In the Field of Grace

Preface

This is where the healing began. A moment in time where I was taken to heaven and given the most precious gift I could have ever received. My Father loves me so much that He gave me something I thought I had lost. It was never lost. I just couldn’t see past my own pain and guilt. I was looking at my life through the lens of my pain. My Father wanted to change the lens. This the story of how pain turned into joy...

I was walking in a field surrounded by all different types of trees; from the redwoods to cedars to oaks to pines to weeping willows. The field was wide open and circular in shape. It was a huge circle, but at the same time, you could walk the expanse of the field in 3 steps. The field was brimming with wildflowers in a kaleidoscope of colors, some of which I have never seen before. The smell of flowers, vanilla, mint, and honeysuckle permeated the air in a sweet blend of fragrance.

To my right was a babbling brook filled with fish swimming to and fro which looked more like a synchronous dance. There were frogs hopping from one side of the bank to the other almost looking as if they were competing who could hop the longest and highest. The birds were singing their song and flitting through the trees in a game of tag. There was a gentle breeze that was perfect. The sun was shining on my face as if to say, “Hello, welcome.”

To my left was a huge oak tree which held two treehouses which was connected by a bridge made with rope and wood planks. One house was painted a light yellow with pink hearts with just a hint of glitter. The hearts were in constant motion. They would expand and shrink, move up and down, and left to right. It had white trim and a blue door. The other treehouse was a simple sky blue with white wispy clouds floating around the perimeter of the house. It had white trim and sea green door. There were two swings each hanging next to the treehouses. They were slightly moving from the breeze.

I felt peace and love like I have never before. I walked around the field taking it all in. It was a magnificent sight to behold. In the distance, I could hear the chimes of children laughing. The laughter was a beautiful melody. I heard the barks of two dogs. The barks were familiar but there was a more excited playful tone. I knew, I knew the barks. My heart was pounding a mile a minute.

Out of the corner of my eye, I could see my puppies, Trinity and Kaiah. They came bounding through the trees and straight to me with complete joy and love. They knocked me to the ground and licked my face to say, “Hi.” I have missed my furbabies. They were with me through many valley lows and mountain highs and my constant companions. We were reunited once again. My heart grew and almost felt complete.

Then two little girls came bursting through the trees calling for Trinity and Kaiah. I recognized them; I knew them even though we had never met. They stopped when they saw me. They recognized me as I recognized them. One of the little girls had her Daddy’s blue eyes and strawberry blond hair with her Mama’s nose, lips, and smile. She had the same servant’s heart and mechanical working mind like her Daddy. The other little girl had her Mama’s chocolate brown eyes and brown hair with her Daddy’s nose, lips, and smile. She had her Mama’s curious mind and the capacity to love fiercely. They were beautiful and my heart was bursting with so much love it was overflowing out of me.

In that instant moment of recognition, they came running into my arms. They were my little girls. I never had the chance to meet them. I never heard their heartbeat. I never held them. I never hugged their fears away. I never kissed away their tears. I never saw their first smile or heard their first giggle. I never heard their first word. I never saw them take their first step. I never took them to their first day of school. There will be a lifetime of nevers with my girls, but in this moment, I never wanted to let them go.

No words were spoken. We just looked in each other’s eyes. Suddenly, the puppies jumped in between us. And we all fell over with laughter and I started tickling the girls and playing with the puppies. We were just enjoying each other. I heard a whistle in the distance and the puppies ran into the direction of the whistle.

We were now alone. It was just the three of us. My blue-eyed girl stood up first and pulled on my finger. She spoke for the first time, “Come on, Mama. I want you to see my house.” Her voice was a sweet melody almost like she was singing. I got up and held the hands of my daughters as we walked to their treehouses. When we reached the tree, my brown-eyed girl turned to me and said, “Abba is giving us this time with you.” And with that she quickly ran off. It happened so fast; I was confused.

My blue-eyed girl said, “She’ll be back when it’s her turn. Abba said we can show you our houses. Abba wanted me to tell you that you have something for us. He didn’t say what it was, but He did say it was very special. Are you ready to see my home?” I didn’t think I had anything to give them. I didn’t waste time thinking about it. I just wanted to see my girls and just be in their presence.

