strong – Amy Linnea

The Visit

Published on August 29, 2026August 29, 2026 by amylinneaLeave a comment

The Lord your God is in your midst, a Mighty One who will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you by his love; He will exult over you with loud singing. Zephaniah 3:17

The following story is not real in the least, but lives within the imagination of the writer and most likely many of her readers.

I visited her today. “Who?” you ask.

Myself. I wanted to tell her things I’ve learned along the way.

I saw her at 12, standing in front of her bedroom mirror. A shy smile peeked through as she gazed at her reflection.

Twirling around, she frowned, no longer loving what she saw.

I wanted to whisper, “You’re so beautiful and strong. Rise above this world and keep your precious eyes focused on Jesus.”

I saw her at 21. Married and expecting her first baby as she wrapped up her college degree.

She glowed, yet seemed impatient at not looking pregnant then weeks later was completely miserable at looking way too pregnant.

I wanted to whisper, “You’re so beautiful and strong. This too shall past while you keep your precious eyes focused on Jesus.”

I saw her at 29, surrounded by her four little children all clamoring for guidance and attention.

She smiled at each one, wishing for just one moment of quiet.

I wanted to jump into the room, kissing each of the four soft cheeks one more time.

And to her, I wanted to whisper, “You’re so beautiful and strong. Embrace this time as they will grow so fast. And keep your precious eyes focused on Jesus.”

I saw her at 40, surrounded by her precious family. Facing so many difficulties, she looked worried and sad.

I wanted to give her a big hug, telling her to hang on. That life will become so good again. I promise.

I wanted to whisper, “You’re so beautiful and strong. Keep your precious eyes focused on Jesus while He wipes every tear and leads you exactly where you should go.”

I saw her in her 80’s. She was standing next to her family, smiling at the crowd surrounding her.

I wanted to whisper, “You’re so beautiful and strong. You did it. Keep your beautiful eyes focused on Jesus while your godly legacy continues to point others to God.”

Sigh. Wouldn’t it be incredible to visit ourselves? To remind our younger selves with what’s important? To stand on the sidelines cheering us on? To see us near the end of our life, knowing we did good? Knowing we stayed true to God?

Thinking about ourselves, it’s not always easy, as we walk where God leads us. Not easy to remember what’s important in the moments of our life.

But God is with us each step of the way. While we cannot go back in time, or jump forward for that matter, we can remember what we wished we knew and carry ourselves forward as if we did.

Let us live first within our identity as God’s precious child and focus our beautiful eyes only on Jesus, our Savior and dearest Friend.

My blog’s address will be updated soon. Everything will be forwarded and I’ll let you know when the new site is live!

My Wall

Published on May 30, 2026May 30, 2026 by amylinneaLeave a comment

Jesus said, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

How do you picture life?

Do you view it from above, seeing everything behind you, the mess you’re standing in, and the foggy distance?

Or do you see only what’s now? Literally what’s directly in front of your nose?

If you want to know what I think, I think we often see things in different ways.

Thoughtful times causes the past to look so precious, stretched out way behind our lovely selves.

Tough times can block our view of God’s faithfulness in the past, causing us to see only our frustrated present.

When you’re feeling great, the family is peaceful, and all your ducks are in a row, it’s easy to view your life from above: a casual observer of the wonderful space of time you currently sit.

Times of stress can cause our walls to almost cave inwards; as if life around us is defined as a literal wall.

Wall of what? Well, stuff, stress, noise, to do’s, or pure anxiety.

I’ve been stressed lately. Why? Well, life has plopped many large problems directly in my path. And I’ve grown weary of walking all the way around them. Or trying to move them.

But God reminded me today of something: when we are weak, He is strong.

When we are weak, when we have come to the absolute end of our everything, God will pour Himself into us again and again.

When we are done, He is not. In fact God is just getting started.

So if you are at the end, get excited, because God is ready to take over! If you’ll let Him, that is.

I know, we need to daily rely on His strength. And I do. You do. But I’m talking about more stress than normal. Like several big things all at once.

When that happens, it’s easy to become just plain tired. We keep going with God’s help, but our mind doesn’t completely give everything over to God. We don’t because there is just so much. We give God some, but apparantly not all.

Ever happened to you? Well, that was me. And now it’s not.

As I was praying, God showed me His strength over mine. And now I’ll show you.

Picture yourself sitting by a giant wall of water. It can be the ocean if you want.

As you reach up your hand, God grasps it, pulling you up.

He looks at you and waits for your words, “Ready.”

Together, you take a step. A giant step. As you step together, the water parts. Boom!

You take another step together and the water parts even more. As we step, I hear a loud Boom.

Before you know it, you’ve walked together a ways, all on dry land. Just like the Israelites.

Your problems and messes are next to you, but God has walked you through.

With His strength. With His peace. With even His joy.

Join me and keep your hand in His as you purposely place your problems, your joys, and your just right moments with God. He’s not going anywhere. But it’s your choice to go with Him. Or not.

Photos by Matt Hardy and hangjia xu on Unsplash

Psalm 1

Published on March 16, 2019March 8, 2019 by amylinneaLeave a comment

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Blessed is the one
who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers, (vs 1)

I am blessed by God when I choose to listen to Him, ignoring the evil ways of my natural self, shutting out the noise that clutters my mind.

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but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
and who meditates on his law day and night. (vs 2)

I am filled with joy when my sole focus is God; when I focus on His promises remembering His truth.

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That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
whatever they do prospers. (vs 3)

When I purpose my mind and thoughts on Him, I am a strong tree with roots firmly planted in the ground – never faltering, never swaying – immovable in Him.

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Not so the wicked!
They are like chaff
that the wind blows away.

Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. (vs 4,5)

I will not be like or resemble the ungodly, who are without the peace of God. Their actions on earth will pass away like the wind. They will forever be separate from God, my God.

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For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked leads to destruction. (vs 6)

My God will continually watch over my every step all the days of my life. His goodness and mercy will follow me and my head will be covered by His tender love and protection always.

Photos by Alexandru Tudorache, Rodion Kutsaev, chau kamto, Daria Nepriakhina, & Matt Hoffman on Unsplash