Howdy, friends!
Allow me to reintroduce myself to you: My name is Lindsee, I was born and raised in Houston, TX, I’m tall with brunette hair and…
I’m only kidding.
It’s been well over two weeks since I’ve poked my head around these parts of the LPM Blog. While I literally keep the blog up on my computer screen at all times during the workday, I’ve only been present behind the scenes. I’ve not said hello!
So, hello! Or, howdy. Or, hi. Or, aloha. Or, whatever synonym you can come up with.
About two weeks ago I set out with my sweet roommate and we headed west to the great state of California.
(Is this where I admit my jealousy for you fine folks that live there ALL THE TIME. My word, it is stunning in every way. Minus the earthquakes, which, thank you, Jesus, I did not have the pleasure of experiencing.)
Anyway, one of the beauties of being single is having a little more freedom to travel, if you have the vacation time. I hadn’t used my vacation time to actually take a real life vacation in a while, so I did just that. We spent six days traveling all over Northern California, gallivanting through San Francisco, driving down The 1 (are you proud of me for using “The 1” correctly?), stopping every 15 minutes on the highway to take it all in, pulling out our iPhones trying to capture the beauty in pictures, rested, rode a few cable cars, ate some incredible food, were fascinated by all manner of people watching, toured Napa, stood inside big Redwood Trees and other fun things like that.
Listen, if you’re a creature of habit like I tend to be and desire to vacation to the same places over and over again, can I just encourage you to take a risk and visit somewhere you’ve never been? There is so much joy in seeing different cities and cultures and meeting new people. Just try it. And if you hate it, by all means, go back to your happy place.
Needless to say, I’m beyond grateful for that precious time off and a sweet time of rest and renewal.
A few days after I got back I was at lunch with my coworkers when I confessed to them that I had gone on my trip with the expectation that the Lord would give me some big revelation about Himself, or some insight on things I was praying about when, lo and behold, I returned with a phone bursting of breathtaking pictures, fun memories galore, but a journal full of empty pages. Although I spent most of my trip in complete awe of the Lord’s stunning creation, I didn’t get my big revelation.
Right after I shared that thought over lunch, Beth, understanding this phenomenon, shared that often when she’s in a creative setting (Insert: The California Coast) is when she is less creative. She mentioned that usually it’s when she covers her eyes with her hands and can see absolutely nothing that the Lord gives her the most revelation because nothing is distracting her from her goal.
I realize it’s not impossible to get revelation, creativity, and inspiration in stunning places, as this may be where some of you thrive, but for me, it made so much sense. The more beautiful my surroundings the less creative I am because I don’t NEED to be creative! Light bulb moment for yours truly.
I’ve sat at my desk 28 times since then and shut my eyes to see what might be revealed, and still nothing but black, but I trust the Lord. I trust that when we seek Him with all our heart, we will find Him.
Because I tend to process things a little slower, I’ve thought about that statement every day since and tested it in myself to see if that is true of me, too. And, I think it is. Since then, I’ve realized that most of my inspiration, creativity, revelation or however you want to label it comes by sitting down with a friend over coffee, or simply reading. And sometimes, it just takes faith and a fresh piece of paper and a new pen.
Naturally, it got me thinking about all of you. Sometimes I read the comments from you ladies and am stunned at the revelations and words you share. The way the Lord uses you to encourage all of us stuns me. I often wonder what your relationship with Jesus is like. Isn’t it crazy that sometimes even through a computer screen we can sense someone’s intimacy with Jesus? Only God.
So I’m curious, where do you find that you are most creative? In what spaces does the Lord often reveal Himself to you? Is it on the beautiful coast of California, or in your day to day reflections and routines? When I was on staff at a church before coming to LPM, I was known to ‘preach’ to the students that they did not have to wait for summer camp for the Lord to do something big in their life. He wants to do something in us in the midst of our everyday lives. I still hold true to that. I’m a big fan of camp, and getting away, even Jesus did that, but I’m also a big fan of seeking Him in our routine days.
He is so faithful, my friends. So faithful.
And in case you needed some refreshment, look no further than the west coast.
Carmel, California. Yes, please!
