A Bear Hug from God

Have you ever been given a hug - like a great, big bear hug - when you really needed one?  And when you feel that squeeze, you just break down crying - because that's just what you needed?  The strong embrace of someone saying "I love you."  "Hang in there."  "I'm here for you."  "I care for you."?

Today I got that hug, but it wasn't from a friend.  It wasn't from family.  It was from my Heavenly Father and I got it loud and clear.  He loves us.  He wants to tell us to hang in there.  He's here for us.  He cares for us.

Last night I got a text from My Man's cousin.  She lives here in Nashville and was adopted with her twin sister as babies.  She and her sister have been a great source of encouragement to me in this process and are always interceding through prayer on our behalf.  I don't see her often though - maybe like once or twice a year.  She texted and asked me to lunch today.  As we sat down to lunch she said, "I know this may sound strange and you might be wondering why I asked you to lunch out of the blue, but as I left church yesterday, I looked at your church across the street and knew that God was saying your name to me over and over.  I asked God what He wanted me to do for you and He told me to pray over you.  I just want to be obedient to Him."

Needless to say, this was the beginning of my hug from God.  We talked.  I cried.  She encouraged and spoke God's truth into my heart, and she prayed for us, our family and our boys before saying good bye.

I drove away in awe of the God I serve who had stooped down to lowly me, despite my fears and helpless pleas, and gently reminded me of His presence and love.

At 8:30 tonight as I was tucking my Fish Sticks in bed, the phone rang from an unfamiliar number.  It was an older man from church who is friends with my in laws.  He started by saying, "I know this might sound crazy, but God has told me to call you and for me and my wife to pray for your family and your adoption.  I almost drove to your house to pray in your driveway but I didn't want you to think we were nuts." 

It was too much for me and I instantly broke into sobs.  Now who sounds crazy?

I told him about my lunch with My Man's cousin and how God had just used him in a mighty way to reaffirm to me that He is with us and loves us. 

As he finished his sweet prayer over the phone, I felt the huge arms of my Heavenly Father squeeze just a bit tighter before looking me in the eye to tell me He loves me!

Who could ask for more?  I'm humbled and loved tonight by Almighty God.

GOD IS WITH US.