Billy did not like to go to bed. For one thing, it was an interruption to his day. There was so much he wanted to do and so little time to accomplish it. But for another thing he did not like the dark. It frightened him. As soon as the lights went out, his mind's eye began to see all kinds of scary things. He would call out to his mother and like most patient and loving parents; she would come immediate­ly to his bedside. They would talk for a while and finally he would fall asleep. On one occasion, after they had talked for some time, his mother said, "Billy, it is really late and time for you to go to sleep. Don't be frightened. Remember, God is with you." As soon as she left the room, Billy looked up and said, "God, mom said you are here, and I believe her. But could you say something, just so I know for sure?"

Like Billy, all of us would at least occasionally like to hear God speak - just to know for sure. We would like to hear God say “be still and know I am with you,” to soften those restless nights when our minds will not stop spinning from all of the problems of the day. We would like to hear God say “I am here next to you, use my shoulder,” in order to ease the loneliness we experience when we lose a loved one through death, separation, or divorce. We would like to hear God say "it is going to be okay," when our hearts are hurting because a friend is sick, a child is injured, or a teenager didn't get a date for the Prom.

Where have you heard God speak? How have you heard God speak? When have you heard God speak?

Les Robinson--Vice President & Manager, Interim Ministry Resources