God never speaks to us in dramatic ways, but in ways that are easy to misunderstand. Then we say, “I wonder if that is God’s voice?” Isaiah said that the Lord spoke to him “with a strong hand,” that is, by the pressure of his circumstances (Isaiah 8:11). Without the sovereign hand of God Himself, nothing touches our lives. Do we discern His hand at work, or do we see things as mere occurrences?
Get into the habit of saying, “Speak, Lord,” and life will become a romance (1 Samuel 3:9). Every time circumstances press in on you, say, “Speak, Lord,” and make time to listen. Chastening is more than a means of discipline— it is meant to bring me to the point of saying, “Speak, Lord.” Think back to a time when God spoke to you. Do you remember what He said? Was it Luke 11:13 , or was it 1 Thessalonians 5:23? As we listen, our ears become more sensitive, and like Jesus, we will hear God all the time.
Should I tell my “Eli” what God has shown to me? This is where the dilemma of obedience hits us. We disobey God by becoming amateur providences and thinking, “I must shield ’Eli,’ ” who represents the best people we know. God did not tell Samuel to tell Eli— he had to decide that for himself. God’s message to you may hurt your “Eli,” buttrying to prevent suffering in another’s life will prove to be an obstruction between your soul and God. It is at your own risk that you prevent someone’s right hand being cut off or right eye being plucked out (see Matthew 5:29-30).
Never ask another person’s advice about anything God makes you decide before Him. If you ask advice, you will almost always side with Satan. “. . . I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood . . .” (Galatians 1:16).
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So, utterly convinced of his ability to speak, my journey of hearing God's voice began. 

He slowly built up my confidence, speaking more and more often and frequently requiring small acts of obedience (smile at that girl, give that stranger a ride...).  I see now those small calls to obedience as faith-training exercises that he used to bring me to a place where I was ready to walk in obedience even though it required sacrifice. At the time I was dating a man that I thought I would marry- he was a wonderful man and a godly leader. So, when I heard God say "break up with Jesse" it was absolutely devastating.  Somehow the Lord gave me the grace to be obedient, even though I had no understanding of why he would require such a thing. It was a slow, painful obedience that took me almost two years to understand... but oh how I was trained to hear his voice! And, as a very happily married woman, I can absolutely declare that God led me into blessing, sparing me from my own blindness, and gifting me in ways unimaginable. (thankyou Lord)

All this is to say...
Today, as I listened for Jesus' voice, he told me the most beautiful thing:

H: “Your love is extravagant, your friendship is intimate... No greater love have I ever known: you considered me a friend and captured my heart again. Thankyou for having extravagant love for me. The fact that you would call me your friend is such a beautiful thing. This season has been one of loneliness- but there you go declaring yourself my friend. I’m so sorry for not acting like your friend- not talking or spending time or getting away... Forgive me. And let’s get away together- how does tuesday sound?"
J: “Tuesday sounds perfect. I’ve missed you.”
He's missed me. How CRAZY is that? The God of the universe has missed being with messed up me! 
What a beautiful and perfect way for Jesus to show up today.