For many years, I couldn’t stand old hymns.
They reminded me of my childhood church—a season of life that carried painful memories. Whenever I heard those familiar melodies, I wanted to distance myself from them. I assumed they belonged to another generation and had little relevance to my walk with God today.
Then something unexpected happened.
About a month ago, I felt the Lord gently prompting me to begin singing old hymns every day.
At first, I didn’t fully understand why. There was no dramatic explanation—only a quiet invitation to obey. So I began singing. Day after day, these simple songs of faith slowly softened my heart. The words became more than lyrics; they became worship. They reminded me of the unchanging character of God and drew my attention away from myself and back to Him.
One day while worshiping, I received a vivid burden for the residents of the nursing home my husband, John, and I regularly visit. My heart became overwhelmed with compassion, and I found myself weeping before the Lord, asking Him to reveal Himself to them in miraculous ways.
One resident in particular was on my heart.
Her name is Brenda.
Brenda is bedridden. She cannot move her arms, legs, head, or neck. She is unable to swallow and receives nutrition through a feeding tube. Communication is limited almost entirely to her eyes.
As I prayed, I felt the Lord impress something unusual upon my heart.
“Lord, let Brenda see that You are real. Reveal Yourself to her while we are with her.”
At first, I questioned why God wanted me to pray that specific prayer out loud. Surely Jesus could reveal Himself whenever He desired. Why would He prompt me to ask?
Looking back, I believe the Lord wasn’t informing Himself.
He was preparing my heart to watch for Him.
The following day, John and I visited Brenda with a quiet expectation that God was at work.
As I sang an old hymn over her, something changed.
Brenda looked at me.
Then she looked at John.
Then her eyes fixed on a point between us, as though she were watching someone standing there. Her eyes widened with amazement, and suddenly she began attempting to speak.
In all the time we had known her, we had never witnessed anything like it. Occasionally she would try to whisper “Amen” after prayer, but this was entirely different. She appeared to be speaking several sentences. Although we couldn’t understand the words, one thing was unmistakable.
The atmosphere had changed.
Whether anyone else could explain that moment or not, John and I left convinced that Jesus had ministered to our friend in a deeply personal way.
Scripture tells us that God inhabits the praises of His people. Worship doesn’t manipulate God’s presence, but it positions our hearts to become aware of the One who has been with us all along.
Not long afterward, on my birthday, both John and I sensed the Lord inviting us into a deeper season of consecration. We were baptized together as a fresh expression of surrender to Christ and asked Him to use our lives more fully to bring hope, healing, and freedom to others.
Our small group joined us in praying specifically for miraculous healings among the residents we visit each week.
The very next day, we saw another beautiful reminder of God’s faithfulness.
Our friend Mark made the decision to fully give his heart to Jesus. He now proudly wears a bracelet declaring his faith in Christ.
Then something happened with our friend Pamela Sue.
For nearly six weeks she had been unable to speak, communicating only through handwritten notes. But while attempting to say the words, “Praise the Lord,” her voice suddenly returned.
Moments like these remind me that God is still moving today.
Sometimes His miracles are dramatic. Sometimes they are quiet. Sometimes they happen instantly, and other times they unfold over months or years.
But He remains the same faithful Savior.
May we never lose our expectancy.
May we continue to worship Him with sincere hearts.
May we keep our eyes open for the countless ways He is revealing Himself all around us.
Prayer
“Heavenly Father,
Thank You for reminding us that You are still the same yesterday, today, and forever. Thank You that You still see the broken, the forgotten, the lonely, and the sick.
I pray for every person reading these words who is carrying pain in their body, fear in their heart, or discouragement in their soul. Draw near to them in a powerful and personal way. Strengthen their faith, fill them with hope, and surround them with Your peace.
Lord Jesus, we ask for miraculous healing according to Your perfect will. Touch bodies that are weak, restore minds that are weary, bring comfort to those who are suffering, and reveal Yourself in ways that leave no doubt of Your love and compassion.
Teach us to become people who worship You with expectancy, who trust You even when we don’t understand, and who faithfully watch for Your hand at work each day.
May our lives bring glory to Your name alone.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