I walked through the blue door of the pink house. The front room was filled with, at least, 100 balloons. My blue-eyed girl ran into the room and kicked all the balloons in the air with laughter. Pure joy flowed out of her and was so contagious that I started to kick the balloons with her until they were all in the air. We were trying to keep all the balloons in the air at the same time, but it wasn’t an easy feat. She was laughing and squealing. I was laughing right along with her. The balloons started to pop one by one with a subtle popping sound. As the balloons popped, I could see more of the room.

The room was filled with drawings and projects made of wood and glass. My blue-eyed girl could hardly contain herself as she excitedly explained each piece of her artwork and each project she was working on. The room was filled with vibrant colors. It all looked a little chaotic, but there was an orderly flow wrapped in the house. There were wildflowers hanging from the ceiling and from corner to corner. It was the perfect place for this joyful, exuberant child of mine. At the end of the room, there was a large bay window that looked out over a gorgeous lake. There was a table with two chairs with tea waiting for us.

We sat down and had tea together. It was the most amazing tea I ever tasted. It was sweet like honey. We didn’t say a word because words weren’t needed. We knew each other in a way that defies human thinking. We smiled and laughed, we cried, it was all joyous. Every bit of it was joyous. There was a slight knock on the door and my brown-eyed girl said with a smile, “My turn.”

I got up and hugged my blue-eyed girl. I followed my brown-eyed girl across the bridge to her blue house with her green door. Her house was covered in books. There wasn’t a bare inch on the floor or a spot on the bookshelves that lined the walls. I could hear the faint melody of a song I had never heard before. She started telling me about all her adventures she had been on through the books she read. She didn’t really walk anywhere, she floated and danced around the room. As we moved into the room, the music got louder. And she moved with the melody, each movement was a beautiful dance. I began to dance with her. Again, no words were spoken because words weren’t needed. We smiled and laughed, we cried with so much joy we couldn’t contain it.

In an instant, there was my blue-eyed girl again, dancing with us. It was like time stood still. In that moment, all was almost perfect in my world. Suddenly, the one thing missing appeared in the doorway. My husband was standing there with open arms to embrace us all. We all took off running outside and chased and played and tickled and laughed. We pushed our girls on the swings. There was a sense that our time was coming to an end.

As we were pushing our girls in the swings, here came Abba. I have no idea what He looks like, but I knew it was Him. He came as a Light. He spoke directly to my heart. It’s time to give them their gift. I knew exactly what I needed to give them. I had been waiting a lot of years to give them this gift.

I turned to my brown-eyed girl first. I knew she would let her sister go first, but I wanted her to know I saw her for the beautiful creation God formed her to be. I sat down on the grass in front of her while she sat on the swing. I said, “My beautiful, brown-eyed girl. I know you. You are my song. My gift to you is your name. I’m sorry, it took so long for me to give it to you. Your name is important. I give your name to you with a purpose. Your name is Anneliese Aria. Anneliese means ‘graced by God’s abundance’ which Abba has shown me, it has been a common theme in my life, and it will continue through the years. Aria in Italian means song or melody; in Hebrew, Aria means lioness. You are fierce and bold like a lioness. You move in perfect harmony with a melody. Abba says I’m a lioness and I need to be bold. And naming you, Anneliese Aria brings life to my future.” Anneliese reached out and embraced me and said, “Thank you, Mama. It’s beautiful. I wear the name you gave me as a badge of honor.”

I stood up and went to the other swing to my blue-eyed girl. I sat down in front of her. Abba created her to be the ball of energy with a huge heart who felt deeply. I said, “My beautiful, blue-eyed girl. I know you. You are my joy. My gift to you is your name. I’m sorry, it took so long for me to give it to you. Your name is important. Your Daddy chose your name. And with everything your Daddy does, it comes from his heart. Your name is Samantha Jean. Samantha means, in English ‘listens well’ and in Hebrew, ‘as told by God.’ I’m learning in this season of my life to hear God’s voice. And Jean means ‘God is gracious.’ Abba has been so gracious to me through this whole process.” Samantha reached out to me with tears in her eyes and said, “Mama, I love it! It’s beautiful! Thank you and Daddy for giving me such a lovely name. I know it’s a special name to Daddy. I am blessed.”