You can’t go to San Francisco and not get a picture perfect postcard of the Golden Gate Bridge. Perfect Day.
Sunset at the Fisherman’s Wharf.
Napa.
The 17 mile drive. Stunning.
Deep sigh. It only took seven days to fall in love with California. I miss it already.
Lindsee,
I am so glad that you enjoyed my home state of California. But I do have one tip for you. Usually the naming of highways depends on where in the state you are. Typically northern California peopel would say “Highway 1” and southern California peeps would say “The 1”. 🙂 I am so glad you enjoyed our state.
Lisa, thank you for clarifying! I must know these things. Grin.
I’m a southern CA girl through and through and we say highway 1, but THE 101 or the 5, or the 91. But you,sweet Lindsey, can say whatever you want!
Hi Valerie, your comment hadn’t posted when I made mine below. But at least we’re on the same page :).
Hi Lisa, I’m from Southern Cal and we also usually call it “Highway 1” down here. But we do say “The 5” or “The 91,” etc.
Your trip sound so lovely. And for the record I am now officially homesick for Northern CA. I grew up about 1/2 hour east of Sf and went to college in the north central valley. While I have to say the east coast is very pretty, the diversity of Ca is amazing. Living in SE Az I miss the green and the ocean. As for your question my answer would have to be I have no idea really. Although often reading books or doing a bible study will get me moving. ok so maybe I do have a small idea. Haha
Oh Lindsee — I am from California, I was born and raised there, lived there 42 years, then moved East to Florida. ( because it was just too darn expensive to live near the coast in Cali ) So, essentially, I traded one coast for the other. It is awesome here, but, me oh my, I sure do miss California. ( Northern, Southern, both fabulous ) It will always hold the most special place in my heart, earthquakes and all. I am so happy you feel the same !!!
Lindsee,
I have many relatives in California and have been from the nothern border all he way to Baja. It has so much beauty but alas too many people for me!!!
In ND what we lack in beauty we have no end to creative juices as there are less distractions here!!
I sit at my table facing my East window most AM’s now with the sun just beginning to kiss the dew laden grass and for May it is very cold up here so I don’t sit outside as yet it is abnormally cold this year and there is a real abundance of moisture.
Jesus speaks to me almost like chasing a butterfly. You know if you chase one with a net they are difficult to catch but if you just stand still one may light on your shoulder. It is when I am not searching for a revelation that I get one. He tends to show up for me when I am not expecting Him to.
Lately, my AM quiet times have been alittle barren. I have taken a good habit Beth spoke once of and post a sticky note of a verse that really spoke to me in my early AM reading but some days I don’t even find a verse that really stands out. I just trust He is there blessing me in my time I spend with Him even if I do not sense an over whelming presence of His while I am studying the Word.
I once was expecting in my retirement He was going to send me on some profound ministry but what’d He do, made me aware of kids in our small church who needed Sunday School despirately so in my retirement I am back to teaching SS again. Not what I would have thought I would be doing but hey I am just being obedient where ever.
Sometimes it is in the mundane the ordinary that He speaks the loudest in the most extraordinary way!!
Good to hear you are back!
Betty M
Hey, Lindsee,
I’m so glad you had a good time enjoying the beauty of my home state. It is such a beautiful place. There is so much to appreciate in all 50 states, but there is something truly special about this enormous state with every single climate and topography imaginable exist. I wish it were a more spiritually alive place and am praying to that end. For all its beauty and plenty, it is not an easy place to be a follower of Jesus.
To your question, I find that when I am out for walks in nature is when my mind will wander and the Lord will give some insight into some things. I don’t know if it is the lack of distraction of simply more oxygen getting to my brain, but it does seem that that is where the Lord will bring things to mind. Also, when driving. Which is hysterical, because along with the beauty of this state, there are lots of people and lots of traffic.
Anyway, I always appreciate your insights and thoughts on the blog. I am confident that the Lord has some really wonderful things in store for you, Sister.
Blessings,
Gretchen
Gretchen, I too find the car to be a sacred place for me sometimes as well. So I can go there with you!
We had an amazing 15 months in Monterey granted us by the USAF; we went to a state park just south of Carmel every Sunday evening for a picnic. Beautiful.
