I start with the “set up” for an incredible encounter with God. The day before Christmas, two years ago, I had gone to Napa, a town just over the hill from my town of Sonoma. I had an appointment to get my hair cut. All seemed well; life seemed good. Afterwards I left to do some last-minute shopping.

It had been years since I had spent time in Napa. That afternoon I felt I was being transported to a time many years ago when my late husband and I, with our four kids, had gone to church in Napa. After church we would either grab food, shop, or perhaps visit a park. My route that day took me past many of the places that held strong memories. I began to feel loss and loneliness. It just seemed unreal how quickly time had passed. It didn’t take long before I began thinking of the areas of breakdown in my family which led to feelings of failure and remorse. I didn’t cry. I just felt a deep pain.

Once home, I was wallowing in these feelings. My thinking had “blinded” me from connection with one of my very important life scriptures. 

From The Passion Translation: James 1:21(b) “Instead, with a sensitive Spirit we absorb God’s Word which has been implanted within our nature, for the Word of Life has the power to continually deliver us”.

I may have been momentarily “blinded” but the Holy Spirit was not. I rather quickly decided to get into the Bible study I was involved in that week. About ten minuets in, I felt something. It was peace! Hallelujah!

The next morning at church, during worship, I had an out of body experience. Mind you, this is not a Pentecostal church and I have never had an out of body experience… well maybe a couple of times during childbirth.

I was above the congregation watching myself worship, set apart with hands lifted high. Then, suddenly, I hear God whisper to me, “you are a pillar”. I was so blown away. The day before I was feeling like a failure and now God tells me I’m a pillar. Pillar wasn’t even on my radar; in fact, pillar is not something I ever recall giving much thought to. Honestly, I didn’t believe I was a pillar. Yes, a child of God, a daughter of the Most High, a Bride, but pillar? Although I was delighted just to be hearing from God it still didn’t add up. What are you thinking, God? Seriously!? Once in awhile the thought of this encounter comes back to me and I still say, “Really?” (Though now it is accompanied with a sweet little chuckle of endearment.

After church, a woman came up to talk with me. I told her what had just happened to me. She said that somewhere in what she had been reading that morning there had been something about a pillar. She couldn’t remember, but later emailed it to me. (I’ll add this as a ha ha moment. After sharing this with another person, she wanted to know if I had eaten breakfast that morning).

1 Timothy 3:15–16. “If I am delayed coming to you, I write so you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. Without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in Glory.”

After Christmas dinner that evening, I shared this story. With no hesitation, my daughter responded saying, “Momma, you have always been a pillar for us.” I know that is not really true, but it deeply blessed me to hear her say it. 

My next blessing came a couple of days later when I ran into my third son who has been living, for years, homeless and addicted to heroine and fentanyl. He had missed Christmas dinner. I told him this story about the pillar. He too confirmed that I was a pillar. It felt like undeserved praise, but I was very blessed by it. However, here is the best encouragment. When I told my son I had been given a Scripture about a pillar, he repeated the Scripture without being told what it was. “oh right, a pillar and a firm foundation”. I was astonished. I said, “Son, do you hear yourself. The Holy Spirit just spoke that to you. “Believe me, that was a great gift in the midst of what continues to be an ongoing life style of addiction. It has given me hope.

God is our Pillar. We are His Temple.