Years ago, I started writing down all the amazing ways God used my day-to-day activities, children, family, and nature to teach me. The more I wrote, the more I noticed our extraordinary God in my everyday ordinary life. It became an exercise of the heart and grew my relationship with Christ in a way I had never experienced. Opening up the Bible daily drew me into His will and wonderful ways. He was no longer a friend of a friend, but my personal friend. I began to hear God whisper His desires and lessons for me. Now, my goal is to encourage women to stop and listen for His whisper in their lives by sharing what God has taught me through my Bible Studies and devotionals.
What will you do with this moment? This time of “Go!” without a clear plan or path or next step. What will you do with this moment? This time of reflecting, remembering, mourning, of letting go, of moving forward, of new things.
What will you do with this moment? These feelings of uncertainty encircled with deep trust, the unthinkable bolded with Divine confirmation, the path no one else can see, but you must take. What will you do with this moment?
The expectant heart that anchors a wiggly soul in the waiting and the trusting of provision and unknowing. What will you do with this moment? This personalized North Star that is ablaze before you, calling you, but no one else can see.
What will I do with this moment? I want to be where my feet are today – in this present moment. I will feel it all, trust with a whole heart while my eyes sparkle with adventure and expectant hope of the path that will unfold before me. I will “go!”.
A few months ago, I was at a social gathering when an old acquaintance struck up a conversation. This man had retired a few years back and I politely asked him how he was keeping himself busy, etc.
After a few minutes of friendly banter, he turned the conversation to my present-day life, “What are you up to these days?” I responded with the usual, “Homeschooling, ministry, podcasting.”
He inquired, “What’s the podcast about?”
“Life as a Christian, friend, mom, wife…” I continued with a brief overview.
The conversation took a turn when he responded, “What makes you an expert on these things?”
I could feel the tension begin to rise, but I naively thought he was still making small talk.
I responded, “My 48 years in this world as a woman, my life experiences, the years of study,”
“But what makes you an authority?”, he retorted.
After a brief pause of disbelief, I gathered my thoughts…
Option 1
After a brief pause of disbelief, I gathered my thoughts and sucker-punched him right in the nuts. Doubled over and wincing in pain, he attempted to catch his breath as he muttered, “Ugh, that hurt!”
“Oh?”, I responded, “What makes you an expert?”
Sweat dripping off his brow, he glares up at me. I sauntered away just as he is about to begin his retort.
Looking over my shoulder I ask, “But what makes you an authority?!”
Option 2
After a brief pause of disbelief, I gathered my thoughts and responded, “Jesus…and the cross.” I gracefully ended the conversation and walked away with my head held high.
Lucky for this guy, I was all prayed up and I responded with option #2. Over the next few days, I replayed the conversation in my head numerous times, getting more agitated as time went on.
Many thoughts crossed my mind as I considered all of the ways I should’ve responded. (option #1😊)
I finally landed on this.
I answer to God for the way I live my life and how I use the talents and opportunities He gives me. I don’t need the world’s approval or accolades and I will not let a small-minded person get in my way.
At the end of the day, I am working towards the day when I hear those precious words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
Like leaves on fall trees, the old must fall away for a time. It can feel naked and bare, exposed to all, but it’s in this vulnerability and season of bareness where all falls away . . . that change is made, truth becomes clear, perspectives shift, and healing occurs.
And then, when all feels overwhelming, unending, and exhausting – new signs of growth begin to gradually appear. . . small at first, fragile, tender and delicate – but present. Hope that’s felt deeply and almost tangible . . . foreshadowing growth and beauty is ahead.
Winter exposes the lies and sins gripping our hearts – slowly, silently strangling out the life and light within us. Like invasive vines creeping up the trunk of a tree. They aren’t seen in the summer but exposed in the nakedness of winter. It’s these winter times that expose how entangled we are. We can see more clearly the grip and growth that has causally, slowly and sneakily overtaken our hearts. It’s then God extends a gentle and perfect invitation to allow Him to enter our hearts so He can prune, cut away the invasive species gripping us and cut it off at the roots.
