From Mini Golf to Miracles: How Jesus Restored My Heart!

Part 2: Hope Deferred Journey

On the night of November 13th, I couldn’t sleep. I sat up in bed, glanced at the clock, and thought to myself, I really need to get some rest. I lay back down, and soon I was dreaming.

In the dream, I was playing mini golf while wearing clothes that represented everything I had lost this year—each piece labeled with its meaning. As I played, every time I missed a hole, I ran to Jesus. He was standing by the first obstacle, patiently waiting. Each time I came to Him, He smiled and said, “Keep playing.”

But here’s the surprising part—I wasn’t discouraged, upset, or frustrated. I was having fun.

I don’t usually remember my dreams, but some stick with me, and when they do, I know it’s Jesus showing me something. I knew this dream was His way of telling me,

“Keep going. Don’t quit. I’m with you every step of the way.”

 I’ve faced a lot of obstacles, but with Him, I can navigate them. And eventually, I’ll get a “hole in one”—and that hole in one will make my heart whole.

That “hole in one” came on November 17, 2024, at church! For three months, I had been part of a small group class, and it stretched me in ways I didn’t expect. It confirmed everything the Lord was speaking to me. The class pushed me to get comfortable being uncomfortable. One week, I even shared with the group that I’d been struggling with hope deferred—a huge step for me because I don’t usually open up in group settings. But it was a safe space.

I also shared that God had given me the word “rebuild.” After I spoke, Pastor David shared

Isaiah 58:12:"Some of you will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities. Then you will be known as a rebuilder of walls and restorer of homes."

That verse was confirmation of the word God had given me and His promise that restoration was on its way.

One class in particular really opened my eyes. We talked about waiting on the Lord versus moving with the Lord—about being “fact people” versus “action people.” I realized I’m a fact person. I’m comfortable waiting on the Lord, sitting in silence, searching for His heart, and waiting for clear direction. But God was showing me that I needed to take action. I needed to step out of my comfort zone, take small steps of faith, and let peace be my guide.

This was just like my mini golf dream: I need to step into the obstacle, grab my putter, and take the shot. I have to trust where the ball lands, let the Holy Spirit lead me, and reassess with Him if there’s no peace.

The week of November 10th, I was telling God, I’m done with this hope deferred. It’s been too long. I want to be restored! Every time I got in my car, I blasted the song Free by SEU Worship and declared, I am restored in Jesus’ name! I could feel something stirring in my heart. It felt like it wanted to break, but it couldn’t. It was as if God Himself was holding it together. I had never experienced anything like it.

By November 17th, I was frustrated. I didn’t understand what was happening in my heart. After church, I cried ugly tears and poured everything out to Jesus in my journal. I told Him, I need peace! I need restoration! I can’t take this anymore—I’m going to explode!

That night, I walked into my last class at church with all my feelings. It turned out to be a beautiful night of worship, prayer, and a call to come forth into the living water. I came to the altar ready for healing. Pastor David spoke about the wall of Jericho and how the Israelites circled it seven times before the walls fell. He said we were going to count to seven, then shout for our breakthrough.

When we got to seven, I shouted, “Restoration!” At that moment, something shifted. My heart was healed, and the spirit of joy filled the room. I left that church with my “hole in one”—a whole heart.

My external circumstances haven’t changed entirely; there are still pieces to rebuild. But my heart is whole. I don’t have that empty, aching feeling anymore.

Just like the Israelites showed up every day to the wall of Jericho, I showed up to Jesus every day during my season of hope deferred. I stayed close to Him, brought my tears to Him, and trusted Him, even when He didn’t answer as quickly as I wanted. On my “seventh time around,” He healed me.

That’s why He told me in the dream to “Keep playing.” Don’t quit, because breakthrough is on the other side of consistency.

This is my testimony, and I pray it encourages you. If God can do it for me, He can do it for you! Keep Playing!