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It was mid-December, snow was falling outside, which doesn’t happen as often as I would like where I live, so this made my heart happy. This happiness at the weather however, was fighting for ground in my thoughts and heart with anxiety and fear. Today was the day my ministry friend wanted to tag along and film me for a documentary idea he had.
Truthfully, I don’t like being on camera, or in front of the camera. I don’t feel like I am very photogenic and well, you know the whole adage that the camera adds 10 pounds? Yeah, I already had enough pounds, I didn’t need any help with more from a camera!
I wish I could say that I jumped out of bed ready to take on the day, but it was more like my feet dropped to the floor begrudgingly. While I got ready, I prayed asking God to prepare me and my heart for any “God-appointments” He had for me that day. I asked for courage to step out and let Jesus shine through me and for fear to not hold me back. I then asked Him if there was someone or something specific I should be “looking” for that day. As I was brushing my teeth , I had the thought and flash of an image of a lady in a pink fluffy coat. I spit out my toothpaste and laughed, “Yeah, right, who is going to wear pastel pink anything in the dead of winter in the Pacific Northwest. Especially when it is snowing!”
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Later that day my friend and I headed to the store, with his trusty camera in tow. As we were making our way to the store entrance, I glanced up and saw an older lady slowly pushing a walker. I stopped took a step back and looked at my friend. She was wearing a light pink fluffy coat. There was no mistaking that God had bumped up against my thoughts that morning, and He was preparing me to encounter this woman.
God works in mysterious ways, and I try not to dictate to Him, how and when He might ask me to do something. I trust Him to lead the way and I’ve learned to discern His voice when He is speaking to me.
My sheep respond as they hear My voice; I know them intimately, and they follow Me. John 10:27 The Voice
The minute I saw the older woman, I knew I was supposed to approach her for prayer. As I did, I simply introduced myself and asked if I could have a moment of her time. She stopped walking and looked at me with a puzzled look. Before she could respond, her care giver gave me a sharp look and barked out a “No!” reply. I was taken back by the sharp tone of the care giver and addressed the woman wearing pink. I said, “Oh, I am sorry, I don’t mean to bother you, I just wondered if I might be able to pray for you.”
What happened next left me speechless and in momentary shock.
The older woman turned around and addressed her care giver “Yes, we have time. I am going to talk to her! I had a dream about her last night,” she said.
I looked over at my camera man friend and he was just as surprised as I was. Having read stories of God doing the same thing in Scripture, I knew it could be possible for Him to give someone a dream, I just never expected it to happen to me. Once I helped the women into the front seat of the car, the care giver began to unload the cart into the trunk. I explained to the women, why we were filming, and she gave permission to be recorded. I went on to explain while praying earlier that day, that God had prepared me that I might come across a woman wearing a pink coat who would need prayer.
She stopped me and said, “I don’t need you to explain, I had a dream about you last night, and you were praying for me. I know I am supposed to let you pray for me. I don’t know much about God or how this all works, I just know that you were in my dream, and I am supposed to talk to you.”
I knelt down on the cold pavement, so I could look her in the eye, and asked how I could pray for her. I fully expected her to tell me about her health conditions. Instead, she said, “I don’t want you to pray for me. I want you to pray for my kids and grandkids.” Her heart was heavy and hurting for the situation they were in especially since she was unable to help them. I was moved with compassion and began to pray for them and their situation. However, I told her I was also going to pray for her and her healing.
As I was about to leave, she reached out to grab my hand and said, “I know God sent you to me today. I have never dreamed about someone and had them just show up in my life the next day.”
I looked at her, laughed and responded, “To my knowledge, I’ve never had anyone dream about me like you did. I guess this is a first for both of us.”
My camera man and I walked away knowing this lady had been blessed and received encouragement. Not only did she receive prayer for her health needs, but she received prayer for her family and the things that weighed heavy on her heart. She also went away with a knowledge that God was real and He knew who she was and exactly what she was going through, even if she didn’t know much about Him.
