Hugged by God!

On March 18, 2011, I was working at the daycare, one of my two jobs.  It was Spring Break and classes were not in session.  Due to their lack of normal routine, the children became wild. 

I was called in early on that Friday the 18.  I didn't mind, in fact I needed the hours.  At first the morning went smoothly, but as the day progressed and more and more children showed up things got out of hand.  Many did not want to listen to what they were told, of course that is a daily occurrence with my 2 year olds, but these were 3 and 4 year olds; they knew better.  In fact I had never had that much trouble with that age group.  Those kids were normally well-behaved, but they were simply getting restless and I was losing my patience.

By lunch time I had lost it! I wanted to get them calmed down, fed and put in bed as quickly as possible. I was ready to "throw in the towel"! I know that everyone has been there. Don't deny it, you know you have.  You get to that boil point.  You begin to lose your patience, or you get so emotionally and mentally drained that you just want to throw up your arms and say "I GIVE UP!"

That is exactly how I felt and what I did.  As soon as my 11 children were in their beds laying still and the majority had fallen asleep, I grabbed a chair, put it down in the middle of the room facing my kids, and just put my head in my hands.  I felt so exasperated! I just sat there and stared at the floor. I wanted so much to go home, but I knew I would be at work until 5:30 that evening. 

As I sat there looking at the ground, God showed me a vision.  Yes, I know many who would read this probably have their doubts about God and visions and things involving the supernatural.  But this was so real. This vision was as clear as this computer screen is to me right now.

My vision was of one of my little girls getting up from her nap pad, walking over to me and stopping in front of me. In my vision I was looking down at her feet.  When I looked up (still the vision) the little girl put her arms around my neck.

What happened after that blew my mind. In fact it is hard to refrain from crying every time I think about that moment. It was as if God was showing me that I wasn't imagining things, I wasn't having deja vu, or losing my mind. He wanted to prove to me that what I saw was a vision that He gave to me; it was directly from Him.

Seconds after the vision (I was still looking down at the ground) I saw little feet.  I looked up, and it was the same girl in my vision standing before me.  She quickly put her arms around my neck.  I was stunned! All I could do was put my arms around her and cry.  God was revealing to me that He loved me!  He used this little girl, so innocent and pure, to deliver a message to me. The message was "I love you; here's a hug to prove it."

Needless to say my day was so much more bearable after that moment!  I've always known that God cares for me, loves me, and knows when I am having a tough time.  But it was so much more sweeter to actually be hugged by God.  He can use all of us man, woman, rich, poor, young and old.  Isn't it funny how obedient children are to God.  They may not want to obey me, but God can speak to their hearts and they quickly respond.  God was trying to reveal to me through this innocent child, "I hear you! I hear your cry! In your times of stress, I hear you!"  He hears us all.  When we are frustrated, upset, worn down, crying, wanting to just GIVE UP, He wants us all to know that He is listening.  I received the answer quickly and through the obedience of a small child.  It may happen to others in a different way, but I simply pray that it happens. I want everyone to experience the love of God in a close intimate way.  I'm so thankful for what I experienced!

I had the privelege of sharing this story with my Brothers and Sisters in Cuba.  There were many people in tears.  I shared with them that we all have those times when we just want to quit, but God wants us to continue living for Him knowing that He loves us and is with us in every aspect of life. I pray that it was a blessing to them and that whoever reads this will be blessed as well.