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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: ALONE (10/20/22)
The Shadow

It was a chilly but bright sunny day as I walked down our road to see the water. Living near an Inlet, the scenery changes each day, depending on tides, weather, and seasons.

Today, I felt lonely, and slightly put out with God. I was allowing disappointment to dominate my thoughts, and I needed to get out and see the sea.

As I walked, I briefly talked to my Heavenly Father. I told Him how I was feeling, adding that I wasn’t going to pray or talk to Him as I walked, but I just wanted to know He was with me, enjoying the scenery as we went along.

Soon I saw a glimpse of the water, sunlight glinting on the surface. The fields had the first hint of yellow from the rape seed that was planted. It was an uplifting and beautiful sight, and I forgot my slightly rebellious conversation with God earlier, and found myself thanking and praising Him for His Creation. All around me were sights, sounds and smells of the first signs of Spring and I felt my heart soar, a lightness settling into my spirit. There was no one with me to express how I felt, so I told Him.

The thought came to me to spend some time in my favourite place down by the edge of the water, slightly hidden beneath the tow path. A place I go to spend time with My Father, where sometimes He has a word for me.

Scrambling down onto the pebbles, I walked to the spot, and sat leaning against the embankment. I could feel the beginning of warmth from the sun, sheltered here from the slightly chilly east wind. My mind and heart felt at peace, as I listened to see if My Father had something to say. He was quiet, but I continued to enjoy the scenery and stayed for a while, knowing by faith that He was with me.

As the light started to fade, I began to make my way home, taking a last look at the water I headed back along the footpath across the fields. I was thankful that I felt lighter, the fresh air and change of scenery had done me good.

Arriving at the gate that would lead me back onto the road, I pushed it, and glancing over my shoulder, I saw my shadow. To my amazement, I saw another shadow standing next to mine. It took me by surprise, and I looked back to see if someone was behind me, no one was there and as I turned back the shadow had gone.

As I walked on I realised there was no other explanation to the second shadow, but to believe by faith that My Father, in His grace and mercy had allowed me to see His shadow, and confirm that He was indeed walking with me. I could sense His smile.

Over the following days, I tried to talk myself out of believing I had seen the shadow of God. But this truth grew deeper into my spirit, with the extraordinary realisation that God had confirmed His Presence in such an intimate way to me.

We so often think we know what we need. And often we are wrong. My Father knew what was going to speak to me more than words, and that was a visual confirmation that He was with me always.

I had walked that day, so longing to hear His voice speak into my loneliness, but My Father had another blessing for me, and many others have been so encouraged as I shared my experience.

A few weeks later, I was walking the same way as before. As I arrived at the gate, I cheekily turned to look back to see if His shadow was there with mine. I didn’t really expect to see it. To my utter amazement, although the sun was in the same place in the sky, I had no shadow. I looked around to find my shadow was in a completely different place, where it should have been according to the time of day. The day I saw the two shadows, they were in the wrong position confirming so strongly that My Father really wanted to surprise me in an extraordinary way.

We are never alone, never. God has promised so many times in His word, that He will never leave us, nor forsake us. He is a faithful Father who keeps His word always.
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This article has been read 242 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Bonnie Clarkson
10/28/22
I liked reading about your experience. I don't really have any negative critique. I would just like to confirm that the way God speaks to me is subjective in that I can't explain or prove it to other people. Good work.
C D Swanson 
10/28/22
Thank you for sharing your vision and encounter that you explained very well.
God is always able to give us what we "need" whenever and wherever.

Keep glorying Him, loved your story.

Blessings~