Whispers In The Quiet

"Encouragement, faith, and gentle wisdom"

recent posts

about

Spring Lynn Booth Writer • Intercessor • Keeper of Quiet Moments Spring is a devoted Mother & Grandmother . Who is an inspired writer with a prayerful soul who shares encouragement, faith, and gentle wisdom through her blog Whispers in the Quiet. Drawing from her journey of healing, hope, and divine whispers, she creates a sacred space where weary hearts find rest and renewal. With a heart for ministry, creativity, and legacy, Spring invites readers to pause, listen, and embrace the quiet strength within. Proverbs 31: 26 NKJV “She opens her mouth with wisdom, And on her tongue is the law of kindness.”

  • “A Benevolent Pink Towel”


    A Whisper from God

    In the heart of a little girl, I found a blessing attached to obedience as the summer I turned thirteen came and went with the gentle whisper of God leading me, gifting me wisdom and grace in a simple act of obedience…

    I was thinking about a time in life when, even though you’re poor and have little—or you’re young and don’t know much—God still provides ways for you to be a blessing. That blessing can come as unexpectedly as asking you to give your very best. Maybe, like me, it was in the form of a little pink hand towel. And in that gesture, I honored a man of God. whom I did not yet know was a pastor. I respected the authority of my God and I gave with the pureness of my heart, knowing it was the best that I had to give. I could have given him the dirty rag from the kitchen, but God said, “Give your best.” I hesitated because instinctively in my heart, I knew that giving the kitchen towel just wasn’t good enough to give somebody and I didn’t want it to cause harm, like germs. So I stopped and I asked, “God, what do I do?” And my thought was, if I give him the little pink towel I’ve been saving like a treasure, then it will be ruined. And my daddy gave that to me and I was saving it. But in my heart, I knew not to be selfish. I really didn’t need to ask God. I probably already knew in my heart, but I stopped and asked because I didn’t want to do the wrong thing. And God whispered and answered, “Give your best.” So I did.

    When I gave Mr. Hodges, Mr. Liam Hodges, that little pink towel, he said, “Oh no, I can’t use that. I’ll ruin it.” And I exclaimed in my little girl voice at barely thirteen, “But you have to, God said to give you my very best.” And he paused and looked at me and he asked, “He did?” And I said, “Well, didn’t He?” I framed it like a question in fear he would know that God really talks to me. And I didn’t know then if somebody—a grownup—would even accept the fact that a little kid hears from God. I did not yet know he was a pastor.

    Later, Clark—Mr. Hodges, Dr. Hodges, because Liam Hodges was a doctor—said to his son to invite me to church. And he had actually written a sermon that was prompted by my kind gesture and how God, as kingly as He is, gave honor to a man called of god, to a man of the cloth, by having a little girl give him her very best. That God does care about the little things as much as He cares about the big things. And that when you give out of the pureness of your heart, there comes blessings attached to that gifting, that offering, that benevolence of love—a love that supersedes the hearts and minds of others who need to know God’s special anointed favor to them matters and can be given in even the smallest ways, because God honors those who choose Him and choose to serve Him.

    And in this case, God used me as a little girl to show Him honor, even in something as small as that little pink towel. And in doing so, imparted in my heart that man’s favor. And later, he gave me some of his daughter Barbie’s gently used items that she didn’t need nor want. And they were a treasure to me—a gift offering in return for the kindness I showed him. And he acknowledged me in the sermon, and it really touched my heart and I was really grateful.

    And though that particular summer was unlike any I’d ever experienced, it was the first summer I ever spent with my dad, James David, who was affectionately known as JD. And he sang beautiful songs of reverie and funny humor out of the little things he would ask us kids. And I got my first kiss. Clark gave me a kiss full of birthday cake, and it was the sweetest little gift. And I blushed like a little girl. It was his birthday, and he had brought in his birthday cake to the house to share it, and his dad had arrived with a cut hand—Mr. Liam, Dr. Pastor Liam Hodges. And that’s how I came to know that he needed the pink towel. And God had given me the opportunity to bless a man of God and honor him and his place and position, though I did not yet know, and allowed me to receive a blessing in kind for my offering and my willingness to be obedient and self-sacrificing for the sake of someone else.

    I was recently gifted the honor and grace of a provision by a dear sister in the faith who saw a need I could not meet. In the passing of my youngest son, Timothy, this last September, I did not have the funds to provide for his cremation. She bestowed a gift on my behalf that allowed me and my little family, closure and the ability, as his only living parent, to give him his final act on this earth with dignity. This tender act reminded me of the moment with the little pink towel — that through her gifting, her benevolence toward me, I was given a blessing to provide for my son. She honored me, a sister in Christ, by meeting a need I could not fulfill. To Mrs. Laura, I am deeply grateful and profoundly honored to call her my sister in Christ Jesus. Amen !

    Scriptures:

    “Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” — Mark 18:4
     “For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.” — Psalm 84:11
     “For you bless the righteous, O Lord; you cover them with favor as with a shield.” — Psalm 5:12
     “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” — Matthew 25:40
     “Walk in obedience to all that the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess.” — Deuteronomy 5:33

    “An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips.”— Proverbs 24:26 (NIV)

    Closing Reflection:
     Today, as you read this, I wonder… What is your heart’s posture toward God? Are you listening to His whispers? What small act of obedience could He be asking of you today?

    Maybe God has already attached a blessing to your obedience, even in ways you haven’t noticed yet. I would love for you to share your story in the comments — how has God spoken to you and blessed your heart when you chose to obey?

    A Whispered Closing

    For months I tried to write this blog, only to have it simply not reflect what i believed god wanted me to convey. Five drafts. Yet nothing felt right.
    God knew. His timing was perfect.
    It took more than my own hands —
    it took Laura’s kindness,
    and it took James’s generous heart,
    giving beyond his means,
    so I could see Timothy
    and spend his final days with him.

    I had no idea Timothy’s recent passing,
    just weeks ago,
    would find its place here.
    None of it was planned.
    And yet — suddenly — every word came.

    This story is proof:
    God works quietly,
    His timing flawless,
    His grace weaving loss, love, and kindness
    into something beautiful.

    Extended Closing for “A Benevolent Pink Towel” (or reflection following it):

    I still marvel at how something so small — a simple pink towel — could carry such weight, such tenderness, and such divine timing. What began as a childhood memory, a moment tucked away in the heart of a thirteen-year-old girl, somehow found its way back to me as a fifty-year-old woman.

    I couldn’t have written this sooner — not because I didn’t try, but because it wasn’t time. God had a moment appointed, a perfect intersection where loss, gratitude, and kindness would meet. Through Laura’s selfless gift and James’s generous heart, He showed me that His timing is not delayed — it’s divine.

    And so I rest in awe. The same God who whispered to a little girl decades ago is still writing the story now, thread by thread, memory by memory, until the picture of His love is complete.

    For everything truly is beautiful in its time.


    —Spring Lynn Booth



    From my quiet heart to yours , may you hear His whisper…

    — by:  Spring Lynn Booth

    http://whispers-in-the-quiet.org
    Email: Hopeministries2010@yahoo.com
    FB Page: A Box of Sox Ministry LLC.
    My URL: https://gravatar.com/springlynnbooth

    © 2025 Spring Lynn Booth. You may share this post only with credit and a link back to this site. Do not republish or copy without written permission.

  • Watchful & Ready

     

     The Discipline of Spiritual Watchfulness
    by Spring Lynn Booth

    Introduction
    There are moments in life when God calls us to be alert, ready, and watchful—not because danger is always present or visible, but because readiness itself is an active spiritual discipline. Just like the wise virgins in Matthew 25 kept their lamps with oil burning, God calls us to a posture of vigilance: prepared for whatever His timing may bring.

