Ellen’s Story: From Tears to Trust

by Anna Galeniece

When Ellen Harmon was 9 years old, something terrible happened that changed her life forever. She was hit in the nose by a rock and was badly hurt. The injury made it impossible for her to go back to school. Her dream of becoming a teacher faded away. Still, Ellen chose to keep trusting God, even when life was unfair and painful.

Sometimes Ellen felt close to Jesus and full of joy, but other times she worried and wasn’t sure what to think. She often asked herself, “Does God really love me? Can He forgive my sins?” These thoughts brought tears to her eyes and made her feel sad and unsure inside.

In 1840 a special event took place in her hometown of Portland, Maine, that began to change her life. William Miller came to preach about the soon coming of Jesus. Ellen and her family went to hear him. Miller’s powerful preaching was based on God’s prophecies. It filled Ellen’s heart with new hope. She believed this inspiring message and joined other Adventists who also waited eagerly for Christ’s return.

Then another event took place in Ellen’s life during the cold winter of 1842-1843. She had two strange dreams she never forgot. These were not God’s visions, but very unusual dreams. The first dream frightened 15-year-old Ellen. She thought she was visiting God’s temple in heaven, but feared that the Holy Spirit had left her. The second dream was wonderful. She saw Jesus smiling at her and felt His hand rest gently on her head. “Fear not,” He said kindly. Then she was given a green cord that stood for faith.

These dreams made Ellen open her heart to her mother. Mrs. Harmon was a God-fearing woman. Instead of pushing Ellen away, she listened to her and lovingly advised, “Share your burden with Elder Levi Stockman. He’s a kind preacher.”

Ellen went to see him and told him everything. Tears filled his eyes as he said, “Ellen, you’re just a child, yet what you’ve gone through is remarkable. Jesus must be preparing you for something special. Go home and trust Him—He never turns away anyone who truly seeks Him!”

Those words comforted Ellen’s troubled heart. For the first time, she truly understood how much Jesus loved her. That evening, she attended a prayer meeting and prayed aloud for the first time in her life. All her fear and sadness disappeared.

From that moment on, Ellen’s heart was filled with peace. She promised Jesus that she would follow Him wherever He led. And God heard her prayer! When Ellen was just 17 years old, in December 1844, the Lord chose her—though she was young and weak—to be His special messenger. For the next 70 years she would share His messages, encourage Adventist believers, and write many books to help God’s people as they eagerly wait for Jesus to come again.