When God Spoke to Me through a Stranger in the Ladies’ Room
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 word for you.”
What? More than 20 years ago, I was in Colorado Springs for a meeting with my literary agent and publishers. Honestly, it wasn’t going very well and I had escaped our dinner table at the restaurant to have a moment alone. And now this.
The stranger continued as I stood there, too startled to speak. “God told me to tell you this: You will not be forgotten.”
Remembering my southern manners, 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 wasn’t until 3 years later that 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 rarely share this story. It seems too far-fetched. Too ‘out there.’ Prophecies in bathrooms simply are not part of my normal life – even my deep spiritual life.
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. And that’s when He led me to this verse. “I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands. (Isaiah 49:16)
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) As a mother who raised four children, I cannot even imagine a world where I would forget my nursing baby.
Though I don’t have any tattoos, I have certainly written reminders on my hand in ink, so I wouldn’t forget. Sort of like the second reinforcement in our verse today, “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 here we have the Master inscribing his servant’s name on his hand. As though it is a tangible reminder of the covenant between God and His people.
Do you sometimes feel forgotten?
Like in the third year of a hard season that perhaps upended your job, your social life, your church fellowship, your family reunions, your professional connections, and — if truth be told — almost took your hope… As “normality” returns, you may be wondering anew about your place in the world — your choices and focus. Or even whether you are now obsolete.
James I. Packer once affirmed this wonderful truth: “I am graven on the palms of His hands. I am never out of His mind. All my knowledge of Him depends on His sustained initiative in knowing me. I know Him because He first knew me, and continues to know me. He knows me as a friend. One Who loves me; and there is no moment when His eye is off me, or His attention distracted from me, and no moment, therefore, when His care falters.”
I don’t even need the gift of prophecy to exclaim today, “God says you will not be forgotten!”
Every Blessing, Lucinda
“Helping You Choose a Life of Serenity & Strength”
©2022 Lucinda Secrest McDowell www.LucindaSecrestMcDowell.com
Lucinda Secrest McDowell is a storyteller and seasoned mentor who engages both heart and mind while “Helping You Choose a Life of Serenity & Strength.” She has authored 16 books including “Soul Strong – 7 Keys to a Vibrant Life” , “Life-Giving Choices – 60 Days to What Matters Most,” “God’s Purpose for You,” and “The Courage to Write.” (Purchasing my books here benefits me as an Amazon associate.) She writes from “Sunnyside” cottage in New England and shares encouraging words weekly at LucindaSecrestMcDowell.com
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Such a beautiful way to wake up and read these blessings from you! You are such an encouraging person. Gods speaks to us in strange ways through other people. After all we are his voice, hands and feet!
Thank you for your faithfulness!
Tomorrow I embark on a 3 day retreat and I pray God will use me to minister to these woman and speak through me!!
Wow thank you for sharing this powerful word spoken over you all those years ago! So encouraging friend. Can’t wait to see you in a few days. 😍
That’s a good one, Lucinda-read right after another testimony from Brazil about Jesus people going into a brothel and bringing Jesus to a broken woman.
A PS: I talked to Clarice James the other day, and she’s doing okay after her husband’s death and is still writing.
Thank you, Cindy. The fear of “Obsolescence” is a new paradigm for me. It feels like a post-it note that I can’t shake from my subconscious. Thank you for this timely word.
She was right - you will never, ever be forgotten. And as for our callings, I take comfort in the fact that the Caller has not changed, and he will bring every assignment to us that He intends us to have. Calling is never restricted by age - yay!