God Hugged Me!
“The Majesty of heaven, while engaged in His earthly ministry, prayed much to His Father. He was frequently bowed all night in prayer. . . . The Mount of Olives was the favorite resort of the Son of God for His devotions.” (Ellen White, Amazing Grace, p. 167)
Jesus had His favorite place to meet with His Father. Do you have a special place to be with Him?
For the last eight years, while serving as a Bible Worker in the Tampa Bay area, I have a favorite park bench at Ballast Point Park. After a full day and evening of evangelism, many a night has found me on my park bench, looking over the bay, at the car lights racing down Bay Shore Drive. The reflections from the condos and city lights dance on the dark bay waters.
I talk with God about all the people I met that day. I share my trials and triumphs. Then, as I imagine all the individuals in the cars speeding down Bay Shore Drive, and all the thousands of souls in the thousands of windows I see in the dark skyline, I ask God to write His love story on all their hearts. I am weak and helpless, but I know the Holy Spirit can do great things in my city and beyond. If I have learned anything at all in my 20 years of Bible work, it is this: I need to talk to Jesus about people, twice as much as I talk to people about Jesus. I am worthless in the multitude if I have not first been alone with Jesus.
Every night I meet with Jesus in the park, I know He is with me through His Spirit. One night, not so long ago particularly stands out in my heart. That night I was talking to Jesus about my triumphs, but also my trials. In evangelism you see God at work but you also see Satan at work. Satan would love to see the Bible work put out of business. I told God that as long as He enables me to rise above Satan’s attacks, that I would always share the gospel with others. I felt so small and weak, as I looked out over the city, knowing the evil that lurked throughout the streets and neighborhoods. On my own I could so easily be blown away. I begged God to be with me and never leave me.
The following morning I went to the community service center at our church, where I meet with those who are down and out and try to help and encourage them. As I walked in the door, my prayer from the previous evening was not on my mind, but apparently it was still on God’s mind. An elderly lady volunteer came right up to me, and before I could even greet her, she gave me a bear hug, and told me that God was blessing my ministry and that God knew what I was up against, and that Satan would not be able to stop what I was doing for Jesus. She told me she was always praying for me and for me to never stop working for Jesus.
It took a few moments for me to realize what she was telling me, was exactly what I was praying about the night before, in Ballast Point Park. I realized God was answering my prayer through her! Then I realized, if her message was from God, then so was the hug that came with it. That morning God gave me a message but even more so, He gave me a big bear hug!
Thank you, Jesus, for being with me when I enter people’s homes to share the gospel. Thank you also for being with me, alone on a park bench in Ballast Point Park. Thank you for your confirmation, and even more for the big bear hug you gave me along with it!
(3)
These words have been very encouraging. In my mission field I have often felt helpless and alone. But God has responded to my prayers in much the same way as he has yours. There have been smiles and words of encouragement and even hugs from friends and strangers alike. And they speak back to you the words you've voiced to God only in private. And he knows just who to send at just the right time too. It is an amazing experience.
Thank you for the encouragement. May God bless you as you continue to minister for Him.
It is always good to hear testimonies of what Jesus does in our lives, today, even when our world seems deeply troubled by sin. Indeed, God is always there for us, if we only give Him a chance in our lives!
Thanks for sharing! I have had the same type experience,!!! HUGGS.
"Clearly you are an epistle of Christ,..." - 2 Corinthians 3:3
Do you carry a Sharpie in your golf bag? these permanent markers are used to unikely identify golf balls... God has marked us as well with His Spirit in our Hearts. Continue seeking to make that kind of impact in other people too!
May God God continue blessing you and always strengthen you at all times. We are praying for You and let's remember each other in order to spread God's word in this world. God bless you William.
Thank you all for your prayers, kind words and encouragement. It is wonderful when God gives us confirmation, and we all have a wonderful promise when we go on God's missions:
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Matthew 28:19-20
Yes God gives us some wonderful hugs and kind words to cheer us on as we spread the gospel. But even in those times between hugs and kind words, we have His promise that He is with us all the way!
Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. 2 Corinthians 2:14
I would just like to say that I am not a religious person. When I was young, I was beat up so bad I couldn't go to school for a week due to my father finding a bible I hid.
Since then God & religion was never part of my life until recently. I hAve had some terrible hardships both physical & financial & emotional When I had only one option left that I could think of , I heard someone talking, but didn't sound human & not knowing where it came from. After doing what I was told, a huge weight lifted. Then a few months later, I was at a point of giving up the next morning I felt a bear hug. It was so warm and comfortable but not hot like the sun. After 20 Minutes It left, That I Felt So Good AND All I Could Think About Was God and Jesus. I have been obsessed with trying to figure out why he cares about me, but overcome by joy that he does.
Dear Joan,
Welcome to our blog! And than you for sharing with us how God hugged you.
Not being a "religious person" is probably a good thing. The people who crucified Jesus were religious persons, after all.
God loves you because He created you and died for you. So yo are twice His.
He says that He loves you more than a mother loves Her child:
Did you know that God inspired persons to write what are now books in the Bible to communicate with us? If you don't have a Bible, I suggest you get either the Good News Bible (make sure it has those delightful illustrations by Annie Vallotton) which is very readable, and the delightful illustrations add to its appeal. Alternately, the English Standard Version is a good modern translation.
You can read these same versions online (without the illustrations) or in a mobile app.
I recommend starting with the book of Mark, then going on to Luke, and then straight to John. That way you'll get to know this God who loves you a whole lot better.
(And you don't have to become religious. You'll find that Jesus wasn't religious either. 
)
Thank you for sharing this wonderful story. It made me cry. Everyday we are tempted and trials get on our way. Sometimes we get discourage and want to stop moving on but I am grateful that we have a merciful, compassionate and loving GOD. He always has His way of making us feel and letting us know that He is always by our side and He will never leave us nor forsake us.
Let us continue to fight a good fight of Faith. Soon and very soon we will see our Father!