Category: dependence

Questioning God

Published on by amylinnea4 Comments

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1

Who am I to question Almighty God?

What gives me that right?

His ways are above mine.

He holds our future in His capable strong hands.

Our job is to trust Him with faith like a child.

Oh we can have conversations.

We must.

We beg Him to explain His purpose.

To explain why.

It will probably turn into a little whining and fussing, and that’s ok.

But we stop at the threshold of why, turning back instead to trust.

You’ll feel better when you share your heart with the One who created it.

Picture God as your big strong daddy.

Tug on His arm and climb up onto His lap.

Let Him hold you in His gentle arms as you tell Him your troubles, your concerns.

All of them.

Let Him dry your tears, reassuring you He’s got it all under control.

He’ll lead you all the way home.

Just walk with Him and trust.

And when He turns a way you wouldn’t, keep your hand in His, never letting go.

He will never lead you wrong. Ever.

Photos by Guilherme Stecanella, Aaron Burden, & Jessica Delp on Unsplash

 

Focusing on Jesus

Published on by amylinnea1 Comment

He said, “Come.”  So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. Matthew 14:29

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When life is swirling around you, fix your eyes on Jesus.

Completely.

Step out of the boat and go.

When your focus is Jesus, He will provide all of your strength.

But the moment doubt pores in, you’ll sink.

Your focus will shift to you and your circumstances without God’s help.

Fear and panic will be your guide.

However,

The moment you turn back to Jesus and ask Him to step in, He will.

He will reach out His hand, continuing to guide you to safety.

Rescuing your heart and mind from death.

When Peter stepped out onto the water, his focus was not on the waves, the water, or his inability to walk on water.

His focus was on Jesus.

Only when the Peter began to rationally think about his circumstances instead of trusting Jesus, did he begin to sink.

But when Peter focused back on Jesus to save him, Jesus immediately stepped in.

And He will always do the same for you over and over again.

Every. Single. Time.

Barefoot on the Sand

Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

Right Where You Are

Published on by amylinnea4 Comments

In His hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are His also. Psalm 95:4

He has you where He wants you.

Jesus.

He places us in spots where He can use us.

Do you ever wonder why He chose this spot?

I do.

Sometimes things don’t make sense.

Logically.

But that’s not our job.

To make sense of it all.

That responsibility rests on God’s shoulders.

Our job is to trust Him.

Trust that He knows what He’s doing and will cover us with His feathers (Ps 91).

His protection. His grace.

I’ve had quite the journey lately.

My favorite teaching place never materialized.

My first teaching job nicely pushed me out the door.

My “dream” teaching job evaporated.

My first long-term sub job was a mistake.

My next job offer I refused as I knew it wasn’t God’s plan.

But the very next day, God flung wide the door.

It is so right.

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My job doesn’t make any logical sense.

Why?

Because I jumped multiple grade levels.

I’m implementing a new program with a new subject.

And was hired less then a week before school starts.

But I know God’s here.

I’m right where He wants me.

And I know I’ll do an amazing job – ONLY because He will guide me every step of the way.

I don’t have my teacher safety net filling me with lessons from years past.

Everything about this job is foreign.

(might launch into a kindergarten calendar poem with 13 year olds)

The absolutely only thing I can do is rely on Him.

It’s comforting.

Peaceful.

Step out of your comfort zone.

See where God takes you.

And yes, my first day was fabulous.  🙂

Photos by Nadine Shaabana, Priscilla Du Preez, & Anton Sukhinov on Unsplash

Need New Glasses?

Published on by amylinnea4 Comments

For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and His faithfulness continues to each generation. Psalm 100:5

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How do you choose to view things in your life?

Ugly things

Beautiful things

Uncomfortable situations

If you look at a challenge through worldly eyes, fear will be in control.

You’ll worry

Fret

Obsess

However, if you look at that same challenge through godly eyes, you’ll see an opportunity for God to use you.

For God’s hand to remain in control.

The challenge will become a blessing.

Blessing?

Choosing to let go of a child is a blessing?

Searching through piles of help wanted ads?

Choosing to love the unloving?

Yes.  Because you know God is here.

Present.

God loves that child more than you and your part is to seek God’s will and obey.

He’ll find that job, give you HIs love for that unloving person, and anything else you ever need.

Blessing or curse?

Fear or faith?

Which eyes will you filter your life through?

Photos by Luca Bravo, JOHN TOWNER, & Bud Helisson on Unsplash

Remind me, God

Published on by amylinnea1 Comment

 I love The Lord, because He has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy. Because He inclined His ear to me, therefore I will call on Him as long as I live. Psalm 116:1-2

God hears our voice. Our cries for mercy when things become difficult.

