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Faith, Messier than normal

God is whispering to me

I was getting ready to head back to my apartment when Abram asked if I’d help him with a project he was working on before I left. I said yes without getting details.

“What has God has been teaching your recently? What do you hear him saying? Write it on your hand and I’ll take a picture.” He said, showing me a few samples on his camera.

My heart fluttered for just a moment as the choice we each face presented itself. Are you going to wear a mask or not? Will you share something that sounds good but lacks authenticity OR something that reveals what’s been going on? You know what I’m whispering.

I’m good with words, so you wouldn’t be able to tell. Why did I agree so quickly? I can’t back out now.

Holding the pen, I looked at another friend and asked, “How do you sum up the conversation we had yesterday? The leg of the journey I’m on?”

How do you put into word that this heartache and pain is starting to lift. That I am slowly returning to me?

“Joy,” he said glancing up from the computer screen, “You’ve got to put joy in there.”

Joy.

He was right, joy must be a part of it. It’s been the cry for a while now.

And then as if God himself wrote on my hand, I wrote:

Abram took his photos and I returned home. When I got home I needed to take my own photo to remind myself that I am written on His hand and He is written on mine. Behold, I have carved you on the palms of My hands (Isaiah 49:16) and I am not forgotten.

This photo has become my screen saver. I went out that evening with two friends and couldn’t help but wave my hand in their faces. Do you see?! Can you believe with me!? Though they are not the type to write on their hands and then wave them at odd moments, they put up with me. Slowly, slowly joy is being renewed. Humbly, and with palm extended, I say Thank you, Lord. Thank you.

What’s your answer to Abram’s question? Please be brave and at least 20 of you comment. Please.

Follow up post: God is whispering to you

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47 Comments February 26, 2012

About Amy

My name is Amy and I live in the messy middle of life. I have been Redeemed from permanent muck and live with the tension of the Already and Not Yet.

Comments

  1. Gayle Wilson says

    February 26, 2012 at 6:48 am

    Your self-pity is not only stealing your joy, it’s keeping you from being the real you.

    Reply
    • Amy says

      February 26, 2012 at 6:58 am

      Thank you for sharing. Truly.

      Reply
  2. Kristi Magi says

    February 26, 2012 at 6:48 am

    Trust. Hope. Believe. HE loves me!

    Reply
    • Amy says

      February 26, 2012 at 6:59 am

      He does! Oh he does. Thank you for sharing.

      Reply
  3. jan dozeman says

    February 26, 2012 at 9:00 am

    As I begin a new semester with classes and then all the students that I want and need to spend time with I am overwhelmed, but … I am assured that “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”. It’s not me, it’s Him!

    Reply
    • Amy says

      February 26, 2012 at 9:28 am

      Now that IS something to write on your hand and walk into daily, hourly, moment-by-moment!

      Reply
  4. Lizzie says

    February 26, 2012 at 9:45 am

    He is saying, “Trust Me. Trust Me alone.”

    Reply
    • Amy says

      February 26, 2012 at 9:48 am

      Trust Me alone. Beautiful.

      Reply
  5. Hepuni Kayina says

    February 26, 2012 at 9:48 am

    I would write ” Die to self and live” on my palm.

    Reply
    • Amy says

      February 26, 2012 at 9:50 am

      I love how he speaks to each of us, individually. And as we share, collectively. Die to live. Yes, yes, yes!

      Reply
  6. Cassie Griffin says

    February 26, 2012 at 10:16 am

    I Get To

    Reply
    • Amy says

      February 26, 2012 at 10:19 am

      So powerful! and encouraging!

      Reply
  7. Luray says

    February 26, 2012 at 7:30 pm

    Learning to open my hands and keep them open…Hold on to nothing but him…

    Reply
    • Amy says

      February 26, 2012 at 7:36 pm

      Keeping them open. Wise words! Thanks!

      Reply
  8. blissphil says

    February 26, 2012 at 9:29 pm

    I am preparing you. Don’t give up!

    PS I really needed to read this today!

    Reply
    • Amy says

      February 27, 2012 at 5:44 am

      So thankful for God’s timing and what you’re hearing from Him!

      Reply
  9. Kristi Magi says

    February 26, 2012 at 9:43 pm

    Sorry for double dipping. :0) This came to mind after my devos. “Lean hard.”

    Reply
    • Amy says

      February 27, 2012 at 5:44 am

      We can learn/hear more than one thing!

      Reply
  10. JoDee Martin says

    February 27, 2012 at 5:53 am

    Be content, right where you are, right now.

    Reply
    • Amy says

      February 27, 2012 at 5:55 am

      Contentment. Oh yes.

      Reply
  11. Karen says

    February 27, 2012 at 9:49 am

    In the struggle, I am with you. Hold on. I will take you through.

    Reply
    • Amy says

      February 27, 2012 at 9:57 am

      Hold on. Good words!

      Reply
  12. Shelley says

    February 27, 2012 at 8:30 pm

    Surrender and trust your life and plans to me knowing that I have your good in mind. :)

    Reply
    • Amy says

      February 27, 2012 at 8:36 pm

      Surrender. Trust. Interesting how those often go together!

