If I were able to sit and have coffee, tea, lemonade or just ice water with each of you, I would have to share my heart. I’m just not a fluff person. Life is way, way, way too short to waste time on surface stuff. Besides surface stuff is not really my idea of true friendship {at least not in this silver haired lady’s personal opinion}.
“How are you?”
“Good. How are you?”
“Good.”
So positively not me.
My heart has been extra heavy this last week, needing some time to think and pray {and fast}. Needing to hear from the Lord. In fact, on Wednesday, I said aloud to the kids as they worked on their school at the kitchen table, “I just need the Lord to write the answer to such-n-such in the sky. I’m too close to the situation to understand what He’s saying.”
Literally, within four hours of saying that He “wrote in the sky”.
So clearly, so unexpectedly, I truly almost fell over. Although it was not the answer any of us expected. It was the polar opposite from what I expected. I was left reeling.
I am still walking around pretty much dumbfounded. We all are. Graham said, “Didn’t you ask for the answer to be written in the sky?” I had completely forgotten that I’d even said that four hours before.
Anyway, I know many of you have been seeking and praying for answers to all sorts of things. Sometimes it is so hard to hear what He is saying because of how close we are to a situation.
He does answer though. Just sometimes the answers are a surprise and not always in “wow! How super fun is that?” way.
But we cling to the fact that He is faithful.
He is always faithful.
His mercies are new every single morning.
And He has a plan in the midst of it all. Because He has you {and me} on His mind at this very moment, how amazing is that? Because of your emails and comments the Lord brings many of you to mind in the most random of times through out my day….and know that I am praying for you, my friends, today. That Almighty God writes the answers you need in the sky, per se.
Because He loves you just that much.
I cannot imagine the number of people you hear from Linny……you are a blessing to so many. We all need to remember to lift you up in prayer too, friend. And we need to remember God wants to hear from all of us and he DOES speak to us in so many ways. Sending BIG hugs your way today and lots of prayers.
Love you my friend.
I love when He answers 'immediately' and in just the method we ask Him to, so it's undeniably Him… with answers that are undeniably His – usually counter to how our culture would answer.
Well our answer was so undeniably Him, it was crazy.
why is that so crazy? I ask myself sometimes why I'm so surprised when the Lover of my soul responds in a loving way to me… I don't ever want to forget to give Him all the Glory… but I wish I wasn't so surprised – that I would be more expectant and ask more often and receive more freely – KNOW Him more intimately.
Just 10 minutes ago I was reading the Word and prayed "Lord, I just need to hear from you." Thanks for sharing. I pray for you all a lot.
I pray Julie, that you hear from Him, soon. He is never late. And thank you for the prayers.
Thank you for making this easier to read, I think I mentioned before the cursive font is to light.
I'm grateful that it is better…but still a "fun" font. I love "happy" looking fonts.
The Lord often brings you all to my mind. What a privilege to be able to pray for you. As my Aunt used to say (she just went to meet Jesus INE PERSON a few weeks ago!) "I'm going to pray for you, and there ain't a thing you can do about it!" I love that!
I sent a box out for Emma's snack bags today. ETA is next Monday. Tell Em thanks SO much for sharing.
Thank you, Joy, for the prayers for us. And thank you for caring for the orphans and sending bags!
Love ya, Linny! Praise Him for an answer! Love to see Him work. He's so creative!! Oh, and I loathe f.l.u.f.f.!! I call people on it sometimes when I see they look like they're hurting but won't be straight about it. Gotta love each other and we cant really do it if we ain't bein' real.
Been praying 4 u 2!
Maureen
Made me chuckle that you 'loathe fluff'. Me too. The world {and church} can be sooo fluffy, but His word says to "tie kindness and truth around our necks"…
Can I just say: YEAH! Thanks for not being a "Fluff" person! I'm not either and I really appreciate your non-fluffness 😉
Fluffy is such a waste of time – I know you know what I mean!!