Abba showed me it was time to go. I gathered my girls into my arms and squeezed them. I was having a hard time letting them go. Abba was said it was time. As I released my girls, I was instantly where I needed to be.

 

Epilogue

I was transported back to reality in an instant. Abba loves me so much; He didn’t want me to live my life in a state of grief and pain. I felt so much peace and love in heaven. I received the most beautiful gift that I could ever receive. I could see who they were. Though my time may have been brief, the memories with last a lifetime. Thank you, Abba, for healing this heart of mine and setting me free from the grips of grief.

This is my first year after this beautiful moment in my life. As I sit here with tears running down my face, they are tears of love for my Abba Father for this precious gift. This year I’m not thinking of the what ifs. I’m thinking about my girls swinging and playing with my puppies, safe in the arms of my Abba Father.

© 2022, Becky Williams

The Invitation

Mosaic

I am lost. I feel like my life is going out of control. I feel like a fraud. People tell me that they love me. People say they see me as a beautiful woman of God. The thing is all I see are my imperfections and all my flaws. If others knew what I keep hidden, they would know I am not who they think I am.

I fail daily, sometimes I fail moment by moment because of a poor decision. There are times I cannot see beyond the flaws. They are in the forefront of my mind. I can’t seem to see what others see in me. All I see is this broken woman who has no clue who she is and no idea where she is going.

The darkness seems to consume me. I find myself in a pit of worthlessness and shame. The Bible says, “that which is in darkness will be brought to light.” This is my biggest fear.

I hear a voice beyond the darkness. It’s just a whisper, almost too hard to hear. I hear my name get louder. I recognize the voice as my Father’s voice. I answer, “Yes, Father.” I am trembling with fear. Has my biggest fear come to pass?

“My sweet daughter, you are My chosen child. I chose you before you were even in your mother’s womb. I have chosen you for such a time as this. I can see every broken piece. Do you see those broken pieces?”

I could a light shining down on the broken pieces, all colors of the rainbow and even colors I’ve never seen before. I answered, “Yes, Father.”

“These are the broken pieces of your life,” I could see His hands start to smooth the rough edges and polish the pieces. He started putting the pieces together into a beautiful mosaic of colors. “You need to understand the broken pieces are just temporary. Your healing is eternal. This is how I see you. A beautiful picture. You may have been broken for a moment, but you decided not to stay there. You are pushing through and moving forward.”

The darkness no longer consumes me. I am surrounded by light. When the darkness begins to try and bring me back, I remember the beautiful mosaic that I have become through my brokenness.

“Listen carefully, I am about to do a new thing. Now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it? I will even put a road in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:19 (TPT)

© 2021, Becky Williams

Tears on a Page

Daddy's Little Girl

I have always wanted to be Daddy’s little girl. I wanted to have that special relationship with my Daddy. He would swoop me up and swing me around. He would be my special guest at my tea parties. I wanted a Daddy who loved me the way I needed to be loved. He would give me hugs and kisses as I passed him in the hall. He would hold my hand as we walked down the street. I wanted a Daddy who would pick me up when I fell and scraped my knee. He would hold me tight and kiss my knee to make it feel better. I wanted a Daddy who would sit next to me and put his arm around me as we sat side by side watching a movie. He would let me choose the candy and share our popcorn. I wanted a Daddy who would protect me. He would question the boy who would take his little girl out on her first date. He would follow us to the restaurant and the ball game to make sure I was okay. I wanted a Daddy I could confide in. He would listen and give advice out of experience. He would encourage me to do what was right. I wanted a Daddy who would walk me down the aisle as I married the man I loved. He would give me his blessing and give me to another man. He would be blessed to have a son. I wanted a Daddy to be a wonderful grandfather to my kids. He would sit and play with them. He would share memories when I was their age. I have always wanted to be Daddy’s little girl.

