Hi all, here we are with Week 25! My friend Mandy has written a heartfelt reflection for us on how God assures and covers her (and us all!). It speaks to me of the kindness and goodness of God. Mandy and I met through a connect group at church. It was originally an online group because of lockdown but eventually became in person. From then on, she was stuck with me. Mandy has supported Hope Hour since it's origins and I am very grateful to her for that!
In Mandy's words...
I have ‘heard’ from God in a variety of ways over the past few years. It’s not usually anything audible or specific words I hear. It's more an image or an idea forming but it does give me peace of mind about what I am doing or what is happening around me. It’s been with big things such as making decisions around employment and smaller things such as how to deal with a very specific situation.
Most recently, God gave me assurance that he has got it, he can cover where I can’t, he loves always, even if at times I can’t love in the way I want to. A recent example: I was feeling angry, highly emotional after an argument with a family member and I found myself raging with God. Why was this happening? Why was I in this position?
I told God I needed him to take this from me, I needed to see my family how he saw them and I needed him to love them in a way I couldn’t at the moment. I felt like I needed time out and I didn’t know how to get it. I was heading home and potentially into more conflict of the Mother – Son variety so another emotional battle. I really didn’t want to have another fight.
To my astonishment when I got back my son, who I had been preparing myself for a battle with, had decided he would revise and this meant it would be quiet in the house rather than loud music or TV. I really needed that quiet time! God was telling me to rest.
I was agitated but had a line from a worship song begin to go around in my head so I lay down and listened to that line over and over. Eventually I drifted off to sleep for about 45 mins. I awoke because my son kissed me on the forehead to wake me (how amazingly sweet is that) as he knew I had to go out again soon. In that moment it was so clear to me that God was letting me know he was in the moment too, that he understands what I am going through, he loved me and he loved each of my family members. He plays a part in the love we have for each other – it’s not just on us to always get it right, he picks up the slack when we aren’t nice and pleasant and considerate people ALL the time.
God refreshed me in that moment and he must have refreshed my son too! Over the next 24 hours it felt like oil had been poured on troubled waters and I could see much more of the perspective of others as well as my own. Life isn’t perfect; it never will be. It won’t be the last time my family disagrees or says hurtful things in the moment but I am learning to lean into God all the more as he has got this.
Mandy is Mum to 2 teenage boys and partner to one middle-aged boy. The family also has KC, their lovable dog and 2 turtles. Mandy works in Learning and Development. She loves watching the performing arts whether that be going to the theatre, seeing live music, watching a really good movie or binge-watching a great drama. She also enjoys letting her hair down with friends and moments of just being silly.
Thank you all so much for looking at story of God connecting with his people. Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Please do subscribe to receive these stories each week and share with others too!
Click here to see the ways you can support Hope Hour.
You can also follow Hope Hour on Instagram.
It's lovely to read your story. Not everything we are given by God needs to be dramatic and this is a great reminder ❤️