True Stories

God Meets Us Where We Are

We are created as spiritual beings. The first record of man in Genesis 1:26 reveals the sweet conversation that God had in the heavens. His first thought, “We want man to be like us.” God has no limitations. He has always been and will always be. Even though we have a starting point we are also created to live for eternity. We are created as spiritual being first and foremost. I believe God does everything He can to remind us that. Be spiritual first. The body is only temporary. 

Many individuals encounter God in profound and supernatural ways, yet often hesitate to share these experiences with others. Why is that? Perhaps it's because we’ve been immersed in the physical world for so long that we struggle to comprehend the spiritual realm. Our understanding is primarily shaped by what our five senses perceive, and this can be intimidating. Such experiences are not easily articulated, which can foster feelings of confusion or fear. I can relate to this; I, too, have grappled with these feelings in the past. That’s why I so admire my sweet sister in Christ, who is so enamored with God and what He has done for her that she is willing to be brave and say. “Yes, this is God! This is what He is doing in my life.” Here is just one of her stories. 

Dressed in a black Calvin Klien bedazzled t-shirt and jeans, Lauri and I spent a Saturday afternoon in her hair salon. Just two friends exchanging stories about God’s work in our lives while deepening our connection. She began by telling me that she had grown up in church but had been living a life separate from God for quite some time. Then, one day a year ago, while a customer was sitting in her chair getting her hair done posed a question about the Bible that made them both do a little digging.  Then the digging turned into a three-month major archeological exploration. During this time, she had been toying with idea of getting back into church, but just couldn’t make the step.  In the meantime, she and her friend dug deep into the Word.  

Three months later, her sweet mother-in-law fell gravely ill and underwent two consecutive surgeries, which left her in a coma. Several of the family members immediately stepped in and took shifts sitting at the bedside of their much-loved matriarch. With her husband recovering from pneumonia, Lauri willingly spent her time at the hospital, balancing her work schedule and shuttling the kids to and from school.  After a few days when Rick, her husband, was better and could take a shift at the hospital Lauri now went into supermom mode. Groceries needed buying; cloths needed washing. All those things that as a mom we feel needs to get done despite the fact that we need to rest ourselves. While in the Pensacola Walmart, catching up on overdue grocery shopping, Lauri received a call from Rick, informing her that his mother’s condition had taken a turn for the worse. Questions swirled in her mind. Should she abandon the half-full cart of groceries and rush back to the hospital, or continue shopping? She chose the latter. With tears streaming down her face, she pushed herself to finish gathering the essential groceries her family needed. As she walked down the aisles, people paused to ask, “Are you okay?” And each time, she gave the expected response: “Yes.” But inside she was breaking. With the weight of it all becoming unbearable, she finally reached her breaking point. Stopping in the middle of the aisle, she bowed her head and began to pray. Through her tears, in desperation, she cried out to God, realizing she didn’t even know what to pray for. She asked Him to send someone to pray with her.  She opens her eyes and at the end of her cart stood a tall slender gray headed lady with her hands extended asking, “Is there something I can pray with you about.”  Lauri poured out her heart, and the kind woman immediately began to pray with her, right there in the aisle. (Also, Lauri apologizes for the inconvenience in blocking the spaghetti sauce, but this was an emergency.) After praying she had renewed strength. Grabbing last minute items and tossing them in the cart she headed for the registers. Heading back home as fast as she safely could she receives another call from her husband Rick. One of the nurses, named Rickie, was able to administer much needed medication in her veins that saved her life. Lauri new on that drive home they had a miracle in the works and that this precious, Godly woman was going to live. However, she never regained consciousness and passed away that November.  This remarkable woman, who deeply loved the Lord, peacefully transitioned into eternity with her children and most of her grandchildren gathered around her hospital bed.  In her grief over the profound loss, Lauri struggled with the same weighty questions that often arise after a death. The passing left her feeling bewildered, prompting her to turn to God and ask, “Why?” 

With really no answers to the questions reeling in her mind she now needed to turn attention to her children. Arriving home from school she now had the terrible task of breaking the news to her daughter Lexie. As Lauri switched off the car engine, she turned to her daughter in the back seat and gently delivered the heartbreaking news. This sweet child broken down and Lauri climbed in the back seat to comfort her baby.  As Lauri held her daughter, a fleeting thought crossed her mind: the backyard. Her initial reaction was to dismiss it as an odd whim. After all, what could possibly be in the backyard that could help her in this moment of grief? Her family was enduring a profound loss, and she needed to be present for them. After a moment of cradling Lexie, she told her daughter, “Even though we don’t know what’s on the other side, we do know that our Savior is there.” 

