A Nudge From The Holy Spirit

A Nudge from the Holy Spirit

Jesus replied, “But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice.”

Luke 11:28

As my hand reached for the restaurant door handle, I sensed the Holy Spirit say, “No.” I’ve learned to recognize the way the Holy Spirit whispers into my soul, and I’ve learned to trust his voice, but still, I was surprised by this.

Though I had originally come to the restaurant to purchase a gift card for a friend, I drove out of the parking lot empty-handed, momentarily wondering if I had heard God correctly. This act of kindness had sent me significantly out of my way, and here I was driving away without the card because at the very last second I was told no and then prompted to give my friend cash instead.

After writing a note of prayer and encouragement, I enclosed the money, saying that it was intended to be used for a dinner out with her husband, but that they should use it in whatever way they wanted or needed.

What I didn’t know was that every afternoon that week, my friend had begged her daughter’s preschool provider for just a little more time, just until the end of the week, to get the deposit together for her preschool spot. On the drive home from her meeting with the preschool, she had cried out to God about their finances and had asked him to provide for her family even as her family was taking care of others. Medical bills for an extended family member had piled up, and she and her husband had been paying down those bills, leaving their savings depleted. These were the things I did not know as I quietly left my card with a little gift on her doorstep. As it turned out, the cash in the card was enough to cover the preschool deposit.

When she called to tell me the story, we both wept—she, because God heard and answered her cries for help, and me, in humble gratitude for that whisper from the Holy Spirit. God knows better than we do what someone else needs, and being open to changing our plans at his nudging will bless us and others.

—Julie

— Today’s Act of Kindness —

Carefully listen for the Holy Spirit’s prompting as you plan a kind act for today.