    The Parable of the Ten Virgins
    To understand readiness, Jesus shared the story of ten virgins who went out in watchfulness with lamps to meet their bridegroom. These virgins were the brides of Christ. In essence, the saints awaiting His return as in a bonded union of salvational readiness, like that of a wedding ceremony, as if we were the bride—dressed carefully and groomed, readily awaiting Christ, our groom’s return.

    Five of them were wise and brought extra oil, prepared for the bridegroom’s arrival no matter the hour.
    Five were foolish and brought no extra oil, and when the bridegroom came at midnight, their lamps had prematurely went out.

    The wise virgins, prepared in readiness, entered in with the groom to the wedding feast. The foolish ones, having prepared too late, returned past the hour of the groom’s arrival and were not allowed to enter in.

    Lesson: We must stay spiritually ready because we do not know the day or the hour when God’s timing will come. Readiness, vigilance, and dutiful preparation make all the difference.
    Matthew 25:13 – “Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.”

    A Night of Real Danger
    Many years ago, I sent my young sons away on spring break. I was awakened at night in urgency by The Holy Spirit telling me, “the devil was in my house.” The Lord immediately showed me, in a spiritual vision, that someone in a position of authority—an officer—was about to enter our home with harmful intent.

    The Lord took me by way of a vision with spiritual eyes wide open. He zoomed the view as if I was being transported still in my bed to my kitchen, where I could see flashing red & blue lights like that of a police car in the kitchen window, alerting me to whom and where the danger was.

    Even in this, God’s provision prevailed. He quietly instructed me to turn on every light along the way. In doing so, I would expose the darkness and confront the intruder, causing him to change his mind.

    Though the moment was frightening, I obeyed. As I turned on each light from room to room, I felt a quiet confidence settle over me. By the time I reached the kitchen, turning on the last light, the intruder was caught off guard. He was crouched on the floor having just climbed in through the window. When I asked him, “what are you doing?” the officer stood up and exclaimed, stammering, “I heard an APB that someone was trying to break into your house, and I wanted to see how they might get in, but I see you’re fine,” and he promptly chose to leave out the back door.

    I was in real danger. However, that night, my vigilance and immediate responsiveness—my practiced relational discerning ear and readiness—protected me from immediate danger, and I believe made the officer question his motives from any further retaliation.

    Scripture reflection:

    • 1 Peter 5:8 – “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”
    • Matthew 25:1–13 – The wise virgins kept their lamps full and were prepared for the bridegroom’s arrival.

    A Night of Vigilant Watching
    Several years later, God woke me again, this time without any visible danger—only an urgent call to watchfulness. I dressed fully, even putting on my shoes and heavy coat, gathered my Bible and handbag, and remained alert.

    I paced the floors, checked the doors and windows, and prayed. Even as my eyes grew heavy, I stayed attentive. By morning, a sense of peace filled the room. There was no immediate threat, yet the discipline of readiness strengthened my spirit. My previous experiences had prepared me to respond promptly, even when the reason was unknown.

    Scripture reflection:

    • Luke 21:36 – “Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.”
    • Proverbs 6:10–11 – “A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.”

    Lessons in Readiness, Watchfulness, and Diligence

    Readiness: Spiritual preparedness is a posture of the heart. It means keeping your spirit alert and your mind attentive to God’s guidance.

    Watchfulness: Vigilance cultivates discernment. Even small moments of attentiveness can guide us safely through unseen challenges.

    Diligence: Persevering in attentiveness, even when quiet or uncomfortable, strengthens spiritual discipline and equips us for future trials.

    Scripture reflection:

    • Colossians 4:2 – “Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving.”
    • Romans 12:11 – “Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord.”

    Both nights, years apart, show a powerful truth: God’s call to vigilance has purpose. Readiness is an active, attentive, and obedient practice that prepares us to follow His guidance in both real-time situations and in anticipation of His glorious return.

    Conclusion
    Being spiritually alert is less about fear and more about cultivating a soul that is attentive, prepared, and responsive. God invites us into a life of watchfulness—not always with clear instructions, not always with visible threats—but always with intention. Like the wise virgins, we are called to keep our lamps full, our hearts ready, and our spirits attentive.

    Profound moral:
     Readiness itself is a spiritual strength. It trains the soul to respond with attentiveness and care to God’s promptings, whether in moments of quiet waiting or in times of immediate need. Cultivating watchfulness, readiness, and diligence equips us for all that God has planned.

    Father God not only guards His children in times of trouble, but He also lovingly prepares them beforehand. His care is not only seen in the shield He places around us, but also in the whispers of warning, the nudges to prepare, and the guidance that steadies our steps. To be cared for by Him is to be both protected and prepared.

    Scripture reflection:

    • 1 Peter 5:7 – “He cares for you.”
    • Isaiah 41:10 – “So do not fear, for I am with you… I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
    • Nahum 1:7 – “The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; He knows those who take refuge in Him.”
    • Psalm 121:7–8 – “The Lord will keep you from all harm—He will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”

    When God warns us, He is taking care of His own. Every warning is a form of covering. Every preparation is an act of love. His faithfulness is both a shield and a lamp, guarding us from harm and guiding us forward with steady light in preparedness for His coming return and the safety of our lives in real-time moments.

    Reflection
    Take a quiet moment to center your heart on God. Invite Him to fill your spirit with His wisdom and guidance.

    • Remember Matthew 25:13: “Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.” Let this call to vigilance impress upon your heart that spiritual readiness is a discipline of love, attentiveness, and trust.
    • Reflect also on Luke 21:36: “Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.”

    God sometimes quickens our spirit with urgency, alerting us to unseen dangers, guiding us to act in ways that preserve life and safety. Our diligence, obedience, and spiritual alertness allow us to receive His guidance, respond wisely, and be protected according to His perfect provision in real time.

    These are troubled times, and the Scriptures warn us that challenges and trials will increase. This is not a call to fear, but to attentive readiness—a discipline of the heart and soul. The sense of urgency we feel from God is real, purposeful, and loving. It teaches us to take seriously the preparation He calls us to, both for His return and for His protection in our daily lives.

    Let your awareness of God’s presence shape each day. Each act of prayer, each moment of attentiveness, each step of obedience is part of a rhythm of readiness. Trust that God’s guidance equips you to stand confident and vigilant—whether facing the unseen challenges of today or the glorious return of Christ.

    Matthew 25:13: “Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.”

    From my quiet heart to yours, may you hear His whisper…

    — Spring Lynn Booth

    http://whispers-in-the-quiet.org
    Email: Hopeministries2010@yahoo.com
    FB Page:  A Box of Sox Ministry
    My URL: https://gravatar.com/springlynnbooth

     

    © 2025 Spring Lynn Booth. You may share this post only with credit and a link back to this site. Do not republish or copy without written permission.

  • Whispers at the Foot of My Bed

    Jesus Spoke the Word over Me 

    There are moments God speaks quietly, almost imperceptibly, those are the moments that stay with you. Soft whispers in the quiet, stirring understanding, revealing truth. I remember one of those moments clearly.

    When I was twelve, God began teaching me His Word in a way I could not have imagined. For many years I carried a bible I could not read asking the Lord to teach me what it said that I might know more fully His ways. I could not read yet, but as I lay in bed, Jesus came to sit with me as, He was my best friend . He spoke over me—scriptures I had never read, words I could not have known on my own. By morning, I could recite them, a gift given freely, simply by asking for wisdoms, to aid me in my understanding.

    It was precious. It was sacred and even holy. However in a human moment of youthful boasting, I misused it. In my eagerness, I quoted what I had learned for the wrong reasons, letting pride slip where humility should have remained. 

    God, spoke to me saying “ I take this from you now and I will gift it back to you when you stand in need of it” said The Lord 

    in His perfect love, He corrected me. He took back the gift—not in anger, but to show me the weight of responsibility, the tender edge of loss, and the importance of reverence, carefulness in humility.

