The Apple

Yesterday I was outside early in the morning walking Emma’s puppy Charlee Louise and our Nelly up and down our lane. My heart was heavy and burdened. Someone we love so very, very much has encountered just about the worst imaginable circumstance. She is a ‘daughter’ to us. Her situation couldn’t even have been dreamed up by Hollywood. It is that horrible.
I was praying as I was walking.
Add to the fact that this afternoon is the appointment with the surgeon.
As I was walking, I looked up and noticed the apple tree. See, our neighbors have an apple tree that looks like it’s on our property, but really is on theirs. The apples are just about ready to pick. We admire the apples, but they aren’t ours. Well, except for the drops. They don’t care about the ones on the ground, so we have gathered a few here and there. The ones that the birds pick apart on one side. Or the ones that just drop on their own.
With my heavy heart I stood staring at the tree. It’s a beautiful old tree. I was admiring God’s creation and the beauty of that old tree.
I was kind of whispering my thoughts to the Lord and said, “The apples look delicious. Lord, I would love an apple. I will not pick my neighbors apples, but it would be so fun if an apple that was beautiful was on the ground.”
Might sound silly to most. But these are the kinds of things I talk to the Lord about. Little things. Big things. Huge things. Teeny-tiny things. He cares about them all. He really does. He wants me to talk. He wants you to talk to Him. About all.of.it.
I stood for a moment just looking at the tree. It really is gorgeous. Strong. Big.
And as I stood looking at that tree
a
beautiful
red
apple
plunked
to
the
ground.

I literally laughed out loud.
And at that moment the Lord whispered,

“Linny, I hear your cries. I hear your pleas. I care more than you could ever imagine. I am working on the seemingly impossible and mountainous situation with your precious “daughter”. I go before you with the surgeon’s appointment.

Did you see that apple drop?

I heard your whisper.

An apple sent from Me.

A simple teeny-tiny desire of your heart.

If I care about the little desire of your heart –
how much more I care about all the giant things.

I love you, Linny.

I love you.”
How about you?
Are you in need of an apple reminder today?
Did you know that God is your rear guard?
He goes before you.
He never slumbers.
He never, ever sleeps.
He doesn’t go “out to lunch”.
He doesn’t put you on hold when you call out to Him.
You don’t ever need an appointment.
He hears every, single one of your cries.
He watches.
He listens.
He moves.
He moves the mountains.
He is your Advocate.
He is your Defender.
He is your Healer.
He is your Provider.
He works the night shift on your behalf.
Never for even a moment in history has He removed His faithfulness.
Even when we aren’t faithful?
Yup. He still remains faithful.
Grab an apple and set it on your counter.
And remember with me.

41 thoughts on “The Apple

  1. Deuteronomy 32:9-11 (New International Version)

    9 For the LORD's portion is his people,
    Jacob his allotted inheritance.

    10 In a desert land he found him,
    in a barren and howling waste.
    He shielded him and cared for him;
    he guarded him as the apple of his eye,

    11 like an eagle that stirs up its nest
    and hovers over its young,
    that spreads its wings to catch them
    and carries them on its pinions.

  2. Deuteronomy 32:9-11 (New International Version)

    9 For the LORD's portion is his people,
    Jacob his allotted inheritance.

    10 In a desert land he found him,
    in a barren and howling waste.
    He shielded him and cared for him;
    he guarded him as the apple of his eye,

    11 like an eagle that stirs up its nest
    and hovers over its young,
    that spreads its wings to catch them
    and carries them on its pinions.

  3. Linn,

    You need to know that what you wrote today ministered to my heart in a way you could not understand. I NEEDED to read that. God knew I needed to read that. Thank you.

  4. what a wonderful reminder. I needed it today. I had a hard morning with Mom (she has alzheimer's, in stage 6) and melted down big time. I was melting down as I finally got her down the stairs, put her shoes on, and finally stopped as we got out the door for brunch. I really needed this reminder. thanks.

  5. Beautiful! It humbles my heart and strengthens my faith and resolve when I read how much He loves us…Thank you Linny for this reminder. I am putting an apple on my counter right now! Right amidst all the herbs for Lyme 🙂 GREAT reminder!

  6. Linny, What a powerful reminder of His great love. I've been wanting to connect with you, to let you know I'm here and I'm lifting you up. This is such a good reminder of His holding us up, of His love and power that is able to meet all of our needs. Thank you for this reminder dear sister.
    Hugs to you,
    Noreen

  7. I'm so sorry to hear about your 'daughter', I hope she is doing alright, may our Lord give her comfort through this time.

    Thank you so much for sharing about the apple, I needed to hear it.

    Thanking Him for His reminder to you that He goes before you to the Dr's office. He is so kind and faithful to you 🙂 and to all of us too, we just need to hear Him more, include Him in all our thoughts, and may we be blessed to receive His guidance like you do.

  8. My niece and her hubby just had their first little one and I was able to give them our infant seat and stroller since my baby has outgrown them. What I didn't know was it was the exact set she wanted (even the color) but knew they wouldn't be able to afford it. It was a great lesson to pass along to my older boys…God cares about even the little things.

  9. Thank you. I needed to be reminded that even when it seems that God didn't answer, He did, in His wisdom and for our good. Even when the answer is death for the person you are praying for.

  10. Linny! I love those little "apple reminders." I remember a few months after moving to the middle east feeling pretty disconnected and lonely. I was wishing I had closer friends and missing calls with old pals. And I really wanted to stop and get a Starbucks, but it just didn't seem right to do it all alone. So I just told God how I was feeling and that it would be nice if he would just show me He cared, remind me that He was in this place with me……and within 5 minutes my cell phone rang and a lady I had met called me and said she was stopping by Starbucks and asked if she could pick one up for me and come by the house. It was such a God thing to do and I knew everything would be okay because he does even care about the "teeny" things like coffee!

  11. Beautiful! Isn't it amazing how He loves us all as the "apple of His eye"? I do believe you must be one of His favorites.

    I will pray for your "daughter" who has experienced such pain. I continue to pray for healing and strength for you. I hope your appointment yesterday went well and you have peace about whatever is ahead.

    You remain in my prayers.

    Much Love,
    Kathie

  12. Thinking of you and praying for your health as well as whatever is going on in your "daughter's" life.

    On another note, I was so glad to read Cheremi's good news as well. (I hope I spelled her name correctly.)

  13. Love your post. Just what I needed to hear. My heart has been heavy for the children I can't help- I'm praying for them. It has worn me out and I am just regaining strength to start our new journey… and then another one 😉

    I will pray for your "daughter K"- I ma so sorry for what is going on in her life- definitely a mountain… and it needs to be moved!

    Bless you sweet friend!

  14. that totally brought me to tears. Oh Thank You God for your unfathomable love and for showing it to your precious Linny just when she needed it most! Oh how we love You and are so desperate for You!!

  15. I SO NEEDED that apple reminder today. Carrying this little baby inside me has been on of the most fear provoking times in my life…when it should be one of great joy. With sending 5 little babies on to Heaven I am painfully aware that anytime, I could lose this one too. This fear is made more real with the problems I'm experiencing in the pregnancy.
    I did not ask for this baby…he's a complete miracle and gift from the Lord. It is not the Lord's desire for me to live in fear, but to continually whisper my thoughts and fears to the Him, so that I may rest under His mighty wings.

    Thank you for the reminder…my panties were starting to bunch up, and I needed it! :0)

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