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God Is Talking But Do We Listen??

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Everything Pines Partners Fayetteville

God is talking but do we listen??

I have been a true believer since I was very young....talk to God on a regular basis.  Through the years I haven’t asked for much, always thought that my issues were way too small to bother God with...I talk with him about them just never really asked him to do anything about it, what will be will be.

Well that all changed for me two and a half years ago when I lost my Mother, Amelia Gallagher,  unexpectedly.  I asked God why? How could he take her away from me? I grieve for her everyday and always will, but there is one thing that weighs so heavy on my mind and that is - is she OK?  I wrote a blog a while back, "My Holiday Miracle" , about a time when I know God was answering me....

Since I was young I have been visiting Myrtle Beach. I love to walk along the ocean looking for sea shells. I can do this for miles lost in the moment. I have found a whole sand dollar once on the shores of Myrtle but never a whole conch shell.

Last week I was on vacation in Myrtle Beach and we were staying in a park called Pirate Land on the ocean.  While I was there I spent some time walking and talking with God again about my Mom and my concern if I only knew for sure that she was OK that living my life would be a little easier without her...

It was morning time and my husband and I decided to take a walk on the beach while the children were still sleeping and enjoy the beach while there were not as many people out.  I was walking along looking at the shells and there it was - a little conch shell, perfect! I was so excited I told my husband "this is the first one I had ever found!" So when I arrived back at the camper I showed the children my find.  They tried to share in my joy but were not quite as excited as I was. But that was OK. I thought it was the prettiest little shell....

Late that same night I went for a long walk on the beach, sometime around midnight, once again talking with God about my Mom and how I just needed to know somehow some way.  The beach is such a peaceful place at night with the moonlight on the ocean the sound of the waves.... I don't think there is a place easier to talk to God about what is on your mind!

The next morning was our last day at the beach and I have to say I was sorry that it was time to go home.  So my husband and I decided to take advantage of the beach one last time before we started packing up.  We were walking aMom and Me and our Shellslong talking, there were other couples out doing the same.... and I was looking at the shells.  Where we were staying it was hard to find just a regular shell in one piece because of the way the waves break in that area... But there in my path was another conch shell!! This time it was as big as my hand!! As I reached down and picked it up I got this overwhelming feeling that God was trying to tell me something...my Mom IS OK and she is with him. I am sure of it!

All those years of looking for a conch shell and never finding one until this trip, on a beach where there were hardly any shells in one piece.  After my long talks with God about what I needed from him, how could I not listen.....

Luke 11:9 So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.

Comments (28)

Anita Clark
Coldwell Banker Access Realty ~ 478.960.8055 - Warner Robins, GA
Realtor - Homes for Sale in Warner Robins GA

You never know when, where, or how God will answer our prayers...the key is to stay in his Word, seeking him daily, so when he does answer we recognize it. 

Aug 13, 2011 01:47 AM
Roger D. Mucci
Shaken...with a Twist 216.633.2092 - Euclid, OH
Lets shake things up at your home today!

Most of us don't take the time to listen to God...........so glad that you did and you now know that your Mom is okay.  Excellent post Melissa and great inspirational story.

Aug 13, 2011 02:40 AM
Joni Bailey
101 Main St. Realty - Huntsville, TX
Your Huntsville / Lake Livingston Area REALTOR®
I asked you one time if your mother was saved, and you replied quickly " YES! She knew the Lord." So I give you written confirmation from God. 1 John 5:13 These things I have written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God (the saved); that ye may KNOW that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. God's word is clear. She is in heaven with Jesus. Beloved, she is MORE than okay!!! Praise God!!
Aug 13, 2011 02:44 AM
Tammy Pearce
Haute Realty 214-994-6474 - Dallas, TX
Tammy Pearce

Melissa - I loved walking on the beach and talking to God on the few occasions that I've been able to.  I do believe that sometimes God gives us tangible reminders that He hears every word we speak.  The Scripture that came to mind as I read was:  1 Thessalonians 4:17
Then we, the living ones who remain [on the earth], shall simultaneously be caught up along with [the resurrected dead] in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and so always (through the eternity of the eternities) we shall be with the Lord!

You see, when I lost my son one of the most comforting words spoken to me was the reminder that we are all created for eternity by and with God.  No one knows how long our days on Earth may be, but our eternity will be with our Heavenly Father, if we choose to accept Jesus as our Saviour.  Some babies never live one second here with us, some children are taken early, young adults, older adults....but we are ALL created for eternity together in Heaven! 

I hope this is comforting to you as well.

Aug 13, 2011 02:59 AM
Marilyn Harrell
Better Homes and Acres - Beaverton, MI
Wixom Lake - Beaverton MI

I guess I need to find a beach

Aug 13, 2011 04:31 AM
Juli Vosmik
Dominion Fine Properties - Scottsdale, AZ
Scottsdale/Cave Creek, AZ real estate 480-710-0739

Melissa, what an inspirational story.   I'm glad you're more at peace, today. 

Aug 13, 2011 06:52 AM
Cindy Marchant
Keller Williams Indy NE 317-290-7775 www.marchantteam.com - Carmel, IN
"Cindy in Indy" , Realtor, Fishers Real Estate

Ah Melissa...what a great story.  God speaks to us in so many ways if we are quiet enough and aware enought to hear it and you did.  There is nothing like a peace of God coming over you and you know...blessings my friend...

Aug 13, 2011 12:03 PM
Melissa McKinney
Everything Pines Partners Fayetteville - Fayetteville, NC
Realtor, www.LivingFayetteville.com

Michael~I am glad that I could be still enough to hear...

Virginia~Sometimes we do need to take the time for reflection...glad you enjoyed

Dawn~ I am more at peace then I have been in a long time!

