Sophia, the main character in my book, Escape and Rescue, struggled with thoughts of insecurity. Though she didn’t realize it at the time, she had falsely assumed her past mistakes made her undeserving of love – especially God’s love.
It was not until Sophia found herself in the most desperate of circumstances that her eyes fully opened to God’s goodness. It was in one of these moments that Bible verses she had learned as a child resurfaced in her mind. Through the recalling of these forgotten verses, she realized God’s love for her. The true and tangible love of God.
I had a similar experience many years ago. My two oldest boys were little at the time and in dire need of new basketball shoes. Basketball was something they enjoyed immensely. Though our finances were tight, their dad and I didn’t want to take basketball from them; they had already given up so much.
I remember walking through a local sports store, distraught over what to do. I had found an inexpensive pair of shoes for both boys, but couldn’t afford even that small amount. I silently prayed, “Lord, please help me find a way to get shoes for my boys.”
Immediately, two random words passed through my mind. Gift card.
Confused, I repeated the words to myself. Gift card? It was then I remembered. While cleaning out a junk drawer several months earlier, I had found a gift card for this same store. Unsure whether it had any money on it, I had placed it in my wallet – just in case – and hadn’t thought about it since.
Hope welled up within me as I searched my wallet, retrieved the card, and walked to the front of the store. I handed the card to a cashier and asked, “Can you tell me if there’s any money on this card?” And do you know what happened next? That card had the exact amount of money needed to buy those shoes for my boys.
The way God chose to answer my prayer that day remains one of my most treasured memories. He knew I needed reassurance that I had not been forgotten, that He was still with me, and that He cared about the difficult road I’d been traveling.
Friend, in what ways has God chosen to answer your prayers? Your experience with answered prayer may not look the same as mine did all those years ago. But I promise, God has been at work in your life just as He’s been at work in mine, and just as He worked in Sophia’s.
Despite the difficulties we endure, there is hope for us all.
If you’d like to read more about Sophia’s journey, you can order a copy of Escape and Rescue for yourself by clicking on one of the links below. And I’d love for you to share one way God has shown you love and given you hope through your own difficulties.
Blessings,
💕Sheila
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Order your book on Amazon here! Or at barnesandnoble.com here!
I love this, Sheila! What a great example of God’s constant love. 💕
Thank you, Shirley! In trying times, this answered prayer always comes to mind and I am reminded, once again, of the goodness of God. 🧡