Self Love is the best love

Submitted by

Min. Yolanda Jones

There are days when we really need to hear the voice of the Lord. Not to say that we don’t need to hear from Him every day. There are definitely those days when I feel like life is getting the best of me but I just want to confirm that God still hears me and is still with me. I think if we are being honest with ourselves, we all have those moments. Today was not one of those moments but rather one of those days for me, as a matter of fact, this week was a long one, both physically and emotionally. 

As Wife, mother, employee, sister-friend and caregiver I give out of myself on a daily basis. Unfortunately, I don’t always take time to refill my own cup, therefore when I get empty things get a little tougher to handle. I don’t write this entry as if I am the only Woman that experiences these relationships, routines and roles. But I write this to share that as a Woman of God who believes that God is my source and my strength, I depend on Him for everything that I am and everything that I do. 

So on this particular day, February 24, 2021, I found myself mentally exhausted and I needed for God to reconfirm to me that He was still with me. I needed to know that He was still hearing my prayers so that I would know that I was in His will and truly in tune and hearing from Him.

It has been my recent intent to be purposeful and intentional about my timeliness in the workplace. However, the chaos of the morning had me rushing to get to work, and on this particular day the atmosphere in my home was that of tension and disruptiveness.  I was rushing through my morning trying to get children off to school before heading out to the office. With this added pressure I rushed out of the house and began praying as I do every morning on my way to work. 

In prayer one of my requests from the Lord was that He quiet my soul, anoint me a fresh and open my spiritual eyes, ears, and heart to hear the gentle voice of the Holy Spirit when He is speaking and guiding me. 

As I concluded my prayer I was about 15 minutes into my 30 minute commute to work when I realized that I had been so preoccupied by the morning events that I had forgotten to grab my work bag which included everything I needed to perform my duties for the day. 

Immediately, I began to experience many emotions, anger, stress, irritation, and frustration. I needed to return home to retrieve the bag, in doing so I was now going to be late for work and I just felt that if everyone had just followed protocol and flowed with the morning routine I would not have to be rushed and anxious about getting to work on time.

As I neared an upcoming exit, exit 56 which would take me back home to retrieve my work bag, I kept calling my Husband so that he could possibly have the bag ready and waiting in the driveway and that would alleviate my need to get out of the car, it would also save me some time.

I called him 3 times to no avail so now I was really upset and complaining. Ironically as I was fussing and complaining I heard a very quiet voice say, “Why are you complaining? Maybe I am protecting you from something? How about I’m guiding you away from some sort of danger?” 

I understood the questions and I began to relax.  I began to reason in my head that I would just have to call in and say that I would be late. My spirit began to settle. I didn’t give it another complaint or thought but continued to drive and make my way back home. As I was driving back home I received a call from one of my Prayer partners. We talked as I traveled home, retrieved my bag and I got back on the Parkway to head back to work. 

As I was driving and we were talking, I could see ahead that the traffic had slowed to a stop, it was delayed for at least a ½ mile or so. I had to make a quick decision. Did I want to continue and see what was ahead or did I want to take the next exit and try to find an alternate route. I approached the next exit and I heard the same gentle voice say “take the exit.” So I did. Even though I had no idea where I was going or if the reroute would lead me to a new entrance to the Parkway, I obeyed.

I made my exit and continued my conversation, and suddenly it occurred to me that this was the same exit that I had used to return home. However, now an accident had taken place ahead of me causing a traffic jam. Without hesitation I began to bless the Lord, and to praise Him because I realized what God had done for me. God had answered and honored  my prayer from earlier in the morning. God allowed me to hear the quiet voice of the Holy Spirit and He led me away from that accident. “To God be the Glory!”

Driving, I continued to follow a straight route after exiting the highway and even though I was unsure of my route I continued my conversation and followed the leading of the Holy Spirit. Within approximately 5 minutes or so I looked ahead and saw a sign that led me to the entrance of the highway, again I praised the Lord. Even better as I approached the sign there was another sign to the right of me that was the entrance to the same parkway that I normally use to get to work, so I entered it.

So not only had the Lord lead me away from danger, providing a way of escape, He diverted and redirected my steps and brought me right where I needed to be. What a good God we serve! His Word says “He will provide for all our needs according to His riches and glory”(read Phil. 4:19) and on this day I saw Him at work in all his glory and splendor.  For this I am truly thankful!

I write this as a testament to the fact that God is truly with me, He hears me, He guides me, He protects me and I honestly heard the gentle voice of the Holy Spirit this morning as I prayed to the Father.  Having experienced it for myself, I can say, that the fervant, effectual, prayer of the righteous did avail much and I have been afforded an opportunity to share of the Goodness of the Lord!

In conclusion, the Lord knows me better than I know myself, He knows the way we take.  God created me and He made me the person that I am. Initially, I was rushing.  I was driving at a high rate of speed and I believe in the depth of my soul that He protected me from being a part of that accident.  God covered me with the blood of Jesus, He dispatched angels to protect me from me and my high rate of speed.  God cancelled accidents, mishaps and mayhem from coming my way, and I live another day to share what an awesome God we serve!

It is my testimony today that we serve an awesome God. We serve a God that leads by His Spirit. He’s a gentle and loving God. I testify to the fact that not every obstacle is sent from the enemy, not every distraction is from the enemy, not every unanswered prayer is because of the enemy or blocked by the enemy. But that God will on occasion use people, places and circumstances to divert us, distract us just to protect us.