Faithful – Page 2 – Amy Linnea

Personally Yours

Published on July 27, 2015June 6, 2023 by amylinnea2 Comments

And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8

Make a list of your blessings.

I know you can, even if you are in the deep dark pit.

Physically write them down.

You’ll need to refer to the list often until you can remember them on your own.

If you honestly believe you have zero blessings in your life, if you can’t see the beauty past your own nose, just look harder.

You can start small: sunshine, flowers in the spring, hot coffee, the beach, newspaper on my doorstep, my grandmother’s quilt, pearl earrings, the color pink.

See, it’s not so hard.

Write down things that make you smile.

That’s how you know.

When you are down in the dumps, look at your list.

Jog your memory of how God has blessed you.

His faithfulness to you is written all over your blessings.

And remember all those details too?

Of How He’s been there for you in daily life?

Have you written them down as well?

These two lists will help you when you are pulled down into the pit of worry or despair.

In those moments, pull out your blessings or details list.

The process of worry will begin to reverse in your mind.

Little smiles will erupt on your face as you choose to remember God’s faithfulness.

That in turn will provide peace for your future.

God’s faithfulness to you needs to be continually on your mind.

And then, worries which creep into your brain, will become less and less.

The effects of worry will slowly die away.

Purpose your mind and surrender daily to God, choosing to remember His faithfulness.

It’s there for you to take.

To notice.

But you have to reach for it.

And when you do, He will be faithful always.

To the very end.

Photos by Glenn Carstens-Peters & Cathryn Lavery on Unsplash

Audience of One

Published on June 15, 2015June 6, 2023 by amylinnea2 Comments

“You are the God who sees me.” She also said, “Have I truly seen the One who sees me?” Genesis 16:13

Pulled the chicken out of the oven and assembled the many dinner plates.

Peas, macaroni & cheese, and chicken on my blue dishes looked appetizing.

As I said out loud to thin air, “Good job, Amy”, I knew at that moment God had heard me.

I felt His smile.

Then it hit me.

I work for God.

Who do you work for?

Ok yes, your boss who signs your paycheck.

Your sweet spouse as you help each other tackle life.

Can’t forget the little people who depend on you for continuing their very existence.

We could add friends, church, volunteering, and society.

Let’s face it – we work for many.

Lots of people depend on us.

Too bad the amount of work we do doesn’t equal the thanks flowing to our ears.

What?

Most of what we do is unnoticed.

Unsung.

No thank you’s.

And that’s ok.

Why?

Because God sees it.

He notices.

And He’s the One we work for.

Every time you pull dinner from the oven

Fold sweet smelling laundry

Wipe up spills you never created

Greet a lonely neighbor

Go the extra mile at work

Cut out box tops for your child’s school

Soothe a crying baby

You are noticed.

Next time you do something for someone, remember God is well pleased.

Very pleased.

You helped God smile.

And that, in the end, is all that matters.

Because we work for an audience of One.

“….but as we go on in grace, we find that God is glorifying Himself here and now, in the present minute. If we have God’s say-so behind us, the most amazing strength comes, and we learn to sing in the ordinary days and ways….” Oswald Chambers

Photos by Ogulcan Ercal, Andrés Gómez, & Daniil Silantev on Unsplash

Stuck at the Cross

Published on May 27, 2015December 2, 2017 by amylinnea4 Comments

(This guest post is my sweet daughter Linnea’s senior legacy paper)

When thinking about how to sum up what I’ve learned in high school, I struggle to find the words. There’s so much I’ve learned. Really, there are like ten different things I could talk about. But when thinking about what to say, it kind of hit me. My experiences – everything I’ve gone through in high school – it doesn’t really matter. It’s not the point.

Everyone has their stories. I have mine. I could go on and on about how my depression, self-harm, and parent’s divorce affected me and what God has taught me through all of it; but honestly – that’s not the point. God has brought me through so much. He’s slowly shaping me to be the person He created me to be. He’s preparing me for the next life. In the end, everything that we’ve done on earth isn’t going to matter. There will be a day where the only thing that matters is whether or not you know and accept Jesus Christ. High school drama will be completely forgotten.

High school is a very instrumental time in a person’s life because it is then people start discovering themselves. It’s the perfect opportunity for God to wreck your life for Him – and that’s what He did to me. I went from being terrified of anything remotely spiritual, to constantly having my heart broken for those who don’t know Christ. God put this burning desire in my heart to know Him more and share His love with others. It was almost as if I had been blind and now I could see.

But it’s not always that easy. Truly trying to follow God is the most difficult thing I’ve ever done. But it’s so worth it. Satan will do everything he can to distract you. He’ll try to re-open wounds and taunt you with temptations. But don’t be discouraged! John 16:33 says, “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

One thing I’ve learned is that so many people get stuck at the cross. I know that sounds funny, but let me explain. God wants us to lay ourselves and our burdens down at the cross and receive His grace. But we aren’t supposed to stay there. We are supposed to go forth and spread His news once we’ve been forgiven. Sometimes you’ll have to go back to the cross and lay more burdens down, but you aren’t supposed to live there. Sadly, it seems as if that’s where most Christians are today. They are all about giving their problems to God and being forgiven, but they don’t actually do anything with it.

I believe God has so much more in store for us than just wiping away our sin. He wants us to experience the fullness of His love and be rooted richly in His spiritual blessings. He wants us to go out and share His love with urgency. Going into high school, I had the Great Commission on my mind because I had just gone through confirmation and that’s what I had picked for my verse. Matthew 28:19-20 says, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” I wasn’t really sure why I picked that verse, but I knew it felt right. Now I can see that God has been changing my heart and how it is a perfect verse for my life – because it describes the desire He has put inside my being.

If I had to leave one piece of advice, I’d say that no matter what, trust in God with all of your heart. He created you and knows you better than you know yourself. Life is full of unexpected things and you will never be able to go through it all and come out stronger without leaning on God. There’s no time to put God on hold. If you were to die tomorrow, would you be ready?

God Is Bigger

Published on May 24, 2015June 5, 2023 by amylinneaLeave a comment

Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans. Proverbs 16:3

Way bigger.

Than everything, big or small.

Life changing things.

Little annoyances.

He’s bigger than the problems of today.

What do I mean?

God can do anything.

And He will.

He’s promised to protect you.

To carry your burdens.

To guide and direct your very steps when you love Him.

When a mountain seems too impossible to climb, remember God is bigger than any mountain.

He created them.

He can handle it without a second thought.

He has ways around that mountain you cannot even imagine on your own.

And if you must climb it, He’s gonna carry your backpack.

And bring the water for the journey.

What if you’re watching someone you love climb their mountain?

And you can see easier paths but they refuse to listen?

That’s tough.

Hard to see loved ones suffer unnecessarily.

But they must turn to God.

Ask Him personally for help.

Sure we can intercede for others.

We must.

But in the end, we all have a decision to follow God or not.

God loves our loved ones even more than we do.

Hard to believe, but it’s true.

Since God is bigger,

And He loves His children more than we do,

Take your peace and rest knowing God’s got this.

Be faithful in your actions and words and wait.

It’ll happen.

Photos by Dave Hoefler, Joe Dudeck, & Michael Bryant on Unsplash

Remind me, God

Published on April 21, 2015June 5, 2023 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