Christine~I had forgotten how much I loved the peace that you find there!

Warren~ Exactly what I thought, after talking again that night he knew I really needed the bigger one to seal the message, thank you!

Mike~ I will always miss her and have my days but after my visit to the beach I know she is not far from me ever!

Anita~ I agree!!!

Roger~Thank you, I struggled over if I should write this and how to... but if I can help someone else see that he is there how could I not. :)

Joni~ Yes ma am! The devil has been working on me lately...God just had to show him!

Tammy~Beautiful words of comfort, thank you SO much for you kind words. I am sorry for your loss...I think next to my Mother loosing a child would be worse. God bless you!

Marilyn~Sometimes that is the best place to be!

Juli~Thank you and so am I!

Cindy~Thank you! I am so at peace right now in my life...a place that I thought I would never find again. God is good to me and I am blessed in so many ways. So glad I could be still...

 

Aug 13, 2011 02:39 PM
Jerry Newman
Brown Realty, 210-789-4216, - San Antonio, TX
Texas REALTOR, San Antonio Military Relocation

Hi Melissa. I am sure your Mother is with the Lord, and is Okay. Eternity is a long time, and it's hard to comprehend what eternity is all about, but Tammy in comment #12 raps it up very nicely with her scripture verse from 1 Thessalonians 4:17. WE need to Listen to God more than we do. Thanks for sharing your time on the beach. Lovely story.

Aug 13, 2011 03:09 PM
Joni Bailey
101 Main St. Realty - Huntsville, TX
Your Huntsville / Lake Livingston Area REALTOR®

GO GOD!! :))) I know that you KNOW that you KNOW that you KNOW! I was just reaffirming it, sweet friend! XOXO

Aug 13, 2011 05:07 PM
Melissa McKinney
Everything Pines Partners Fayetteville - Fayetteville, NC
Realtor, www.LivingFayetteville.com

Jerry~Thanks for stopping in and taking the time to read... Tammy really did hit it home with that!! And you are right we dont spend as much time listening as we should!

Joni~ I do know and I know that you are a great friend in reinforcing what I know! ~hugs~

Aug 13, 2011 05:20 PM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

This was a very touching post Melissa. Constant contact with the greater power, and listening for the answers. Love it!

Aug 13, 2011 07:42 PM
Cindy Eanes
1st Choice Realty Group - Chesterfield, VA
Realtor - e-PRO, SFR, ASP

What a beautiful story Melissa.  Thank you for sharing it.  I am so glad I found you this early morning.  You have touched my heart.  I am so happy for you in finding your answer.  I believe God works just as you have described in your story.  I also feel the same as you about the beach and ocean.  No where is it more possible to find peace!

Have a wonderful day and thanks again!

Cindy

Aug 13, 2011 10:23 PM
Debra Davis
Keller Williams Realty Atlanta Partners - Snellville, GA
Realtor - Atlanta, Decatur, Snellville, Loganville

Melissa, you know your story touched me and I am so glad you found peace. I have my Mom's picture beside my chair and talk to her every day. I only wish she could talk back. I still pray for her and know that she is in a better place, but I miss her so much. I hope your shell will bring you comfort for a long time. Your Mom was blessed to have a wonderful daughter like you.

Aug 14, 2011 03:45 AM
Melissa McKinney
Everything Pines Partners Fayetteville - Fayetteville, NC
Realtor, www.LivingFayetteville.com

Tom~ Thank you! I am going to practice be a little quieter...

Cindy~I am glad you stopped by... I told this story in hope that maybe someone would need to hear it. I know now and will never doubt again that he listens!

Debra~Thank you so much, and yours was too! I still go to pick up the phone with the thought of calling her...so weird at times how your mind can wonder like that. God certain has given me peace. I have felt so renewed since my return...If you ever want to talk! :0)

Aug 14, 2011 05:56 AM
Michele Norris
Crystal Realty - Incline Village Nevada - Incline Village, NV
((( Buy or Sell, Call Michele ))) Lake Tahoe NV

Melissa,

You are a wonderful lady. I do believe that God gave you those conch shells (they're lovely!) in answer to your prayers. Your story was so touching, I had to find Kleenex.  I admire you for writing about this. Too many times we try to seperate work from faith, to be 'politically correct'. You just made a great difference in many lives with this story. I'm going to call my Mom now.   

Aug 14, 2011 09:08 AM
Scott Hayes
(512) 786-8300 - Austin, TX
Realty Austin, Broker Associate

What a wonderful post Melissa. You know, it seems that some places are easier to talk to God doesn't it. Myrtle Beach for you, and I would have to agree that places so beautiful that we see his work are special. But sometimes we get comforted by talking to God in unlikely places too.

Looks like you find comfort and strength in your talks. That is what they are all about.

Aug 14, 2011 01:43 PM
Karen Bernetti
Southington, CT

Such a truly inspiring story Melissa!  Sounds like a lovely vacation on the beach.  Those messages come through loud and clear ... when we're listening.   

Aug 14, 2011 04:46 PM
Susan Haughton
Long and Foster REALTORS (703) 470-4545 - Alexandria, VA
Susan & Mindy Team...Honesty. Integrity. Results.

What a wonderful story...and how wise of you to LISTEN!  God gives us what we need and tells us what we need to hear...and we miss it sometimes, because we are too busy with what we want to hear.  ;-)  I know I have often been guilty of this.

Aug 18, 2011 10:55 AM
Paul Gapski
Berkshire Hathaway / Prudential Ca Realty - El Cajon, CA
619-504-8999,#1 Resource SD Relo

that is soo true i love the inspiration blog ty again

Aug 12, 2012 02:29 AM