By Lindsey Jones
Isn’t it funny how the Lord reveals himself to us sometimes? Yesterday, I was feeling very alone. I came home and my apartment was empty. That is nothing new, I live alone. But it was just different. It was right before the holiday weekend; I was off the next day and I had zero plans. All of my friends were out and about with their own families, and there I was on July 4th weekend alone and nothing to do.
All I wanted to do was lay down on my couch and go to sleep, just so I didn’t have to think about the fact that I felt very alone. The Lord had other plans for me though. He wanted to go on a hike in the woods with me. He wanted to show me that I was not alone and that He was with me the entire time. He wanted to show me how much He loved me and that even though the enemy was trying to take me out with my thoughts, He was there to pick me back up if I would just let Him. I just needed to lean on Him and not my own thoughts and feelings.
So what did I do? I got off the couch and first reached out to a group of amazing women that He placed in my life, a group that He is building to be amazing prayer warriors. I let them know my feelings and I asked to be covered in prayer. I felt those prayers last night, because I was able to pull myself together, change my clothes, and head over to the park. It was just me and God, and we walked together through the woods.
The first way He showed me He was with me was when I was getting in my car. I realized I did not have any cash on me. I had my card, and I didn’t want to go back in to get cash to park. It should be fine I thought. Most people don’t carry cash anyway. I for sure should be able to get in. Nope, it was heavy on me to go in and get cash. So, I left my car running and ran down to my apartment and got the cash I needed to get in the park.
When I arrived, I met this lady working the gate. She let me know that it was $5 for a one-day pass or $10 for the whole year. No brainer. $10 for the year, please. Then she went on to say, “Here’s the kicker. We only accept cash to get in. There is no WIFI out this way to be able to accept a card.” That put such a big smile on my face. I let her know, I had a funny feeling about that and actually went back into my apartment just in case, to pick up cash. She said, “Well it’s a good thing you listened to yourself.” Without even thinking I said, “Nope, I listened to the little God voice, He is the one who made me go back.” She smiled so big and said, “funny how He does that, huh?” You could tell she was happy to be able to be around another Sister in Christ.
I left and went to find my trail. I pulled up, put in my ear buds and off we went. It was just me and God trucking along. As I got further into the woods, I lost signal and was unable to listen to my music, but I could listen to one song that was no mistake for that time. Praise Before My Breakthrough by Bryan & Katie Torwalt played over and over again as I walked. Part of the lyrics are, “When I’m living out my faith, when I’m stepping out to sea, I know you take my hand and walk with me.”
Those words could not have come at any more perfect of a time. I held out my hand and I asked Him to walk with me, and He did. We walked up the hill, made it to the top, and I was able to really look around again and see all of His beauty and creation. Then as I was coming around the bend, I see a card sitting on a nature sign. It had a verse written on it that I know could have only come from the Lord. It was Isaiah 43:19, “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.”
I lost it right then and there. I just began to praise and worship Him right in the middle of the woods. He knew. He knew I would be walking there right at that very moment, and He knew I would need encouragement. To whoever placed that card there, I am forever grateful. They may never know what it meant to me, but just the fact that it was there was so comforting.
We are not alone. The Lord is always with us, saying, “Walk with me child. Take my hand. I will guide you. I will make all things new. Just trust me and believe.”