My life was not exactly all roses and daisies. My Dad was a broken man. I don’t know much about how he grew up or stories of his childhood. I just know he was a broken man. My Dad wasn’t around while I was growing up. He stayed in his own brokenness. Maybe it was good for him to stay away, my heart didn’t understand. Rejection and abandonment became my constant companions. I began to believe that it was my fault that he distanced himself. My little girl heart was hurt. I became a broken little girl.

I began to listen to the negative thoughts in my mind. They became a tape recorder on repeat over and over again. These are a few of my thoughts:

“My Dad doesn’t love me. If he did, he would come and see me.”

“Nobody really likes me. They just tolerate me.”

“I am not lovable.”

“I have to be careful not to do anything to upset anyone. I don’t want them to leave me.”

There are many more, but these were the ones I listened to the most.

These words followed me on a daily basis. I lived in a pit of despair most of the time. I spent a lot of years living in depression. I did my best not to show it. I was able to stuff things away in the closet of my mind and tell myself that I would deal with it later. I would never deal with it. I made sure I had a smile on my face even if I wasn’t feeling it.

Then one day I received a phone call from my dad. Was I about to get something I’ve always wanted or am I going to sit in the depth of despair for the rest of my life? I decided to call him back and begin a reconciliation I thought would never happen.

Was healing possible? I didn’t know. I just knew I couldn’t live the life I had been living. We started to build a real relationship. I wish I could tell you that everything was perfect. There was a lot of hurt to work through. Healing was a process.

It took me a lot of years to get through the rejection and abandonment that I felt. I am grateful for the journey because it has made me who I am. It took me 7 years after my dad’s death to be free from rejection and abandonment. I can remember the moment I was free.

I had reached the lowest point in my life. I had lost almost everything in my life. It was in that moment, I cried out to the only One Who would listen. I cried out to God. I was tired of feeling the way I was feeling, and it had just about destroyed my life. I needed a miracle. I was on my bed and crying for freedom. I couldn’t voice exactly what I needed because I didn’t know what it was, I needed. I knew God as my Friend, my King, my Provider, my Healer, my Peace, my Joy, but God as my Father had always eluded me. It was a concept that I couldn’t quite grasp. God is always on time.

God showed up in a way that has transformed my life. It was the day I understood God as my Abba Father, my Daddy God. He picked me up and placed me in His lap. He ran his fingers through my hair as I laid my head on His knee. He sang over me as my tears said what I couldn’t. I felt the warmth of His embrace. I saw how Daddy God walked with me through the years. I saw where Daddy God defended me when I needed Him. I saw Daddy God protect me from my enemies. I saw Daddy God give me the sweetest gifts that I knew could only come from Him. I saw Daddy God draw near when I called His name. I saw Daddy God laugh at jokes only we understood. I saw Daddy God proud of me in each of my accomplishments. I saw Daddy God walk with me, drive with me, and dance with me. I saw Daddy God love me more than any man could ever love me.

What I learned that day was, I had a Daddy that I had a special relationship with. I had a Daddy Who loved me the way I needed to be loved. I had a Daddy Who would pick me up when I fell. I had a Daddy Who would sit next to me and put His arm around me and sit side by side. I had a Daddy Who protected me. I had a Daddy Who I could confide in. I had a Daddy Who walked with me down the aisle. I had a Daddy Who loves the man I married and calls him son. I have a Daddy Who knows my kids even before I do and loves them more than I ever can. I am Daddy’s little girl.

© 2022, Becky Williams

Out of the Ashes

Introduction:

I wrote this last year during a difficult, but very short-lived season. I re-read this and really needed it in this season I am in now. I’m in a season of brokenness and hurt that I never wanted to have to go through. The journey of severing ties with the person you thought you were going to spend the rest of your life with is not easy.

I feel weak and broken. I feel I’ve lost myself. And to be honest, I haven’t wanted to face any of it. I know I need to because I can’t step into this next season without healing first. The emotions of it all have been overwhelming. And just when I think I have moved past some of the hurt, something happens, or something is said that sends me in a tailspin of confusion.

