father – Amy Linnea

Tears

Published on March 2, 2024March 1, 2024 by amylinnea2 Comments

When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled. John 11:33

God takes no pleasure in watching us suffer.

He is moved when we are troubled.

He knows the beginning from the end, yet allows all sorts of things.

Sorrows and joys all filter through His hands before they reach our world.

He knows the moment we will receive news we wish we hadn’t.

He anticipates our gut wrenching grief.

So He prepares us, enfolding us in His loving kindness.

I imagine God knowing before us, watching us receive a sorrow from the depths of our souls.

As our Father, our Creator, He weeps with us when the news turns our insides out.

All He asks is our trust. Our trust in Him. His authority. His sovereignty. His plan.

Knowing He stands by our side in sorrow, keeps our feet moving step by step.

Just as I wish I could take away any of my children’s pain, God’s love for us is even more.

He never wants us to suffer, yet He knows our world is full of it.

And suffer we must. Doesn’t mean He enjoys it. Because He doesn’t.

But He allows life to happen. Because of this, we must keep our trust with Him.

Just imagine how He loves us so.

Wanting to witness our joys, never our sorrows.

He loves us so much He sent Jesus, His Son, to die in our place.

God witnessed the death of His Son.

Because of this, we can rest assured God understands.

He understands pain, and the purpose of pain.

The purpose of sacrifice.

As we identify with God in our pain, allow Him to scoop you into His loving arms.

God, who created you, understands.

He longs for your trust, burden, and your tears.

Allow Him to comfort you. He longs to. Every single time.

Photos by Ingmar H, Jametlene Reskp, Pascal van de Vendel, & Hannah Busing on Unsplash

Walking Away

Published on January 15, 2022June 14, 2023 by amylinnea1 Comment

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6

Have a loved one who has walked away from God?

Maybe abandoning God or simply choosing to skip church?

It’s heartbreaking.

As parents, we want the very best for our children.

And the very best includes God.

When children are growing, we banish the thought they will ever willingly walk away from God.

We think our children will never be one of those outcasts.

Our precious little angels would never choose the world over God.

Well, it happens.

Even with our best laid plans, they do.

Kids can walk away.

It’s heartbreaking, knowing they are choosing to live without God.

Choosing to live outside of God’s umbrella of protection.

Know something?

God understands this pain parents experience.

The deep pain of knowing your child is not choosing God and His truth.

As our Father, God’s heart wants all of His creation to know Him.

To choose Him, delving into His abundant grace and love.

And every person who turns their back on God, breaks His heart.

His father’s protective heart.

Rest in the knowledge that God, as a parent, understands.

Not only does He understand, but He cares even more than you.

He seeks your children, too.

Place your not so little ones back into the arms of God.

Lift off your burden, handing it also into His capable hands.

Keep interceding on their behalf.

But partner with God.

Lean on Him, remembering how much He understands your pain.

You have one Giant Ally- God Himself.

That should produce a smile. 🙂

Photos by Claudio Schwarz, Daiga Ellaby, Ekaterina Shakharova, & Nick Fewings on Unsplash

What Then

Published on May 25, 2019June 9, 2023 by amylinneaLeave a comment

Consequently, He is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. Hebrews 7:25

What if I told you there is a Friend who knows your name?

Not only your name, but every thought you’ve had, every tear you’ve shed, every smile you’ve given?

Who longs to be your first confidant and constant lifelong companion?

What if I told you there is a Provider who will meet your every need?

Who longs to shower you with blessings if you let Him?

Who will not only give you food to eat, but food for your parched and weary soul?

What if I told you there is a Comforter who hears every cry?

Whose heart breaks with yours, yearning to remove every one of your burdens, big or small?

What if I told you there is a Protector who carries all authority in heaven and on earth?

Who longs to stand not only at your physical door, but your mind as well, slaying giants seen and unseen?

What if I told you there is a Shepherd who wants to guide your every step, keeping it from slipping?

Who longs to gently steer your words, thoughts, and deeds towards life and not death?

What if I told you there is a Father who wants to give you everything you could ever possibly need?

Who longs to not only protect you, but love you unconditionally, providing you with wisdom, truth, and every good thing?

What if I told you His name is Jesus and all of it is real.

True.

Available.

Today.

What then?

Remember Who He is.

Remember Whose you are.

And trust.

Always.

Begin again, today.

Fly Away

Published on May 19, 2018June 8, 2023 by amylinneaLeave a comment

Praise God, who did not ignore my prayer or withdraw His unfailing love from me. Psalm 66:20

Children leave the nest.

At least they’re supposed to.

When?

Around the start of college.

Doesn’t matter if they’re ready.

Because ready or not, there they go.

They crave independence.

You crave silence.

But that doesn’t make it any easier to let them go.

I always knew they’d grow up and find their own way.

But I guess I thought I’d be ready.

Happy.

Joyful to release them.

News flash.

I’m not.

I want to protect them.

I want to make sure their heart is God’s alone.

Make sure they eat their fruit and veggies, consuming adequate vitamins.

Make sure they don’t step into evil, no matter the pleasure.

I want them to watch only the nice movies, pick only the godliest friends, and fall in love with only the one You have for them.

Sigh.

Makes me think of God.

He is our Father, yet we, as His children, leave Him, too.

Like we release our kids when they’re grown, He, too releases us, giving us full control.

He choose to give us life, which is full of choices we can make.

He watches us and lets us go.

His heart hurts when we, His children, make poor choices.

He would rather decide everything for us, too.

Just like me for the children.

But He doesn’t.

He allows us to fly and fail.

But He’s always waiting to take us back.

While the children keep leaving, not fully ready according to my book, all I can do is follow my example.

Follow God’s example to us.

He created us, yet He lets us live our own lives, make our own choices, lie in our own beds we create.

Is He sometimes happy with us?

Yes.

Does He also want us to make the right choice every time?

Of course.

But we don’t always.

We mess up.

Standing in the gap, His love is always constant.

Unconditional.

We don’t need to prove ourselves for Him to love us.

He’s always ready with open arms when we decide to return.

As we sit back and watch our children make choice after choice, just remember to keep loving them.

Love them and take them back when they return for a visit.

Your love will be a safety net in this world.

Your love will be an example of God Himself to them.

And that, folks, is where it’s at.

Photos by juan pablo rodriguez ,Vladimir Tsokalo ,Jeremy Bishop & Anna Kolosyuk on Unsplash

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