A Voicemail & a Text

 
So, a crazy thing happened to me yesterday! I was driving to work and the motorcycle in front of me flipped over, tossing the driver off into the street! I slammed on my brakes and swerved into the other lane so I wouldn't hit him or the bike...which was lying in the middle of the road. Thankfully, I didn't get hit by the cars in the other lane. I took a couple deep breaths and said a prayer of thanksgiving. As I rode the elevator up to the 5th floor, I tried to "shake off" the anxious/nervous energy that was coursing through me. Around 1:00, I walked into our staff break room to take a quick break and  checked my phone. I had 5 texts and 1 voicemail. I quickly responded to the texts and then...I listened to the message. 

Crystal, my sis-in-law, woke up at 6:15 yesterday morning and felt the urge to pray for me; she said if was on her heart in an overwhelming way. She left me a voice mail expressing her thoughts and her message was so encouraging and uplifting! I then re-read a text from Bryan....here is what it said " I prayed on my way to work this morning, thanking God for you and asking that he keep you safe". Really? Two people were praying for me at the exact same time yesterday morning...right before I witnessed the accident that happened only a few feet from me? I felt (and still feel) an overwhelming sense of peace. God was really taking care of me! And you know what the cool thing is? He could've protected me from an accident without having anyone consciously praying for me. He could've kept me safe and that would've been great! But instead, he put a sense of urgency on Crystal and Bryan's hearts and they lifted my name up in prayer... He worked through them so that we all are greatly encouraged and awe-struck by His Ways! Prayer is powerful! James writes, "The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective". What a blessing to know that our words are effective! The word means "able to accomplish a purpose" and "capable of producing an intended result". God tells us we have that ability!

"...We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us..." (Romans 8:26). Crystal and Bryan didn't know why they had the sense of urgency to pray for me yesterday morning...but God knew. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, surrounded me for the rest of the day. Thank you to Crystal and Bryan for being lights in my life. You are a blessing!  Love, love, love to you both!

With love, Stefanie