The Still, Small Voice

I don't often like to talk about religion because it makes me feel uncomfortable to converse about such weighty matters but there are also times that I would be remiss not to talk about it especially when I've had such distinct proof that there is a higher power at work in my life.

I think a lot of my nervousness from talking about religion stems from the fact that I've really only been going to church for about 8 years so I don't want people to think that by talking about such things that I have everything all figured out and I also don't want people to think that I'm shoving my beliefs down their throat if they aren't ready to hear it either.

So I guess that is my disclaimer here; I don't claim to know everything there is to know about God and I'm also not trying to coerce you into believing something you'd rather not.

With that in mind, here are two (100% true) stories that made me know with a surety that there is someone watching over me and my family:

January 2002:
At the time, I was 22 years old and an Assistant Montessori Preschool teacher at Puffin Heights Montessori School in Anchorage, Alaska. It was my job to make sure that the school was tidy and ready for the next day of school so there were many days when I was the last one out and had to lock up.

After making sure that the windows and doors were secure, I walked out to my car in the freshly fallen snow and went to dig the keys out of my pocket.

They simply weren't there.

Somewhere between the back door and my car door they had vanished. I got down on my hands and knees in the snow (wearing khaki pants no less) and started scrounging around in the white fluff. At first, I tried this with my gloves still on my hands, but as it became clear that the keys weren't anywhere close at hand, I took them off and began pawing through every footprint I had made.

Nada.

I still had hope of finding them, so I stood up and brushed the snow off of my pants, put my gloves back on and backtracked to the back door. Now believe it or not, this was before I had a cell phone since only a select number of people at the time had them so simply calling someone up wasn't an option for me at the time.

I wasn't worried (yet) though, so I calmly looked over the path that I had made and hoped to see something shiny glinting in the snow.

I still didn't find anything.

Well, at this point I really did start getting a tinge worried. The sun was descending fast (since there aren't many hours of daylight in winter) and I had no way to call anyone if I was stranded which meant that I'd either be banging on the doors of the houses in the neighborhood or walking and finding a payphone.

I remember leaning against the car and closing my eyes and praying that I would find my keys. I opened them when I was done and kneeled by the car again. I searched again but still found nothing. I was tired, and frusturated, and I began to cry. The tears were cold on my already frozen face and I was about to give up. Once more, I started to pray that I would find my keys, but I knelt down on the snow as I poured my heart out.

Something told me to look again.

At first I remember thinking that it was crazy to keep looking since I had already scoured the whole area and found nothing; but ultimately I decided to try one more time.

I removed my gloves and plunged my fingers into the icy snow once more and this time my fingers closed over my lost keychain. Relief poured over me and my heart leapt. It was the best feeling to know that all was not lost! I know the Spirit whispered to me that day as sure as I am that those keys that I had searched so long for were there all along.

November 2009:
I woke up out of a dead sleep and looked at the clock.

1:48 a.m.

Something told me to check on Chloe.

She had been sleeping through the night (from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.) for several months so I was hesitant to go to her room and risk waking her up.

I heard a voice very soft but insistant say, 'Go to her'.

I was tired and only half awake so I resisted at first. I rolled over and turned the moniter on and I could hear Chloe crying and softly whimpering.

'Go.' the voice said again.

I knew at this point that it was the Spirit so I mentally asked, "Does she need me (to breastfeed her) or does she need teething tablets?"

Nothing happened.

I asked again, "Does she need me or does she need teething tablets?"

I got the distinct impression that I was to give Chloe teething tablets so I shook two dissolvable tablets into my palm and tip-toed upstairs.

In her room I felt around the crib until I found her soft, plump body then felt for her face. I popped the tablets into her mouth and listened as she sucked on them. Then I rolled her over so she could sleep and tip-toed back out. I listened outside her door for a few minutes but didn't hear anything so I went back to our room. I again turned on the moniter and listened.

Sweet silence.

I know the Spirit was looking out for little Chloe (last night) and helped her when she wasn't feeling well (growing teeth is a painful process!)

I am grateful that I have a Heavenly Father who loves us and cares for us. I know he watches over us and wants the best for us. Sometimes he sends his Spirit to lead us and guide us when we need help. Of this I am so very grateful and blessed.

Has the Spirit spoken to you too? 

Want to share?