I wish I could hear the Lord in the way you hear him. I have tried to become a better listener. I just have a bad situation that I am trying to listen for an answer to. I am not sure what to do and seem to get conflicting signs. I pray for the strength I need to get through this, the courage to take the road the Lord leads me, and the ability to listen to the Lord to know where it is that he is leading me. I am glad you received your answers in your time of need. God Bless.
He WILL talk to you. He promises to "confide in those who fear {respect/honor} Him." Psalms 25:14 It takes time though sometimes, and always obedience. So remember, if you want Him to speak, obey the little things He asks you to do…..and if you are having a hard time discerning what He is saying…FAST and pray! Fasting clears our minds and hearts like nothing else {at least for me!}.
AMEN! No fluff here either….it's too boring 🙂
Soooo boring.
Sometimes what you write about seriously freaks me out!
In a good way of course!
Been having an ongoing conversation with God about hearing Him, and if I'm really listening closely enough and of course if He could please just speak up a little, lol
think He heard me…
It seriously freaks you out?? You make me smile. Kind of funny, too, but as I was typing the post you were on my mind. He must have been telling me that you were going to be ministered to through it. Praying you hear from Him what you need to hear….even if it means "writing it on the sky".
I am fasting and praying everyday in the mornings until I hear from our Faithful God on something that I need direction from Him on. It is a good reminder that He is so faithful to answer. I just need to hear from Him on this….Thanks Linny
I will pray, Jenay, that He speaks clearly to your heart. YOu know He will. He is faithful.
this is EXACTLY what I needed to read tonight. After praying and fasting for direction about a specific decision for our family, I've been discouraged because has seemed silent. I am encouraged to wait on Him and to be listening for His answer in unexpected places! Thanks for listening to Gods heart
Waiting is the hardest part. Of course, sometimes, when the answer is not what we expect, sometimes that waiting phase is not all bad – haha. Praying for you, Jessemyn, as you wait. His answer is always on time.
How are your words ALWAYS what I need to read? I swear sometimes I think He just has you writing this blog for me. 😉
And thank you for your sweet words today. You are a major blessing and I am SO thankful that He has allowed our lives to cross. 🙂
Love you!
Rock the world girl! God's speed as you go. So proud of you and praying you there!
Linny- Thanks for posting this! I have read your blog for sometime now and though you don't know me (us), we could really use your prayers right now as we figure out some decisions as a family. Just today I was thinking, "I wish I knew what He wanted us to do." Every time we think we have made a decision, He seems to be opening another door (or closing one). We are so confused! We will keep you in our prayers as well. Thank you.
Andy, love, love, love hearing from men out there. I will be joining you in prayer Andy. And the thing that Dw and I always do is walk toward any open doors…and pray as we go that He closes what He wants closed. An adventure, no dobut, and never dull, but He is faithful and through the waiting/walking phase, He is working trust in our hearts….because He is completely trustworthy – as you know! Praying in Phoenix for you all.
Linny, you are awesome! It was just what I needed to hear as we need the Lord's guidance and clear direction:) Thank you for the encouragement today friend! Praying for you all!
Glad you were encouraged by the Lord. Praying as you wait for His answers.
Linny, not sure what you are going through but I pray that it would all be reconciled in the name of Jesus. May the Lord comfort and give wisdom and discernment to all. Thanks for sharing with us.
Trina S.
Thank you Trina.
Just today I was taking my furry friend for a walk asking God for clear answers in any form…typically I'm a burning bush kinda girl…lol..but would take writing in the sky..love your heart thank you for sharing.
Burning bush is good, writing in sky works too.
Linny,
Just like many others your post was timely for me too. Two days in a row I received a message that I know was from the Lord while I was praying in the morning. The message was a vision of "clear". The problem is I have no idea what it means. I guess I need to wait for Part II! Have you had this experience?
If indeed it was from Him, {as it sounds like it was} He WILL give you clarity. He is so faithful. And yes, absolutely!, there have been many, many, many times that the message comes in pieces…and in the end it all makes sense! Wait. Fast. Pray!
