Hearing God in Everyday Life Through Simple, Ordinary Moments
Can I ask you something? Have you ever been standing in the grocery store (just trying to find the right pasta sauce) and had a sudden thought that wouldn’t leave you alone? Text her. Pay for that. Smile first. Pray right now.
That’s what hearing god in everyday life often feels like. Not a lightning bolt. Not a dramatic moment where everyone in the aisle stops and claps. Just a gentle nudge that makes you pause and think, “Wait…was that You, Lord?”
And I want to say this right up front. If you’ve felt unsure about hearing god in everyday life, you’re not behind. You’re not “bad at faith.” You’re learning a relationship. And relationships grow through real time together, in real life.
So let’s talk about those small moments, the grocery store, the car line, the coffee shop, and how God loves to use them. For you. For the women around you. For our community.
What does hearing god in everyday life actually look like?
Most of us imagine God speaking like a big announcement. But more often, hearing god in everyday life is quieter than that.
It can look like a steady thought that lines up with God’s heart. It can look like compassion rising up out of nowhere. It can look like you noticing someone, really noticing them, and realizing you’re being invited to love.
A simple filter I use when I’m not sure
I’ve had so many moments where I’m thinking, “Is this God or is this just me being sentimental?” And here’s what I come back to.
Does it sound like Jesus? Does it lead me toward love, humility, peace, courage, kindness? Does it match what God says in His Word?
Because hearing god in everyday life isn’t about chasing mystery. It’s about recognizing His character in the middle of your Tuesday.
Galatians 5:25 gives us a simple picture
One verse that keeps me grounded is Galatians 5:25 (CSB), “If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.”
Keep in step. That’s not sprinting ahead. It’s not getting dragged behind. It’s walking close enough to notice the direction He’s already moving.
And that’s why hearing god in everyday life often looks like a next step, not a ten-year plan.
Hearing god in everyday life at the grocery store
I don’t know why the grocery store is such a common place for holy moments, but it is. Maybe because we’re all there. Maybe because we’re not trying to be impressive. We’re just human, pushing a cart, doing the normal things.
And God loves to meet us in normal.
The nudge to notice the person in front of you
Have you ever seen someone who looks exhausted? Like her shoulders are carrying too much. Like she’s trying to keep it together.
Sometimes hearing god in everyday life starts right there. With noticing. And then a quiet prayer in your head. “God, help her. Encourage her. Remind her she’s not alone.”
And sometimes it turns into action. A simple, “Hey, I hope you have a good day.” Not preachy. Not weird. Just kind.
Small acts that look ordinary but carry real love
Here are a few simple ways I’ve seen hearing god in everyday life play out in a grocery store.
- Letting someone go ahead of you when they only have two items
- Returning a cart for a mom juggling kids (and her sanity)
- Smiling at the cashier and using her name
- Paying attention when you feel that nudge to encourage someone
None of that is flashy. But it’s real. And it’s how love spreads through a community.
Hearing god in everyday life in the car line
Let’s talk about the car line. The place where patience goes to be tested.
Some days, it’s fine. Other days, you’re sitting there thinking, “Why is this taking forever?” (And then you remember you’re also part of the forever.)
But here’s the thing. The car line is one of those sneaky places God uses, because you can’t rush it.
When God uses forced stillness
What if that wait time is actually space? Space to breathe. Space to listen. Space to pray for your kids, your friend, your neighbor, the woman in the car next to you who looks like she’s had a day.
Hearing god in everyday life sometimes happens when we stop filling every quiet moment with noise.
I’ve had times where I turned the radio down and just said, “Okay, Lord. I’m here. What do You want to show me?”
And then a name comes to mind. Or a situation. Or a small idea. And it’s not heavy. It’s gentle. It’s like a hand on your shoulder.
Easy car line prayers you can actually pray
Some of us think prayer has to be long to be real. It doesn’t.
Here are a few short prayers that have helped me practice hearing god in everyday life while I’m waiting.
- “Jesus, help me be patient.”
- “Holy Spirit, show me who needs prayer today.”
- “God, give me one person to encourage.”
- “Lord, help me keep in step with You.”
Simple. Honest. Real.
Hearing god in everyday life over coffee
Let me tell you about coffee moments. Not the Instagram kind. The real kind.
The coffee that gets cold because you’re listening to a friend. The coffee you drink alone in the kitchen before everyone wakes up. The drive-thru coffee when you’re running behind (again).
Those moments count. And hearing god in everyday life can become surprisingly normal when we stop dividing life into “spiritual” and “regular.”
God often speaks through people, not just private quiet time
Sometimes God speaks through Scripture in your morning quiet time. Yes. I love that.
And sometimes He speaks through a conversation. A friend says something and you feel it land in your heart like peace. Or clarity. Or conviction that doesn’t shame you, it steadies you.
That’s part of hearing god in everyday life too. God uses the people around us. He uses community. He uses encouragement.
How coffee turns into testimony (without being awkward)
This is for the women who want to share their story with freedom and wisdom.
Sometimes we think testimony has to sound like a stage moment. But most of the time, it looks like this.
You’re sitting across from someone and she says, “I’m struggling.” And you say, “Me too, I’ve been there. Here’s what helped me. Here’s what God taught me. Here’s what I’m still learning.”
That’s hearing god in everyday life and responding in everyday life. It’s not a performance. It’s love.
How do we stay attentive without getting weird about it?
I want to be careful here, because I’ve seen women get anxious about this. Like they’re scared to miss God.
Friend, God is not playing hide and seek with you.
Growing in hearing god in everyday life is less about trying harder and more about staying open. Staying available. Staying teachable.
A few practices that help me stay open to God
These are simple. And that’s the point.
- Start the day with one honest sentence to God, “Lead me today.”
- Leave tiny pockets of quiet, even two minutes in the car.
- Ask, “Who can I encourage?” and then follow through.
- Read Scripture in a steady way, not a frantic way.
- Talk to God in your normal voice (no pressure to sound fancy).
If you want to practice hearing god in everyday life, pick one of those and do it for a week. Just one. Keep it simple.
What if I get it wrong?
You will. Sometimes. Me too.
But here’s what I’ve learned. If your heart is to love and obey, God can redirect you with so much gentleness.
Hearing god in everyday life grows as we practice. Like any relationship, you learn the voice by spending time together.
Everyday moments are where our community changes
I love big faith moments. I do. Conferences, worship nights, altar calls, all of it.
But most of our lives are built in small moments. And most of our influence is built there too.
That’s why hearing god in everyday life matters. Because it’s not just about you feeling close to God (even though that’s a beautiful gift). It’s also about the woman who gets encouraged at the exact right time. The cashier who feels seen. The friend who needed a safe, gentle, hope-filled conversation.
And it’s about our kids watching us live faith like it’s real. Like it belongs in the grocery store and the car line and the coffee shop. Not just in church.
A simple prayer to end with today
Jesus, help us keep in step with Your Spirit. Open our eyes to the small moments. Give us courage to say yes when You nudge. And let our ordinary days become places where love shows up.
Amen.
FAQs about hearing god in everyday life
Here are a few questions I hear a lot. Maybe you’ve asked them too.