I know what I need to do, but there is fear. Fear that I am making a mistake. Fear of every decision I am making is wrong. Fear of being alone and lonely. Just overwhelming fear in everything.

It’s really like a death. The death of a relationship, yes, but there’s more. It’s the death of all your hopes and dreams. It’s the death of what will be. It’s the death of love that you so desperately held on to. You are no longer the same person. This death changes you in ways I can’t completely see in this moment.

I want to see myself as this story reads. In this moment, I can’t see past the hurt and emotions that I’m feeling. I do have a Daddy who is always available when I’m ready to face these tears, but that will be a different story…

Tonight, my heart is full of peace. A couple of days ago, I was in complete turmoil. It’s amazing how someone can rob you of your peace. It’s your choice to allow the words that were spoken to penetrate your heart.

I’ve heard there is beauty for ashes. I had always thought of a caterpillar going into a cocoon and becoming a butterfly. I’ve seen this in many people’s lives including my own. The butterfly is beautiful, but I felt that there was more coming out the ashes. Today, I learned what beauty for ashes looks like in my life.

I was in a battle from words that were spoken. Even as adults, the words of our parents can still affect us. The words that were spoken do not matter, all that matters is that I gave the words power and it opened up a door of years of hurts in which I thought I was healed. My emotions were just simmering at the surface, ready to boil over.

God has a way of knowing what we need when we need it. God has me stepping out into new things. When you are stepping out in new things, the enemy doesn’t like it. He will use other people as a distraction. and this was a major distraction. I allowed God to flood my heart with a fresh water of the Spirit. God will always give us a way out. The prayers of the righteous, avails much.

When God heals your heart in places you didn’t know exist, you tend to feel lighter. I felt lighter but this time I felt hollow. During worship, I could feel the hollowness being filled with love, peace, and joy. There was a new sense of who I was, a new sense of purpose.

God gave me a vision. I saw a pile of ashes with a few glowing embers. As I watched the ashes, they started to slowly move, each move caused the ashes to shift. As the ashes shift, I could see a small fire then suddenly out of the ashes came the most beautiful bird I have ever seen. It was gold, red, and orange. It flew straight out of the ashes in a burst of flames. I heard the Lord tell me, “Just like the Phoenix, you rise from the ashes.” I’m not too much into mythology so I had to look it up.

The Phoenix rises out of the ashes from their own destruction. The Phoenix symbolizes the power of resilience to come out of problems strengthened. The Phoenix remembers the past problems but becomes strong in the rebirth. The Phoenix has the ability to find solutions to adverse situations that life presents them.

I feel this new boldness. I was able to respond to the words that were said in a way I never would have before just to please them. It was time for me to step up and speak truth in love. The moment I released the words, I was free. The emotions were gone. The words no longer had power. I gave them over to God. It was that moment of stepping out in faith which brought that peace that surpasses all understanding. I still walk in this peace when it comes to this parent. Their words no longer have power over me. I can share with others about this relationship without emotion. And that is true healing. I have forgiven but never forgotten as this is part of what has shaped who I am and who I am becoming. God always brings beauty for ashes. God is good all the time even in our darkest of storms. God is good all the time!

© 2023, Becky Williams

One Moment

It was Saturday morning. I woke up groggy with a bad headache. I did not sleep well the night before. I slowly got up to start my day. I had a couple of errands to run. One of them involved returning an item to Amazon but that did not work out. I was having printer issues for the label. I was so emotional, I started crying. My husband calmed me down and told me not to worry about shipping the item back (it was the last day I could return it). I, also, needed to go to the grocery store which I had put off. So, many things I needed to get done that I was putting off menial tasks.

I did my morning routine including walking my dogs. I headed to the store. The sun was shining, the sky was blue. Everything was beckoning a fresh day, but my head was pounding, and I just didn’t feel well.

I arrived at the grocery store and picked up the few items I needed for the weekend. I picked the shortest line and proceeded to purchase my food. I exited the store, and I noticed an item was missed in my purchase. It wasn’t anything significant. It was just a packet of taco seasoning for .99 cents. I could’ve just placed it in my bag and went home, but then I knew I needed to keep my integrity intact. I loaded my groceries and headed back into the store with the taco seasoning.

