Glenn Hogue

“The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold.” – Psalm 46:7

The year: 1977. As it begins, JoAnn is pregnant with our first child.

In March, I transferred jobs from a county agency to a state agency (Board of Probation and Parole).

In July, we bought our first house - so excited to have our own place.

In August, because of the state not having an approved budget, there were layoffs of the newly hired, the least senior employees. I was one of those laid off.

On August 31 at 10:30 PM, JoAnn went into labor, and we hurried to the hospital. In the delivery room, there was a bevy of activity - bright lights, loud talking - nurses, physician assistant, anesthetist, attendants.

I became anxious, began to panic - how am I going to care for JoAnn and our new child? We bought a new house, I had no job, no benefits. I have failed!

At that thought, conditions changed - I heard and saw no hospital staff or JoAnn on the delivery table, the bright lights in the delivery room turned/became a light blue haze.

I heard a quiet, but clear voice say: “Do not worry, do not be afraid, take care of your wife and child, I will care for the rest”. I felt at peace that God was with me.

After the voice, the bright lights returned, the hospital staff reappeared and the loud talking continued. Within minutes, at 1:30 AM, our daughter, Laura Beth, was born.

To this day, I believe I had received a prophetic message from God with insight into my life’s direction.

Later in September, I was returned to work. Our loving parents had helped financially while I was unemployed. This experience, this challenge, brought me closer to God acknowledging His constant love and presence. We thank God for His goodness and his promise that He is always with us. Emmanuel.

- Glenn Hogue