    I think of Moses, and the miracle God performed at the rock in the wilderness. The people were thirsty, and God commanded Moses to speak to the rock, and living water would flow for everyone. But Moses, in the weight of frustration and humanity, struck the rock instead. Water still poured out—a miraculous, life-giving torrent—but the act was not fully obedient. Even the miracle, even the abundant blessing, was colored by the human choice, the hesitation, the moment of pride.

    God’s expectation was clear: His gifts, His power, His provision are never to be used casually, never to be taken for granted. They are sacred, and our alignment with His will matters deeply.

    That moment, like my own childhood gift of scripture, carries a lesson. Even when the blessing is magnificent, even when the miracle flows freely, how we receive it, how we honor it, makes all the difference. God’s correction is not punishment—it is love. It is instruction, shaping our hearts to cherish His gifts rightly, to seek His will above all else.

    Sometimes, I still hear those whispers, gentle and guiding, reminding me to seek His way first, to treasure humility, and to honor the sacred trust of every gift He gives. The water flows. The Word lives. And in the quiet, I learn again and again the weight and wonder of God’s love.

    The Gift of Gentle Wisdom 

    Psalm 25:12-14

    “What man is he that feareth the Lord? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose. His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth. The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.”

    Psalm 119:105

    “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”

    James 1:5

    “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”

    For Correction & Humility

    Proverbs 3:11-12

    “My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction: For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.”

    Hebrews 12:5-6

    “And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.”

    For the Moses Story & God’s Miracles

    • Numbers 20:7-12 – God commands Moses to speak to the rock; Moses strikes it instead, water flows, but he is corrected.
    • Exodus 17:1-7 – Water from the rock at Rephidim, demonstrating God’s provision in the wilderness.

    For Reflection on God’s Gifts

    1 Corinthians 4:7

    “For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?”

    Romans 12:6-8 – Emphasizes that spiritual gifts are given to serve God, not for personal glory.

    Reflection on Moses’ Mistake

    The sin that prevented Moses from entering the Promised Land was directly related to how he handled God’s gift and command at the rock. God had told him to speak to the rock to bring forth water for the people. Instead, in frustration and human impatience, Moses struck the rock twice with his staff.

    Here’s why it mattered so much:

    • God’s command was specific, and Moses had been entrusted with a sacred responsibility.
    • By striking the rock instead of speaking, Moses acted out of his own frustration and pride, not fully relying on God’s instruction.
    • Even though water flowed (God still provided the miracle), the act was disobedient and misused the authority and gift God had given him.

    The consequence was severe: God told Moses he would not lead the Israelites into the Promised Land, and indeed, only the next generation—the children of those who had been in the wilderness—entered.

    It’s very similar in principle to my childhood story: God gave a sacred gift, it was misused, and He corrected Moses in a way that was loving but firm. Both stories teach us that gifts and responsibilities from God carry accountability, humility, and reverence, even when the gift itself is miraculous.

    Personal Reflection

    Though I was young, I was at the age of accountability, twelve years old, and therefore subject to God’s principle teachings and His divine correction. Scripture reminds us that He chastises those He loves:

    “For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.” (Proverbs 3:12, KJV)

    Our gifts, our opportunities, the very blessings God pours into our hands—these are sacred. They are not for pride, not for ease, not for human impatience. When we misuse them, God teaches, He corrects, and He reshapes. And in that quiet, tender correction, we learn the weight, the wonder, and the responsibility of what has been entrusted to us.

    Scripture reminds us, too, that wisdom and understanding are freely given by God to all who ask, without partiality:

    “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” (James 1:5, KJV)

    Sometimes, I remember the sting of awareness that followed the knowledge I had misused a gift from God and the ache to never repeat such mistakes again. I still hear those whispers, gentle and guiding, reminding me to seek His way first, to treasure humility, and to honor the sacred trust of every gift He gives.

    The water flows. The Word lives. And in the quiet, I learn again and again the weight and wonder of God’s love.

     (James 1:5, KJV)

    From my quiet heart to yours, may you hear His whisper …

    — Spring Lynn Booth

    http://whispers-in-the-quiet.org
    Email: Hopeministries2010@yahoo.com
    FB Page:  A Box of Sox MinistryMy
    URL: https://gravatar.com/springlynnbooth

    © 2025 Spring Lynn Booth. You may share this post only with credit and a link back to this site. Do not republish or copy without written permission.

  • When We Wrestle with God

    When We Wrestle with God

    Sometimes, in our walk with the Lord, we find ourselves wrestling—not just with life’s hardships, but with God Himself. Not because we don’t love Him, but because we refuse to let go until we understand, until He answers, until He blesses.

    From the beginning, God gave man free will—the right to choose—because He is a loving God who desires a natural surrender from our hearts, not dictated by force or fear. He wants us to come willingly to Him, freely choosing to love, obey, and walk in His ways. When we force ourselves or others into obedience, when we impose our will upon someone else, we quench the Spirit of God. Acts of intimidation, fear, or coercion—whether for approval, absolution, or control—disrupt the divine work in the heart and the free agency of its individual journey God intends.

    It’s important to remember that salvation is deeply personal. Your mother, father, spouse, or sibling cannot grant it to you. Only Jesus Christ can, (John 14:6), and only when a person chooses to surrender willingly. God whispers to us, often until our very last moments, prompting repentance and a return to Him, because His desire is that all come to Him humbly, of their own free will.

    I’ve seen this truth in my own life many times. In this one instance,  I was visiting a church one day, prompted by the Lord the night before to attend. I was seeking God and visiting a church wasn’t uncommon for me to be led to speak, to ensure I was following His will, not tradition or the expectations of men. That day i was to speak if the man He had instructed did not give the message God had directed him to preach that day and if not i was to stand in his place. My heart was astonished in relief, when the speaker opened his mouth, though stumbling over his word he did speak the truth as it was meant to be given. My heart bearded witness , and i stood to share that he did indeed obey and give the same message God prepared me to speak in his place if he did not. I witnessed a powerful moment of wrestled surrender by the speaker to Gods call .

    Often the walk toward surrender, often described as the “walk of shame” to the altar. This walk can be the longest a person ever takes, as the flesh resists and the adversary seeks to keep the soul from true surrender. Yet it is precisely in that wrestling of the heart, in the call to surrender, that real conversion happens—the kind that transforms a life forever. I was reminded that this surrender cannot be coerced, dictated, or imposed; it must be chosen freely by each soul, guided by the promptings of the Holy Spirit. For it is The Lord who does the work in the hearts of the surrendered. 

    This reminds me of the Pharisees and Sadducees in Scripture. They were so rigid in their understanding of the Law that they failed to see God calling everyone—Jew and Gentile alike—into His kingdom. They were in rebellion, unable to yield to God’s voice. This same principle applies today: God cannot be boxed in by human limitations and the lack of divine wisdom . Neither by religious labels, or the rigid definitions of others. As God often wishes to do a new thing that His glory is known.  He moves as He wills, and He invites us to respond, freely, in obedience and trust and believe in faith that all things are possible for God.

    Jacob’s story in Genesis 32 illustrates this beautifully. Jacob had been running from his past and his mistakes, and the night before he would meet his brother Esau again, he wrestled with a mysterious man until daybreak. The Scripture says:

    “So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. Then the man said, ‘Let me go, for it is daybreak.’ But Jacob replied, ‘I will not let you go unless you bless me.’” (Genesis 32:24-26)

    Jacob walked away limping, but also blessed, with a new name: Israel, “one who wrestles with God.” This story reminds us that holy wrestling—persistent, Spirit-led, prayerful pursuit—often brings the deepest blessing. Sometimes the blessing comes in the transformation of our hearts, sometimes in the outcome of circumstances, but it always comes in God’s timing and in His way That we might trust in Him fully.

    I think about times in my own life when prayers seemed unanswered, when the path was unclear, when the expectations of others pressed in. Yet, in wrestling and staying close to the Lord, He met me. He changed me, He prepared me, and He never left me the same.