He wants to hear you. He wants to help.

Because He is always ready to listen, we should call on Him as long as we have breath.

God has and always will be present for you, walking with you each and every moment.

Stop and remember. Remind yourself of His goodness to you. Here are His words from Him to you:

Look at all I have done for you.

Look back at where you have been.

Compare that to now.

How faithful have I been?

Completely.

Down to the tiniest detail.

Remember.

Simply remember and be reminded.

I am still here.

And I always will be.

Photos by Vitolda Klein & Artur Aldyrkhanov on Unsplash

Confusion

Published on by amylinnea1 Comment

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

Does God ever confuse you?

Leave you baffled?

Speechless?

Or do you make sense of everything He allows?

I don’t.

I can’t possibly make sense of some things.

So I’m left in a confused state.

Left until I decide to trust in God once again.

God surprised us with a gift.

A baby.

The promise of new life.

I was anxious then thrilled once the idea settled into my mind.

But two months later – poof.

Everything changed and I found myself in a puddle of tears.

Longing for the baby I was beginning to know and love.

Why, God?

Simply why?

Sometimes God allows things and we cannot possibly figure out all the answers.

And when we question, that’s ok.

As long as we look back and are reminded of His faithfulness.

His goodness.

I have learned a few things though.

He showed me unconditional love.

He showered me with love from my family, friends, and precious husband (who has the patience of Job).

He reminded me how He is ultimately in control.

And He reminded me not to worry, because He’s got this.

He’s got everything.

He knows the beginning of my story to the end.

My entire life is in His hands.

And He’s got yours too.

Your life is precious to Him.

And He loves you more than you could possibly imagine.

Trust Him with your entire being.

Like your life depends on it.

Because it does.

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Photos by Hu Chen, Naassom Azevedo, & Ben White on Unsplash

Obvious

Published on by amylinnea1 Comment

Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. Ephesians 5:1

It should be obvious I am Your child, Lord.

That I spend time with You.

Sweet Jesus, please give me Your eyes.

I want to see things through Your lens.

Your filter.

I want to see things as they really are.

Not as I imagine them to be.

Help me see Your ways working.

Silence the things I imagine as they are not of You.

Allow me to see only what You want me to see.

And Lord, please give me Your ears.

Help me to hear Your thoughts.

Only.

Your ways.

Your ideas.

Your truth.

Only.

Filter out the noise demanding my focus.

Silence the thoughts in my head that question actions and words of others.

Let me hear the pure sound of their love and Yours.

And let them hear mine.

Let me be Your hands and feet.

I want to bless others as You have blessed me.

Put Your hand over my mouth when I’m tempted to speak ill.

Give me words to speak when You have something to say.

Close my ears to lies and open my ears to the truth.

Cleanse me from the inside out.

I have absolutely nothing without You.

But with You, I have everything.

Photos by Wim van ‘t Einde, Natalie Thornley, & Kevin Young on Unsplash

It Starts With You

Published on by amylinnea2 Comments

But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God. I trust in the steadfast love of God forever and ever. Psalm 52:8

Everything.

How will you respond to what life throws at you?

When stress stares you in the face, how will you behave?

Panicky?

Unable to breathe?

Grumpy pants?

If that’s your response, your body will respond in fear.

You will lash out in anger.

At the very least, your mood will be in the toilet.

You will think everything is impossible.

Peace.

Calm within the storm.

You can choose to dwell on the promises of God or not.

If you do, God will be with you in the midst of the smallest infraction.

Or the giant storms, too.

And when He’s with you, He gives you unbelievable peace.

Life might be in a whirlwind, but you can stand without falling in the center, because God is there with you.

At the end of this week, my beloved and I are marrying.

So incredible.

God has blessed us with each other.

Along with these amazing weeks comes work.

Lots of work.

Packing and moving.

Combining and organizing our new home.

Wedding details.

Children and their sweet needs.

Start of school.

Putting together my classroom.

Normal family stuff like meals.

(how bout cereal for dinner?)

Brain space becomes extremely limited with the to do list.

Small tasks look enormous.

But God is in control.

He is fully able to cross every t and dot every i for me.

For us.

I just have to ask.

So do you.

Let Him take your worries, big or small.

He’ll take care of them as He walks beside you.

And focus on your blessings.

The incredible moments God brings to you as He fills your heart’s desire.

And joy will be your companion as you walk down the path of life God has for you.

Photos by Jakob Owens, Katie Moum, DESIGNECOLOGIST, & Greg Shield on Unsplash

Don’t You Dare Stumble!

