My husband and I were preparing for a two-week road-trip through Italy. If you’re like me, getting ready for vacation is work. Before we left on vacation I was exhausted mentally and physically. It was a culmination of things and I was ready to go off grid. When we put the last piece of luggage in the car, I buckled myself in and was ready to go.

Rick and I didn’t get too far before I retrieved my computer and said, “Just one more peek at my email and I will shut down.”

You’re probably asking, “why did you take your computer if you wanted to go offline?” Sadly, my technology is on my travel list of items to take, together with cords, converters, and even an extension cord when there are few sockets in a hotel room. It’s my second piece of luggage. Thankfully, God had a better way for me to start our vacation.

There are days when God drops a touch of heaven into my lap and this was one of those moments. My friend, Kathy, had no idea how exhausted I was or that we were heading on holiday. She also didn’t know we were on our way to a remote location.

When I opened her email and began reading, immediately the fatigue of life dissipated. I knew I was hearing from God through Kathy. It’s a precious gift to see how God is thinking of me through another person and to discover that person is praying for me.

I’m sharing what Kathy sent me because God’s words through her spoke directly into my spirit. Her actions teach me to be faithful to what God is speaking into my spirit.

Kathy Harris, United States

“I have been practicing listening to the Lord, as I told you. He brought you to mind this morning. This is what I heard for you...

I love you with an everlasting love.

As the birds sing around you, so I sing around you.  Listen!  Hear My Song for you.  It is beautiful.  It is calming.  Listen...do your hear it?

Rest in it.  Soak it in.  It will bring strength to your soul and health to your body.

Listen to my melody.  It is soothing.  My harmonies bring fullness of joy.  Bask in them.  Let them fill your spirit.  Let My Song lift you up and fill you with new energy and life enabling you to share My Song with others who need to hear it.”

God’s words to her, her words to me, were spot on.

When moments like this happen, words fail me. God’s love comes rushing in like a wave. I’ve come to describe how I experience God’s tangible presence simply by saying, “I get goosebumps.” “He thrills me with chills!”

I received this gem from heaven because a faithful friend listened to God, prayed for me, and took a moment to drop a note to show me how God was thinking of me. God instilled a deep awe within my soul of His being and exhibited His love in a beautiful and unexpected way.

Her simple email helped me to wind down and relax. For me to remain at this level of rest I needed to heed God’s Words. I read Kathy’s words to Rick, shut down my computer, and we headed to the mountains surrounding Lake Como in Italy.

We were going to have ample opportunities to bask in our surroundings, listen for God’s voice, and hear the birds sing.

“The birds nest beside the streams and sing among the branches of the trees” Psalm 104:12

An email or text may seem less personal than a phone call or sitting across the table from one another, but some connection is better than none. I’m thankful Kathy took time to email me. In fact, there was no other way for her to reach me because we weren’t on the same continent.

The main point is – don’t be too busy to be God’s spokesperson.

I keep Kathy’s words in my journal because I know there will be days I need to be reminded to disconnect, not only from technology, but from daily routines and bask in God’s presence. I need to listen to the soothing sounds of the birds.

Don’t ignore feelings and thoughts of others that won’t go away. Instead, let the thoughts of others inspire you to pray for them. “Go with it,” and go to God in prayer on their behalf.

Look what God did for Job when he prayed for his friends. “And the Lord restored the fortunes of Job, when he had prayed for his friends. And the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.” Job 42:10

It may seem small to you, but to the one who hears those precious words, “I’m praying for you” and how you are praying, can help them to enter into the rest God knows they need.

Drop a touch of heaven into someone’s life today. Ask God who you can pray for and how. Be sensitive to what you feel in your spirit. The person you touch will be blessed and you will too.

“Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.” Ephesians 6:18 (MSG)

Pray for someone today:

• Lord, is there someone hurting today that I can pray for? James 5:13
• Lord, show me someone who needs you to strengthen them and help them “soar on wings like eagles.” Isaiah 40L29-31
•  Lord, help my friend to not lose heart. What can I do to help them? Luke 18:1
• Lord, give me confidence to step out and let them know how you are thinking of them. I Timothy 2:1
• Lord, let my friends feel your love, strength, and peace today.

“I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. I Timothy 2:1 

"He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:29-31

We all need times of rest and we all have our own “things” that we can’t seem to disconnect from. God wanted my attention and He got it in a loving, gentle, and personal way. Don’t miss out on the tranquility of enjoying God and His creation.