    Right now, as my son Benjermen faces surgery, I feel that same need to wrestle—not against God, but with Him. To hold fast in prayer, worship, and quiet reflection, until His peace and blessing rest fully on this situation. This is the kind of wrestling that transforms fear into faith, uncertainty into trust, and burden into testimony.

    We all have moments like this—seasons of struggle, doubt, or fear. God honors those who cling to Him, even in the hardest nights. The limp we may carry afterward becomes a testimony, a mark of God’s faithfulness in the wrestling.

    So today, I invite you—no matter your denomination, background, or life circumstances—to wrestle with God. Lay down the walls of disbelief,  tear down the labels, and judgment. Cling to Him, listen for His whisper, obey His promptings, and refuse to let go until you experience His blessing.

    Because when you wrestle with God, you don’t walk away the same.

    Scripture References:

    • Genesis 32:24-26 – Jacob wrestles with the angel
    • Matthew 11:28-30 – Jesus invites the weary to find rest
    • Romans 10:9 – Confession and belief lead to salvation
    • John 3:16 – God’s love and the promise of eternal life
    • Luke 15:11-32 – The Parable of the Prodigal Son
    • 1 Thessalonians 5:19 – Do not quench the Spirit
    • Ephesians 4:30 – Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God
    • Deuteronomy 30:19 – God sets before us life and death, blessing and curse
    • John 7:17 – Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own
    • Luke 1:37 – “For with God nothing shall be impossible.”
    • Matthew 19:26 – “But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.”
    • Mark 10:27 – “And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.”
    • Job 42:2 – “I know that You can do all things; no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.”
    • Jeremiah 32:17 – “Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee.”
    • Jeremiah 32:27 – “Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?”
    • Philippians 4:13 – “I can do all things through Christ which strengthen me.”
    • Genesis 18:14 – “Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.”
    • John 14:6, where Jesus Himself says: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

    From my quiet heart to yours, may you hear His whisper…

     — Spring Lynn Booth

    http://whispers-in-the-quiet.org
    Email: Hopeministries2010@yahoo.com
    FB Page:  A Box of Sox Ministry
    My URL: https://gravatar.com/springlynnbooth

    © 2025 Spring Lynn Booth. You may share this post only with credit and a link back to this site. Do not republish or copy without written permission.

  • The Miracle of Little Hands

    Miracles of Childlike Faith

    I’ve always believed that God works in moments both big and small, and that He often chooses the tender hearts of children to reveal Himself to us as adults and, in doing so, reminds us of His power when we come to Him with the pure faith of a child, blindly believing with wholehearted expectation. In those quiet moments of life, God often speaks most profoundly. I remember a time when my son, Benjermen, was five years old.

    As his first year of school approached, the many medical treatments, supplements, and creams we had attempted to remove the growths on his hands had done nothing to permanently remove the warts that covered them. It was significantly noticeable, and his little boy’s heart was heavy with fear that he wouldn’t be accepted.
    What he said next broke my heart:

    “Momma, no one will want to shake my hand and be my friend.”

    With such humbleness he asked:

    “Do you believe if we prayed and asked Jesus to heal me He would take them away?”

    Matthew 21:22 – “And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.”

    So I held his tiny hands in mine and whispered back, “Of course, Benjermen. If you pray asking in sincere belief for God to heal you, He will.” So we prayed with a simple, honest request to Heaven to heal Benjermen’s little hands, that he could shake hands on his first day of school and make friends. That was on a Friday. School started on Monday.

    I’ll never forget Monday morning. When I sent Benjermen to take his bath, getting ready for his first day of school—he was my rough-and-tumble boy, always active and often dirty from play—I tended to his siblings when I heard him hollering and shouting from the bathroom. My heart raced—something was wrong! I ran in, only to find him jumping up and down in the bathtub, tears streaming down his face, hands lifted to heaven, praising God.

    “Mama, look! Look! Jesus healed me!” he shouted.

    “So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, as the man of God had told him, and his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy.” — 2 Kings 5:14

    All the warts were gone. Every single one of them. I watched my five-year-old son, amazed and overjoyed, and in that moment, his heart began to truly understand that God loved him, that He had a calling for him, and that miracles are real.

    Years later, when Benjermen was eight, that faith came full circle. One day, as I came home from work and sat in my favorite armchair to remove my socks and shoes for the day’s work that left my feet aching and tired, Benjermen sat on the floor next to me, asking about my day, and noticed a growth like a wart on my ankle.

    “Mama,” he said gently, “why haven’t you prayed for God to remove that?”

    I laughed softly, saying I had just assumed it would always be there. But Benjermen, remembering the miracle God had done for his own hands years before, put his little hand on my ankle and prayed that God would heal me just as He had healed him.

    Three days later, as I always did when returning home from work, I removed my socks and shoes. I looked down and noticed something incredible: the growth was gone. And all that remained in its place was a faint white mark, like a gentle scar to remind me of what had been there and that He on High had healed me through the faith and hands of my child whose belief was expectant. Through the faith of my son, God had worked another miracle.

    This story isn’t just about healing; it’s about faith, about trust in God’s promises, and about how God works across generations. Benjermen’s heart, so tender and trusting, reminded me that miracles are not limited by age. God uses the faithful—even little children—to show His glory, and His faithfulness echoes through time.

    This story is not only about miracles; it’s about faith, hope, and God’s tender mercies. Benjermen’s little hands teach us that even the smallest prayers, offered with sincere hearts, can move heaven. As the Bible reminds us:

    “God heals all diseases” (Psalm 103:2-3).
    “You have not because you ask not” (James 4:2).

    And just like the leper who returned to thank Jesus after being healed, Benjermen’s faith was sincere and grateful. God honors those who come to Him with pure hearts, trusting Him fully.

    Luke 17:17-19 – “Jesus asked, ‘Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?’ Then he said to him, ‘Rise and go; your faith has made you well.’”

    Benjermen’s hands taught me that a pure childlike faith is powerful, prayer is transformative, and God is always ready to act on behalf of the lives of those who love and trust Him.

    God invites us to come to Him with childlike faith—pure, honest, and sincere. When we approach Him with hearts fully surrendered, believing without pretense or doubt, we open ourselves to the miracles, blessings, and healing that only He can provide. It is in that simple, trusting faith, like the faith of a little child, that God moves in the most profound ways.

    Mark 10:14 – “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”

    Our Heavenly Father desires for us to come to Him with the faithfulness to make our petitions known to Him, believing with expectation that by His great love for us He will heal us in our faith in His appointed time. Some miracles come instantly from marvelous grace, and some through fasting and prayer. While some healing is set apart for the Almighty to perform in our return to heavenly places.

    “As Mark 11:24 reminds us, when we come to God in faith, believing that we have received, miracles can happen in His perfect timing.”

    Faith and Expectation in Prayer
    Mark 11:24 – “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”
    Hebrews 11:6 – “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.”

    Healing by God’s Timing
    Ecclesiastes 3:1 – “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.”
    Isaiah 55:8-9 – “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

    Miracles and God’s Power to Heal
    James 5:14-15 – “Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven.”
    Matthew 19:26 – “Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’”

    — 2 Kings 5:14


    From my quiet heart to yours, may you hear His whisper…

    — Spring Lynn Booth

    http://whispers-in-the-quiet.org
    Email: Hopeministries2010@yahoo.com
    FB Page: A Box of Sox Ministry
    URL: https://gravatar.com/springlynnbooth

    © 2025 Spring Lynn Booth. You may share this post only with credit and a link back to this site. Do not republish or copy without written permission.

  •  Angels Among Us

    With Every Heart Cry, There is an Angel Assigned to You

    Introduction

    Have you ever wondered if heaven hears your cries? Sometimes it feels like our prayers disappear into the air, but the truth is—God hears as He is near to the broken hearted. His love is so intentional that He assigns angels to respond, protect, and minister to His children.