Published on by amylinnea5 Comments

Behold, God is my helper; the Lord is the upholder of my life. Psalm 54:4

Ever feel like you are trying too hard?

Like you are holding everyone and everything up by yourself?

It’s precarious.

One small bump and everything can come crashing down.

Falling into pieces.

One word.

Don’t.

Let God carry everything.

He holds the entire world in His hands.

He can hold your world too.

You can’t control circumstances.

Reactions are others to give.

Yes, you can do your best.

And you should.

But leave the results up to God.

Stand in His peace, knowing He has your back.

He’s got it.

He’s in your hands as you care for your children.

He’s in your words.

Actions.

And prayers.

I know, I’ve said this before.

Many times.

But we all need reminders, don’t we?

And here it is:

God’s got this.

He’s in charge, you are not.

So let Him carry whatever it is that is bothering your precious mind.

And just simply be.

Photos by Don Starkey, benjamin hershey, & Jose Francisco Morales on Unsplash

Gently Leading

Published on by amylinnea1 Comment

Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord! Psalm 119:1

How does a shepherd lead his sheep?

Building trust and gently leading them home.

Protecting their every step along the way.

The shepherd’s physical presence leads by example.

How are you leading your family?

Gently leading by example?  Loving them for who they are?

Providing a restful haven in a world full of chaos?

Or are you demanding they follow you.

Prodding with a giant stick, forcing them to obey your agenda.

Sometimes it’s not so dramatically obvious.

Your temper, your reactions, how you cope with life.

The grace with which you embrace life is what they see or don’t see.

Do I want to be like you, they ask.

Are your beliefs something I want to hold dear as well, they ponder.

You are an example of God to your children.

He uses you to reach them.

God’s mercy and love must flow from your lips and hands.

God disciplines us as well, but His motives are pure.

His ways are perfect.

As human parents, we make mistakes.

We fail our children on a regular basis.

Do we try our best?  Usually.

But unless we ask God to fill us with His parenting wisdom, we will rely on our own strength, which, I can tell you, is faulty.

Weak.

Flawed.

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 I desperately want my children to seek the face of God.

To know Him personally.

Fully.

Intimately.

Because they see God through me, I must reign in my own self, for God’s light to shine.

I must allow God to use me for His purpose – to parent His children.

Comes down to watching my lips, my hands, my eyes.

I must be like a shepherd leading his sheep home to safety.

To rest.

Not demanding one thing while acting like another.

As we ask God to pour Himself into us and our families, our children will take root and those roots will produce fruit for years to come.

 Might not see it for awhile, but it will come.

And it will be very good.

Photos by Tanner Yould, Sam Carter, Judith Prins, & Antonello Falcone on Unsplash

Already On Its Way

Published on by amylinneaLeave a comment

But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children’s children, to those who keep His covenant and remember to do His commandments. Psalm 103:17-18

Since God has our back and He knows our every thought…

our every need…

our every heart’s desire…

Did you ever think about the fact that His help is already on its way?

Before we even think of our need.

Before we bow our knees in prayer.

His answer is on its way.

Coming at His perfect timing.

Not our timing.

But His.

Unexpectedly wonderful things.

Redeeming us.

Bringing us blessings in all the right places.

He sets things in motion before our first prayer is uttered.

He knows the beginning from the end.

If your heart truly rests with the heart of God, you can be assured help is on the way.

It’s been coming ever since God thought of it.

Which was a long time ago.

He knows all things.

He knows what is best.

And He loves you like crazy.

As you pray and trust God’s provision, be looking for that help to come.

And smile.

Because its already on the way.

Photos by Ümit Bulut, Jonathan Borba, & 🇸🇮 Janko Ferlič on Unsplash

Grace

Published on by amylinnea4 Comments

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 1:2

By definition, it’s unearned.

Undeserved.

But it’s what we all need.

Desperately.

It’s a blanket of peace that touches our soul.

Where would we be without it?  We’d be shells of bitterness.

Worthless, if you want to know what I really think.

But if you expect grace for yourself – if you crave it because you constantly fall down – you must extend grace personally to others.

Not just once.

But all the time.

Constantly.

Because it’s not about you.

It’s not about what you do and don’t deserve.

People will fail you.

Guaranteed.

And don’t forget yourself.

You need to extend grace to yourself as well.

Here’s a news flash.  Are you ready?

No one is perfect.

Not one.

Jesus was the only perfect man and He’s in heaven.

You aren’t perfect, your spouse isn’t perfect, and the lady at the grocery store isn’t either.

Expect disappointment.

Expect people to fail you.

Assuming we aren’t referring to abuse (which in that case is another matter entirely), grace must be given regularly to others.

Liberally.

