I Almost Missed it!

Have you ever asked God for something in your heart and he answered you so quickly that you almost missed it? One day as a new social worker, I was feeling overwhelmed by seeing so many clients that were recovering from drug addiction, domestic violence and childhood abuse that I was just emotionally exhausted and feeling slightly hopeless. I pulled in the Albertsons’ grocery store parking lot to gather my thoughts. In my heart, I spoke to the Lord and I said "Lord, I just need a hug." I was expecting that He would send my husband to meet me for lunch and give me a big old bear hug. Well needless to say, my thoughts are not like the Lord’s because he indeed answered that prayer in a way I did not expect.

As I sat and rested in my car for 10 minutes, I received a telephone call from my co-worker who asked me if I could complete two home visits for her. Even though I was tired and did not want to go, I agreed. When I arrived at the first home, I walked in the living room and introduced myself to the mother, then all of a sudden, a 13 year old developmentally disabled boy came bolting through the door and immediately grabbed me around my waist. He almost knocked me down. I was a little taken back, but I smiled and hugged him back. His mother peeled him off of me and I preceded with my social work duties. But a thought lingered in my mind. "Was that a hug from you Lord?"

I arrived at the second home to do my visit and I sat on the edge of a bed where a 16 month old child was sleeping. As I was talking to the mother and grandmother, the baby boy woke up, crawled to the edge of the bed and climbed into my arms. He laid his body in my lap and positioned his head in the creases of my elbow. He gazed into my eyes and had the biggest smile that seemed like it was painted on his face. I tried to glance away, but there was something in his smile and a gleam in his eyes that kept my attention. The mother immediately apologized and tried to take him from me, but he was nestled secure in my arms and would not move. In fact, he did not even acknowledge her presence. He just stared and smiled at me. The mother said that this was odd because her son does not go to anyone except to her and his grandmother. At that point, I felt a warm tingle in my heart and I knew that it was the Lord sending me a hug from heaven. I ALMOST MISSED IT! I sat there gazing back into this child's eyes and fighting back tears because the Lord was speaking to my heart letting me know that he loved me and heard the desire in my heart. I said “thank you Lord.” The Heavenly Father gave me exactly what I needed at that moment to warm my heart and to give me hope. I cried with joy when I got in my car.

Sometimes I have my own idea of who God is and how He will answer my prayers, but I must remember that He knitted my heart together and knows exactly how to communicate with me. He often speaks to me through children, but I will not be so naive to place the Lord in a box and limit Him to speaking to me only in that way because if I do, surely I will miss Him again. I am encouraged to let Him speak to me however He desires. I just have to remember that He is always watching and listening to me and I must do the same or I will miss Him.