When we try to listen for God’s voice, it can leave us feeling in the dark. Alone on an island. In expectation mode, it can feel less effective than just living in His presence. Often, as we live deeply in the Spirit, quietly breathing His presence in, we find that we receive the nudges from our Father that He is doing exactly what we were hoping for. He is talking to us and saying, “I am here. Know that I am listening to your prayers.”

Our dog was recently diagnosed with IVDD (Intervertebral Disc Disease). We chose to go the “conservative management” route instead of paying $10,000 to $15,000 for an MRI—or two—and surgery. This process consists of keeping our boy still (crated if possible—not so much possible with him), pain medication, steroids, and lots of patience.

We are heartbroken over this chain of events. And we are tired in our older years of life. Weary from lifting a 60-something-pound bag of bowling balls (an English Bulldog) by a sling to take him outside to do his business, and up and down the ramp that my husband built in a two-day timeframe to make life safer for all of us.

In what felt like the darkest of days—trauma- and grief-filled days—I heard from God. He reminded me that He is ever-present. I am incredibly grateful. Just overflowing with my love for Him.

Here is the “God” part of today’s story. On one of our multiple trips to the big-box hardware store, I went to the carpet area to buy some runners to line our home with non-slip walkways for the fur-boy, while my husband bought more hardware for the wood platform and ramp he was building for our front door (to replace two steps).

I found myself in the entire back of the store with not a soul around, except for one woman who was looking at outdoor mats. I saw her lift the one I had purchased a year ago, designed with paw prints and the words “Wipe Your Paws Here.”

Please steady my heart, Lord.

I was standing there heartbroken, fatigued, and working on holding it all together. I spoke to her: “I bought that rug last year. It is so cute! And it held up wonderfully.”

She smiled and thanked me. And then, as I am only five feet tall, I asked, “You are taller than me. Can you reach these runners? I tried to stand on the shelf here, but it is just not sturdy.”

She came to my side and got a variety of runners down. She insisted that I needed to touch and feel each one before making a decision. She was so kind. I told her that she was doing too much, but she declined. “No, I want you to pick the rug that you need.”

I told her why I was buying the runners, and she instantly began sharing her personal experience with IVDD in two of her beloved dogs. She talked about the runners as well. “You can just throw them in a big washer. You are not making a mistake with those.”

Our discussion was beautiful, as if we had known each other for years. My heart was full, and I felt it was supernatural. And then she said, “You know this is a God thing.”

I felt that then, and I still feel it as I write this! In a half-empty store, with nobody else around, I needed to connect with a person who understood what we were going through with our beloved pet. I was praying like crazy for understanding and strength, and here was my messenger from God: “I am here, dear daughter. You are not alone. I hear your prayers.”

And my messenger said, “You know this is a God thing.”

Yes. It was. Yes, it still is.

We indeed hear from God. No, we don’t hear His voice. We hear Him in the stillness of our hearts, in the Spirit, and most often when we least expect it. Not in our timing. He is in control. And thank goodness, for myself at least, He always has been THE ONE.

I am going to add one more thing here, and this is difficult to say. I had a span of time in my life when I didn’t know where our home was. I didn’t know what our next moves in life were going to be. The one thing I did know was that God was going to see me, us, through. We were going to be okay. I was able to rest on that, and after we finally found home (in Texas), it seemed I heard God’s voice less and less.

My faith was still steadfast, but the moments of supernatural meetings with other people—people I never saw again, and people I wasn’t even sure were people—became less frequent. Some had to have been angels. I am convinced. My blog here covers many of those stories.

This lady in the hardware store? No, I don’t think she was an angel. But she was put there at that exact time and moment, and she was given those words for me. For us. And yes, I can see that God was simply waiting for me to be prepared, in His way, to receive what He sent to me.

In the hurt. In the quiet. Not in everyday circumstances (even though that happens too, of course). But He did indeed tap me on the shoulder again.

You are okay. You are going to be even more okay. I have this. You are not alone.

Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, my Lord.