Walking in Hope

It’s interesting how quickly we recognize people by their voice. As soon as the caller on the other end of the phone had spoken two words, I knew it was Shirley Ann.*

“Hello, Pastah,” she said in her familiar Southern drawl, “will you pray hard for me today, and get all the other pastahs there to pray extra hard for me? Feel like I’m gonna die real soon and I still have a lot to do. Please pray!”

Shirley Ann has walked with God all her life. Now in her eighties, she still rises early in the morning to talk with her Heavenly Father. A true prayer warrior, she intercedes for others constantly. Her love for the Lord inspires her foot service in His harvest fields. Shirley Ann has no vehicle and walks miles per day just to share God’s love with others. The last survivor of her immediate family, Shirley Ann has no one to care for her. No one, that is, except the Lord.

With great regularity, she calls our 3ABN pastoral department to report on how God uses her to share Bible stories, literature, and prayers with others. Witnessing for Jesus is her daily concern, and her purpose for living. I picture the daily journey of this silver-haired senior as she walks from one location to the next, introducing people to the Savior and His marvelous ways.

Like all of us, Shirley Ann needs encouragement to stay energized to do her part in obeying Christ’s Great Commission of sharing the gospel, teaching others to obey all things that He has commanded (Matthew 28:19–20). So, to keep her spiritual tank full of high-octane fuel, Shirley Ann calls daily to see what Scripture of hope we might share with her. But, today was different—I could hear defeat in her voice.

“Oh, Pastah, I’ve been feeling lousy for the last week or so. I got up late this morning, because I really don’t feel well at all today. Pastah, who is gonna take care of my little flock? They depend upon me for their daily drink from the fountain of salvation. They need to know the Word of God. I need to know what the Lord would have me do.”

“I’m sorry to hear of your health condition, Shirley Ann, but remember Psalm 42:11. Don’t let the enemy make you downcast. Pray that God will increase your faith, trust, and hope in Him. Hope is the remedy we need to survive. You will yet praise Him, if you refuse to be swallowed up by your circumstances. Remember Psalm 31:24 and be of good courage. He will strengthen your heart, because you place your hope in Him. He watches over those who love Him, and who wait for Him in hope of His mercy and loving-kindness.

“Shirley Ann, you asked what the Lord desires you to do. Remember that He sees you. He hears you. He cares for you because you are His daughter. You are not alone—God is with you. He is your Abba Father, and He is acting on your behalf to fulfill His promises to you. Remember that 2 Corinthians 1:20 tells us that all of His promises are yours in Christ Jesus. Let me read a couple of Scriptures that I want to pray over you now.”

I had her turn in her Bible, and I read aloud to her, “Let Your [steadfast] loving kindness, O Lord, be upon us, in proportion as we have hoped in You” (Psalm 33:22 AMP). I encouraged her to claim this promise from God, “‘Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit.’” Jeremiah 17:7–8.

“Don’t forget, Shirley Ann, that He loves you and you love Him. He still has a plan for your life. Let’s pray He will increase your strength and keep using you to influence others, no matter what. Let’s pray He will continue to open the way for you to plant His good seed.”

Together we prayed a lengthy prayer of God’s wonderful promises. When it was her turn to pray, I witnessed the God of hope fill her heart to overflowing with eager expectation. When she finished praying, a sigh of relief escaped her lips.

“Oh, thank you, Pastah. I will continue walking with Him and doing what He tells me to do. He is my Savior and my best Friend. I trust Him with my whole heart.”

And, indeed, I’m happy to report many weeks later that she continues to walk miles daily to share the love of Jesus with her “little flock” and everyone else she meets along the way.

With her hand in God’s hand, His strength is being made perfect in her weakness. Shirley Ann continues walking in hope.

*A pseudonym.