Suddenly, the thought of going to the backyard returned. Lauri decided to give in and asked Lexie if she would like to take a walk outside to talk more about Nana. Lexie’s eyes lit up, and soon they were nestled in the grass of the backyard.  They both lay gazing up at the blue sky—an eternal presence that had embraced them yesterday, today, and would do so tomorrow. 

As they lay there, her sweet child began sharing her thoughts about what might be happening in heaven with Nana. Lauri listened intently, her gaze fixed on the sky, realizing it had been ages since she’d allowed herself the luxury of simply looking up. The day was perfect for reflection; sunlight filtered through the trees, casting a gentle glow. 

Then, something extraordinary happened. The veil between heaven and earth seemed to lift, revealing the grandeur of God. Suddenly, she noticed what resembled dancing gas fuses in the atmosphere around them. The swirling waves began to form structure, as if a body of water emerged from chaos, transforming the air into a crystal lake. Ripples played across the landscape, and her first instinct was disbelief—“This can’t be real.” 

Curious, she reached out her hand, feeling the shimmering all-consuming atmosphere envelop her. She glanced over at Lexie, who was speaking, but Lauri could no longer hear her words. Her heart raced as her mind struggled to comprehend the unfolding phenomenon. Just then, the watery illusion dissipated, revealing millions of tiny lights against the blue sky. A cascade of glitter showered down around them, as if they were trapped in a celestial snow globe. 

In that moment, Lauri was acutely aware that she had been ushered into the presence of God, lying at the feet of Christ. The overwhelming power of His presence was exhilarating. She turned to Lexie, wondering if her daughter could also see this miracle. Mustering her courage, she raised her hands and asked, “Do you see…?” But before she could finish, Lexie sat up, scooping a handful of the sparkling wonders, exclaiming, “Duh! It’s always there, Mom! Don’t you remember me telling you about this? You told me it was molecules and atoms.” 

Lauri’s heart sank as she realized she had dismissed her daughter's experience in favor of a scientific explanation. Apologizing for not believing in the miraculous, she was suddenly interrupted by the rumble of Rick's truck pulling into the driveway. Overwhelmed, she knew she needed to greet him and process her experience later. 

As Lauri entered the house, her thoughts whirled. There stood her loving husband, visibly broken by the loss of his mother. How could she explain the indescribable encounter she had just experienced? Rick wasn’t in a relationship with Jesus—how could she convey the peace that had enveloped her moments earlier? 

Well, like many of us, Lauri turned to Google. But of course, the answers eluded her. She then sought solace in the Scriptures, finding comfort in Revelation 4:6, where John described a sea of glass. Suddenly, pieces began to fall into place, awakening her spirit. 

Without a doubt, Lauri knew she had encountered Jesus that day. Countless others have shared similar supernatural experiences: Saul on the road to Damascus, Peter’s vision in Acts 10:9-16, and Jesus’ appearance to five hundred witnesses in 1 Corinthians 15:6. God longs to connect with His children; no one meets Jesus and remains unchanged. Lauri had been lost until that divine moment when He reached down from heaven, offering her just a sip of His presence. 

Now, a deep hunger stirred within her, urging her to find a church body to join, a community that worshipped the Creator. As she prayed fervently for this guidance, a customer later invited her to her own church. Summoning her courage, Lauri decided to accept and went to her first service in a long time. 

Walking into the PZK with her family she felt a wave of apprehension wash over her. Never the less, they walked in and found their seat as the music began to fill the room. The atmosphere stirred a torrent of emotions, both joyful and sorrowful, and it took all her strength to hold herself together. The following Sunday was equally powerful. As the band performed “Rest on Us,” the lyrics struck her heart deeply. Tears streamed down her face as she yearned to align her life with God’s will, and she whispered, “Is this where you want me?” 

In that moment, Pastor Rob Cox interrupted the service, proclaiming that the Holy Spirit was present and fighting for our families. With that, Lauri dared to open one eye, then the other, looked upwards, and smiled. That was her answer. She felt as though she had truly come home. God’s faithfulness led her to the church where she now passionately serves.

Both Lauri and her husband have both dedicated themselves to a living Savior.  Her family lives out “salt and light”.  I know this, because I have witnessed it firsthand. 

Jesus can meet you anywhere, anytime, anyplace He chooses. In our times of mourning or happiness.   It could be at your work, in your office, in your home, or the backyard. He can even meet you in the spaghetti aisle at Walmart.

How will you live out “salt and light” today?

Blessings