Memorial Box Monday – The Stalker

As I was praying about what to do this week’s Memorial Box Monday post on, the Lord brought this story to mind. I knew it was Him! See, last week I talked about the fear I struggled with for many years, actually debilitated by it. This story is about how I had the opportunity to pick up that fear (after 20 years free from it) and live entangled by its chains again.


I have gotten quite a few emails since last week’s post. Many of you, also, have struggled or currently struggle with fear. I felt like the Lord wanted me to share some other things I have done to combat fear. I’ll do that after telling the story.

In 2004, when we accepted the pastorate in Colorado we were so excited! We had never lived out West and we couldn’t wait. This was going to be a wonderful chapter in our lives and we were all thrilled.

Our first Sunday here we had “church in the park” so we could worship and eat together – a great way to get to know the people we had come to pastor. After many of the people had left I was talking to one woman. I noticed a man under the pavilion with kind of odd behavior. He never saw me watching him, but I was keeping my eye on him. I didn’t know him, had never seen him before, but he certainly was displaying unusual behavior.

After awhile I saw him get up, appearing to leave. He had had his back/side to me the entire time, so he had never seen me watching him at all. I watched him walking away and all of a sudden he turned toward me and his eyes locked with mine and he puckered his lips and smacked a kiss to me. My eyes bugged out of my head!! This man, whom I had never seen before just gestured a kiss to me! UGH! I was so grossed out!

I went to find one of the staff pastors and ask who he was. He told me the man’s name (which really, even his name was really, really creepy, promise! – If I told you, you would get the shivers!) that he was a “mountain man” who lived in the mountains, off the land and would come down on occasion to attend church. About this time I learned from one of our elder’s wives that this man had had a dream and in the dream he had seen his future wife, who was going to go back to the mountains with him – I looked just like her. Double creepy!

The Lord spoke to my heart and said, “Beware! Keep your eyes open! He will be back.” When the Lord gives a warning – we must take it seriously!!

Just days later I was at home with the kids. I had just talked to Dw, who was out making a call on some people from our church. I told him that I felt something was going on in the supernatural and I needed him to pray with me. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but I just knew something was wrong and I needed him to pray for our protection. In hind sight, this was not a normal thing for me to say, but within minutes I knew that indeed, there was a battle raging in the heavenlies!
After we hung up from praying together I was working in the kitchen of the parsonage where we lived. All of a sudden, Emma ran to me, grabbed my arm with all her might and jerked me around. It was so completely out of character for her, I turned wide-eyed to see her face….it was white! She whispered to me, “Mom, there is a man in our house!” I ran with her to find a man standing in our home. The same man from the picnic. The look on his face I will never forget. Our guess is that he thought he would find me home alone. We believe that he was either intent on raping me or carrying me off to live with him in the mountains. BUT I am certain that all our children present took him by surprise.

He starting mumbling some things. Now, sweet bloggy friends, the Multiple Sclerosis had not yet had a healing touch from the Lord, and under extreme stress my legs and arms would just shut down and I would fall on the floor. I needed the Lord’s touch at that moment – instantly God’s courage rose up within me and with strength that would only come from Him, I ordered the man to “get out of our home NOW!”

He stood looking around and mumbling things that didn’t completely make sense. I told him again that he had to go. He didn’t budge. He was looking around and I had the courage to stand my ground. Truly, one of the scariest times of my life!! I knew I had to protect my children and I had no clue what he was going to do. After ordering him out of our home multiple times he turned and went down the stairs to leave. Finally he stepped outside. Through the glass I was able to see that once outside he instantly turned around and reached for the door handle. But stopped. Then he stood hunched over, running both of his hands through his hair while staring at the doorknob. It looked like he was trying to decide if he should come back in.

My legs were trembling and I knew that if I tried the stairs I would fall. I waited till he had turned to go and whispered for Emma to run down and lock the door. She did it in a flash.

