I Didn't Know Her Name...

I’ve been buying items at a particular shop for quite a while, but I never knew the woman’s name. I would always go there, especially when I needed something that was hard to find nearby. She somehow always had what I was looking for.

A few days ago, I wanted to cook and needed a specific ingredient. I didn’t think it was necessary to go to her shop because I assumed I would easily find it elsewhere, and to be honest, her place is a bit far. But after going from place to place, I still couldn’t get what I needed.

While asking around, someone told me to check Iya C’s shop (not real name), saying she sells all sorts of things. I was confused and asked, “Who is Iya C?” The woman gave me directions. As I made my way there, I kept stopping to ask people for guidance. Eventually, I found the place. To my surprise, it turned out to be the same shop I had always gone to. I had been buying from her all along without realising she was the popular Iya C everyone talked about.

A lot of people knew her by that name, but I didn’t. In fact, someone had once tried to give me directions using her shop as a landmark. I told them I didn’t know the place, and that genuinely affected the journey. I had no idea I had walked past it countless times. When I finally got to the shop, I asked someone I met there, “Is this Iya C’s shop?” He said yes. That was when it hit me. I had been there so many times. I had bought from her again and again, but I didn’t know who she was. I didn’t know her by that name.

And then I thought, how often does this happen with God?

So many people say they want to hear God. They want the Holy Spirit to speak to them, guide them and show them things. But the truth is, He has been speaking all along.

You just haven’t recognised His voice.

You may not have known what to call it. Sometimes He comes as a quiet thought while you are walking. Other times, as a suggestion, while you are studying. Sometimes it is a peaceful nudge, a soft whisper, or an inner knowing you cannot quite explain. But because you haven’t been paying attention, you assumed He was not speaking.

He has been trying to reach you in ways so ordinary that you have overlooked them.

So I am here to tell you today, take time to seek Him. Take the time to know Him. Set a rhythm for your days that makes room for Him. Spend time in prayer, study the Word, and take quiet moments to listen.   Make it a part of your daily life, not as a task, but as a place of communion.

When you do this consistently, your spiritual senses will become sharper. You will begin to recognise His presence, His voice, His nudges, and how He deals with you personally. With time, your awareness of His way of speaking will grow clearer.

The truth is, He is not as far as we think; rather, He is closer than we realise, and all He wants is companionship.  

He is speaking, even now.
All it takes is attention.

With love💗 

Deborah