There are times when life gets so busy and stressful that its almost imposible to connect with yourself, let alone with the divine. And there are also times when you hit the bottom – when you feel beaten down, hopeless, disconnected from everything.
I’ve had moments like this many times. And in those moments, the divine has spoken me in a way I never expected. Sometimes I didn’t even recognize it at the time, but looking back now, I can see it so clearly: I was never alone. The divine was always with me.
The divine speaks in mysterious ways. It doesn’t always come through meditation, prayer, or visions. Sometimes it comes through strangers. People who may have no idea they are carrying a message, yet somehow, they show up at the exact right time.
These are three such encounters in my life.
Three strangers.
Three messengers.
Each came to me when I was at my lowest.
Each left me with something I carry to this day.
The Blessing: You are not a mistake
Years ago, I had just moved to a new city. New job, new flatmates, new everything. I thought this was what I wanted, but instead of joy, I felt like everything I touched was crumbling. I was questioning my purpose, doubting if I was in the right place at all.
It was winter, close to Christmas, which was always a hard time for me because of my family struggles. I was on the tram, talking to a friend on the phone, trying to laugh about my pain. I joked about my mother telling me my whole life that I was an accident, a mistake, something that ruined hers.
I hadn’t even noticed the woman sitting across from me. But when she stood up to leave, she pressed something into my hand: a picture of the Virgin Mary and a small rosary. She looked me straight in the eyes and said, “You are not a mistake. You are here with a purpose.” And then she disappeared into the night.
I was shocked. I didn’t know what to do with it at the time. I wasn’t connected to the church, so I didn’t even keep the items. But her words never left me. Years later, I understand. That was a blessing. A divine reminder: I am not an accident. I was never an accident. I am here on purpose.
The Companion: You are not alone
Years later, during university, I was working full-time, living alone, and carrying more than I could handle. My days were filled with work and study, and my nights were filled with silence. I was exhausted, depressed, and deeply lonely.
At my subway stop, there’s a man who sells magazines. He’s older, possibly homeless, and I often bought from him, giving him more than the cost because I hated having coins. But for weeks I was so caught up in my misery that I didn’t notice him. I didn’t buy the magazine. I didn’t even look up.
Then one day, I finally stopped. And before I could say a word, he said to me: “I was worried. I haven’t seen you for a while. I thought maybe you were sick. I’m glad you’re okay.”
I went home and cried. Because in all my loneliness, I had forgotten that I wasn’t invisible. That someone had noticed my absence. That someone cared if I was okay.
That day, the divine reminded me through this man: You are not alone.
The Shadow: You still have a choice
More recently, I was crushed by stress, toxic leadership, and constant overtimes. My body was shutting down, migraines lasting for days. I felt like there was no hope left. That life would always be this way.
On the subway home, I sat next to an old lady. She began to talk, and talk, and talk. She told me the world was doomed, that humans are predators, that nothing ever changes and everything only gets worse. She told me she couldnt wait to die and hoped next time she’d be born on a different planet.
At the end, she apologized for being so negative. She said she hoped I would never meet anyone like her again.
She was a mirror of my shadow self. The voice inside me that sometimes whispers the same despair. And I chose, in spite of her to refuse it.
I told her that yes, humanity is flawed, but I still have hope that we can do better. I chose to see the light instead of shadows, and walked away filled with more determination than before. She gave me the gift of contrast: a glimpse of who I refuse to become.
What the messengers gifted me
In old stories, fairytales begin th hero setting out on a journey. Allong the way they often meet wise old grandma or magical being, gifting them something essential for their path ahead. This messenger always appears right on tim, just when the hero needs them the most.
My life has felt the same. These messengers showed up at the exact moments, when I needed them the most. I wasnt chasing them, I trusted the divine and was opened to receiving that gift, that message:
- The Virgin Mary woman gave me purpose
- The magazine guy gave me companionship
- The old lady gave me choice
A tale as old as time: the weary traveler, the wise stranger, the gift that later proves to be essential. The divine still tells that story, even now, through us. Our only task is to recognize them when they appear, and to keep walking with the gifts they leave behind.
You dont have to search for the messengers. The divine knows your timing better than you do.
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