Her True HOPE

How can I even begin to describe how amazing You are, Lord?!  I love it when You leave me speechless!

Well… almost.   🙂   Come to think of it, I’m never really speechless… am I, Lord?  If I’m not expressing my love to You OR seeking You OR thanking You OR praising You… I’m testifying about how AMAZING You are!!!   🙂

Case in point.

Yesterday, I went to my first networking meeting since our return.  I was looking forward to nurturing friendships that had “sprouted” last year.  There was one woman in particular…

You had connected us in a way that was obvious to both of us.  At a time that was particularly significant to her.  She was headed in a direction that was laden with regret. But she couldn’t see any other way forward.

You met us, Lord… and showed her Another Way.  A 180-degree kind of way.  But she wasn’t ready to turn around.

She had lost hope… and didn’t know You well enough yet to know that You were her True HOPE.  And that You could make A Way where there seemed to be no way.

So she kept down that Path of Regret… hoping for relief.  But “relief” is elusive whenever we are headed in a direction that isn’t Your Best For Us.  Your Holy Spirit keeps nudging us, hoping we will respond.  Instead, she went into hiding.

Emails and phone calls went unanswered.  We hadn’t connected in months.  I could sense the intensity of her struggle. You gave me a “knowing” of the decision she had made.  I just kept praying.

Is that an oxymoron, Lord?  “Just” praying?

“The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”   (James 5:16)

Yet, sometimes the answer is “No”… isn’t it, Lord?  Or “Not yet.”  Sometimes, it’s because of us.  Because You never rob us of our free will.  And when we choose to say “No” or “Not yet” to You… You let us, even as You grieve.

I drove to the meeting, wondering if I would see her.  She did not attend often.  So I prayed for her yet again… and asked You to help me make the most of any opportunity You had prepared for me to bless anyone.

I arrived twenty minutes later than I had planned.  The room was full.  There was only one empty chair available.  Next to another empty (but taken) chair.  I sat down.  Moments later… who walked up to sit in the empty chair right next to me???

Of course she did!   🙂

Once again, You connected us in a way that was obvious to both of us.  At her request, we are getting together again soon.  Just the two of us.  The three of us, actually.

Just like You planned.  You, Lord… Her True HOPE.

“So do not fear, for I am with you.  Do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”  (Isaiah 41:10)

Expectantly,

Abba’s Girl

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