It shouldn’t surprise me when I’m busy going about my day that a random thought or person’s face or name pops into my head. Sometimes just a glance at someone shoots a message straight into my heart. To me, these are whispers from God, and He sent them for a reason, action on my part.
Although I strive to listen to His voice and be obedient, I do miss it occasionally. Like I did one day a few years back when I went to the grocery store. Consumed by my own thoughts and time constraints, I wheeled my overloaded grocery cart around the end of the aisle. Struggling to get the heavy basket to turn on grumbling wheels, I glanced up and spotted a young mother with her two small children rounding the end cap of another aisle.
About three years old, one child stood in the basket while the baby sat in the seat. Their cart was sparse with only a few items. The child reached for a bag of cookies on display. The mother gently pushed his hand back, shook her head, and proceeded out of sight.
My thoughts immediately shot to the money I had stashed in my wallet in case of an emergency. I pondered giving the lady money, but I pushed the thought aside and continued shopping.
Listen and hear my voice; pay attention and hear what I say. Isaiah 28:23 NIV
About half-way up the grocery aisle, I came to an abrupt halt, looked down at my filled-to-the-max basket, and the lack of groceries in the mother’s looked back at me. I knew then I’d ignored the prompting of the Holy Spirit. A sick feeling punched me in the gut.
Immediately making my way toward where I last saw her, I searched and searched, but she wasn’t there. Where had she gone in such a short time? She’d disappeared. My heart grieved over my lack of action.
Since that day, I act on what I sense is right. I’m not perfect, and I still miss it sometimes, but I never want to ignore God’s whispers and experience such disappointment in myself again.
What’s your story? Have you had one of these eye-opening encounters?
I’d love to hear from you in the comment section below. 
Award-winning author Loretta Eidson lives by the motto ‘never a dull moment,’ especially with her husband, four children, and thirteen grandchildren. Her love of reading began during the required library time in middle school, where she devoured Phyllis Whitney’s mystery novels. She left her eighteen-year admin position at her church to pursue the dream of writing. She has multiple short stories in anthologies, but her heart is writing romantic suspense. She believes in the power of prayer and loves putting her hero and heroine in realistic predicaments where they must trust God to pull them through.
Loretta’s literary agent is Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency.
*Watch for Loretta’s debut novel Pursued in the Wilderness in the Mountain Rescue Collection by Love Inspired Suspense, which releases on September 27, 2022.
How well I know that feeling. It is so easy to get caught up in our own busyness. Thanks for the reminder to look for God-opportunities.
You’re welcome, Patricia! I’m trying to pay more attention so I don’t miss another opportunity when God speaks.
I don’t know if you’ll take this as a compliment or insult, Loretta, but I think this is the best thing you’ve ever written. So transparent. So relatable. Thank you.
No offense taken, Tracy. I’ve learned being transparent only shows I’m not above anyone else. I am human and I mess up. We are all the same in God’s eyes. I miss it and I’m not ashamed to admit fault. It’s my desire to be more aware of the world around me and respond when God speaks.