    Scripture & Truth

    Before I share my story, let’s look at what the Word of God says about angels:

    • Psalm 34:7 (NKJV)
       “The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, And delivers them.”
       → Angels surround and deliver those who fear the Lord.
    • Hebrews 1:14 (NKJV)
       “Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?”
       → Angels are assigned to minister to believers—our cries never go unnoticed.
    • Daniel 9:23 (NLT)
       “The moment you began praying, a command was given. And now I am here to tell you what it was, for you are very precious to God.”
       → Heaven moves swiftly at the sound of a faithful prayer.
    • Matthew 18:10 (NKJV)
       “Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven.”
       → Every child of God has angelic guardianship.

    I know this to be true because I’ve experienced it personally many times over the course of my life…

    My Story

    I was about 25 years old when my then estranged husband came to pick up the kids for visitation. That left me alone for the summer, and during that time, I moved in with a young woman I didn’t know well. She seemed to be a decent person, very friendly and obliging. She encouraged me to room-mate with her in order that in doing so it might help me save money for a vehicle and get steady work after my classes as a Phlebotomy Technician were completed. All in pursuit of  preparing for my children’s return.

    But after moving in, I began to notice her lifestyle was very different from mine. She invited men over at all hours of the night, had parties, and lived in ways that were far from God. Someone even mentioned to me later that they believed she was a lady of the night, and wanted to know if I also was living that way? Which left me shocked to the core of my soul and left me continually uneasy.

    I remember one night in my own room, I felt completely heartbroken and lonely, missing my children and feeling like I had no one who shared my faith. Surrounded by darkness and immorality, I cried out to God with all my heart:
     
    “Lord, I need to be around other Christians. Please, I can’t do this alone.”

    With great love I felt the Angel of the Lord wrap his arms around me and steadied my heart by putting me to sleep.

    Not long after, my roommate had a court date related to a man who had assaulted her. Since I had witnessed his behavior, I agreed to testify. But when the day came, she went ahead without me. I had to take the bus in an unfamiliar city, and by the time I arrived, the case had already been dismissed.

    As I walked outside, I noticed news crews and crowds of people gathering. Curious but shy, I planned to just cross the street and head home. But as I stepped toward the curb on the adjacent side of the street, an angel appeared. He told me, “Go back.”

    I paused, confused. He repeated, “Turn around and go back.”

    So, in obedience, I did. I had no idea why, but I stopped and asked a man nearby, “Excuse me, could you tell me what’s happening here?”

    He looked at me kindly and said, “Don’t you know? It’s National Prayer Day. Hundreds of Christians are gathering here to pray.”

    I was stunned. Just the night before, I had wept before the Lord, longing to be among His people. Now here I was, surrounded by hundreds of believers, brought together for prayer.

    The man went on to say he was leading the prayer that day. Then, to my surprise, he looked at me and said, “Would you lead us in prayer instead?”

    I was overwhelmed. “But I’m not anybody,” I told him.

    He shook his head and replied, “No, you really are. You were called to be here. I can see God all over you.”

    Through tears, I took the microphone. I opened my mouth, and the Lord filled it. Prayers of blessing flowed over the city, over His people, and over His will being done. That day, on the street corner in Bakersfield, California, during National Prayer Day in the year 2000, God answered the cry of my heart.

    The night before, He had comforted me in my tears. That morning, He sent an angel to guide me back to a gathering of believers. And then, in His kindness, He gave me favor to lead prayer before hundreds of people.

    I walked away from that experience knowing two things for certain:

    1. God hears every cry of the broken hearted.
    2. He really does assign His angels to guard, guide, and deliver His children.

    Reflection & Encouragement

    Friend, if God hears my cries and sends angels to guide me, then He hears yours too. No sincere prayer goes unnoticed. No tear is unseen. Angels are still at work today—on assignment from heaven for you. My prayer is that as they lead you, that you will listen, and your hearts be made glad.

    Closing & Invitation

    With every heart cry, there is an angel assigned to you. God loves you too much to leave you unguarded or unheard.

    Have you ever encountered a moment that led you to believe the angels of the Lord were with you? I’d love to hear your story in the comments.

    Hashtags (Optional for social posting)

    #ABoxOfSoxMinistry #WhispersInTheQuiet #FaithInAction #AngelsAmongUs #EncampedAngels

     From my quiet heart to yours, may you hear His whisper…
    —Spring Lynn Booth


    http://whispers-in-the-quiet.org
    Email: Hopeministries2010@springlynnbooth
    FB Page:  A Box of Sox MinistryMy
    URL: https://gravatar.com/springlynnbooth

    © 2025 Spring Lynn Booth. You may share this post only with credit and a link back to this site. Do not republish or copy without written permission.

  • A Love Letter to My Daughters:

    The Whispered Prayers & Miracles of Hope

    There are moments in life when faith feels fragile, when loss feels heavy, and the world offers no easy answers. This is one of those stories — a story of whispered prayers, unanswered questions, and a God who moves in the quiet spaces between sorrow and hope.

    I carry a grief no mother should bear. My children’s father and I were expecting twin girls, though full term it would not be, as the Lord chose to take them home to Heaven. With this grief, on a day that I should have been celebrating my birthday and the two new lives that would have come with such a joyous occasion as twin daughters, instead it was a time of sorrow. I lost my little girls, Hannah and Heather — daughters I would never get to hold.

    And unbeknownst then, I would also lose the daughter I birthed out of faith — my treasured Megan, the answer to my prayers, but for much different reasons.

    There was so much heartache, yet when the Lord saw fit to send angels to tell me my daughters were with them and to give my heart a little peace from the ache that would wedge its sorrow in deep places — places that often feel like my soul is bleeding out. Though I trust in the Lord and have made room in my heart for the One who giveth and taketh away, it still did not replace a mother’s heartache who needed answers as I was in such grief.

    You see, I trust that our Lord knows what He is doing, as life and death belong solely to Him. Though I was never told exactly all that caused the loss of my girls, their father swore he would take that awareness to his grave. He very well did, as he has passed on now, never having told me all that transpired between him and the physicians, or why we lost them in the first place. I was told later they were probably conjoined, sharing one heart, but that would never be confirmed as my children’s father gave strict instructions that I was not to be told anything surrounding the loss of my girls. I did go back to the hospital a few days later and asked for my records, but they insisted they had no records of me ever being there. I showed them the ID bracelet on my wrist with my name, admitting dates, and hospital name, but they insisted there were no records of me or the twins, and that I could not take their bodies to bury them because there wasn’t any proof other than the band on my arm that I had ever been there. They had me escorted out. That kind of hurt leaves scars — maybe not ones you can visibly see, but it leaves an embedded mark.

    So on my drive home in the depths of that loss, I cried out to God and pleaded my case that I was finally ready to have a little girl. That I wanted a treasure I could teach what it means to be a daughter of God. This prayer, spoken in faith, was a fragile thread holding me steady in the storm.

    I waited on the edge of our bed with my heart set on being with my husband and standing in faith that God would hear my broken heart and grant me my petition. When my husband returned from his parents, I asked him to be with me — quietly, simply. No passion, no fanfare — just a soft hope. He agreed, though he never believed I would conceive.

    That night, in the stillness, I rose and prepared a feast — a small celebration of thanks to God, an unwavering faith whispered in silence, as an act of acknowledgment between me and my Lord for the life I had asked Him for, now growing inside me. From that moment on I declared I was pregnant with a daughter. Everyone thought I had lost my mind, speaking with such surety after such loss and so soon.

    Following labor, it is routine to have a follow-up medical visit. Weeks later, at the doctor’s office, my husband accompanied me — determined to see that parameters were taken to ensure we wouldn’t conceive in the likely future. The doctor, seeing the soft gentle demeanor of my smile and folded hands steadily keeping quiet, declared, “Your wife looks rather satisfied that she is with child,” and so he insisted on a blood test. Thirty minutes later, in an apologetic tone to my then-bewildered husband, the doctor announced, “I am sorry, Mr. Wells, but your wife is indeed six weeks pregnant.” And I got my answered prayer — a little girl to call my own.