Earlier today I prayed that an answer would be clear. Thank you for the reminder to listen. My head says I should do one thing while my heart says another. Desperately searching for what God says.
Your family is lovely and so is your heart. Thank you for sharing both with us!
He will never compromise His word…and He will make His paths straight. I would suggest you pray back scripture to Him as you wait…like, "Lord you said in …..You would make our paths straight…" etc. He loves to hear His word being prayed back. Think about in the wilderness when the enemy came to tempt Him, He, himself, quoted scripture back to him.
Thank you so much!!!!
Awesome how He spoke to you in a way that you knew was definitely from Him 🙂 Yes, I can understand about being too close to a situation where I'm not sure what exactly it is that He wants, or what I expect… so far He has been pushing me to go to this certain person through so many ways so I had no choice but to obey. Like Jonah.
Praying for you as you travel Susan.
Thanks for keeping it real. You are such an encouragement to me. I need to listen more. I tend to like to tell God what I think He should do. It is so hard for me to discern God's voice from all the noise in the world. As life with our littlest tends to be hectic(he has many medical needs) , I need to carve out more time for my Bible time. I am realizing how important that time in the Word is on a daily basis. Thanks for the encouragement.
Many years ago I prayed, "Lord you have given me these treasures, you see my plate…speak fast and clearly when you are ready to speak." He has faithfully done that and some of the most profound times have been in the shower {usually a bit quieter in there, but not always – haha}.
I don't know how old you are but since I passed 50 (7 years ago) "fluff" is even more frustrating and tiresome than ever! That is why a close circle of good friends who really know you is so delicious!
I love your blog and your amazing family!
I'm 53 and I totally and completely agree with you. I wouldn't have probably believed it if I'd heard someone say that, but first hand, I know this to be sooo true!
please, please, please all the prayers needed for my friend who 2 year old girl is not expected to live a lot longer…I do not know if she and her husband know our beloved and graceful Lord, so please help pray for wisdom, love, hope, comfort,
thanks so much
a rocky mountain girl
I will pass the request on to the Knee Team – they are group of praying warriors!
So Needing to hear from my King… Tears… Thank You for the Encouragement!
I pray you hear His sweet whisper and it comforts your heart.
I have thought about you so many times this past week! Wondering what was going on from Wednesday to Monday that we didnt hear anything from you on here! Even thought about emailing to let you know! Guess that was the Holy Spirits way of making sure you were covered in prayer while your seeking God! Praying for peace in abundance for you!
Oh Alicia, thank you. I have so needed the prayers. Today I got a letter from a man in Finland…it spoke profoundly to my heart…who knew? Thank you for continuing to pray.
I hear you sister! I recently asked for a sign from God regarding if I was supposed to help someone in need (to give of myself a lot and you know I am stretched to the limit as it is) and He ever so faithfully sent me not one, not two, but 3 very clear signs that yes indeed I am hearing His voice and I am supposed to help this person. Now, I just need to help with a cheerful heart! 'Cause quite honestly, right now my heart is not in it and I feel myself getting caught up in myself and my needs (and my 5 kids of course).
The Lord brought Ty, Sarah, and the baby to my mind yesterday, so not sure what that was about, but am praying for them too!
<3
Rebecca
Listen brave girlfriend….give it joyfully! Ya know why? Cause you hear His voice and when you obey He has some awesome rewards in store in response to your obedience!! And His rewards are waaaay better then whatever you can give away, right? Get excited sweet friend – this is gonna be soooo exciting. Promise!! PS Thank you for the prayers…
God did something small last night during a conversation with my mom and me! She was trying to recover some lost articles and said aloud, "if only two were returned, I'd be more than happy and satisfied." Literally thirty seconds later, she got an e-mail on her phone saying that he had mistakenly received two of those articles and would bring them to her. Isn't God amazing?!
He is, indeed, amazing!
Just had to say "hi" and thank you so much for your honesty – you are such a blessing to my life!
