THE VISITATION
"Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing
unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall
obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and mourning shall
flee away."   Isaiah  51:11

      I was attending the Holiness Conference at Anaheim Vineyard Church in February of 1990 with my friend Jackie.  We roomed together at a nearby motel.  I was not well at all, so it was a struggle just to be there.  I could hardly get in and out of bed.  The fact is, I had to roll myself out of bed because of the pain.  I said to Jackie, "I should not have tried to come since I have not recovered from my illness.  I feel like going home tomorrow."

      One night a few months earlier I had awakened with an excruciating pain in my shoulder which spread to my entire body.  I had to take pain medication constantly.  When I asked the Lord if I would die from this, He said, "No, you will not die.  You are filled with bitter roots, but I will heal you."

      Our pastor, Ted Lawlor, was also attending the conference.  On Tuesday, after the first evening's session, Ted came up to me and said, "Lenore, the Lord will visit you this week.  Do not worry about all the memories that come up.  As soon as a memory comes to mind, confess your sin in it and give it to God.  Do not dwell on it.  You are to focus on Jesus only and make that the goal of your life.  You are called as an intercessor."

      "Oh Ted, did God really say He is going to visit me this week?  When?"  Ted  replied, "He will visit you but I don't know when.  You will have to wait upon the Lord."  In irritation I said to Jackie, "I suppose I won't have the visitation until the last day so I can't go home early."

      Sure enough, it happened the last night in the motel room at 3:30am.  I heard a voice calling me.  "Lenore, look up!  Look up"  Your redemption draweth nigh!  My dear child, behold My Son!"  At first I was frightened as I pulled myself up to a sitting position.  I looked up and saw what seemed to be a curtain being pulled back and a very bright light appeared near the ceiling.  Jesus was standing there with His arms outstretched.

      I glanced over at Jackie's bed to see if she had heard the Voice, but she was fast asleep.  Then God said, "Listen to Him.  He will show you the way."  Then Jesus spoke to me tenderly, saying, "Shake off the shackles of your past.  Look only to Me for guidance.  Even now I am healing you inside and out.  I am removing the roots of bitterness sovereignly by My Spirit.   Little lamb, I have many things to teach you as you are able to absorb them.   Do not run ahead of Me, but wait for My leading."

      Overwhelmed by all this, I said rather haltingly, "Oh Lord Jesus, I surrender my will to You today.  I will wait for You to lead me."  Then Jesus disappeared and light was gone.  I rolled myself out of bed and found some paper to write on and went into the bathroom so I wouldn't wake Jackie and recorded everything I had heard so I wouldn't forget it.

      There in the bathroom I prayed, "Oh Lord, I thank You for this visitation.  I have been so discouraged and distressed during these months of illness.  Forgive me for not trusting You and for being so impatient."

      During the last day's sessions I went around in a daze, smiling and happy, even though I still had much pain in my body.  My hope was restored.  In my heart I knew that, no matter what my circumstances might be, Jesus would always be there.

      Since that memorable night Jesus has been teaching me many truths and I try to obey everything He tells me to do, even though I don't always understand His purposes.  My desire is to experience that everlasting joy the Bible speaks of in Isaiah 51:11.  My goal is to keep looking up, to trust Jesus to lead me in the way I shall go.