    There were other issues and miracles to be had in Megan coming into the world. I carried her for ten months and three days. She had originally been due October 1st, which I did go into full labor. October 1st happens to have been both her father’s birthday and my mother’s birthday. But the medical team postponed delivery in fear her breathing was poor. So I waited. On my checkup on Halloween, the doctor said they could induce labor and I quickly exclaimed, “No thank you! I am not having a gothic daughter,” I told them. Well, God does have a sense of humor; as Megan’s daughter Amilia, many years later, would be born on Halloween.

    There were some extenuating medical circumstances following the delivery of my daughter Megan. She was diagnosed with Down syndrome just after birth. We had not shared with anyone the news as we could hardly believe it. But I would love her no matter what, I told her father.

    While we were at the hospital, we would receive repeated calls from my mother-in-law that Benjamin, my middle son, was frantic and needed to come see his baby sister. So I asked her to put Benjamin on the phone. Benjamin, her brother, only four and a half years old, was frantic with worry. He told us God had spoken to him — that Megan would be healed if he would lay hands on her head and believe. Having not yet told anyone of her illness, we knew that the telling of it was true.

    My stepfather, a minister, brought Benjamin to the hospital under the guise of being his co-pastor for the day. Benjamin laid hands on his baby sister, praying for her healing when she was three days old.

    On the sixth day, doctors could no longer explain it. The diagnosis was gone. Megan was healthy and healed.

    We were filled with awestruck wonder at the little girl with frosted silver hair who looked like a baby doll — so sweet and precious. And thankful God gave me so many miracles that I would forever know the value of her worth to a mother’s heart that had once been so broken by grief.

    She came into this world surrounded by whispers of grace and miracles, and yet the weight of absence still presses on.

    There’s so much more to this story, with words I do not know how to express without causing harm, and so it may be left unsaid and unsettling. But my husband, years later, would leave the marriage, taking my daughter from me and leaving her to believe she has been unloved or unwanted. He left her with untruths that make her feel like she is an orphan now that he is gone. No matter my attempts, no amount of words I could ever say will ever be enough to undo the pain of decades of separation we have faced.

    Misguided anger for the failure he created is a punishment I have been left to endure without end, and a daughter whose grief matches my own every single day. My prayers are that restoration will come with an outpouring of love — the kind of love that casts out all fear, heals the brokenhearted, and restores hope to our weary hearts.

    If you have faced devastating loss and pain that is unimaginable, and family turns against family,
    know that there is still a God who gives redemptive grace and stays close to the brokenhearted — a Comforter who will hold you in the nighttime hours and bind up all your grief if you will surrender the hurt, anger, and disappointment, so that you may have what your heart wishes for.

    My little girl, I failed you, and it was with the heaviest of regrets. Nothing I did kept us together, but believe me, you never were far from my thoughts, and the wedge of pain has embedded your name on my heart to never forget. Sometimes our best isn’t enough when so many come against us.

    Scriptures on Miracles, Hope, Restoration, and Grace

    Miracles and God’s Power

    • Matthew 19:26 — “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
    • Mark 10:27 — “Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.’”
    • John 14:12 — “Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these…”
    • Luke 18:27 — “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”
      Mark 9:23 – “Everything is possible for one who believes.”
    • Luke 1:37 – “For no word from God will ever fail.”

    Hope and Comfort

    • Romans 15:13 — “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
    • Psalm 34:18 — “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
    • Isaiah 41:10 — “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you…”
    • Jeremiah 29:11 — “For I know the plans I have for you… plans to give you hope and a future.”

    Restoration and Redemption

    • Joel 2:25 — “I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten…”
    • Psalm 147:3 — “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”
    • Isaiah 61:1 — “He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives…”
    • 2 Corinthians 5:17 — “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
      Psalm 30:5 – “Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.”
    • 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 – “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive

    Grace and Forgiveness

    • Ephesians 2:8-9 — “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works…”
    • 2 Corinthians 12:9 — “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
    • Psalm 103:12 — “As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”

    Enduring Heartache

    • Romans 8:28 — “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him…”
    • James 1:2-4 — “Consider it pure joy… whenever you face trials… so that you may be mature and complete…”
    • 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 — “The God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles…”

    Family and Restoration

    • Psalm 68:6 — “God sets the lonely in families…”
    • Malachi 4:6 — “He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents…”
    • Ephesians 3:14-19 — Prayer for the family to be rooted and established in love.

    A Prayer for Healing, Hope, and Restoration

    Dear Heavenly Father,

    You are the God of all comfort, the healer of broken hearts, and the restorer of families. In our deepest pain and darkest moments, You remain our refuge and strength. We thank You for the miracles You have already done and the ones yet to come.

    Lord, breathe new life into our weary souls. Heal every wound, mend every broken relationship, and restore hope where there is despair. Help us to surrender our hurts, anger, and disappointments into Your loving hands, trusting in Your perfect timing and redemptive grace.

    May Your peace, which surpasses all understanding, guard our hearts and minds. May Your love cast out all fear, and may Your Spirit comfort us in the night hours when the pain feels unbearable.

    Thank You for the promise that all things are possible with You, and for the hope that no sorrow is too deep for Your healing touch. Strengthen us to endure, to trust, and to walk forward in faith.

    In Jesus’ name, Amen.

    From my quiet heart to yours , may you hear His whisper…

    — Spring Lynn Booth

    http://whispers-in-the-quiet.org
    Email: Hopeministries2010@yahoo.com
    FB Page: A Box of Sox Ministry
    URL: https://gravatar.com/springlynnbooth

    © 2025 Spring Lynn Booth. You may share this post only with credit and a link back to this site. Do not republish or copy without written permission.

  • One Degree Off


    One Degree Off: A Whisper from the Wilderness

    There was a season in my life when I was walking… but not seeking. I had become passive in my pursuit of Kingdom glory. I still believed in God, still loved Him deeply—but somehow, subtly, I began to drift. It wasn’t rebellion. It was distraction. Life was heavy. I was tired. And the enemy doesn’t need to steal your Bible or shout curses in your ear. He only needs to nudge you a single degree off course to set you on a path that leads away from intimacy with God.

    It took a gentle yet sovereign move of God to wake me up.

    That move though gentle was lightning. It came in the quiet moment of a conversation, when a young man confided in me and I responded—not from some lofty place of righteousness, but out of my own brokenness. In telling him the truth, the Spirit convicted my own heart. The words I gave to him… were the very words God wanted me to hear:

    “You sound angry or at least hurting… It’s not easy facing our mistakes, but it’s worth it, truly. For me, being separated by my sin from God is the loneliest place in the world. I’m not where I once was, because without realizing it I started thinking I was at a safe place in my walk. But without practice, reading, being, and doing right, you—or we—start slowly becoming like the world, and it separates and hinders the personal relationship with the Holy Spirit. I pray with an earnest heart that God restore my walk beyond my former glories. Because I miss waking up to the sound of my Lord whispering to me, and throughout my whole day, giving me direction. I miss the Holy Spirit talking to me, as the Lord is my best friend… And that’s my fault, because I stopped making Him first priority—even above my heart’s desires. I pray He helps me surrender me from me and put more of Him in my place.”

    Those words stopped me in my tracks. I realized I’d been walking in a dry place, a desert, thinking I was okay… but I wasn’t pursuing God the way I used to. I was passive, like Adam in the garden.

    John 15:13–15 (NIV)“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
    You are my friends if you do what I command.
    I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business.
    Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.”

