I think it would have been impossible for me to share this story a year ago but as I sit tonight thinking about the wonderful night we just had I feel it may be time to share. Tonight we told the kids we were going to Nicaragua for the summer. It was an amazing time. They are so excited and can’t wait. Beck actually asked if he could pack tonight. We had to tell him he needed to finish school first.
But we then went upstairs and started talking about Nicaragua and I felt led to tell them about sometihng that had happened to me a year ago. Almost to the day. So we all got in Libby’s bed and with the lights out I told them of one of the most amazing experiences of my life. It is hard to share but I hope it blesses you.
It was in our old house. We had just gotten back from the international weekend with Young Life. It was a powerful weekend and another story for sure. We were a couple of weeks from moving out of our house. It was a very difficult time for us all. One morning I woke up very early for me and was pretty wide awake. It was 5:16 am. This is not the normal time that I wake up, I’m more of a 9:16 kind of guy. But as I laid there I felt a nudge to pray. To get quiet and listen really. I seem to talk too much when I pray and this was a time that I was really just trying to listen. As I laid in bed eyes shut I could begin to envision this extremely bright light off a ways. I closed my eyes and in that darkness a light started to shine. It was like a robe with light pouring out from under it. It was off a ways but I heard or felt the words “well done”. I felt in the moment immensely loved but I did not say anything to anybody, even Jeannie. I mean, these are things you don’t just bring up at the breakfast table. “Hey just thought you should know Jesus stopped by this morning and said we were good to go on the move!” Nope I kept it to myself. I went to bed and at 5:16 the next day, at precisely the same time I woke up again. I shut my eyes tight and tried to go back to that place. To see it again but it was darkness. I prayed. I felt led to go to the bible. Look in Matthew. Matthew. Matthew. So I opened my bible to Matthew 5:16 and read these words “16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
I was completely blown away. I just started to weep as I felt the presence of our a Father in heaven. The experience was really overwhelming. I told Jeannie that night at dinner and I think God used it to blow a strong wind into our sails allowing us to make it through the tough days ahead as we left our home.
We as people are often just jabbering away in prayer. Just chanting and repeating the same stuff. But if we can get our minds quiet, block out all things and just listen, God can speak to us. I think it is for our faith, to strengthen us and make us strong but also I think He loves in this way that is just crazy, massive and eternal. The way you feel love for your kids in those special moments when you are all huddled together on a single bunk bed and life feels perfect.