24 July 2011
Just Start Something 2
Jul/29/11
Life after loss usually looks blank. We don’t know where to turn or what to do. My friend, I encourage you to just start something. Start a new hobby, volunteer in a new place, reach out to people you’ve become distant from. Just start something. My attempts to teach young widows to sew in Africa brought challenges galore, surprises, and incredible comfort. The worst that can happen is that you fail.
And what do you really have to lose. That new day seemed blank and meaningless anyway. Your new venture, laid bare before the Lord, gives Him the opportunity to step in and teach you. That, regardless of the outcome of your efforts is success.
Podcast
And what do you really have to lose. That new day seemed blank and meaningless anyway. Your new venture, laid bare before the Lord, gives Him the opportunity to step in and teach you. That, regardless of the outcome of your efforts is success.
Podcast
Just Start Something
Jul/28/11
When I first started with feeble attempts to train young widows in Africa the skill of sewing, I had no clue the challenges ahead or the rewards. I knew clearly that God left me on this planet on purpose. With parenting behind, my career over, and my husband in heaven, discovering a new purpose seemed impossible. But then, these young African widows were more desperate than I, and I knew how to sew on a treadle machine. So, I just started something.
This month, 25 widows graduated with skills in sewing that earned them their own sewing machine. 86 orphaned children who lost their dads now have a mom who can make their school uniforms, sell garments, and walk with their shoulders erect.
It’s not my doing, its God’s. Don’t hesitate, my friend. Just start something.
Podcast
This month, 25 widows graduated with skills in sewing that earned them their own sewing machine. 86 orphaned children who lost their dads now have a mom who can make their school uniforms, sell garments, and walk with their shoulders erect.
It’s not my doing, its God’s. Don’t hesitate, my friend. Just start something.
Podcast
Letting The Dream Go
Jul/27/11
Great loss usually means looking backward, clinging tenaciously to threads of the past. While necessary for a bit, the we must eventually release the dream we’ve lost. Whether its a home that’s now rubble, or lost due to foreclosure or a treasured relationship. My widow friend, Ferree Hardy describes her loss. Life changed forever that day. Widowhood was nothing like I expected. The pain was so deep it was frightening; and then it went deeper still, to a place where tears watered tiny, shriveled up seeds of joy and strength. Did you know they grow best when buried in total darkness? When you can't see them, can't imagine.
So my friend, your tears of loss, letting the dream go, are watering the seeds of a new dream. You just can’t see it yet.
Podcast
So my friend, your tears of loss, letting the dream go, are watering the seeds of a new dream. You just can’t see it yet.
Podcast
Wise Up--Walk Away
Jul/26/11
Staying power is a good thing whether in marriage through the rocky times or parenting when your child’s behavior is making you crazy. But staying put is not the wisest thing in all situations. Consider Joseph when his boss’ wife was tempting him to sin. He ran! In fact, he took off so fast that he left his cloak behind. Genesis 39. There’s a time when one must wise up and walk away. It’s always a tough decision. And usually our closest friend and advisors disagree in their advice. A temptation another can stand against might be our downfall. Wise up, walk away. Distancing ourselves from abusers is often misunderstood, especially when the abuse is a private matter.
Remember we answer to God, not to other people.
Podcast
Remember we answer to God, not to other people.
Podcast
Blossoms and Leaves
Jul/25/11
Are you disappointed with someone you care about? Their decisions are slow, they’re not ‘getting it.’ The progress they’re making--well, just not happening.
Think for a bit about trees in the Spring. My willows become a beautiful green/yellow just when the Bartlett pair bursts into a ball of white that dazzles the whole neighborhood. Yet, the walnut tree is still brown, drab. Not lookin like much.
But they are all right on their schedule. We usually don’t know the full story of our friends life, their challenges, and the burdens they carry. Remember, God has been patient with us. All humans at least have some regrets, time when their actions were in slow motion and their intentions lacking. God uses those times to teach all of us.
Podcast
Think for a bit about trees in the Spring. My willows become a beautiful green/yellow just when the Bartlett pair bursts into a ball of white that dazzles the whole neighborhood. Yet, the walnut tree is still brown, drab. Not lookin like much.
But they are all right on their schedule. We usually don’t know the full story of our friends life, their challenges, and the burdens they carry. Remember, God has been patient with us. All humans at least have some regrets, time when their actions were in slow motion and their intentions lacking. God uses those times to teach all of us.
Podcast