    Proverbs 18:24 (NKJV)

    “A man who has friends must himself be friendly,
    But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”

    The Danger of Passivity

    Adam wasn’t the one who reached for the fruit first, but his failure wasn’t about action—it was about inaction. He was silent. Still. Passive. He did not step in, did not guard, did not say “Not my wife.” And in that moment, his passivity became his sin.

    “So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.” – James 4:17

    This same passivity is what the spirit of the antichrist counts on. He doesn’t have to launch a full-scale assault to destroy a believer. He just needs to lull you to sleep, to get you to stop reading, stop praying, stop seeking, stop listening. That’s how he deceives even the elect—slowly, subtly, deceptively.

    “For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.” – Matthew 24:24

    “Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God.” – Hebrews 3:12

    The Antichrist Spirit Is After the Believer

    We often think the enemy is after the world—but the world is already his. The antichrist spirit is after you, the believer. The one who once walked in light. The one who once heard whispers from the Holy Spirit. That’s who he fears. And that’s who he targets.

    “Children, it is the last hour, and just as you heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have arisen.” – 1 John 2:18

    He doesn’t always come as a horned figure in red. Sometimes he comes in the form of something beautiful, something desirable—something that speaks to your human nature but pulls you away from your spiritual calling.

    That’s why we must guard our hearts with diligence. We must not be passive in our pursuit of Jesus. We must be willing to look foolish, to be called “fanatical,” to cling to the Lord with a desperate, daily love.

    “The antichrist only needs to move us one degree to get us off the path we are called to walk.”

    “Let us not grow weary in doing good.” – Galatians 6:9

    “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.” – Matthew 25:13

    God Lets Us Miss Him

    Sometimes God allows His chosen ones to walk through wilderness seasons—not to punish us, but to stir up a holy hunger. To cause us to miss Him. Because in missing Him, we remember why we must cling to Him.

    We were not made to be passive. We were made to be purposeful. To seek. To pray. To worship. To live in close relationship with the Spirit who calls us sons and daughters.

    And when we drift, even a little, we can come back.

    Let This Be the Whisper That Brings You Back

    If you find yourself in a dry place today… not in rebellion, just distracted… don’t stay there. Don’t wait until the drift becomes a fall.

    You were made for intimacy with your Creator.

    If you miss the whisper of the Lord… you can hear Him again.

    If you’ve stopped putting Him first… you can start today.

    If you feel like you’ve walked one degree off course… turn your heart fully back. He’s waiting.

    And let this be the prayer of our hearts:

    “Lord, help me surrender me from me, and put more of You in my place.”

    Gentle Wisdom — side note:
    A powerful and often-overlooked truth embedded in the Genesis account. Let me expand on this for my readers to understand some of my scripture context and thoughts in my signature tone of gentle wisdom, weaving it into my original message with scripture and theological reflection.

    Genesis 3:6 – The Silence of Adam

    “When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.” – Genesis 3:6 (NIV)

    The phrase “who was with her” is small but deeply significant. It tells us Adam was present. He saw. He knew. And still… he said nothing. 

    Adam wasn’t deceived the way Eve was (see 1 Timothy 2:14), but he also didn’t protect. He didn’t speak. He didn’t stand in the gap. His passivity was as dangerous as Eve’s disobedience.

    Adam, though silent in the moment of temptation, appears to choose love, responsibility, and spiritual alignment in the aftermath. While the text doesn’t spell this out explicitly, the narrative implies that Adam’s second choice—to follow Eve into the wilderness rather than leave her in isolation—is one of restored obedience, not rebellion. It aligns with his original charge: to care for her, to tend, to guard.

    That interpretation doesn’t elevate Adam above Eve, nor condemn her. Instead, it shows God’s heart for partnership, repentance, and redemptive purpose through flawed but willing vessels.

    Here is a recap closing reflection “Gentle Wisdom” — keeping the tone, vision, and theological depth intact as its worth repeating !

    Gentle Wisdom

    A powerful and often-overlooked truth lies within the silence of Adam.

    Though scripture names Eve as deceived (1 Timothy 2:14), and the fruit as pleasing to the eye (Genesis 3:6), we must also see what happened next: God gave Adam the choice—to stay in the garden or walk with his bride into exile. And Adam chose to go.

    This was not rebellion, but perhaps a quiet repentance. A recognition of his first sin—passivity—and a determination not to repeat it. He chose to walk with Eve, to guard her this time, and to face the consequence together rather than abandon his post again.

    He followed her into the wilderness, and there, they bore fruit—not of trees, but of the womb. From their union came children, nations, and eventually redemption through Christ, the second Adam (Romans 5:14–15).

    It may not be called a sin by name, but Adam’s silence had a cost. His second choice, however, points us toward something beautiful: when we acknowledge our failure and return to the role God gave us—not in pride, but in humility—we partner with heaven’s redemptive plan.

    When I was about seven years old, walking home just a handful of blocks away, I chose to walk down the ditch bank as my winding pathway home. As I walked, daydreaming along, I came across an unusual sight — a tree, full-grown, growing in the middle of that dry ditch. It had beautiful fruit on it. You guessed it: a persimmon tree. I gathered many up in the skirt of my dress and carried them home with me.

    Just before arriving home, the temptation grew too much. I bit into one of those lovely orbs. And goodness — I was caught by surprise! It was so bitter. My mouth was suddenly so dry, and I wasn’t sure bringing these pretty fruits home to my mother was going to be welcomed.

    My mother, having seen me from the window, was smiling and met me on the porch. She took the fruit from my dress and said,
    “Oh Spring, these will ripen, and we can add sugar to them to make bread or cookies. Then they will taste sweet.”
    I said in a quizzical tone,
    “Are you sure, Mom? They are so bitter — my mouth tastes like cotton.”
    She said, “Yes, I’m sure.”
    And I went on my way to bathe and take my afternoon nap.

    I never forgot that day, and when I drive through Farmersville, California, I wonder if that tree is still there.

    My heart honors the place, role, and position God Himself gave each member of a household — according to their gender, place, positions, and titles — and the call to be active in our pursuits for obedience and cultivating our love of Kingdom glory.
    May my words not stir up strife, but allow a perspective of reflection, that we may draw nearer to our Lord God. Amen.


    Why The Imagery     — the persimmon is a beautifully fitting symbol for this message.
    Pleasing to the eye – just like the fruit in Genesis 3:6:
    “…good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom…
    ”     A persimmon is often vibrant, glossy, and rich in color — it draws you in with beauty, just as temptation does.

    Bitter when unripe – representing deception and the consequences of disobedience:

    Biting into an unripe persimmon leaves a dry, puckered, chalky bitterness, much like the bitter fruit of sin that seems sweet at first but brings displeasure and often painful awareness.

    From my quiet heart to yours , may you hear His whisper…

     — Spring Lynn Booth

    http://Whispers-in-the-quiet.org
    Hopeministries2010@yahoo.com
    FB: A Box Of Sox Ministry LLC
    https://gravatar.com/springlynnbooth

    © 2025 Spring Lynn Booth. You may share this post only with credit and a link back to this site. Do not republish or copy without written permission.

  • The Seven Stages of Grief

    In seasons of loss, grief often sweeps through our souls like a storm—powerful, unpredictable, and deeply personal. But even in that storm, there is a divine order, a sacred rhythm God uses to guide us toward healing and peace. Understanding the common stages of grief can help you place words around your pain, give presence to your progress, and invite grace to hold you through transitions you may not yet recognize.

    Psalm 34:18 says:
    “_The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit._”
    That promise doesn’t erase the ache—but it assures you that you will never walk through it alone.

    The Seven Stages of Grief (not necessarily linear)

    Shock & Disbelief:
    A stunned numbness or emotional freeze—it’s God’s initial buffer, giving your heart space to breathe.

    Denial:
    A protective distancing from reality: “This can’t be happening.” It softens the initial blow.

    Anger:
    Raw frustration, perhaps even rage—at the loss, at God, or at circumstances. It’s honest pain trying to find expression.