Thankful for our "chance" meeting – God is soooo good! xo
Oh I am all about keeping it real. Fluff drains the blood out of me. It causes me to avoid some things because it makes my skin crawl. I am so happy it isn't just me. Being an introvert I can't do fluff well and I crave the deep things and want to know someones heart. Thank you for sharing your heart. We have been praying for you guys so very much this week. We actually pray for you guys probably every day. My kids talk as if we know you personally and they are just little guys. I have had Him speak to me with a bird on my house, a huge bird perched right on top. I knew that He was saying you are under the shelter of my wings. No doubt His word. Seeking him for my family as I raise my three treasures on my own. I yearn to hear him and I am desperate for him to lead me to raise up mighty arrows. I know one day I will have some lemonade with you and give you a big hug!
I would love to visit with you {and pray that someday we can} BUT you have the lemonade…no matter how hard I've tried I just can not do anything lemon….it gives me the most dreadful case of the puckers! Blahk!!
Wow… that's so amazing!! The Lord can do AMAZING INCREDIBLE things <3
I cant WAIT to actually talk to you!!! 😀
Linny….I would love to sit down and have a heart to heart with you! I tell my hubby that someday our family is going to meet yours too! 🙂 Your post, what I needed to hear and makes so much sense. You and your family come to my mind a lot too and I say a prayer almost every time. I can't even get into surface conversations anymore it seems…will be praying for you and yoru family and the things that are on your heart. Carrie
We can do all things through Christ who gives us strenth…..
So, So, So True! Its what we do with those hard answers that matter most though!
The Lord brings you to mind quite often too! Yesterday I was talking to a woman who called into the Hope Center in our little town. She needs rent assistance and we ended up having a 20 minute conversation about trusting the Lord and I even told her about your Memorial Box! She said she used to write down when God answered a prayer or meet a need but it got to a point where it was all day every day and she couldn't keep up! How awesome is that?! She wasn't feeling really thrilled about it but I told her to start collecting little reminders so when her answers came in ways she didn't always like she could still see God's hand in them. Like having to ask for help even though she is working every day. Praying for your hard answers… OOO, I have to tell you how great it is to be a part of the knee team! What is sooo amazing is praying and then seeing the praise reports rolling in!! Our God is faithful! Sheri
I love when the Lord shows up exactly like we ask Hime to!! I had it one time that I asked God for a sign and 20 min later I drove by a church and on their message board outside was "If you need a sign from God this is it!" Love our God!!
On another note. I had 5 backpacks shipped to you and have the letters, and candies from my boys ready to be put in the mail. They are so excited about this project and we pray everyday for the boys who will recieve these backpacks! I am going to Uganda in Oct. and they made me print out a picture of the backpacks so I can take it with me and "watch for our boys".
Blessings,
Shanna
Amen!
You have been on my heart so much this past week and WE (my husband and Mark & Elizabeth, members of the GO team) have been praying specifically for you. We love you Linny and pray God's peace upon you. ♥
Praying for you today. Would love to hear an update on Sarah? Blessings to you and your family.
Joni
Thank you so much, Linny for such an awesome post. As I was praying over a family issue, He revealed His answer through another person's writings. He is so wild, like that!! As He shared His response, it has put our family in a tailspin and in a direction we could not have planned. Please pray for our family to be strengthened and healed, as well as our safety. We would truly appreciate it.
My dear friend, You have been on my heart quite a lot lately. Know that we are praying for you and your sweet treasures (DW too 🙂 ) and that you are loved SO very much by SO many people. You bless us all with your kind words and encouragement and the way you share our Jesus! Love you very much! Who needs *fluff* we have enough to deal with. Lets just be real and show real love and concern for everyone. Lifting you before our gracious Father! ((((((((((Big Hugs Linny))))))))
Thank you for your encouragement that the Lord is always listening and that he does answer! He uses you even now:)
So AWE-some!!! We serve the MOST AMAZING God!!!
Such a great post! Wish I was able to read it on Monday for some encouragement. Yesterday was a court date for the baby we just took in and her sister. We still don't know what God will do or where he wants us. We will keep seeking His will and hope he will show us and lead us. Thanks for your openness!