      Reply
  13. Kim says

    February 29, 2012 at 8:19 am

    I have you, don’t worry. Lean on me, I am your strength.

    I need a bigger hand!!!

    Thanks for sharing from your heart!

    Reply
    • Amy says

      February 29, 2012 at 8:40 am

      And thanks for sharing from yours! It’s risky, at times, but worth it (usually!). =)

      Reply
  14. Amy Flammang says

    March 5, 2012 at 8:53 pm

    Dwell in Me.

    Reply
    • Amy says

      March 5, 2012 at 9:16 pm

      Dwell. That’s a powerful word!

      Reply
  15. Justin says

    March 5, 2012 at 10:14 pm

    What?! You mean he can talk to you outside of a church building?! Great blog. This posts resonates with me and I thought it might with you as well! Thanks! http://goo.gl/GUgkZ

    Reply
    • Amy says

      March 6, 2012 at 6:16 am

      Yes =) !

      Reply
  16. Anita Mathias says

    March 8, 2012 at 3:27 am

    In me are hidden all treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Ask me when you need answers

    Reply
    • Amy says

      March 8, 2012 at 5:31 am

      Ask. I forget that one so easily!

      Reply
  17. Kit says

    March 22, 2012 at 7:57 pm

    I just found your blog today.
    I am struggling with trusting God as our family faces a big move and we leave a life that we love.
    My Father is saying to me:
    Trust Me. I know you. I see You. Your children are mine.

    Thanks for encouraging me today.

    Reply
    • Amy says

      March 23, 2012 at 6:07 am

      Kit, thanks so much for stopping by … big moves are hard! Especially on Moms. Blessings. Trust and Know, good words!

      Reply
  18. Rachel @ Common to Moms says

    March 26, 2012 at 3:21 am

    Don’t let anyone convince you that I don’t love you. I do.

    Reply
    • Amy says

      March 26, 2012 at 5:15 am

      Yes, yes, yes!

      Reply
  19. LeAnne says

    April 25, 2012 at 10:33 pm

    the Word. Or, coming from Him “My Word.” It’s so much more than just where the answers are but is the only Book that can soften a heart, change an attitude and transform a human.

    Reply
    • Amy says

      April 26, 2012 at 5:33 am

      So true, so true!

      Reply
  20. Christi MaGee says

    May 14, 2012 at 9:30 am

    Found your blog today because of Mother’s Day link. Thankfully our church had a missionary speak today…not a cute Mother’s Day sermon. I looked through your other posts w/the feeling there was something else the Lord wanted me to read. The word the Lord spoke to me was Trust me…I have your future in the palm of my hand. Needless to say your post spoke to me & confirmed I and my family are in the palm of God’s hand!

    Reply
    • Amy says

      May 14, 2012 at 9:38 am

      Love this! Thanks Christi. Amy

      Reply
  21. LynnR says

    May 5, 2013 at 7:59 pm

    I found your blog today because of the Mom’s Day link… It is very interesting to me. I usually have a hard time reading Christian articles and blogs because they are too what-I-read-as ridiculously sunny and optimistic. Yes, God is good, but how does that comfort me in week 5 of my special needs child being in the hospital (for the bazillionth time) in absolute agony with no diagnosis? Yes God is just but that isn’t what I need when my husband tells me he has thought about leaving every day of our 20 year marriage. Yes, He does work all things together for good… Yes He does.
    What He has been working with me on lately which will sound strange is “you can do whatever you want.” He is giving me access to the freedom for which Christ set us free…
    I enjoy your honest writing. Thank you. I would like to read more about the meningitis experience. Oh. My. Gladys, as my daughter would say!!

    Reply
    • Amy says

      May 5, 2013 at 8:21 pm

      Lynn, this is simply beautiful. Thank you so much for the comment and a bit of your story! I do need to add more on meningitis … just haven’t, but THAT, that was a wild ride (and the after affects went on for years). Please pop back in. Amy

      Reply
  22. Sarah Williams says

    June 29, 2015 at 2:00 pm

    Live for today and today only.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. 31 Reminders of Eden: JOY // The Messy Middle says:
    October 21, 2013 at 6:27 am

    […] then Abram asked the question that lead to this post on my joy returning and the follow up post on what God’s whispering to […]

    Reply
  2. A year of Cour_ge // The Messy Middle says:
    December 27, 2013 at 6:32 am

    […] But in late February 2012 I shared that I had been asked to write on my hand what God had been whispering. And a word, really a phrase, for that season picked me. Renewed Joy. […]

    Reply
  3. Practice Celebration :: One Word 2015 // The Messy Middle says:
    January 6, 2015 at 5:56 am

    […] readers know my One Word journey has meandered through Renewed Joy (2012), Cour_ge (2013) and Trust (2014). You can read a summary of the journey […]

    Reply
  4. Review: Fight Back With Joy {and a Give Away!} // The Messy Middle says:
    January 12, 2015 at 5:37 am

    […] each other in the midst of it. You know my journey with choosing a word for the year started with renewed joy, the deepest longing of my heart in that season and this is my year to practice […]

    Reply

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My name is Amy and I live in the messy middle of life. I have been Redeemed from permanent muck and live with the tension of the Already and Not Yet. Read More…

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