    Bargaining & Guilt:
    “If only…” statements, self-blame, or attempts to rewrite the story. It often includes regret and spiritual wrestling.

    Depression , Reflection, & Loneliness :
    Deep sorrow, isolation, and introspection. This is where the weight of loss settles—and slow, soulful processing begins.

    Testing & Searching :
    A turning point of tentative hope—trying new routines, asking “What now?” and testing ways to live within the absence.

    Acceptance & Hope:
    Not a happy forgetting, but a resting: understanding the new reality, integrating the loss and opening toward future healing. Acceptance is gentle—and also where God begins to rebuild.

    Final Thought

    Some days you may feel like you’re moving backward into pain; other days, you’ll notice a surprising, tender peace. Neither means you’re failing. Grief isn’t a checklist—it’s a wound that heals in time, with God’s presence.
    “_The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit._”

    Prayer for the Brokenhearted

    God of mercy and grace,
    We lift up those whose hearts feel crushed, hurt,  or heavy with loss. Bring them close. Let them sense Your nearness in the night, in the silence, in tears they cannot speak.
    Bring them the peace that transcends all understanding.
    Use their grief to draw them nearer to You. Help them find comfort in Your Word and presence. May hope ignite even in the ache, and healing begin even where despair seemed to hide.  In Christ Jesus  Amen.

    Additional Scriptures of Comfort

    Psalm 147:3 – “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”

    Psalm 68:5 – “Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in His holy habitation.”

    Psalm 23:4 – “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for You are with me. Your rod and staff, they comfort me.”

    Matthew 5:4 – “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”

    2 Corinthians 1:3–5 – “God … of all comfort … comforts us in all our affliction … so that we may comfort those who are in any affliction.”

    🖨️ Printable Handout: The Seven Stages of Grief

    ———————————————-

              The Seven Stages of Grief

    ———————————————-

    1. Shock & Disbelief

    2. Denial

    3. Anger

    4. Bargaining & Guilt

    5. Depression, Reflection & Loneliness

    6. Testing & Searching

    7. Acceptance & Hope


    Psalm 34:18 — “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”


    Reflection: Grief is not linear, and each person’s path is sacredly unique. Let each stage have its time, and may prayer illuminate each step.


    Prayer: God of mercy and grace, we lift up those who grieve…

    ———————————————-

    The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
    He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
    He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
    Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
    Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
    Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

    🌿 Psalm 23 and the Seven Stages of Grief

    1. **Shock & Denial** – “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”
        In the initial blow of loss, we forget what we need. This first verse becomes an anchor — reminding us that even in disarray, our Shepherd tends to us.

    2. **Pain & Guilt** – “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures… He restoreth my soul.”
        Pain and guilt can feel endless, but God invites us to lie down — to be still — and He Himself begins the restoring work.

    3. **Anger & Bargaining** – “He leadeth me in paths of righteousness…”
        In our confusion and anger, we search for understanding. This verse reminds us: God’s leading isn’t random. It’s righteous. Even when we don’t see it.

    4. **Depression, Reflection & Loneliness** – “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death…”
        This is the heart of grief. The valley. The shadow. But here, in the darkest place, God is *with* us. We are not alone.

    5. **The Upward Turn** – “Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”
        Slowly, comfort emerges. Maybe not fully, but it brushes close. His rod (protection) and staff (guidance) let us begin to breathe again.

    6. **Reconstruction & Working Through** – “Thou preparest a table before me… my cup runneth over.”
        Here we learn to live with our grief. We eat again. We laugh again. Healing begins to pour in — not from forgetting, but from accepting.

    7. **Acceptance & Hope** – “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me… and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
        This is the eternal perspective. Grief doesn’t get the final word. Hope walks beside us. Mercy chases us down. Heaven holds our beloveds, and us too, forever.

    Written as a benediction to my own grief, and for those who may also be grieving.

    From my quiet heart to yours—may you hear His whisper.

    —Spring Lynn Booth

     

    suggested URL: whispers-in-the-quiet.org
    Email:     Hopeministries2010@yahoo.com
    FB Page:  A Box of Sox Ministry

    © 2025 Spring Lynn Booth. You may share this post only with credit and a link back to this site. Do not republish or copy without written permission.





  • A Grandmother’s Faith

    When Great Grandma Heard God’s Whisper

    Pauline Pearl Rowe

     In loving dedication to my Grandma Pauline Pearl Rowe, whose grace, forgiveness, and faith continue to illuminate the path before me.

    There exists a holiness in silence—a sacred space where heaven touches earth in ways our hearts recognize before our minds can comprehend. For seven years, my Grandma Rowe dwelt in such a silence, her voice seemingly lost to the hush of time and illness.

    Yet one afternoon, when sunlight poured through the large window behind her bed—so bright it shimmered like silver across her sheets—and hope felt as fragile as tissue paper, her voice returned home to us.

    I was twelve, clutching a handmade Valentine close to my chest, my young heart brimming with the kind of love that still believed in miracles. The nursing home carried the weight of countless stories—some joyful, others sorrowful—all mingling in the sterile air where time seemed to blur.

    That day, I witnessed something that carved itself into the deepest part of me.

    Harsh words fell like stones in that bright room. Impatient hands moved without care toward someone whose frailty deserved only tenderness. My young eyes saw cruelty directed at my beloved grandmother, and something inside me began to break.

    But then—oh, then—I saw something that would change me forever.

    Grandma Rowe’s eyes flashed with a knowing , I had never noticed before. Not the brightness of health or joy, but something eternal. A quiet resilience that seemed to flow from a place ancient as time.

    And in that moment, her voice rose—clear as morning, soft as rain:

    “I forgive you. And Jesus loves you.”

    The words hung in the air like a benediction, a bridge between brokenness and healing. Her final gift, wrapped in grace and delivered with a love that changes everything it touches.

    Then, as gently as it came, her silence returned.

    I don’t remember how I fell—whether my knees gave out or my heart simply became too heavy to hold—but I remember the sound that left me, raw and bewildered, echoing in the corridor.

    And I remember what followed.

    My great-grandmother’s daughter—my Grandma Bobbie Buck—swept me into her arms. Steady, soft, and strong. She became the shelter where my breaking heart could collapse and begin to mend.

    You see, before that day, I had spent many afternoons whispering the Lord’s Prayer beside Grandma Rowe’s bed. Her fingers—paper-thin but warm—would squeeze mine in response. Our own quiet liturgy.

    Those sacred words had remained tucked inside her spirit all along, waiting for the moment when forgiveness would be her final sermon.

    That afternoon changed the landscape of my soul.

    In witnessing such pure grace in the face of such personal cruelty, something eternal rooted itself in me—a calling to love with fierce tenderness, to serve with gentle strength, to see Christ in every face… especially the ones the world forgets to treat gently.

    Grandma Rowe showed me that sometimes, God’s loudest whispers come through the softest voices. And forgiveness—it’s not just something we offer. It’s something we live.

    The Lord’s Prayer

    The words that carry us through the generations

    Our Father, who art in heaven,
     hallowed be Thy name.
    Thy kingdom come,
    Thy will be done,
    on earth as it is in heaven.
    Give us this day our daily bread,
    and forgive us our trespasses,
    as we forgive those who trespass against us.
    And lead us not into temptation,
    but deliver us from evil.
    For Thine is the kingdom,
    and the power, and the glory,
    forever and ever.
    Amen.

    May we all learn to listen for the whispers in our own quiet moments.
    And may we have the courage to speak love when the world expects silence.

    Four Generations- Great-grandmother, Grandma, Mother, & Me


    From my quiet heart to yours, may you hear His whisper…

    — Spring Lynn Booth
     Visit:whispers-in-the-quiet.org
     Email: Hopeministries2010@yahoo.com

    © 2025 Spring Lynn Booth. You may share this post only with credit and a link back to this site. Do not republish or copy without written permission.