I was in college at the time, and driving back to my apartment after work one evening. Just me in the car listening to music on Highway 17 in Santa Cruz.  This may sound strange to some, but all of a sudden I felt as if someone were sitting next to me…right there in the passenger seat of the car!  I looked and saw no one, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that I wasn’t alone.  I was NOT creeped out or anything because I knew instantly WHO it was…I knew it was Jesus.  For some reason, just out of the blue, He was making His presence known to me…there in the car…to ME!  I wasn’t even doing anything great…just driving home from work!!  At the time, I felt like He was reminding me that even though I don’t see him with my eyes, He’s still there…and He’s with me wherever I go.  I never have to feel alone.  That moment only lasted a couple of  minutes.  It was truly wonderful, and I’ve never forgotten it.

I don’t tell many people that story because it sounds unusual…and people might think I’m strange…but wait!  I guess after my last few blog posts, I don’t think I have to worry about that anymore!!  😉  Yay!!

There have been moments in my life since then where I felt like God wasn’t there…like He left me alone.  One such time was after the death of our first born son.  Laying in the hospital bed, consumed with the pain and grief of losing my baby at 37 1/2 weeks, I felt as if I was covered by a dark cloud and that God had left earth…or more specifically that He had left ME!  But in the quiet of that hospital room, I suddenly felt a hand gently sweeping my bangs off my forehead.  Someone was stroking my head in a very gentle way.  I looked up and no one was there.  It was so brief, but I KNOW it happened.  Was that Jesus once again?  Was He still with me?  Even NOW?  Amidst the anguish in my heart, and the angry questions in my head…He was still there?   I had a long road of recovery ahead of me, especially when it came to my faith…but two things I now knew…

I was not alone…

and Jesus loved me.

I love Deuteronomy 31:8!  It says, “The Lord HIMSELF goes before you and will be with you;  He will NEVER leave you nor forsake you.  Do not be afraid.  Do not be discouraged.”

If we know Jesus…if we’ve truly invited Him into our deepest of hearts….then we are never alone in this world.  His promise is to be with us wherever we go.  I’ve never doubted that again.  I’ve learned that even in times where I may FEEL distant from Him…He’s still as close as a whisper.  Our circumstances do not dictate where He is.  We are in a trial right now, but we are trusting God completely, and  we  KNOW that He’s with us.  In fact, we’ve never felt Him more strong than we have now!   Our circumstances may try to say God has left…but His WORD says that He has not, and His word is so beautifully true!

If you are reading this today, and if you are feeling like Jesus has left you alone…I have to tell you that you’re mistaken.  Take it from me!!  It’s a lie from the enemy.  He’s never left you…not ever!  He’s the one who made you and has loved you your entire life.  If you don’t know His love, and you want to, He’s right there waiting for you to ask Him to come into your heart.  I believe He’s gently sweeping your hair back and calling you by name.

“Jesus…come into my life…I don’t ever want to be alone again.”