Faith Assured

     Have you felt the presence of God in a real way, known that a prayer has been answered, smiled and said, “That was You, Jesus?”

     When I was 28 years old, I was driving down 28^th Avenue in South Minneapolis on a bright, sunny day, driving my pale yellow stodgy 4-door Dodge K-car, feeling very sorry for myself. My dream in life, from the time I was a small girl playing with my baby dolls, was to be a wife and a mom.

     At the time,35 years ago, I was dating someone I knew did not want to be married or to have kids. Many of my friends were married with children and I was filled with doubts about life and what direction mine was going. Out of the blue, a feeling washed over me. I felt it from the tip of my head to the soles of my feet. I know now it was the Holy Spirit, but at the time, I was not in a relationship with Jesus. God begins His work in us long before we open our hearts to Him completely.

     The assurance was real. I knew that I knew that I knew I would be married and have a little girl named Angela one day. (My favorite name way back to the dolls!) A smile of pure joy broke out on my face, driving alone in my car. But I wasn’t alone.

     I never doubted that deep truth, even though I would go through many trials in the next few years. I married my love at the age of 31 and had my first child at 33. Yep, you guessed it. A daughter named Angela. My husband did have a say in our second beautiful daughter’s name, Lauren, a couple of years later.

     I love to hear stories of prayers answered, of knowing God is real and involved. I have never experienced anything quite like that day all of those years ago. But my faith has not wavered. The assurance of faith is real. I want to share a verse that I used a couple of days ago. It is a good one to memorize. Faith and hope are ours. God is here, there and everywhere.

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for, and assurance for what we do not see. Hebrews 11;1

Father,

We know You are real. We are assured of our faith in Jesus, by the work of the Holy Spirit. Help us to feel Your presence surrounding us today.

In Jesus name,

Amen