Anyway, to make a long story short, the next day he was back again. He was insistent that he was going to see me. Soon I was able to get a temporary protective order. Eventually I had a court date and The Stalker stood just feet from me. I trembled from the MS anyway, but really, my entire body shook. When the judge heard our case, I had to go up with the aid of my cane to stand before him. Then the judge had The Stalker come up to present his information. The Stalker wanted to know from the judge when the Permanent protective order would end. He said he wanted to talk to me. He wanted it to end so he could talk to me. The judge told him it was permanent. The man continued to question the judge as to when it would end. He went on to explain to the judge that he had been investigating Permanent Protective Orders and had learned that ones in California (supposedly) are only good for seven years.

After the hearing, I walked out of the courtroom with my Permanent Protective Order. Friends, I had been given a new opportunity to trust Almighty God or live in fear of this man who had obviously been sent by the enemy of my soul to strike fear in me anew. What would I do?
It would have been easy to cave to fear. A stalker who has the boldness to come inside your home, is a serious threat!! BUT God!!! See, God came to set us free from fear. He came so that we could live without chains. I refuse to go back to living in chains. The enemy did not want me to have an effective ministry here in our new city. BUT Remember my verse?

“It was for freedom that Christ set us free, therefore, keep standing firm and do not be subject again to this yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1

So how do we practically live free from fear? One way is to cast our cares on Him – continually. We must talk to Him about our cares. The other thing we MUST do is to fill our hearts and minds with God’s promises by memorizing scripture. I posted verses all over our home. When I sat down to pee (can I say that here?), there was a verse eye level right across from me. When I turned to get toilet paper, there was a verse posted above the TP holder. When I stood and did laundry, yup, another verse. On our bathroom mirror. Above the kitchen sink. On the refridgerator. On the walls, on the doors, on the mirrors, everywhere!! It is our weapon to fight back!! God’s word. His promises stand forever. God’s word says, “Though the grass withers and the flowers fade, His word abides FOREVER!” I want my mind saturated by His promises.
As I reflect on what God did during that season, I am reminded of His faithful protection. How He warned me when I first saw the man. How He warned me with the urgency to pray with Dw just moments before he entered our home. How He gave me the courage to order the man out, time after time, until he left. How He protected the next day. How He allowed the judge to grant both the temporary and eventually the Permanent Protective Order. How faithful He had been each step of the way. He once again showed Himself to me as my Miracle-working, Mountain-moving, Awe-inspiring, Gasp-giving God! How I praise His name!!There is no doubt that the God of the universe has a plan for each of our lives. And there is no doubt that the enemy of our souls has a plan as well….to enslave us in fear, discontentment, anger, bitterness, resentment, etc. We have a choice. We can live in freedom or not. We can surrender to God’s plan or not. It’s our choice.

25 thoughts on “Memorial Box Monday – The Stalker

  1. thank you for this! So thankful for God's protection over you and your kids that day! I needed this…i have a stupid fear of flying. I know it sounds silly but the thought will keep me awake at night or get my heart pounding. i dont know if its a fear of heights or what. I try not to think about the 21 hour flight we will have to go to Uganda to bring home our baby girl because I am hoping by time it comes my fear will be less and I will just be so excited about getting there I won't think about it! I think I will have to bring lots of scripture to read over on the flight and lots of praying! I wish I didn't have this fear…i know God is in control of my life and nothing can happen without his say but for some reason it scares the crap out of me knowing i am that high up and what all could happen! thanks for this post!

  2. Good timing on your post considering that we are flying to China Wednesday, and I HATE to fly anywhere much less that far away! This adoption journey is a walk of faith, and that is one of the biggest hurdles of all for me!

    Could use your prayers for a safe, joyous, and uneventful journey to bring our little boy home.

    Thank you for all of your encouragement and support during our second adoption.

    Love in Christ,
    Janet, Kevin, Ted, Philip, and soon, really soon to be home Eli

  3. WOW! That gave me the creeps. But OH so awesome is our Lord and Savior! I love this post. I had been thinking about a post for my own blog. But was "afraid" to write it. Now I know I am supposed to…THANKS

  4. Oh my goodness, that is chilling! I'm so sorry you had to go through that! I mean, I guess you learned from it, but I can't imagine. That's terrifying. Praise God He kept you safe!

