Show Notes
If you’re a mom, or really, if you’ve ever been around small children for a given amount of time, you have probably come across this phenomenon. Speaking from experience, I can tell ya, I can only take so many calls for “Mom!” Or “Mama!” before my eye starts to twitch.. You know the insistent calling I’m talking about where they call for you and you respond with a calm “yes, baby?”, to which…they say it again. Another reply of “yes, honey?”. Annnnnd again, “Mama!”. At this point the response becomes a polite but annoyed, “Yes…?”. And this can go on indefinitely. Honestly after 3 rounds I usually lose my cool and raise my voice with an impatient, “Baby, Mommy has answered you three times already! What do you need?!”.
I hate to admit it, but lets be honest, most of us have lived this. It can be SO frustrating when our kiddos are literally begging for our attention and we give it to them only to find they aren’t even paying attention!
Leave it to me to see such parallels in the Bible. After all, God gave us lessons for ALL of life if we look in His word.. So, what is today’s lesson, you may ask? Well, it’s this: Sometimes we beg God for something without ever actually giving Him our attention! Just like the kids calling your name over and over… needing something from you while simultaneously being so wrapped up in their own things that they aren’t giving you their own attention in return! Allow me to read the brief excerpt from the Bible that teaches this valuable lesson.
Acts 3:1-10 TPT
This account is so short and sweet. I actually love this translation of the story because of the wording. The two things that jumped out to me were this: the man begged them for something…and then, OUT OF EXPECTATION, he GAVE THEM HIS ATTENTION. Why is this important, you may ask? I feel like this crippled man is modeling to us an important aspect of prayer life. It is not enough to simply ask God for something. And I’m sure we are all guilty of it from time to time. Life is busy. We have needs. We quickly toss up an ask to our Heavenly Father and resume life. Consumed with the goings on. So wrapped up in our lives and circumstances, we aren’t actually living in expectation that God will answer! Nor are we giving him our due attention!
If you think of it like that, its a wonder God ever answers us at all! BUT. He is a good Father. And just like good parent when asked over and over…perhaps even in an impolite fashion, and without due attention… we answer. We still meet the need. Thank Goodness for the love of a Father for His children.
Today is in no way an admonishment. It is, however, a challenge to reflect how you are approaching our Father in prayer. Are we giving Him our attention? Are we even coming to Him in expectation?! This passage in Acts shows us a man who did. He begged. But he did so with expectation and furthermore, with his full attention. He didn’t call over the disciples shoulder to the next passers-by. He didn’t avert his gaze back to his lifeless legs and wonder about who was going to carry him home that day. He gave his attention. And I believe that is a lesson we could all use. God just wants our attention. He loves us beyond measure… Maybe today, we could all use the reminder to give God our time and attention. Give Him our expectation as we come to Him undistracted by life. Even if just for a few precious minutes. I think we owe Him at least as much..
Today, I pray each of you listening are able to consecrate some time in the day..setting it aside, just for Him. Leaving life and all of its crippling demands at the door. Drop them. Walk, instead, into His waiting embrace. He longs to answer you, sweet friends. Call out to Him in expectation and give Him your attention today…
More from Unexpected with Hannah Love
I loved getting to sit down with Leanna Crawford (lattes in hand, of course). Leanna grew up homeschooled in a small farm town in Washington, found Jesus at a young age, and felt God put a calling on her life to do music. The doors opened. She moved to Nashville. Life was good. And then it got really hard. She shares honestly about the season when anxiety kept her up at night, when she couldn't sit at the piano without crying, and when she felt like she had let everyone down. We talk about how God used her sister Lindsey, a counselor at Porter's Call, and the people around her to keep pointing her back to Jesus. That's how she found her love for music again. Not "I have to do this." "I get to." We also talk about God's timing being so much better than our plans, the unexpected gift of marriage, the long wait to get pregnant... and Leanna shares some really sweet baby news right here on the show. 🤍 If you're in the valley right now, I pray her words at the end of this episode land right where you need them. God doesn't waste your pain. Scripture we touched on: Romans 8:28 Proverbs 13:12 Jeremiah 29:11 Ephesians 1:4 Resources mentioned: Porter's Call (free counseling for artists): https://www.porterscall.com Leanna's album, Thank God Connect with Leanna: Website: https://www.leannacrawford.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leannacrawford/ Hannah's Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unexpected.hannahlove/ Instagram (Personal): https://www.instagram.com/hannah.billingsley/ Website: https://unexpectedwithhannahlove.com/ #LeannaCrawford #ChristianPodcast #FaithStory
Today I’m sitting down with Madison Watkins to talk about a testimony that is ultimately a story of God’s pursuit. Madison grew up knowing the Lord and knowing she had been given a voice for a purpose. But after finding success through reality singing shows and pursuing a career in Los Angeles, she began to realize how easy it was to know God while still seeking the things of the world. As opportunities grew, so did the pressure to build her own name. Slowly, the industry began changing her—and eventually, Madison found herself at the end of herself. But God never stopped pursuing her. Madison shares how getting sick became an unexpected turning point, how God asked her to lay down her career and her gift, and why she stepped away from singing for an entire year. In the stillness, she began hearing His voice again. And when God eventually called her back to music, the assignment was clear: use the gift He gave her for His glory. We talk about surrender, identity, the distractions that keep us from hearing God, dying to our flesh, and the freedom that comes when we stop trying to make our own name known and start living to make His known. If you’ve ever wondered whether you’ve wandered too far, become too distracted, or held too tightly to something God is asking you to surrender, I hope Madison’s testimony reminds you: He is still pursuing your heart. Guest Social Media: Instagram: Madison Watkins TikTok: Madison Watkins Hannah’s Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unexpected.hannahlove/ Instagram (Personal): https://www.instagram.com/hannah.billingsley/ Website: https://unexpectedwithhannahlove.com/ #ChristianPodcast #FaithJourney #UnexpectedPodcast
In today's episode of Unexpected with Hannah Love, Shay and I sit down with our dear friends Rebecca St. James and Cubbie Fink for a conversation about marriage, family, faith, identity, and finding contentment in every season.
This episode is extra special — we’re sitting down with family for the start of a new Couples Series, and it’s one of the most honest, life-giving conversations we’ve had. We talk about marriage, communication, prayer, and what it really looks like to build a family rooted in faith — not perfectly, but intentionally. In this episode, we cover: What prayer actually looks like in marriage (and why it can feel hard) Learning how to communicate in different seasons The power of speaking life over your spouse and your children Why family culture matters more than we realize Letting go of control and embracing the season you’re in What it means to lead, love, and serve within your family There’s so much beauty in doing life alongside people who point you back to truth — and this conversation reminded me just how important that is. If you’re married, preparing for marriage, or simply navigating relationships and family… I pray this episode encourages you right where you are.
In this second part of my conversation with Dr. Laura Sanger, we go deeper… into truth, into awareness, and into the authority we have in Christ. This is one of those conversations that may stretch you a little—but my prayer is that it also strengthens you. We talk about the reality of spiritual warfare, the importance of understanding what we’re up against, and how we can stand firm without fear… because we already have victory in Jesus. And most importantly—we end in hope 🤍 ✨ In this episode, we talk about: Why understanding the battle matters The importance of truth in a world full of confusion Protecting our minds and our families Recognizing deception and staying grounded in God’s Word Walking in the authority we’ve been given through Christ Raising the next generation with faith and discernment This isn’t about fear—it’s about awareness. And when we truly understand who we are in Christ, everything changes. You are not a victim… you are walking in victory.