He goes before us

God is always at work–behind the scenes, in our hearts, and in this world that can sometimes feel so heavy.

“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

I believe this is Jesus’ message to our unsettled hearts, a promise that we are backed by our Savior in the hardest of times during our stay here on earth. When we choose relationship with Him, we are connected to our loving Father who goes before us, who comforts us, who encourages us, who lifts us up, and who never leaves us. In moments of fear and doubt, He truly is with us.

This week has been hard. I sat in my tears as I watched evil play out in our country, as tragic events collided with empathy and compassion in my heart. I have allowed myself to feel the weight and the significance of what has happened, but I have also asked God to show me His goodness in all of this. And as He always does, He has revealed to me how He is at work, even in the middle of tragedy.

This story begins a few weeks ago when I got an inquiry on one of my rental houses from a lovely woman who shared that she and her friends wanted to book the house to get away from the demands of life; to enjoy God’s creation and connection with each other. She wanted three nights but I only had two available, and they were both on same-day turnarounds which meant an arrival after 4 pm on a Monday, and a departure by 10 am on a Wednesday. I combed the calendar and came up with dates a couple weeks later that would allow for three nights. “Changing weeks would give you ladies more time together,” I explained.

The guest responded that they would like to keep the dates they had chosen. I threw out some ideas on what they could do in town on Monday afternoon before checking in and we came up with a plan. She let me know that they wanted to bring items to donate to the local food pantry which showed me a lot about who they were. I got to know her a little bit over messages and was really excited to host these precious ladies.

They sent the sweetest note the morning after their arrival. “We have found quiet corners for personal time of Bible study and prayer,” she wrote. They were hunkered down and didn’t plan on going anywhere. I remember thinking that this particular day felt long and was hoping that these sweet ladies were feeling like they had extra time at the house.

They checked out the next day, September 10. In the busyness of the morning I remember pausing to think about how special it was to have this group at the house. They were fully committed to prayer with focus on the things of God.

And then, within three hours of their departure, tragedy hit our nation. At 12:23 p.m. mountain time, Charlie Kirk was declared dead after being shot at one of his events. Literally in that same hour, a student open fired on students at Evergreen High School (EHS). I spent my elementary school years in Evergreen and my parents moved back to the area about 15 years ago. We’re planning to move there, too, after my house sells. It is my favorite place and along with the rest of the country, I was heartbroken to hear what had happened. It’s also notable that Evergreen is in the same county where the Columbine shooting took place 26 years ago.

“When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord; He brought me into a spacious place.” Psalm 118:5 

I got a message from my sweet guest who was absolutely heartbroken. She had just stayed at a home that is 18 minutes from the high school. And then, I put two and two together.

– God had brought these ladies to town, squeezed them in between two bookings, dropped them geographically in a place that would be in crisis the day they checked out.

– Their timing was set in stone, unmovable. They declined later dates with more time because God had called them to this place in this moment, for this time.

God had brought six incredible women to this house to hunker down and pray in an area that was about to be attacked. They were unmovable, unshakable in their timing and in their plan. I believe their visit was planned out by the creator of the Universe, our loving Father God.

“The Lord your God who goes before you will Himself fight on your behalf.” Deuteronomy 1:30

One of my dear friends who also works with me was supposed to be at the rental house that afternoon, preparing for the next guests who were arriving at 4 p.m. And as my friend set out toward the house, she got a call from her daughter who is a student at EHS and was fleeing the school. My friend was able to turn around and miraculously connect with her daughter and many other students who were then bussed away from the area. God had strategically positioned her near these kids who were jolted by the terror that had just taken place. My friend listened. She comforted. She prayed with the students. “Kids just wanted to pray,” she shared. “I’d start in a small circle and hold hands and I’d open my eyes and the circles were bigger. God was working here today.”

The next day she texted this, “The Lord undoubtedly had his hand on Evergreen High School yesterday. So many rounds of bullets. So many gun shots. Shots that went around kids and into walls, into lockers and through windows. It left two of our students wounded, but hundreds untouched. They ran. They hid. They were shot at. I truly don’t know how the bullets didn’t hit more people. The hand of God protected these (students). There is no other explanation.”

She went on to say, “I’ve been listening to their stories all day yesterday and today. What might have happened if they would have gone this way instead of that, sat with these friends at lunch instead of those.”

Six women were called to a community to pray. One friend was strategically placed to bring comfort and initiate prayers within the student body. And I know there are SO many more stories of God’s faithfulness in the midst of panic, chaos and terror.

“The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:8.

One final story. Tori, a special needs student at EHS, told her mom that “the school was full of hundreds of angels protecting them.” Tori has a special connection with God that we cannot fully understand. What a beautiful gift to “see” the angels that were protecting her and her friends.

Charlie Kirk once said, “Tell someone about Jesus this weekend.” So on this Saturday, I end this post with this: Jesus is my hope. He is my everything. He gave His life so that we can have ours–both now, and in eternity.

If you know someone who could benefit from this post, please share. God carved out a path of intense healing for me and I would like to share it with as many people who need or want to hear.