How much grace does God give you?

As much as you need.

So how many times should you give grace to others and yourself?

As much as necessary.

That means a lot.

Probably more than you are dishing out now.

Gulp.

But I don’t want to.

It’s more fun to hold grudges and make people pay for hurting me.

Yes I know.

I’ve been to that party.

Ever look around when you’re there?

Look at their faces.

Anger.  Brokenness.  Sadness. Void of emotion. Revenge.

Not the party which I want to stay.

Here’s a thought.

Next time you’re invited to hold a grudge or react in anger, try grace.

Stop your brain dead in it’s tracks and invite Jesus to take control of your thoughts, your reactions.

Grace.

Just speak the word and your brain will begin focusing on it.

Change the thought, extend grace, and you’ll be simply amazed at your peaceful heart.

Let’s stop living in Grudgeville and Poor Me Place.

Move to Graceville.

There’s plenty of room to move right in.

And I hear the weather is simply lovely today.

 Photos by niko photos, Silvestri Matteo, Aaron Burden, Harshil Gudka, Flash Dantz, & sutirta budiman on Unsplash

Disappointment

Published on by amylinnea2 Comments

For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from Him. Psalm 62:5

Why is it that little things can send us crashing to the floor in utter despair?

If we are so dependent on God, little issues shouldn’t even phase us.

Frankly, we shouldn’t notice them.

But we do.

Life is absolutely full of disappointments and we must take each one with a grain of salt.

 Expectations are a double edged sword.

On the one hand, we are full of happy anticipation.  Yet at the same time, we can crumble in an absolute instant when what we thought would happen never even materializes.

How can we be happy one minute and sad the next?

How is it that our emotions are that ridiculously unstable?

Relying on human strength.  Forgetting that God is in control and the author of all things.

How can we possibly forget that?

It’s unfortunately too easy.

Following Jesus, surrendering to His perfect will is a constant process.

Dying to ourselves is constant.  Never ending.

Here’s the good news: if we remember God is in control and He has our back, then we can take disappointments in stride.

What does it matter if things don’t go our way?

What is our way? Is it God’s way?

God is not at all surprised by life. He’s seen it all and knows the beginning from the end.

Relax and take each disappointment in stride.  Recognize life will be full of times that don’t go our way.

Pray about your day before your feet hit the floor.

Remember how much God loves you and wants to help your every move.

Next time you begin to swallow disappointment….the next time your eyes are tempted to well up with tears, beg God to intervene and replace your fear with hope.

That’s what disappointment really is at the core – fear.  We fear (fill in the blank) will never improve or will always rear it’s ugly head.

Notice the words never and always.  Kinda inflammatory, isn’t it?

But that’s how we think.

Look at things from the prism of everlasting life.

From the balcony of heaven, will it matter?

No, it won’t.

All disappointment is significant to us.

But truly, in the grander scheme of life, does it matter?

The next time you are faced with a moment of disappointment, turn it into a smile of expectation.

God is saying no to something so He can say yes later.

And if He has our back, if He wants the very best for us, and if He has a plan, then why not dare to smile.

Later is ok.  Later is best.

According to God, it is.

Photos by Trym Nilsen, Kelly-Ann Tan, Anastasiya Romanova, & Marek Piwnicki on Unsplash

Constant Conversation

Published on by amylinnea4 Comments

And my tongue will talk of your righteous help all the day long. Psalm 71:24

God wants all of you.

He wants desperately to be your all in all.

How do you begin to know His heart?  Or know what He wants from you?

Constant conversation. A never ending conversation with God.

You’re kidding, right?

God wants to know about the missing socks, the broken garage door, or the mouse trap?

Yep.

He knows you inside and out and wants you to know Him the same way.

We have the most incredible opportunity in the world to seek God’s face.

We can become His companion.

His actual companion!

My conversations with God are never ending.

Inside my heart, I chat with Him about everything.

In the mornings, I thank Him for hot showers and delicious coffee (priorities!).

I thank Him for blessing me: all the people I love, job, church, and the plethora of material possessions just to scratch the surface.

I thank Him for looking out for me and giving me my heart’s desire.

I ask Him to plan my day and be with me each moment.

I ask Him to intervene in different situations, to lead me down the path He has for me, and give me an abundance of love to share with others.

During the day, I pop in with different things: a thank you for that unexpected surprise on my desk or help when I begin waving that white flag yet again.

Sometimes it’s just a plea for wisdom when those mini moments erupt with 4 children!

The only way I can explain it is constant conversation.  A never ending chat with my best friend.

He knows my every thought. He is as close as the wind on my face.

His hugs and tender peace wrap me up every day.

