her nighttime was my daytime, so I talked with her until Facebook Chat became to get too flaky to continue.
Not wanting to end the conversation, I wrote her a note. I prayed as I wrote, and jotted down my prayer. I imagined I was sitting right next to her, holding her hands in mine as we prayed together.
Today, she IM’d me with this news:
I am now working 4 days a week as a nanny and my boss is amazing. She is an old family friend and told me if I EVER need to take out a loan towards my paycheck she does not mind at all because she knows me and believes in me. That was such great comfort! I was about to lose my cell phone cause I could not pay the bill and instead she added me to her plan where I only have to pay $10 a month. I can honestly say I think about you every day and what a huge blessing you were that night because I was at a COMPLETE breaking point.
My eyes filled with tears as I read this. To get such a wonderful answer from God! And, to be working for someone so kind and giving! We only want what God has in store for us… nothing else is as good.
I asked Heather if I could share my note to encourage my readers who are in a similar situation during these hard times. She said that she didn’t mind at all, and that I could use her first name.
Dear Heather,
Send me your resume, and I’ll help you brainstorm.
Get some rest!!!! ♥
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for my friend Heather. It is so good to reconnect with her! Thank You for not giving up on her in hard times, but instead drawing her close to you. Thank you for your mercy to all of us. It is humbling to recognize sin and to repent of it – thank you for sending your son to bear our sins so that we can even do this in the first place. Thank you for the encouragement of Heather’s honesty and transparency. So many times, we try to pretend that all is well when it is not, but you know our hearts.
You are the keeper of all of the money in the world (Haggai 2:8), you made all of the food in the world. You have the power to move mountains and change the hearts of kings. Lord, I ask that you please provide for Heather’s needs during the time of hardship – financial and even basic needs like food.
Please show her the job that you would have her to do – we only want what you have in store for us, not things because we forced them to happen. Help us know when to push for things, and when to be patient and to wait on you.
Lord, please comfort Heather and keep her faith strong. Help her to physically rest, as she rests in you. In the words of Victor Hugo, “God is Awake”. You are handling things even while we sleep.
In Jesus Name, Amen.
If you’re reading this and need some hope and encouragement, please send me an email. I’d like to help if I can. It’d be an honor to pray for you, too.
Remember, as Heather did, the Bible says, ” You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE. Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. Be of sober spirit, be on the alert Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen. ” (1 Peter 5:5-10)
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Photo Credit: Syna and Summer by Hlkljgk via Flickr.