I have three at home with me for school daily, and so my time is usually with one of them. But I love to get up earlier than everyone else by a couple of hours and find that creative times happen when I’m rockin’ out with Judy Jazzercise or sitting (read hiding) on the floor by my bed for my quiet time. There’s nothing like a dark and quiet house when I know my people are resting safely while I have some alone time! 🙂
Hi Lindsee,
I’m glad to hear you had such a wonderful vacation. The pictures are absolutely stunning! I’m jealous! Grin. For me my creativity comes from the pictures God gives me in my mind’s eye. I just write down what I see. I love to write poetry, etc. I’ve played with the idea of writing a book, but Lord only knows what I’d write about that would interest anybody. Smile…As of late the pictures that form in my mind and the creative writing that results are while I’m hearing the great teaching of my Pastor are what are inspiring me the most at this point and time. I have the incredible blessing of John Piper being my former Pastor and now the great man of God who learned under him at the helm. I’m so blessed I can hardly stand it! So glad you’re back Lindsee, I was begining to wonder where you were…In Christ, Mary G.
How beautiful I gave stood at these places traveled your path in California been in these cities on vacation.
The Lord reveals Himself in handiwork of His beauty creating so many wonders to behold.
LINDSEE!!!!!
Oh oh oh this is SO perfect! I was born and raised in CA and am now in Houston. And guess what?!?! Although I’ve always had an incredibly artistic brain, I’ve never created anything significant before this year. I would take all manor of drives along the 1 and even lived in Santa Cruz for a spell. Sitting on the beach every single day. And nothing.
This year, I moved to Houston. While I find a LOT to love here, it’s not what I’m used to visually. In a lot of ways the typical things I find beauty in are nowhere around me.
(But that skyline……)
I LOVE the job. But Part of me went into a dark place for a bit. I wondered why. And one day I began to see what had happened in the darkness…..
My journal is filling up.
My fingers itch to blog.
I began watercolor for the first time.
I started singing again for the first time in YEARS.
And the biggest thing? I’m dreaming. Dreaming huge things for the future.
In a way that’s truly creative.
This theory is SO spot on. Good good good one!
We’re glad to have you in Houston, Elisabeth!
Tee Hee….those of us in Central and Northern CA don’t use “The” designation re highways. Don’t recall hearing it even in SoCal when I was young, but apparently common down there now. Glad you enjoyed our beauty and skipped the quake.
I find that the Lord lays stuff on me a lot when I am in transit. Some days, I have an hour and a half commute, and I get some revelation in between locations! A lot of times during travel I am listening to a preaching podcast or audiobook, etc and wham-o! The Spirit reveals so much! And the wee hours, amazing what happens at 2 and 4:30am some mornings!
I get revelation in the middle if the night. I write speeches, strategic plans and all manner of things in the middle of the night. I am in awe of the things The Lord reveals when I am still. Really still. I have my iPad or paper handy so I can record what He’s saying. I wake up the next morning refreshed and excited. I pray it never stops. Here lately words are leaping off the page when I read. I am in a precious season for sure.
Hi Lindsee….I enjoyed your blog tonight and it really spoke to me. I am a creative person and seemed to be in a funk lately. I am yearning to be refreshed and been wanting to “do something creative” lately and now after reading this I realize I need to be drawing closer to Him and then the creative juices will again flow. It seems the more stress I have in my life makes me want to do something productive, and I have realized in this that I need him more. Thank you for your kind words and may God bless you more!
Patti, Clemmons, NC
I grew up in west TX and was able to visit CA several times. It is beautiful. Like you, my favorite part is the Northern part. Your vacation sounds wonderful. Thank you for sharing it with us. You are delightful.
Your trip looked amazing. I was living vicariously through you Lindsee as you posted pics. 😀 I’ve never been to Cali, but hope to visit one day!
I have two places that I tend to be able to tap into the ideas the Lord has for me are in the car (only when alone) and in the shower. Isn’t that crazy?? With 2 kiddos now, those are the only two places that I get to have a few moments on peace & quiet and my mind is able to just be. I treasure those moments, because they are now far & few between with a newborn in the house. **sigh** I know I’ll get it back soon enough.