Try it.

Constant conversation with God.

 Photos by Bundo Kim,  杨 宏博, Flavio Amiel, & Matt Hoffman on Unsplash

Gut Level Trust

Published on by amylinnea2 Comments

Yea, though I walk through the shadow of death, I will fear no evil…..thy rod and staff they comfort me.  Psalm 23:4

These words from Psalm 23 depict the very gut level trust God has for us.

When we are completely in the dark…..when we cannot see nor bear to see what is in front of us, God takes our hand and guides us home.

He knows where we are going.

He holds the map, because He created it.

He has our plan, our details all mapped out for us.  

When we cannot see in front of our own hand, we can take His hand and He will guide us.  

While in the dark, would you rather grope around, becoming hysterical because you cannot find your way?  

Would you like to become as a small child throwing a tantrum, demanding your way and throwing a fit until you get it?  

Finally collapse from the intense pressure of needing to know the future and planning for it yourself, making sure to cover every possible detail?

Not me.  No thanks.

I’d rather plead to my God who created the universe to guide me in all things.  I’d rather seek His face and surrender myself to His will and His plans for my future.  

I know my God wants the very best for me.

My joy gives Him pleasure.  My service pleases Him.

He wants to bless me and give me good things – all I have to do is provide gut-wrenching trust.  

I have to KNOW beyond a shadow of a doubt that my God has my back and will guide me in peace to safety.  

Will my life always be in utter darkness?  Will He reveal His plan to me at some point?  Yes.

In life, there are times of light and times of darkness. God is the same through each moment in our lives.  He’s simply standing there, waiting for us to take His hand.

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The darkness is engulfing me.  It has completely taken over my vision and I can no longer see anything.  Where did everything go?  The familiar surroundings have disappeared.  I recognize nothing.  It’s cold and damp.  The ache of loneliness coupled with the loss of vision has brought me to my knees.  I cannot think.  I’m desperate.  I’m lost.  I’m dying.  All I can think of is to speak the name of Jesus.  

He has to be here somewhere.  He’s promised never to leave us.  Jesus.  Jesus.  I need you.  I cannot see.  My life seems to be over and the chaos is overwhelming me.  I can’t breathe.  Jesus…. help.

I feel a gentle touch on my shoulder.  I cannot see who it is, but I feel a peace rippling through my body.  I feel God’s presence in the darkness.  Hope springs up.  Fear leaves.  I still cannot see anything at all, but I feel God’s hand on my shoulder, guiding me to my feet.  I can feel His arm holding mine and my feet fall into step with His.  His gentle presence and strong steady grip release the hold of fear.  I still cannot see anything, but I don’t care.  My God is with me and He will take me where I am safe.  He will surround and protect me.  I am His child.  He cares.  

We walk for months.  Sometimes we stop and take a break, but we keep pressing on in a certain direction.  We have moved away from the cold damp pit.  I don’t know where it went, but it’s far away.  I have God to thank for that. Things are changing in my life,  changes thrust upon me without choice.  It’s similar to the absence of choice leaves have to fall or not from trees in autumn.  But God takes care of those trees.

He lets them rest during the winter months.

That’s what God was doing with me during those dark times.  He let me rest.  Yes, He kept me walking towards His plan, but it was a restful peaceful walk.  He did the guiding, and I did the trusting.  Gut level trusting, because I had no idea where we were going or what we were doing.  I knew I needed to get away from the cold damp pit, but on my own, I could never have found my way out.

 I didn’t have the map.

There’s a dim light now.  I still don’t know where we are going, or what I am to do, but when I trust my God to lead me down the path of righteousness, I don’t care where I am going.  God will lead me where He wants me.  He will provide the job He wants for me.  He will provide the man He wants for me.  He will take care of me and my children along the way and make sure we are all thriving.  

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Trust.

I trust God with all of my heart.

He alone is able to bring us out of the darkness.  He alone will carry us in His arms when our strength is gone.

He will whisper words of peace and love to our broken hearts.  He will dry our tears when our hearts are overflowing with grief.

God is here.

He is waiting for you to trust Him so He can do the very same for you.

All you have to do is lay aside yourself and trust Him.

Gut level trust like you’ve never known before.

The kind of trust that only happens when you are literally in the dark and have nowhere else to turn.  No other options.

But God doesn’t care.

He’s happy to help you whenever you ask.

All you have to do is surrender.  Surrender yourself to Him and let Him do the rest.

Amazing things will happen.  I promise.

Photos by Zack Silver, Chris Hardy, Manikandan Annamalai, Laura Baker, Olivia Snow,  Kelly Sikkema, & Nick Seagrave on Unsplash