God talks to me. Sometimes it involves a set up. This story is about one of those times.

My church had an “exercise” one Sunday when I wasn’t present. Each person was given a paper with a name of God printed on it. The hope was that it would be personal and relatable to that person. They then broke off into small groups and shared and prayed together. I was later told about this exercise and I was intrigued. Honestly, I felt sort of jealous and sorry I had missed that Sunday.

The next day while talking with God I approached Him like a little kid. I said, “God, I want one of your names that is picked out just for me. How about it?”

Two weeks had gone by and I had pretty much forgotten the request for a name. The following is the set up. I am doing my homework for a Bible study in the book of Proverbs. We have a work book and, rather than going through these proverbs in the order written, the study guide was divided into topics such as proverbs relating to finances, marriage… That week’s topic of study was Proverbs on parenting.

Little back story. I am a widow and since my husband’s death a dozen years ago, the Lord has truly wooed me to Himself. Honestly, I feel like I have been born again, again. The fact remains there were problems in the mariage and our role as parents left much to be desired. I won’t go into my family’s brokenness. I have recieved a lot of grace and, generally and intentionally, I don’t spend my days mourning my failings. None the less, I was about to get hit with a load of condemnation.

Although, the intention of the study was to speak to parents about how to navigate parenting, that boat had already sailed for me. I began to lament my failings. I was so overtaken with condemnation, regret, and remorse that I broke down and wept. Suddenly, I remembered a favorite scripture which is one I have clung to as a promise for my posterity. Like a fish out of water, I began to turn the pages of my Bible in desperation toward that scripture, seeking assurance and comfort. Isaiah 44:3–4 “I will pour water on him who is thirsty, and floods on the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit on your descendants, and my blessing on your offspring. They will spring up among the grass like willows by the water courses”. I just wanted to lay my eyes on these words.

As is so typical of our Lord, He disrupted my bee line. I stopped a page before turning back to Isaiah 44:3–4 and a scripture nearly jumped off the page at me. Isaiah 44:22, “I have blotted out, like a thick cloud, your transgressions, and like a cloud, your sins. Return to Me, for I have redeemed you”. That still, quiet voice says, “Redeemer. That is the name I have for you.” Woah. I stopped sniveling and began praising my amazing God.

That day I really connected with saying, “The Word of God delivers me.” It became a quick, short teaching I handed out to whoever would listen. “When you hit that wall of condemnation…go to the Word of God. It will deliver you”.

What is interesting to me is that I could tell stories like this over and over but the fact remains, I am still surprised every time I hear from God. People wonder why believers of the Annointed One follow Him. It is not about religion, traditions of men…It is about a living relationship with the Creator of the universe. Amazing indeed.