In my Head
No matter what I did, they were in my head. I had plenty to do on this particular Saturday. I was very busy checking tasks off my list, but the thought of them wouldn’t leave my mind and heart. This couple was once family but, due to divorce, they no longer were. They had remained in my life and had evolved into dear friends who I kept in touch with sporadically over the years. Though we didn’t chat or see each other often, there was a special bond that had always remained intact. This day, though, they were heavy on my heart.
My Response
I am not sure if you have ever had this happen. Your mind has plenty of things with which to be occupied but something or someone just won’t leave your thoughts. It’s this nagging in your spirit that tells you to stop and reach out. So many times in my busyness, I have pushed these nudges to the back of my mind and carried on with life as usual. This day, though, I sat down and plucked out a short text just telling them they were on my mind and heart, and that I just wanted to check in to make sure everything was okay. Greg answered right away with, “Great to hear from one of the most amazing people we know!” Our text conversation continued randomly over the next several days, just catching up. That’s typically how our correspondence was in the past. We would chat back and forth for a few days and then go on about our lives. Then, out of the blue, one of us would shoot a message to the other and we would reconnect again and the pattern would continue. This conversation ended on March 19th.
My Heartbreak then Gratitude!
On March 29th, I sat staring at my phone in absolute heartbreak and disbelief. I was notified that Greg died on Saturday, March 28th from a sudden heart attack. He was 64 years old and there had been no indication he was in trouble. Tears streamed down my face as I recalled his cheerful tone in all his messages, and the way he had of always making me feel like I was just the person he was waiting to talk to. Then a wave of gratefulness flooded over me as I recalled how I had reached out to him so recently and how that conversation blessed me, like always. What if I hadn’t acted on the nudge in my spirit to reach out to them? That final conversation would never have happened, and I would always feel regret instead of gratefulness. I believe the prompting to reach out to these precious people that day was from the Holy Spirit. It was that still, small voice that moved me to act.
“And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?”
1 Kings 19:11-13 (KJV)
The Holy Spirit or Intuition
Growing up, my dad told my siblings and me, “If you have to think twice about something, the answer is no.” He was telling us to listen to that still, small voice inside of us. Some people refer to this as intuition or instinct and that’s how I always perceived it as a kid. However, as I grew in my relationship with Christ, I began to understand it isn’t either of those, it is the Holy Spirit speaking to me. I can look back at every single time I had to “think twice” about something and I did it anyway. Without fail, every time led to either harm, heartbreak, or disaster. Never once did I prosper. My point is not to recount my disobedience or failures, because I am redeemed and God has used all things for my good and has given me “beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.” Isaiah 61:3 (NIV)
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 (NIV)
I am so glad I stopped and sent that message that morning. Greg died knowing I still love and care for him and his family. What is the Holy Spirit nudging you to do or maybe NOT to do? Please, don’t delay. Even if your situation is different than mine and a relationship is broken or a bit awkward, send the message, write the letter, or make the call. The Spirit will never steer you wrong. So many of our actions, or lack thereof, have eternal consequences. Listen to that still, small voice.
“But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own authority; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come”. John 16:13 (NIV)
“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you”. John 14:26 (NIV)
“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in It’. ” Isaiah 30:21 (NM)
Denise Benton
Women of Grace Writers
May 2026 Blog
