Sisters of Grace

I will never forget this day it was December 20th, 2015. I slept restlessly, I had this sense of urgency but I didn’t know what it was about. At this time in my life, I was out of a car, because mine was repossessed, after I lost my job. It was a hard season but I was still hopeful that things would get better. A friend of mine, gave me like $700 to help me with down payment on another car, but I was just depressed.

I was having a little pity party, I was questioning God and just frustrated. Why were things so hard for me? I was working with them, I only missed one car note and they took my car! Here I am a single mother, working to provide and trying to live godly at the same time. I did not want my friend’s help, I wanted GOD to do something, had he not promised to be my provider?

This particular day, my son was with my mom and I was bored so I decided to take a drive. My sister who I lived with at the time, said I could use her car. I began driving aimlessly and then I had this urge to get out of town. I jumped on the interstate and headed east. I was enjoying the drive and listening to worship songs, trying to get in a better mood.

Suddenly I felt the same urgency come over me, I know some of you will think I’m nuts but I felt a fire all over my body. The sensation only getting more weird, I kid you not, I felt as if I was in labor with a child! My stomach was tightening and relaxing over and over and I felt the urge to push!!!! Note, I am definitely NOT pregnant! I couldn’t understand what was happening, until the Holy Spirit began to speak through me.

Finally, after several minutes of surrendering my body to whatever the spirit was doing, I was able to pull over. I sat at a gas station, tempted to go back home. However, I knew I needed to keep going. I got back on and kept going east. As I started recognizing where I was and remembered that there was a church I went once, when I was younger. I turned the GPS on and exited the interstate, heading to the church. After a few minutes I was there, and honestly confused.

Eventually, after praying for God to lead I realized after looking at the church sign, I had literally pulled up just in time for church. I had not been to church in a while, because I didn’t have a car, and I had moved. I looked down at my sweater and jeans, well I’m not exactly dressed for this Pentecostal service but I’m here! I go inside the tiny church and sit down, I recognize a few faces but I sit alone.

The woman speaker for the day noticed me after the service and came over. We embraced and I literally told her, “I don’t know why I am here”. She told me to come into her office, I explained the feeling I had, the urgency and how the spirit came over me. She has always been so kind to me, the few occasions she visited my home church. This church was a sister church to that one.

Then she tells me, “Why don’t you come back tonight, there is a family from your home church, coming here tonight”. I look at her like she is crazy, I don’t wanna just show up and I don’t even understand why I am here. She said they were having their family Christmas party. Then we pray and I leave. “God what have you gotten me into?”

Later, I come back reluctantly and I see the cars. I see someone going into a lower level entrance and I follow inside. When I get there I see a large group of people, there is food and tables setup. One of the ladies I make eye contact with says, “Hey lady! Why are you here?” I explain again that I’m not sure why I am here, but I felt led to be there. The best thing about this whole ordeal is that no one treats me weird, they believe me!

After a while of small talk, I ask her could she pray with me. We go into a private room and begin to pray. The prayer is so powerful, we both are on the floor, on our knees weeping. I don’t know how long we pray, it seems like forever. When her husband comes in, he says he can see the glory of God on my face. I am in awe, after praying we go into the sanctuary.

In the sanctuary, the children from all of her family are playing with the drums and other instruments. The children knew we had been praying and I was overcome with emotions. They began to sing, worship and play the instruments. I worship with them and it was beautiful. I was amazed at how this family was all on one accord, even with me an outsider!

Afterwards, we go back where the rest of the family are hanging out. They offer me food but I am too overwhelmed to eat. I keep seeing the flashes of her praying over me, like her own child. She held me, wept with me and spoke life over me! This wretch was alive again! Hallelujah!

Suddenly, I remember the money, that my friend gave me, I grab my purse and thumb through the envelope. I take out a few twenties for myself and I rush over to her. I hand her the bank envelope with the car down payment. I tell her to take it and I thank her profusely. She tried to refuse the blessing but I knew then, why I was there. I needed her comfort, strength and prayers. It was a Christmas miracle for us both!

“Where two or three are gathered, in my name, there I am in the midst of them”. Matthew 18:19-20