I walked to the customer service desk. The person in front of me was taking forever (my patience was wearing thin). She had several transactions. The manager shows up before the other person was finished. So, I explained what happened and I would feel bad if I didn’t pay for it. The manager said she loved customers like me. She scanned it in the register and then handed it back to me and told me not to worry about it. I told her I would pay, and she insisted I take it. I was blessed because I did the right thing.

I passed this girl sitting on a bench 3 times before finishing my business. I had noticed her but didn’t think anything about it. It was nothing out of the ordinary. On my way out (the final time), the girl sitting on the bench asked for a ride to Walmart. My instincts told me to give an excuse and keep on pushing. I told her I was going in the opposite direction (which was true) and needed to get the groceries home. I walked back to my car still thinking about the girl.

I felt the Holy Spirit nudge me into giving the girl a ride. Now, I grew up in the Los Angeles area and do not give stranger rides. And I definitely just wanted to go home; by this point I was worn out. I cleared out my front seat and drove up to the girl and let her know I would take her to Walmart. She offered gas money, but I told her it wasn’t necessary.

As I drove her to Walmart, I asked her questions. Her name is Brianna. She is 9 weeks pregnant. She was traveling through SC from VA to FL when she started having cramping, so she got off the bus to get to the hospital. So, she was stuck in town until the next bus. I was able to pray for her. Not only did it bless this girl, but it blessed me. It didn’t matter how I felt. Did the headache go away? No, but it didn’t matter. I obeyed the Holy Spirit and did what I needed to do in that moment.

God doesn’t care how we feel in any specific moment. In this moment, I had to yield to what I felt strongly in my spirit to do. I was so compelled to do it that I knew God was calling me to be a blessing to this girl. My car had become Holy Ground.

Had I not obeyed the Holy Spirit, I would not have been a blessing to this girl. I was reminded of the scripture, Hebrews 13:2 (TPT), “And show hospitality to strangers, for they may be angels from God showing up as your guests.”

© 2021, Becky Williams

Walk by Faith

Hope, Faith, Love

Today is the day. I can feel it in my bones. The excitement is bubbling up from my very core. I don’t know what it is or where it’s taking me. I woke up with a sense of change. I woke up knowing today was going to be different. I don’t know how but it was going to be different.

I decided to take a drive. I didn’t have an agenda. I prayed as I turned the engine over and the car started. It was like the car was telling me it’s a new day. My life was starting over from that moment. I had everything I needed for the day. I had a bottle of water, some food, and my Bible. I was trusting God to lead and guide me. My faith in the day was growing moment by moment. I took the first step of faith and backed out of my driveway.

My prayer as I started to drive, “Lord, there is something bubbling inside me. I don’t know what it is. All I know is that it is good and exciting. I feel like there is something birthing inside me. Lord, lead me to where I need to go. Direct my steps. Help me to hear Your voice today. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

I put on some worship music which was softly playing in the background. I could feel the presence of my Father sitting right next to me. I knew He was there. I heard His voice as He directed my turns. I had no clue where I was going but I knew it was where I needed to be. I allowed Him to be my guide. I felt a sense of freedom. I didn’t have a care in the world.

I watched the world around me as I drove to my destination. I observed people going about their daily lives. It was a beautiful tapestry of the uniqueness of each individual. I could see the love the Father had for each of His children. I heard the Father talk about each of His kids as I passed by them.

“Oh look! That one there. She’s so precious. She has a heart of gold.”

“That one there! He’s so special. He has so much to offer the world. He will help thousands find their way.”

“My precious son over there. He’s been lost for so many years but just yesterday he came to Me.”

It went on and on like this for about an hour. What I find amazing was as the Father was describing each person, I didn’t see their outward appearance. All I saw was their heart. I could feel the Father’s love for each one that my love for them was automatic. My heart grew bigger and bigger with love.

