How God Walked Me Through Lockdown: Writings by a Prodigal Daughter

By A prodigal daughter

The author began writing a journal in March 2020 until February 2021, and at the time of writing, had no idea that it would evolve into this book! This book documents her everyday life at that time and it is her personal testimony of how God became her sanctuary and lead her to still waters.
He became her very closet companion in a time of extended isolation and walked her through the lockdowns.
The author hopes that by reading her testimony, readers will discover who the ‘God of the Holy Trinity’ is and will know that no-one is beyond His redeeming power.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Mar 22, 2023
• ISBN: 9781664290716

A prodigal daughter

The author lives in the south of Ireland and this is her first book. She writes from her own experience in way that is easy to understand. She enjoys creative activities and the outdoors.

Book preview

Copyright © 2023 A prodigal daughter.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

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Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (GNT) are from the Good News Translation in Today’s English Version- Second Edition Copyright © 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.

ISBN: 978-1-6642-9072-3 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6642-9073-0 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-6642-9071-6 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2023901639

WestBow Press rev. date: 03/06/2023

EPIGRAPH

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.

—Jeremiah 29:11–13 (ESV)

I WAITED

I waited a long time for you to return.

I waited and watched and longed for your Yes.

When you said yes, My heart leapt for joy,

I held My arms open and you ran straight to Me.

Come, my child, let us rejoice,

You have come home to Me, where you belong.

You have forgotten the years you were away from Me.

You see I have melted that time away.

You were always My child and I was always your God.

Contents

Prologue

Introduction

Part I Spring 2020

Background to the Lockdowns in Ireland, Facing Lockdown, Jesus as a Servant

Lockdown Extended; Isolation; Easter Week

Grieving; The Pure in Heart

Part II Summer 2020

Jesus and Zacchaeus; A False God

Weary but a Song of Praise is on My Lips; Challenged by Confinement

The Woman at the Well

Some Easing of Restrictions; Jesus: Meek and Humble of Heart

Sunshine in My Soul; Contentedness; Spending Time Wisely

God’s Perfect Love; the Lord’s House

In Stillness; A Call to Trust in Him

The Need for God’s Healing Touch; Gratitude; My Consolation

Easing of Restrictions; The Land of Shadows; A Call to Rejoice in Him

True Freedom; The Potter’s House; Further Easing of Restrictions

A Place at my Table

The Past; Forgiven Much

Struggling; Unburdening

He is There; Eternal Destination; Just one Sinner; His Suffering

Replenished; Old Ways Cast Away

Abide in Me; Here I Am

God is a Rescuer; The Good Shepherd; His Honoured Guests

Where is your Treasure?; Seek my face

The Meadow; The Prodigal Child

Lost Friendship; Distraction; The Lion of Judah; Pride

Be still and know that I am God, Childlike; Do Not Let your Heart be Troubled

Part III Autumn 2020

God Knows our Thoughts; In the Palm of His Hands; Living in Limbo

Friendship with Jesus; New Restrictions; His Father’s House; A Veil

No Losers in God’s Eyes; Birthday Party; The Broken Hearted

Most Important Thing; The Sea; Division

Good News; Old Acquaintances; Passing Through

Level 5 Restrictions; Fearless; Setting the Captives Free

Drabness; New Garments in Heaven

Part IV Winter 2020/2021

Restrictions Ahead

Jesus: Man of Sorrows; A Sharp Lockdown

A New Year; House Meetings; Christmas 2020

His Healing Hand upon Me; Green Pastures

Being His Friend; The Way; My Treasure

Part V Spring 2021

Springtime; The Best Years; Trusting in Others; Simplicity; The Best Part of my Day

Epilogue

Bibliography

List of Illustrations

Bird escaping a cage

A well

A potter’s wheel

A Table

A Cross

Crown of thorns

A Vine

Jesus, the good shepherd

Treasure chest

Butterflies

Lion

Squirrel

A broken heart

Arrow (I am the Way, the Truth and the Life)

Prologue

I am not a theologian or an expert on the Bible. I am just an ordinary person, and this is very much a personal story. I began writing a journal in 2020 when the lockdowns began. I usually wrote during my prayer time. Prayer time is the time I set aside to spend time with God in my room. I focus my mind and heart on Him, though I do think we can pray at any time. A prayer can be as simple as Thank you God for getting me through the night.

I am a prodigal daughter. I came to know Jesus in a very profound way when I was twenty-one and walked closely with Him until I was twenty-seven. Then, I began to drift farther and farther away to the point where I was leading an immoral and Godless life. I was even at the point where I had no fear of God whatsoever. Still, I couldn’t forget His love, which had such a deep impact on me all those years ago. I began the process of returning to Him when I was forty-two.

In 2018, when my health was poor, God drew me into a more intimate walk with Him as I began to spend time in prayer most days. Having the habit of regular prayer time already set up helped me when the lockdowns were imposed in 2020. I do believe that God, in His love, was preparing me for the time that lay ahead, though I didn’t know it at the time.

This book is my testimony of how, during the very difficult time of the COVID-19 outbreak and the lockdowns, God gave me a place of rest and filled me with His joy and peace, and He saw me through it all.

Introduction

When I wrote this journal during my prayer time, I wrote down the scriptures I read which resonated the most with how I was feeling that day. Some scriptures were added in later when I decided to write this book. The word of God is as relevant today as it was when it was first written. It is the living word, and it has the power to change your life, if you let it.

I think many people have a misconstrued idea of God in their minds. I know I had before I came to know Him. In these writings, and through the scriptures, I hope you can begin to see God for who He is, and that by having a personal relationship with God, you can begin to live a life that is meaningful and full of hope.

I am speaking of God of the Holy Trinity; the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are one. Jesus is my God, my true friend, and my constant companion.

It is the Holy Spirit, the living spirit of God, that dwells within me, that has changed my heart and mind over the last number of years. God says that he will give you a heart of love and not of stone.

And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules. (Ezekiel 36:26–27 ESV)

PART I

Spring 2020

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Background to the