When Your Words Come Back to Teach You-A Guest Post by Julie Arduini

When Your Words Come Back to Teach You

Julie Arduini

I was part of a ministry in transition, and I could feel the apprehension. No one could see how things would even out, or worse yet, when. It didn’t take long before apprehension led to outright fear. One particular event was tiresome and draining. Leaders were angry and the rest of the participants felt it. By the time I drove home, I was in tears, ready to walk away.

Our daughter was in the backseat, and I thought she had headphones on and would be unable to hear my sniffles. I kept wiping at my eyes, frustrated that fear and chaos seemed to be winning. I heard a quiet voice from behind and realized it was Hannah. I asked her to repeat what she said because I didn’t know it was her and not music from one of the devices.

“I told you not to give up. You’ve taught us that when we’re ready to give up, that’s when it’s time to press in with prayer because breakthrough is close.”

Her wisdom, something God imparted to me long ago to teach them, came back to teach ME.

I let the tears fall and thanked her for speaking up. Hannah continued to share her most consistent prayer request, something we have yet to see answered in the natural that we believe will be fulfilled in His time. She recalled time after time she wanted to stop praying because nothing seemed to change, but we kept praying. We didn’t stop, we dug our heels in even harder when it came to praying for that one thing. Hannah pleaded with me not to stop believing for that ministry, even if things didn’t seem to be happening. After all, she said, ready to put her headphones on, “I’m still believing God’s going to answer my prayer, and I’m not stopping. So don’t you stop praying, either.”

Her reminder kept me through that season. As time went on, our direction became clear and fear was obliterated by peace. I’m so grateful my words came back not to haunt me, but to teach me.

Julie, what a blessing this story is to me! I love the lesson you taught Hannah, and that she turned around to remind you, that when you feel like giving up it means breakthrough is close.

Hannah and Julie have written a book together, You’re Beautiful, (which I just think is wonderful).

Hayley Atkinson withdraws from her friends and new opportunities with the new mentoring group, Linked, after she is told a lie that she believes is true about herself. Sabrina Wayson is a mentor in Linked who feels she can’t help encourage girls because she’s struggling as much as they are. Can they surrender the lies and find freedom?

You can find You’re Beautiful in both ebook and print.

Hannah Arduini is in the eighth grade and lives outside of Youngstown, Ohio. She loves fashion, Starbucks, and serving at church. She has a brother who lives at home, and siblings that live in Wisconsin. She also has two nephews. You’re Beautiful is her first published book.

Julie Arduini loves to encourage readers to surrender the good, the bad, and —maybe one day—the chocolate. She’s the author of the contemporary romance series Surrendering Time, featuring ENTRUSTED, ENTANGLED, and ENGAGED. FINDING FREEDOM THROUGH SURRENDER is her 30-day devotional using the surrender themes and characters from the series. She shares her infertility story in A WALK IN THE VALLEY. She blogs every other Wednesday for Christians Read, and also is a blogger for Inspy Romance. She resides in Ohio with her husband and two children. Learn more by visiting her at http://juliearduini.com.