Heart open to you, Jesus, I wait in silence. The bulbul lauds you, the bees harmonize, setting leaves to quivering as they light and leave. A shiver is enough to let me know you are here, touching the deep fabric of who I am, and who you want me to be.
Just like the soft petals that fall one by one from the glory above me, your promptings drift into my sentient soul. I’m listening, you’re speaking. This miracle of union defies analysis, invites humility as awe takes over.
Have you longed, like I do, to know what the Lord is prompting me to do? How can we recognize a prompting that actually comes from him?
I’ve shared much of what I’ve learned in my collection of poetry, When He Whispers: Learning to Listen on the Journey. I did indeed sometimes “hear” the Lord prompting me to do something while I was just sitting, waiting in silence, beneath the golden rain trees in my courtyard in Ferke. But I confess that I still get jolted when out of the blue, something comes to mind that I just cannot shake off. When I do follow through, I am blown away by the confirmation that this was not coincidence but a prompt from my Lord.
Let me me tell you about two that have happened here in the U.S., recently.
I was making myself a cup of tea in my kitchen and turned to take it back upstairs to my writing nook. But I could not shake off a feeling that I should not continue in that direction, but should instead go to the house of a neighbor that I had not seen in a few weeks. So I set the cup down and walked over to her house. I rang the doorbell, no answer. I knocked, no answer. I was pretty sure she was there because the tv was on; I could hear the noise. So I knocked harder, and the tv when off. She came to the door, opened it wide, and as I walked in, hugged me! I was not expecting that. But then I saw her tears.
We went into the living room, and she shared that it was her husband’s birthday, but he was not there to celebrate (he had passed away from cancer the year before). I listened while she poured out the memories and her grief. We prayed together.
Could that have been just coincidence, that I should go see her at that particular moment?
Another woman that I used to know in years past has been out of sight/out of mind during this pandemic shutdown. But during the past few weeks I frequently wondered how she might be doing. I kept shrugging off what I now know was another prompt. When I finally followed through by phone yesterday, I was sad that I had delayed so long, letting my “priorities” take over. Her son was murdered five weeks ago, and she is in distress! Alone, shocked, grieving – and I finally was able to listen and offer paltry comfort. It was just a beginning, but I am so glad I called.
Reminder, Linn: pay attention to those promptings! Take time to sit and ask, to listen! When the thoughts keep falling like petals, repeating some message, act on them!
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. (Jn. 10:27 NIV)
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. (Jas. 1:22 NIV)
I know I am being taught in specific ways how to love my neighbor, which is in the Word. I am still learning. What stories do you have to tell about the promptings that our Lord sends? I would love to hear them!
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When He Whispers: Learning to Listen on the Journey — You can find the book on the following marketplaces:
Direct from the publisher, WestBow Press: https://www.westbowpress.com/en/bookstore/bookdetails/824658-when-he-whispers
Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/when-he-whispers-linnea-boese/1139300248?ean=9781664224100
Christian Book Distributors: https://www.christianbook.com/when-whispers-learning-listen-the-journey/linnea-boese/9781664224100
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