And then, slowly and reliably spring comes – new, colorful, and ordained growth brightens our lives in such a way that we can’t help but see the dead vines in contrast. No longer able to hide in our lives and hearts, but seen for what they were, what used to be – sucking life and strangling light out of us. God has cleaned it all up . . . fought for us . . . forgiven us.
And now, at the end of the season, the old barrenness become beautiful. The pruning and cutting away has left room for life and light in new areas that couldn’t be reached before. A fullness of spirit that has more room for the Glory of God and for His Spirit to dwell. What once seemed annoying, painful, inefficient, frustrating, and difficult has become my greatest treasure, most valuable gift, and epic adventure with God. What seemed impossible to endure and overcome has been done – with God.
I have finally realized that in all things me, the only hope is You, GOD! I can try with all my might, passion, and will, but without You, nothing will move or change.
I can seek . . . struggle . . . make every attempt . . . and every effort to transform my life, reverse negative traits, adjust my attitude and revise my heart to look more like Yours, but without YOU, it’s not feasible.
I may catch of glimpse or enjoy a temporary shift but that is all it will be. . . it will be a reshaping that only lasts a short while. The stubborn knots are impossible for me to untangle alone. The challenge insurmountable without Your strength and guidance, the sticky stubbornness impossible to dilute without Your Spirit.
Only You can overcome the unsurmountable and I can only do it with YOU! Thank goodness, I don’t have to do it alone . . . and You never even asked me to.
God, Your hands have made all things seen and unseen . . .
Your hands hold me up when I am weak and unsteady and tenderly lead the way.
Your hands guide me, formed me, go to battle for me against the enemy, and display signs and wonders only You can compose.
Your hands reach out for me and pull me close, it’s there I experience the fullness of Your love.
Your hands hold me tight, bring deep and lasting comfort to my shattered heart and weary soul.
You redeem me with salvation and offer an everlasting home that is often hard to imagine. It’s in Your hands my heart is changed, my ears attuned to Your voice and my whole being transformed.
Remove all that hides my true heart from You, God. Whatever covers, conceals and tries to cancel You out. . . carve it out and engrave Your name instead.
I want to truly live, to love you with an undivided heart and my entire being. I understand this is a bold ask. . . for me not You.
It will be arduous and unpleasant at times with only small glimpses of sunrays through many storm clouds. The darkness may feel overwhelming and disturbing at times, but You are light and are with me even when my eyes can’t focus long enough to see. The road You have laid out before me, promised me and placed me here [in this moment] to follow.
It’s a bold ask, it’s scary and intimidating, but You will be with me. Give me courage and great strength – Give me Your courage and great strength.
Dear God, we can become so lost in empty rituals, living our lives as a play instead of reality and using our faith [and your name] to cover up instead of set right and heal our bound hearts. What will it take to acquire the strength and courage needed to unbind our hearts from fabrications and performance so we can instead tether it to You?
Dear Daughter, listening for my voice and trusting in it. I can put into healing words what you feel, what you have endured and suffered from. Will you trust me enough to place it in my hands? Will you open your ears, heart and mind to honestly listen and receive what I have to share with you? My Words cure, mend, repair, restore, relieve, correct, comfort, resolve and reconcile so you heart and spirit are renovated back to new. Back to Me!
God, it’s You who opens minds and grants understanding beyond our comprehension. It’s You who frees our hearts from broken fragments that are still causing pain, to accept your tremendous love.
It’s You who clear our eyes to see the glory around us and make mysteries dissolve. It’s You who uncorks our ears to the rustle of your robe and attune them to even a hint of your presence.
It’s You who has gifted us with a constant friend and companion – Your Spirit – to do life with, love with, battle with and grieve with. It’s You who awakens every fiber of our being, all of our senses, to the grandeur of your gifts, brilliance of Your wisdom, and delight of Your friendship.
May we revel, rejoice and glorify You as you full equip us through Your gift of the Spirit.
The Whisper of God Blog 
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