God wants all His children to know, He is real, and He speaks today. He is asking us all to embrace living a lifestyle of encouragement and extend His heart to people in need.
This is why I wrote the book, The Gift of Prophetic Encouragement: Hearing the Words of God for Others. Jesus modeled exactly what it means to operate in the gift of prophetic encouragement. As Christ followers, He is calling us to do the same. It may be the cashier at the grocery store, the barista at our favorite coffee stand, or a lady who wearing a pink coat in the dead of winter.
While there are other books about the spiritual gift of prophecy, mine is completely unique in challenging believers to be the gift of encouragement others need today. This book is written to give an interactive experience. Here are the book’s features:
- Teaching on the gift of prophetic encouragement
- Activation Prayers and Activation Exercises to take you deeper.
- Testimonies that will build your faith and increase your boldness.
- A profound foreword by Wayne Corderio
- Chapter questions for personal study or discussion
Welcome and Thank you for joining me for #TuneInThursday it is an honor to have you here!
I have had a few people ask for a badge/button to display on your blogs. I would absolutely be honored if you would display it, or link back here in some way. Thank you!
Now let’s get this party started, feel free to link 1-3 posts:
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Do you wonder if God still speaks today? Do you wonder if He would ever speak to you personally? Do you long to hear the voice of God in your life?
Have your read other books on hearing from God, but long for hands on practical application? or are you looking for ways to move you forward hearing from God?
If you answered YES to any of those questions, then I have exactly what you need. I now have an online e-course designed to equip you in understanding that God still speaks today, and He longs to speak directly to you, through His word, and others. He longs to encourage you, strengthen you and comfort you. The training on this site, is fully based on Scripture, and taken from my training manual Releasing God’s heart through Hearing His Voice.
God is speaking, Can you Hear Him?
d2htrainging.com membership site is open, I invite you to check it out today, and develop a deeper relationship with the Lord, as you learn to hear Him speak to your heart.
Looking for other Great Inspirational Parties. Click Here to see where I Link-Up weekly.
Several Submissions have been featured at Blessed Transgressions, an Online Magazine:
Balancing the Warrior & the Princess We’re Called to Be
Trusting God When it Seems Illogical
Will You Sit with Me? (Jesus is Calling.)
My Post: The Reluctant Encourager was featured here:
My Posts: The Most Wonderful Time of the Year, & And So Do We & Jesus in Us! were featured here:
My Post: #BeTheGift was featured here:
My Post “Climb Every Mountain” was featured in the August monthly link-up at : Life on Intention Link-up Party
My Posts: “Will You Sit with Me?” & New Mercies Everyday & Wait for it were featured here:
My Posts: The Most Wonderful Time of the Year & And So Do We! & Know Your Why were featured here:
My Post: The Power of your Story was featured here:
My Post “What’s in a Name?” was featured here:
My Post: “The Journey through Change” was featured here:
Again, I have been know to link to the following Inspirational Parties:
Very encouraging Debbie! Thanks for doing what you do. And being God’s messenger.
Thanks Lynn. I am so glad you enjoyed today’s post. I am very grateful that I am able to be God’s messenger, it’s worth the risk and overcoming the dear to step out. Blessings
What an amazing story, Debbie. Thank you for sharing it with us. laurensparks.net
Thank you Lauren, and thank you for taking the time to read it.
Wow! That is amazing. A good example of the Holy Spirit showing you things to come. That’s when you know it’s God it’s so precise.
Thanks Rebecca. It was an amazing story to me too… I mean, its something you might see in the movies, or hear others talk about, but not expect to be living yourself. And yes, it is so when you know it is God. 🙂
What an incredible story! It’s amazing that you and the older woman connected just as you were supposed to!