Such a great post today… Thank you!
Hollie
Life with a newborn is FULL. You’re doing a great job, Hollie! Keep pressing on!
I absolutely LOVE this post because I’m a Texas girl as well, and will soon be heading to Santa Cruz, California for a 10-week summer project with Cru to share the gospel on the boardwalk! I’ve visited before and your pictures made me SO excited to spend my summer soaking up the beautiful views of God’s creation, all while serving Him.
It’s so true, we don’t need to wait for the next big mission trip/conference/summer camp to get to that sweet spot with the Lord. I find the most rest in Him when I’m the busiest, and some of my most creative moments and revelations come when I’m journaling prayers to Him or when I’m driving. As I’m preparing for what the Lord will do in and through me this summer in Santa Cruz, I pray that I will seek Him with all my heart, and find Him amongst the daily routine in a new and refreshing way.
Thank you for sharing your heart & your thoughts, it’s always an encouragement to me!
Rebekah, I’m praying the Lord gives you and your team an anointing from the Spirit alone and that you would bear MUCH fruit!
Lindsee Lou!
Your pictures are absolutely beautiful!!! And yes, the word I would use there is STUNNING. I think the one thought that pops into my mind after viewing them is this: Our God is still creative. 🙂
As for where/how do I best get into a creative mode? I really think that I was just born this way. My mind is constantly churning out ideas and thoughts — especially when it comes to teachable moments about Jesus. Not that I come up with them…. but God seems to saturate my mind with those thoughts…. and since I have no filter whatsoever, out they come!!! LOL (I think that’s why He does that! He knows that He can give me a thought and it’s gonna come out of my mouth…. no holds barred!!! HA!)
Bitsy
Hey Lindsee,
Super envious of your trip:) I have always wanted to visit Ca
so now you have inspired me to just do it! As for creativity, I wouldn’t really say
I am creative, but I have heard the most clearly from God (regarding different
circumstances) when I am in the middle of housework. I remember one time I was washing
dishes, staring out the window, and He, very clearly gave me a specific answer to something I
had prayed about. Maybe I should concentrate on housework more and then I would
know more things. Haha!
Love y’all,
Mindy
Glad you liked our state! You might want to visit Lake Tahoe and Yosemite next time. Of course I am a fan of all things SoCal as well but perhaps SoCal is a bit more boring than the central coast. Glad you had a good time here in California. We tend to think of the other states as being more scenic. It is easy to forget the beauty that is in our neck of the woods so to speak. Blessings to you.
Where do I receive revelations from the LORD?
Water.
I’m a mountain dweller, and so grateful for it to be sure. Yet the Holy One speaks to me when there’s water. Standing at the sink scrubbing pots. Giving my dog a bath. Watering my flowers.
I am extremely thankful that the LORD speaks to me at any moment of the day. Something about water calms my soul; and gives me moment to pause, and to actively listen for Him.
My first smile of the day came from reading your post and all of the responses. California was added to my list of places to dream about visiting one day. I think it’s already been on the dream list but now it has moved on up the list. I like what you use to preach about not waiting for camp. I am most inspired by God I think when I’m doing the ordinary – cleaning, driving, working. And it really has so much to do with my mindset at the beginning of the day. Don’t know if I can explain but when I just ask for God to help me be aware of what’s happening and then allow Him to make me more aware without me trying to get in His way. When I quit forcing the “look for” or the “listen for”.
I get my inspirations when I am all alone on the golf course.