  5. Wow Linney, that's pretty scary! I got the creeps just reading about the creep!

    You know this is a confirmation for me because I struggle with casting my anxieties on the Lord. I'm learning (not so easy) to just hand my fears, doubts, pretty much all of it, to the Lord and just have His peace settle within me. How can my issues be resolved if I don't completely surrender and trust Him? Thank you for your post, minus the creep of course!!

  6. Linny— Thanks for stopping by my blog the other day!! I was encouraged by your sweet note! I have been inspired by your "Memorial Box Monday" blog entries and wrote my first Memorial Box blog post today and wanted to say thanks for the great idea!! I've had lots of questions about it and really had trouble finding a starting point but love that my kids will have tangible memoirs of God's goodness to us through it all!! Just wanted to send you a little note to let you know that you've blessed me and encouraged me through your blog.
    Hope your day is blessed as well,
    AMY NEWSOM
    AMY NEWSOM

  7. What a powerful testimony Linny! A few years back the Lord gave me that very same scripture to break the bondage of fear over my life. I have such a passion in sharing that same revelation to the many woman I meet who are entangled by fear! Oh how wonderful the strength of His love is that chases away all our fears!!! Thank you so much for sharing your journey with us. Love Janine

  8. Oh Linny! I absolutely have to catch my breath over this story! I know it happened a long time ago but I am SO GRATEFUL God gave you the courage to STAND and then move on without fear!

    I used to put verses all around the house but have gotten out of the habit…I think I need to get BACK AT IT.
    Thank you.

  9. Forgive me if you get duplicate comments. My computer is acting funny 🙂 Again, I enjoyed your post. YES, this situation is creepy! But confirmation for me. I was "afraid" to make a post on our blog (about something totally different)but now I know I am supposed to (fear is fear right?). You are a great writer. Definately a God given talent!

  10. Sorry but all I can think about is that it happened in 2004 and the seven years he was so set in his mind about will be up next year. Could this itself be a warning to you. Where is that man now ?

  11. I understand.(fear, not the terror you experienced with the strnager.) Last night, heart beating in my throat while a past event replayed in my mind over and over. I kept reciting the song "it is well with my soul" over and over until I fell asleep.

  12. Oh my, you have the most amazing stories. I just can't imagine having a male stranger (and a creepy one who has made comments about you) in my house with my kids. Ugh! Praise God for giving you the strength and courage to stand up to him and for protecting you and your family.

    I never miss a post, although many days I'm too tired to comment. Happy belated birthday to your precious Elijah. I hope he's better soon. (By the way, my sweet hubby can't preheat an oven so I'm taking your idea and buying him an apron.)

    I posted some fun family ideas on my blog today and referenced your applause for the chef idea with a link to your blog. Hope that's okay. Your idea is too fun–just had to share it.

    I hope you and your family are doing well and everyone is adjusting beautifully with the additions of Jubilee and Uncle Mark. I'm keeping the situation with the water damage in my prayers as well. May God use it for His glory.

    Much Love,
    Kathie

  13. What a creepy, scary story! Thankfully God was your protection that day!

    Thank you for this post. It was no coincidence that I came across it. I have been living in fear of cancer taking me from my babies. I like the idea of filling our home with scripture. Thank you!

    Blessings,
    Robin

  14. As you know I can really really relate to this post. When I had my experience, I was not a true believer, I thought I was a Christian but did not live for Him and did not have a personal relationship with Christ. And yet He protected me. I admit I still take precautions (no name on internet, no pictures etc) but I now give thanks for His protection over the last several years. Once we study His words, we just learn so much about His constant protection. As always, thank you Linny.

  15. Thank you for this post! I have been dealing with anxiety attacks since by baby was born. It has been taking away my joy and each day is a struggle. I am seeing a Christian therapist because it has gotten so out if hand. I am going to start posting scripture all over my house so I can start claiming freedom from the burden of fear/anxiety!

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