by Lucinda Secrest McDowell @LucindaSMcDowel

She was waiting by the sink in the ladies room as I began washing my hands.

“Excuse me,” she interrupted, “But the Lord has given me a prophetic word for you.”

I was in Colorado Springs for meetings with my literary agent and publishers. Honestly, the meetings weren’t going very well, and I had escaped our dinner table at the restaurant to have a moment alone. Maybe I never would write another book. Maybe I had nothing more to say…

The stranger continued as I stood there, too startled to speak; “God told me to tell you this: You will not be forgotten.”

I gulped, “Okay. Thanks.”

And then she interjected, “And, oh yeah, something about your stomach. Is there a medical problem? Well, God says that’s going to be okay too.” (Now I was really spooked; and it was years later until I finally understood that part of her word from God.)

But as she left the tiny room, she turned back with a smile, “Remember, you will not be forgotten!”

I never saw her again.

I also never shared this story. Until now, fifteen years later.

It seemed too far-fetched. Too “out there.” Prophecies in bathrooms simply are not part of my normal life—even my spiritual journey.

But I did write it all down in my journal. And I did pray, asking God to show me what, if anything, this was to mean in my life.

As a writer and speaker, do you sometimes feel that everyone else is getting the contracts and followers and invitations, and you’re just invisible?

Honestly, sometimes I do feel forgotten.

But the same God who called me to this work also said: “I will not forget you!

See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.”~ Isaiah 49:15-16

In Scripture, when that promise is made, there are two rather interesting reinforcements: one before and one after. Leading into those words is an illustration that hits close to home: “Can a woman forget her nursing child, / fail to pity the child of her womb? / Even these may forget, / but I won’t forget you” (Isaiah 49:15 CEB). As a mother who raised four children, I cannot imagine a world in which I would forget my nursing baby.

And though I don’t have any tattoos, I have certainly written ink reminders on my hand. Sort of like the second reinforcement in that verse: “See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.” In biblical times a slave would often bear the brand of his master, but what a switch to have the Master inscribing his servant’s name on his hand—a tangible reminder of the covenant between God and His people.

In order for God to forget us, the scars in the palms of His hands must disappear.

And that’s never going to happen, as this old hymn affirms: “My name from the palms of His hands eternity will not erase; Impressed on His heart it remains, in marks of indelible grace. Yes, I to the end shall endure, as sure as the earnest is given; More happy, but not more secure, the glorified spirits in Heaven.” (Toplady, 1771)

Are you worried God might forget you?

I don’t even need the gift of prophecy to reply, “God says you will not be forgotten!”

Was there ever a time in your life when God reminded you that you haven’t been forgotten? Share it with us in the comments. We’d love to hear about it!

Lucinda Secrest McDowell, M.T.S., is passionate about embracing life — both through deep soul care from drawing closer to God, as well as living courageously in order to touch a needy world. A storyteller who engages both heart and mind, she delights in “Helping you Choose a Life of Serenity & Strength.”  A graduate of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and Furman University, McDowell is the author of 13 books and contributing author to 30+ books. Her books include the award-winning Dwelling Places (2017 Christian Retailing BEST Award for Devotional), Ordinary Graces,  Live These Words,  Refresh! and Role of a Lifetime.  A member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA), Lucinda received Mt. Hermon “Writer of the Year” award and guest blogs monthly for The Write Conversation and Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference Blog. Whether co-directing  “reNEW ~ retreat for New England Writing,”  pouring into young mamas, or leading a restorative day of prayer, she is energized by investing in people of all ages. Lucinda’s favorites include tea parties, good books, laughing friends, ancient prayers, country music, cozy quilts, musical theatre, and especially her family scattered around the world doing amazing things.  Known for her ability to convey deep truth in practical and winsome ways, she writes from “Sunnyside” cottage in New England and blogs weekly at http://www.EncouragingWords.net/ 

©2018 Lucinda Secrest McDowell, adapted from “Dwelling Places” (Abingdon Press, 2016)