Lindsee, So glad you had a wonderful trip and I love the photos! I want to go! I love the title of your blog, because your expectations are just interrupted from what you thought might happen, not unfulfilled. You just found that while you are reveling in God’s majestic creation, yours was put on hold by awe and enjoyment. I can think something to death, know I need to write, or sew, or work on a craft, or whatever….but the kick to get me going is usually just a little spark. It could be a comment in an e-mail, text or Facebook post. It can be from a devotional or a Bible verse. Or a push from the Holy Spirit while praying. But it’s when I’m focusing on the every day and sometimes the mundane – I love that phrasing from Matt Redman’s song “Your Grace Finds Me” because it highlights the truth….we need to look for God in the smallest of places, because He’s there, too! And that’s when He whispers and my attention is heightened and I lean in and look expectantly to where He’s pointing….and sometimes I see/hear what He’s showing me, or I see the next step that will take me to the point or place He wants to reveal to me. What a wonderful and intimate Father we have! Loving us down to the very minute detail! 🙂
My car is my sanctuary. Also, the shower…it’s the only place I can truly be alone and quiet since I have young children. I feel like I am most in tune when I do something mindless, like mopping the floor or painting furniture. My body is busy doing a straightforward task so my mind/heart can engage with God. Also, I might have a little ADD so movement helps 🙂
Thank you Lindsee for what you shared both in words and pictures, absolutely beautiful!!! I love your sense of humor that brings a smile to my face. The thoughts on creativity and expectations were helpful and seem to ring true in my life as well. I have found that the place the Lord needs me is in the quiet of the night. Having reached the fourth decade in life, I think sometimes it is hormonal, but at least one week out of the month I am up around 3 AM. I have found these times to be so sweet the Lord as I read His word, journal and contemplate. Frequently the Lord will meet me in the dark quietness of our home in the middle of the night. The other thing I love is that the next day he gives me the energy I need in spite of the lack of sleep. He is so faithful and good! I wouldn’t trade these middle of the night encounters for anything. Thank you for asking and God bless you today!!
I’ve been working on a project and I like to head to a local coffee shop, grab a table and let my mind whirl as I pray for God to come and reveal His heart to me (and through me, as I desire to write for Him). I think it’s helpful to see and hear some people around me. Soon, I’ll be getting away to a family member’s condo in the Smoky Mountains to have an extended ‘writing weekend’ (for the 1st time ever!) I think creativity comes in balance – some time with people, some time away. God bless your times with Him everyone!
Thanks for a piece of God’s beauty for us to feast our eyes on. I was from CA, and miss it so much. Most of all the ocean. I feel the LORD in the wind and waves as I sit in awe of it’s beauty!
I find a lot of inspiration from the LORD in my Children and now Grandchildren. Their ability to Love and Forgive so quickly, and it is me on the need for forgiving end. I say over and over, it is no wonder the LORD wants us to be like little children. They give their all! Thank you Jesus for them!
Awesome pictures!! Breathtaking stuff!! For me, the times I’ve had the most revelation were quiet times, fishing alone by a beautiful lake, laying in my chair in the back yard. And many times it’s been after reading or sitting under great teaching when I go home or to a quiet place and nothing is there to distract me. So I agree with Beth that times of activity or capturing God’s awesome handiwork are so incredible but the quiet, less distracting place are many times the birthplace for revelation and truth to be told.
God is in it all – the beautiful creative scenery as well as the quiet creative moments. It’s a matter of slowing down enough to notice, I think. When I see a beautiful place like that, all I can think about is that God is so amazing and creative – He made all of those beautiful scenes just for me. It’s like He is screaming His glory! But in the quiet moments with Him in my upstairs leather chair, He whispers through His word and into my thoughts – but he says the same thing…”I have done this all because I love you!”
Yes, I completely agree, Suzy. That was my thought our entire drive…HE is the MOST creative! He creates from nothing. Amazing.
Lindsee,
Thanks for sharing your heart and risking with so many to share a part of your journey. Your words caused something to shift in me re: how I hear clearly, etc. Some light bulbs went off and the Spirit used you, so THANK YOU! Keep risking, friend I’ve never met.
P.S. Felt compelled to pray for your hearts desires this morning too. 🙂 Keep laying your longing out there before Him. What a gift to Him.
Beth, I will gladly receive those prayers. Thank you SO much! That ministered to me this morning. So grateful for you.
Our oldest son packed a bag and hopped on his first plane ride and moved to San Francisco nearly a year and a half ago. All he had ever known was life in Tennessee. He absolutely loves it out there. He is living out his barista dreams. We miss him terribly and would like to go visit someday. Both of our younger children say that they are moving to San Francisco when they get big:( Maybe we won’t lose all our children to the Golden State!
