She was waiting by the sink
in the ladies room as I began washing my hands.
“Excuse me,” she
interrupted, “But the Lord has given me a prophetic word for you.”
I was in Colorado Springs
for meetings with my literary agent and publishers. Honestly, the meetings
weren’t going very well, and I had escaped our dinner table at the restaurant
to have a moment alone. Maybe I never would write another book. Maybe I had
nothing more to say…
The stranger continued as I
stood there, too startled to speak; “God told me to tell you this: You will not be forgotten.”
I gulped, “Okay. Thanks.”
And then she interjected,
“And, oh yeah, something about your stomach. Is there a medical problem? Well,
God says that’s going to be okay too.” (Now I was really spooked; and it was years later until I finally understood
that part of her word from God.)
But as she left the tiny
room, she turned back with a smile, “Remember, you will not be forgotten!”
I never saw her again.
I also never shared this
story. Until now, fifteen years later.
It seemed too far-fetched.
Too “out there.” Prophecies in bathrooms simply are not part of my normal
life—even my spiritual journey.
But I did write it all down
in my journal. And I did pray, asking God to show me what, if anything, this
was to mean in my life.
As a writer, do you
sometimes feel that everyone else is
getting the contracts and followers and invitations, and you’re just invisible?
Honestly, sometimes I do feel
forgotten.
But the same God who called
me to this work also said: “I will not forget you!
See,
I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.”~ Isaiah 49:15-16
In Scripture, when that
promise is made, there are two rather interesting reinforcements: one before
and one after. Leading into those words is an illustration that hits close to
home: “Can a woman forget her nursing
child, / fail to pity the child of her womb? / Even these may forget, / but I
won’t forget you” (Isaiah 49:15 CEB). As a mother who raised four children,
I cannot imagine a world in which I would forget my nursing baby.
And though I don’t have any
tattoos, I have certainly written ink reminders on my hand. Sort of like the
second reinforcement in that verse: “See,
I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.” In biblical times a slave
would often bear the brand of his master, but what a switch to have the Master
inscribing his servant’s name on his hand—a tangible reminder of the covenant
between God and His people.
In order for God to forget
us, the scars in the palms of His hands must disappear.
And that’s never going to happen, as this old hymn affirms: “My name from the palms of His hands eternity will not erase; Impressed on His heart it remains, in marks of indelible grace. Yes, I to the end shall endure, as sure as the earnest is given; More happy, but not more secure, the glorified spirits in Heaven.” (Toplady, 1771)
Are you worried God might
forget you?
TWEETABLES
When you feel forgotten, God reminds us we're not - @LucindaSMcDowel on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
In order for God to forget us, the scars on His hands must disappear - @LucindaSMcDowel (Click to Tweet)
Links www.NewEnglandChristianWritersRetreat.com
Blog/website www.EncouragingWords.net
Cindy, I needed this today. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteSo thankful it was posted at just the right time...
ReplyDeleteI'm thankful for the Lord and for you. I'm thankful the bathroom woman was obedient that day and spoke to you.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Lucinda.
ReplyDeleteBlessings.
God's gifts always have perfect timing. I have not written on my blog since October for a variety of reasons. I have not read this blog for about the same amount of time. Tonight I sat down to try and rekindle my fire and the Good Lord provided the perfect spark, Thank you
ReplyDeleteSpot on, a timely and encouraging word, looking forward to spending time exploring your site!
ReplyDelete