Thank you Laurie, it definitely still seems surreal to me, all these years later. I am so glad God knows exactly what He is doing. 🙂 Blessings
What a beautiful story, Debbie! I’m glad you were so attentive to the Spirit’s leading. Not everyone would be so brave.
Thank you Lisa. Truthfully, Sometimes I am not always so brave, but this day I was. It is so important to be attentive to the Spirit’s leading, isn’t it?
Love this story and it still took guts, Deb – a huge blessing and example of listening, hearing and then walking it out in obedience.
Thank you Sue! I guess it did take some guts. LOL I haven’t ever thought about it that way. thanks 🙂
I love how God does this! Thank you for sharing that encouraging event with us Debbie.
Jennifer
Me too Jennifer. I am always amazed when He does, and a little surprised, but I shouldn’t be.. it’s just the way He works. 🙂 Blessings
I didn’t have time to read your post when I linked up yesterday, but I’m SO glad I came back to it today. Thank you for the reminder that God knows each of us intimately and provides help for us. What a beautiful reminder.
Calleen, thank you for coming back! I am so glad you did too. I just love how God orchestrates our lives and allows us to help others in their time of need and in return we get a blessing as well. Blessings 🙂
I just love this Debbie.
Carrying this with me in my heart. Every little thing – every thought or impression – matters
Oh yes, Koki, every little thing does matter – especially to God. Thank you so much 🙂 Blessings
Debbie, I don’t know why but your post struck a chord deep in my heart and brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for listening to God. Thank you for sharing your story. God is so real, and he does speak to us.
I was talking with a friend the other day who shares the same beliefs and faith I do. We believe God speaks. However, where we fall short is remembering those glorious moments. They come and go, and we don’t write them down and soon are forgotten. I want to remember all God has done and said but I am human. I am heading back to journaling.
Oh Maree, thank you for sharing just how much my post meant to you when you read it. Thank you! Yes, I often find that if I do not journal and write down these moments, I can easily forget the amazing things God has done. In fact, I couldn’t remember another story to share about so I was praying and asking God, what He wanted me to share about… Then He reminded me of this story.. Had I written down, I would have had the testimony to go back and re-read to boost my faith for times when I needed reminded about all God has done. 🙂 Thanks for being here and sharing with me today.
A lovely story. Thanks for sharing it. Thanks for hosting and I hope that you are having a wonderful weekend.
thanks Patrick. 🙂 It was a hot but wonderful weekend. 🙂
Your post has me thinking that I should live more expectantly of God led encounters!
Oh yes Elizabeth! Live more expectantly! It is so much more of an adventure that way. Sometimes I can get in a rush or put my head down and want to check the boxes off my list and miss, or almost miss the God led encounters, but I am a work in progress. 🙂 Thanks for being here and sharing your thoughts with me.
What a great story of boldness and obedience! Loved it.
Thank you so much! 🙂
Wow! So powerful!
Thanks, Katrina 🙂
Debbie, this really is an amazing story! And of course it’s even better because it’s TRUE!
I’m so excited about the release of your book. May many people be deeply encouraged from reading it, and may they then be inspired to listen for God’s voice and spread the encouragement to others.
Thanks so much for joining the Grace at Home party at Imparting Grace. I’m featuring you this week!
Oh YAY!!!! Thank you so much Richella! I am so blessed and honored 🙂 I am getting excited, we are only a few weeks away from release and this time has been a rollercoaster of emotions, but also so fun and rewarding too. Thank you for your love and encouragement. I am excited for you too – your big deadline for your book was yesterday and now onto the next step! double yay.
What a beautiful story of how God speaks not only in our lives but in the lives of others. We never who our paths will cross but God does and He is faithful to put us in the right place at the right time.
The way you blessed the lady in the pink fluffy coat is nothing short of how I imagine she blessed you too. Thank you for sharing this at #TellHisStory.
Thank you so much, Mary. I love coming to link up with you. I was definitely blessed by the encounter, and yes, you are right, we never know who will cross our paths, but God does. 🙂