Go take a visit if you can! You’ll love to see his stomping grounds. That always makes things easier for me!
Thank you for sharing your experience. I too just returned from a lovely time away. I had expectations of wonderful morning devotionals while away. I thought that being away and not having my mind flooded with a to-do list would make room for this to happen. It didn’t, but I was able to enjoy some sweet moments and revelations on a ferry and by the ocean. Something about those two places instantly quieted my soul. When I am home I receive the best revelations at our church food pantry. I have the joy of praying with the people as they wait in line to receive food. God reveals himself more to me through them than anyone else right now. I now treasure our times together and the sweetness of His presence there.
I lived in Sonoma County for 4 years before I entered the convent… so I understand your love for the Golden State – so beautiful!
As for God’s revelatory moments – they are woven into the course of my everyday life – (which I recognize is a wee bit different than most!). I appreciate time in nature and seeing God’s grandeur but it is most often in the quiet stillness of our chapel that He speaks to my heart.
I’m so glad you chimed in, Sister Lynn! And it makes me so happy that you lived in Sonoma.
Lindsee:
The Lord usually reveals Himself to me when I am walking the ocean during several of my vacations. Unfortunately, I live in Illinois, so not much ocean here! But of late He has opened my eyes with new insight in old, familiar parts of scripture, just while studying His word. It has been amazing to me, to have a fresh wind blow, speaking directly to my heart. He has also (miraculously) been causing me to recall passages I memorized as a child (which was a LONG time ago) helping link it all together. What a blessing, I hope it never ends. Thanks for sharing those beautiful OCEAN pics with us. It is my favorite place on earth!
Your photos are stunning. This year has been an extremely difficult one, and I haven’t clearly heard from the Lord in a while. I think it’s because I’ve been too busy kicking and screaming to hear His still small voice. I’m at a place of quietness now though, and I’m ready to listen. Thank you for you pictures and your post.
Deidra:
I will keep you in my prayers. Lord Jesus, Deidra is listening…won’t you tell her what her heart needs to hear? Please send her your words of healing, let her know you are holding her close. Let her feel your arms around her! In Jesus name, Amen!
The Lord reveals himself most to me when I am in situations that require me to wait on Him for an answer.
Enjoyed your photos!
Your pics bring me back to a visit to CA when I was 20 something (30 years ago)! Took a road trip up the coast and saw those same beautiful spots….thanks for the trip back in time!
My husband and I did the Highway 1 trip on our honeymoon!! It was awesome! Your pictures bring back great memories. So before I had children and I had time to take long bubble baths – that’s when I got my revelations from God. I was relaxed; I was comfortable; and I had time to process the days events. Now that I have kids, I don’t have much time for long bubble baths, so I generally get my whispers from God in the middle of the night – usually after I’ve been awoken by one of my kids for various reasons. Sometimes the thought is so profound, I have to get out of bed and grab my iPad and write it down. Lately the spiritual correlations have been about things like my sleeping position or something that happened with my boys in the middle of the night. Not too long ago, I shared some insights at our church staff meeting and after my pastor congratulated me on my “good thoughts” – I said “Yeah, it all came to me at 12:30am”. LOL. I used to be frustrated at those mid-night interruptions, but now I thank God for those times I’ve been stirred in the middle of the night!
When I was in the military I had the chance to stay in San Diego for about 4 months. Thankfully I was stationed with several people from different parts of CA. I so enjoyed our road trips on the weekends. I went back to visit with my son a few years ago and fell in love with CA all over again. I keep telling my family if I had the money I would move there.
Sweet Lindsee,
Your post and pics always thrill me because it’s like watching the Hands of Jesus working on majestic tapestries, adding the throbbing ponders of His Heart through each one. Believe I went to Cali with family one time, vacationing Disney World/Land. But too young to really remember any of its scenic beauty, as you have shared with us. Absolutely Gorgeous!