I finally found myself on a secluded beach. It was a beautiful day! The sun was shining, and the birds were chirping. I sat in my car for a few minutes so I could hear the Father’s voice. I didn’t hear anything audible. I just had a sense of a direction that He wanted me to take.

I grabbed my water and started walking to the shoreline. The sun was glistening off the water making the ocean look like diamonds flowing through the waves. I watched the ebbs and flows of the ocean waves for several minutes. I stood on the sand and breathing in the salty air. It was so calm and relaxing. To my left was miles and miles of beach with no end in sight. To my right was a small pier. I felt I was supposed to head to the pier. As I walked, brightly colored seashells led me to where I was headed. It was like the Father created an actual path to where He was directing me.

As I approached the pier, I saw a teenage girl sitting on the end of it. The pier was well aged. It had weathered many storms, but it still stood strong. The girl’s legs were swinging off the side of the pier. She was a beautiful girl. The boards on the pier creaked and croaked as I approached her. She looked back at me shocked.

“Hi,” I said, “do you mind if I join you?” I had no idea what the Father had in store, but I knew this was a God appointment.

She waved her hand, “Go ahead,” she said.

We sat in silence for a few minutes when she broke her silence.

“I didn’t think you would come,” she said quietly. I was taken aback by her comment.

“What do you mean?” I asked.

She took a moment to respond, “I prayed to God last night because I feel like there’s nothing left for me on this earth and I’m ready to end it all. I fell asleep last night, and I had a dream. I dreamt you stopped me from jumping into the ocean. I told God if He truly wanted to save my life then the person in my dream would come stop me by 10am.”

I looked down at my watch. The time was 9:59am. My heart started pounding. The Father showed up in this tenderhearted child’s life.

I saw the tears pouring down her face as she realized that the Father truly loved her enough to save her. I took her in my arms as she cried.

I prayed for her, “Father, thank You so much for showing this child how much you love her. Thank You that You orchestrated this whole day. Lead and guide us both where we go from here. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

I explained to her the morning I had with the Father. She was amazed at how the Father worked on her behalf.

“Is there anything specific I can do for you?” I asked.

“Actually no… I know what I need to,” she wiped the tears from her face and stood up. Then she said, “Well yes… do you mind if I could get your phone number?” she asked nervously.

“Of course! If you need anything, don’t hesitate to call. My name is Faith. And your name?”

She chuckled, “My name is Hope.” I gave her my information. And we parted ways.

I remained on the beach for a little while as I marveled at the awesomeness of the Father. I knew that one day soon I would hear from Hope. And that day did come about 3 months later.

I received a phone call from Hope. And this is her story:

I was at the end of my rope the day you found me on the beach. I didn’t know what to do. I had just found out I was pregnant. My boyfriend left me the moment he heard of the pregnancy. I didn’t know how to tell my parents. They always had told me they would throw me out if I got pregnant. That Sunday before you found me, I had given my life to God. I still didn’t know if He was real. That whole day was a real miracle for me.

I felt the love of God so strong that day that I had the strength to tell my parents about getting saved and being pregnant. God gave me a strategy. And my life has been one blessing after another since then. My parents accepted the pregnancy and have been great throughout the whole thing. They started going to church with me and now they are both saved. My boyfriend realized he was being a jerk and came back into my life. I’m not sure where the relationship is going but he will be in our child’s life which is all that matters.

Hope’s story didn’t end there. I got another call from her 5 months later:

You won’t believe how much my life has changed. My little girl was born yesterday. She’s beautiful. I named her Grace. God has been so gracious to me. I have the best relationship with my parents. My mom was with me when I delivered my little blessing.

My ex-boyfriend made the decision to walk out of my life which has been the best thing for me. I have someone wonderful who has been by side. And he even signed the birth certificate.

Life isn’t perfect, but God is gracious. He has given me strength to face anything. I was calling because I would like you to be Grace’s godmother. I accepted, of course. I have been a part of the family ever since.

Hope has an amazing testimony. I am so blessed to be a part of her message. That day on the beach ended with Faith, Hope, and Love and the greatest of these was the love of a Gracious Father.

© 2021, Becky Williams

Vision