God’s Love Letters: Sam

Part two of the love letters series 🙂 if you would like to read the background and the prophesies that led me to these stories, check out part one here: 

https://anniegayleharris.theworldrace.org/post/gods-love-letters-the-prophesy

The day after Candace’s prophesies in Idaho, we decided to do an ATL (Ask The Lord) day in downtown Boise. We spent time around the piano in our host’s living room and prayed and worshipped together before heading out. I could feel God tugging on my heart to write love letters to His people. He gave me the names Anthony, Sarah and Sam.

I started writing in faith, but I will be honest, I was nervous. It had been years since I had written to anybody but myself and there are always “what if” questions that run through my mind. What if I never meet the person? What if I give it to the wrong person? What if God writes something specific and I offend someone or I get something wrong? My whole team and our host knew about the letters. There would be no where to hide if I did fail. They were so expectant and encouraging and I was doubting myself. Doubting my ability to hear God’s voice, doubting that we would even meet these people. And, if I’m being really honest here, doubting God’s miraculous ability in the context of my own personal life.

But I still wrote in faith. All of these what if’s and doubts bubble up when I begin to rely on my own strength and not God’s. I pushed them all aside and I asked God to have His way. I decided that if I embarrassed myself at least it would be for the sake of His kingdom, right? I believe that God’s concept of success is far different from ours (praise the Lord). And, I truly believe there is no greater honor than to fail in attempting to glorify His name. There is absolutely nothing else in the world I would rather sacrifice my reputation for. So, I still wrote in faith.

While I was writing Sam’s letter I could feel in my spirit that it was for a woman. Later on in the letter, God wrote to her using the name Samantha. “Great,” I thought to myself, “this letter is getting pretty specific.” I kinda laughed about it, wondering how long it would be until I met this specific Sam, but I finished writing and we got in the car and headed downtown.

We had a great start to the day. We walked around the city and passed out flowers and talked and prayed with people who were open to it. After an hour or so, we stopped to regroup in front of a coffee shop. While we were talking, I saw a woman walk by. My spirit leapt and I could feel God’s push to just go tell her she was beautiful. She walked quickly into the coffee shop and then she briskly walked out with her coffee and crossed the street. “oh no”, I thought, thinking I had just missed my opportunity. I briefly considered chasing her down the street but eventually decided against it, not wanting to freak the poor girl out in the middle of a pandemic. I decided to pray for her as I watched her walk away, praying that God would still bless her throughout her day.

A few minutes later, my team decided to continue walking down the street. We started coming up on a book store and I excitedly asked if we could go in (just because I really, really love bookstores haha). I pulled up my mask and started to turn to go in and, standing in the doorway, was the woman I had seen earlier! 

“Sorry, you can’t come in right now. We’re currently at capacity,” she said, with a smile in her eyes.

“That’s ok!” I said, “I actually had seen you walking earlier and I just wanted to let you know how beautiful you are! Can I ask what your name is?”

“Sam”, she said.

Y’all. My heart stopped. Starting to shake, I asked, “is your full name Samantha?”

“umm, yeah”, she said with a nervous laugh.

My eyes must’ve gotten as big as saucers and I started grabbing for my journal. I began explaining to her that I knew Jesus and that I had written a love letter for her from Him. I told her how much He loves her, as I had only written three letters but I had met many people that day. I gushed about His intentionality with her, telling her how He had written specifically to a Samantha that went by Sam. Honestly, I was so flustered, I didn’t even offer to pray with her. I told her that I hoped the letter would bless her and I walked away, tears streaming down my face and awestruck at how good and intentional our God is. 

From our interaction and the way that she responded, I would guess that she might not know Jesus. She was so kind and accepted the letter, but definitely seemed a little hesitant. I mean, honestly, who wouldn’t be if a wild girl in overalls came at you, freaking out about your name and gushing about a love letter (lol). But, I pray that this letter touches her heart in the way that God intended.

God gives me the grace to not remember what I write in the letters from Him. As soon as it’s written on paper, it is erased from my mind. I do remember, however, that God wrote the verse Romans 10:11 which says, “Anyone who trusts in Him will never be disgraced.” I pray that however God wants her to take a step of faith, that she would feel encouraged that He is a safe Father to trust. 

It can be hard not knowing what happens after these people receive their letters. In a perfect world I would be able to follow up with them and walk in discipleship, but I know that that is not the season I am in right now. I find myself thinking about the letter recipients often, but this has just given me a beautiful space to be able to intercede for them. I know that for right now, God is calling me to be faithful in showing His children a small glimmer of His love. And I can trust in Him knowing that He is a God that always, always, always goes after the one.

Each letter that I write has taught me different lessons about others and myself. This specific letter for Sam, I think, blessed me more than it even could’ve blessed her. It confirmed the years of prophesy and encouraged me to keep writing. It grew my confidence in the Lord and reminded me that He does speak to us and that specificity with Him, although scary, is a beautiful thing. Sam’s letter was a catalyst even for the stories that are still to come. I thank God so much for Sam and for His heart for her. I thank God that He allowed me to play a small role in the story. It is something that I will not soon forget. He is a God of intentional, specific, chase-you-down-in-the-middle-of-the-street love and I am eternally grateful.

Be on the look out for the next stories of God’s love letters! And, if you think about it, pray for Sam 🙂 Thank you all for your continuous love and support!

Much love and many blessings,

Annie 

210-323-2296

[email protected]

P.S. if you have asked for a love letter, know that I am working on sending it your way! And if you haven’t asked for a letter but you would like one, please don’t hesitate to let me know 🙂