I’ve been talking with a couple of friends about how God uses people to say just the right thing at just the right time. In most of the situations we’ve discussed, the encourager didn’t even know that the “right words” were needed. They were simply speaking from their heart. We expect this to happen with our friends, right? It makes sense that God would use the people closest to our hearts to build us up or challenge us.
It catches me by surprise when God chooses to use a total stranger to encourage me. Recently He did just that.
I was feeling discouraged about some recurring pain in my knee (the one I had surgery to fix back in March). I knew I had overdone it. I knew I still needed to mix times of rest with my activities. My brain knew all of that. But my heart wanted everything to be completely healed and able to be used however I want.
Discouraged… Frustrated… I went to bed with a sour spirit.
I got the mail the following day and found a handful of checks from fellow Samaritan Ministries members. (If you’re not familiar with the health care cost sharing that’s available through Samaritan, it’s worth investigating. I share our experiences here.) I opened the envelopes, recording the amounts received and skimming the notes people had enclosed. They were the usual “praying for your full recovery” kinds of messages sent to encourage.
Then one note stopped me in my tracks.
“Dear Jennifer,
I’m so sorry that you have had such a struggle with the knee surgery and then the blood clot. Praying for your healing and comfort. Praying that the Lord will give you peace when you feel frustrated that you can’t get well as fast as you thought. He is the God who sees and He knows you intimately.”
It hit me that God would have prompted this sweet lady to pen these words specifically for me days before my frustration peaked. He timed it so that her words would land in my mailbox just when I needed them. He sees even my seemingly insignificant frustration over knee pain as important enough to address in a very personal way. He cares for me that much.
And He cares for you that much too.
Let’s be faithful in sharing the words He lays on our hearts for other people. Sometimes He whispers encouragement to souls, and sometimes He speaks through friends, family, or strangers. We don’t want to miss out on the opportunity to be the voice to deliver words of life.
Even to strangers.
I sent the note! And I received your card in the mail today. Thank you for letting me know how our Lord used it. It gets even better, Jennifer! My husband usually pays the bills and writes the notes for our Samaritan ministries partners. I just decided to pay the bills that day to do something nice for him. When I read that you suffered from the blood clot, I just knew in my spirit how frustrated you must be. I understand because I had breast cancer in 2012 and I’m not physically back to where I want to be and I am having another surgery next week for reconstruction. I’m so glad you were encouraged. Press on, my friend! We will have new bodies in heaven!
I just love how this whole story is unfolding!! Thank you for coming over and sharing “the rest of the story” here. It’s SUCH an encouragement!
Now I have checked out your site and realize we have a common love-essential oils! I am a mad scientist! I teach aromatherapy and use oils regularly. I use Young Living, Doterra, Simplers Organic, and Aromatics International. I will be visiting your page again! Much love, sister.