Today's Gift

I wasn’t going to blog today. But I am. Because something awesome happened this morning that I want to share. And it’s my blog. So, I’m gonna.

I woke up with a lot on my plate today. Lots of things I needed to do and places I had to be. So, from the onset, I was in a rush.

And then something happened completely from out of the blue that knocked me on my rear. Something that affected me deeply. I tried to shake it off. I had too much to do to sit down and cry. But I wanted to. I really, really wanted to. My heart was hurting, and I just wanted to have a good, ugly cry.

I strapped Jeb in the car, got behind the wheel and tried to pretend I wasn’t feeling sick, trying to hold back the tears. And then…. My iPhone lit up. A message. I was almost too distracted to pick it up and read it. But I did. And this is what it said:

I just give you a big hug. And to say, Jesus loves you so much.

The message was from my friend, Suemmey, who lives in Brazil. And I lost it. There is NOTHING more I needed at that moment than to be loved on and hugged and reminded that Jesus loves me so much.

I realize some believe in coincidence--that it was only luck or a fluke that someone I just met a few weeks ago would send me the exact words to comfort me at the exact moment I needed them the most. But not me. I believe that from Heaven, God saw me. He felt what I was feeling. And He wanted me to know He was there. I believe He nudged Suemmey in Brazil, silently calling on her to send me that message. And Suemmey, one of the most obedient, incredible Christians I have ever met in my life, listened.

My day went from, 'God, seriously, I can't handle this today.' to 'You know what?. I can handle anything as long as You’re with me.'

And He is. It's so easy for us to forget that He doesn't walk away, doesn't take a break... not even for a moment. (Although, I am POSITIVE He could use a major Angela break.) Today I had a moment that allowed the craziness and things I don't understand around me to bring me to a place of sadness. But He showed up right beside me. Miraculously. What a gift.