What If I Hadn’t Told Her?

I almost didn’t say anything.

I didn’t know her very well.  I had seen her a few times, but our conversations had remained near the surface.  The general sharing done between newly-introduced people. Work  Family.  Fun.

You had burdened my heart for her all week.  I prayed and prayed and prayed, for her and for her family.  I didn’t know what the issue(s) might be.  I only knew You had prompted me to pray.

“You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to You.  Hear my prayer, Lord; listen to my cry for mercy.  When I am in distress, I call to You, because You answer me.”  (Psalm 86:5-7)

I saw her yesterday morning for the first time in quite awhile.  I sensed You wanted me to tell her.  Not to seek any information from her, but simply to let her know what You had asked me to do on her behalf.

So I called her aside and whispered into her ear, making sure no one else could hear.

“I just wanted to tell you that the Lord has really had you on my heart all week.  I have prayed and prayed and prayed for you.  I don’t know what the issue might be, but I think He wants you to know that He sees it and He has you covered.  I believe He wants to encourage you, and to let you know He has your back.”

She had that “deer in the headlights” kind of look.  She clearly didn’t know what to make of my comments.  She only said, somewhat awkwardly, “Wow… I don’t know what [issue] that could be.  But thank you.”  And we parted ways.

During the next 24 hours, I wondered off and on:  Did I overstep the “boundaries” of our relationship?  DId she think me presumptuous or foolish?  Did she take offense?  Did she think this was a little too weird for comfort?  Will she run the other way the next time she sees me?

“Be still, and know that I am God.”  (Psalm 46:10)

I ran into her again this morning… and  ALL of those questions were answered!

We were at a gathering, so it was awhile before I could talk with her.  At Your urging, I continued to pray and pray and pray for her.  Then, as the gathering ended, she didn’t run away.  We spoke.

This time, it was her turn to whisper into my ear.  She said:  “Thank you for thinking of me yesterday. I really appreciate it.”  Then she added, “I still don’t know what it means,”

We don’t always know… do we, Lord?  We don’t always know why You have prompted us to pray for a particular person — or prompted another to pray for us.  The burden comes and, later, the burden lifts.  Sometimes, we discover the reason “after the fact” — when we hear about what was happening to the person at the moment we were urged to pray.  Other times, we (and they) have no clue.  Perhaps those prayers play a role in averting unseen danger or mobilizing unseen protection.  I told her as much.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding…”  (Proverbs 3:5)

But what really touched me in my heart-of-hearts, Lord, was what this woman said next.

“You made my day!”

Not only was she not offended or thinking me presumptuous.  She was truly blessed and deeply grateful!

You were the One who “made her day,” Lord.  Yes, I was a messenger.  But The Message was Yours, not mine.  Your simple act of prompting someone to pray for her was an expression of Your watchfulness over her.  Your tender loving kindness for her.  Your desire to speak encouragement to her.  Your reassurance that You are active in her life, and closer than her next heartbeat.

“The Lord watches over you — the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.  The Lord will keep you from all harm — He will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”  (Psalm 121:5-8)

What if I hadn’t told her?  What if I had allowed those “wonderings” of mine to silence me?  Oh, Abba… Thank You for making sure that didn’t happen!

“… for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose.”  (Philippians 2:13)

Filled with JOY UNSPEAKABLE…  !!!

Abba’s Girl

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