This be a rather intimately difficult blog to post to. Jesus has been all gracious to wondrously inspire me through the teachings of His Word (but for some beautiful reason, has used one or two, moreso than any others. Know “that” must sound oddly strange, but is just the blatant truth). Then, God’s Spirit has inspired me through the blessing of small lives – reactions, facial expressions, different personalities, precious exuberant ways of praising and worshiping–using littles hands, feet, and even the entire body, to express their love to Jesus. Children’s words are always honestly spoken, over illuminating thoughts of probing questions. They not only make the world go round, I believe, they make the Heavens go round at the joyous purity of their worship (The Spirit would always breathe something wild through these – inside me – as, once upon a time, served in children’s ministry and women’s ministry. When blessed to find out there was such a thing as “Bible Studies,” I would sit mesmerized by HIM, neath the teaching of His Word, working feverishly, to take down every possible note, and to prayerfully captivate every light bulb moment, that only His Spirit could lead one to see – to jot down – in the midst of all His Glory). Then, there’s something inexplicable about spending time alone in His chapel. And, “if” HE graces one to sit with Him at a baby grand… Oh, (welling tears) to hear HIS Voice, and to hear it to music is just a miraculous breathtaking privilege. Would get so excited when would hear Him sing into my spirit; at times, it was as if He’d just take my hands, because, HE knew they belonged to Him. He loves us so! Half of the time, if not more, didn’t know what HE was doin’ or where HE was goin.’ But in the end, HE never failed to do something new in me, and prayerfully through me.
Can go to the country, where lovelies live, and in its quiet, hear, see nothing; humbly grateful to hear just a drizzle, periodically. Do not write. Just can’t for some reason. Could go to the most beautiful beach or mountain on earth, and HIS beauty I’d delight in, but wouldn’t say, God’s whisper to inspire, I’d hear. I hear Him through His Word inside my quiet times with Him. HE never does fail to excite me in some way or another. Shoot, just to sit, silently with Him, is more than enough.
These, in a city far away, that Jesus used through the supernatural ways of His endless love is beyond me. I don’t understand, but will be eternally grateful to The Lord for these and His priceless moments.
Just like you, precious Lindsee; He used you, today to not only make me smile, but to share just an inkling of what HIS beauty has meant to me. (Almost at the end for my every 6 mthly exams, when hear the physician speak of something new developing. Awaiting to face surgery next week. And then another wait to hear of their results. Just had a biopsy 6 mths ago, and God graciously blessed me. Thought it was where my last cancer was, but after oncologist visit, found out, it’s nearer to the place biopsied just 6 mths ago). Though HE keeps us at the sweetest peace, my thinker just isn’t thinking too much, right now. But, what a joy HE blessed me with as I just laid back on my bed today, reading every word of each beautiful post. You darling Mommy’s out there who write of your quiet times and how you endearingly seek time to allow our Savior to have HIS way with each one of you just brought tears to my eyes. No doubt about it, “THE LORD IS THERE,” JEHOVAH SHAMMAH, on that board, and HE has definitely inspired me through each one of you, today. (ck me on The Lord’s Name and definition there; known to make mistakes).
Lindsee, young vibrant daughter of The King’s, “thank you; absolutely beautiful, girl! Keep on writing those priceless probings; God’s gettin’ HIS glory!” (Praying for our siesta mamma, & sister)
God bless you all!
Thanks so much for the beautiful pictures! Makes me want to go back to California for another vacation…its been awhile! The time that I heave heard God most often is in the shower! Sounds weird, but I realize that that is usually when I pour my heart out to him. And he has given me some amazing answers at time.
This may sound crazy, but God has revealed Himself more
on my living room rug than anywhere. The conversations we
have are our own, and from that floor His voice echoes around me
and brings me to tears. From the floor I sing to the top
of my lungs, and from the floor I’ve done my own warring with the
Lord. From that floor He made a breakthrough
happen inside me, and from that floor I always know
He is present.
After I wrote this I got this verse come through 🙂
Isaiah 55:6-7~* Seek the Lord while he may be found;call on him while he is near. ~*
Lindsee,
Thank you for your post. I too have been waiting for something from the Lord. I believe he spoke to me and said he would give me something before the school year is over and well with only 2 weeks left I’m so confused as to why I haven’t received what I believed for over a year. How I long sometimes to just speak with Beth as so many of her studies and lessons have been what has gotten me through this past year.
