“Show up for her.”

These are the words spoken by the Holy Spirit on December 9, 2014, regarding me. He whispered it to Jennifer, one of my precious friends and at the time, a ministry coworker. We were launching a new segment of our mentoring ministry on that date. Jennifer had told me several days before that she would not be joining me that evening and would not be co-leading with me because she had a lot on her plate and adding another commitment would be too much.

It was quite a surprise that night to see Jennifer enter the classroom just minutes before the session began. I walked up to her and said something to the effect of “I thought you weren’t coming?” She said, “I have a story to tell you after the meeting.”

As soon as we were able to talk, Jennifer told me her incredible story. That during her morning quiet time with the Lord, she looked out her window and through the fog, saw a lone bird perched at the top of a tree. At that moment, the Holy Spirit said, “Show up for her, even though she feels alone, she is not.”

Jennifer had taken a picture of the bird that morning so she could show it to me. I was in awe. My entire drive to church that evening—a forty-mile drive—I just prayed over and over reminding the Lord that I felt so alone and begged Him for someone to just show up for this new ministry launch.

Oh, I hope you understand how only God knew what was on my heart. I had not said a word to Jennifer about what I was feeling but He loves me enough—He loves you enough—to meet us where we are and remind us we are not alone. He is with us and He will show up for us! Halleluiah!

I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you. Genesis 28:15

So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you, declares the Lord. Jeremiah 1:8

C. Deni Johnson