I will continue to wait and believe that God can do mighty things. The impossible is possible with God!
My greatest revelations used to come most commonly from my quiet times, but the last couple of months they have come from my own mouth-like when I’m telling my son “You need to learn to listen to and obey mommy & daddy. If God asks you to do something and you continue to ignore Him, what do you think He’ll do?” My son’s response: “Stop talking.” Boom. Message received. Or when I was driving behind the THIRD tractor of the day (we live WAY out in the sticks) and because I’ve been counting gifts and trying to give up complaining (loved “One Thousand Gifts”!) I tried to find something to be thankful for…like the fact that farmers grow our food 🙂 which led me down an outloud conversation with God that ended with the truth that what He wants from us most of all is a love that trusts Him. He is a good and loving Father and so often when I am sharing something about Him with our boys it ends up hitting me square between the eyes–like I know it but I’m not walking it out 🙁 His grace is enough for my mistakes, so I will rest securely in His love.
Thanks for the post to get me thinking!
Love,
Audrey
Hi Lindsee,
Three places have proven to be consistently great for me to hear from God/think new thoughts that I feel like He gives me.
1) a long drive alone with time for focused, sustained thought.
2) In church on Sunday mornings. I think the Holy Spirit shows up in special ways when His children meet to worship on the Sabbath.
3) The shower.
Thanks for the question to answer. Fun.
Hi Lindsee!
How FUN for you! I too just got back from SPOKANE … my holiday for the year, to go see… yup our Beth!
We left home Vancouver Area on Thursday and just got back less than 1 hr ago today, Sunday!
Spent time like a tourist too, and enjoyed the city, the sights and the MARVELOUS SOUNDS of Travis & Beth! Got to be at the Siesta meeting too! So Close to Ms Beth…but not quite 😉
Anywhere is wonderful when your heart is open to see GOD! But gotta admit, there is No Place like HOME! 😀
Love to you – LOVED your pics! Love to Mama Beth Too! Hope she is home and resting from the joy of Spokane!
Well, sounds like you had a wonderful vacation. It brings back memories when I was younger. My parents took a trip from California to Florida. I went to all those same places you did in California. It is beautiful. The redwood trees, the ocean and Yosemite National Park… beautiful place. I also went to Disneyland. Then, when we left California, on down the road I got the mumps. I passed them on to my sister and my sister later passed them on to my cousin whom we visited in Mississippi. We finally made it to Florida. Years have passed.
Treasure those good times…God bless!
I LOVED your post!!! I was JUST in the area last week! My son is in the Air Force and he is stationed at Travis Air Force Base, which is very near to Napa. I flew out there (I live in Michigan) and we spent an amazing and wonderful time together. It was just he and I for a week. We drove to Monterey and Carmel and LOVED that 17 mile drive 🙂 Then we did the San Diego area and at the last minute we decided to do Disneyland!! California is so beautiful 🙂 Glad to hear you had such a great time too!! God bless you!!
This post was so special to me for a couple of reasons. I took a trip with my mom to California my last year in college and fell in love with the California scenery as well. The pictures you took we’re stunning and such a beautiful representation of the beauty that God so masterfully created! I like to think that the grandeur reminds us just how great God is! Thank you for sharing.
I also felt exactly the same regarding connecting to God and inspiration for my own creativity thru His creative landscapes. It was nice to hear I’m not the only one. ;-). I love water and particularly the ocean. I always thought it fed my creative nature…. But I think the awesomeness of it reminds us how small we are and how BIG God is. I fully believe that our true capabilities lie in our reliance on Him to show His majesty thru us. Even looking at your pictures stirred that connection to Him. There is so much awe and excitement when we look at His landscaping in person… It is in the longing to feel close to Him again that He unlocks our creativity for Him! Thank you so much for sharing! I love your posts!
Dearest Lindsee,
We missed an opportunity to be face to face friends instead of blog ones! I live in Monterey and work in Carmel. So happy that you enjoyed our lovely area.
Next time…and there should be one…contact me~I have aquarium passes 🙂
Lynda, I envy you working in Carmel. Grin. Yes, I will be back and I’ll certainly let you know. Blessings!