2020: 6 Ways To Survive and Thrive

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When midnight rolled around on January 1, 2020, I was wondering what the new decade would bring. I remember thinking 2020 might be a tough year for our nation with so much divide because it was an election year.

Boy, did I underestimate what was really going to unfold in the new year. First, the corona virus started infecting and killing Americans, shut our businesses down, tanked our economy, and confined us to our homes. Then, with the killing of George Floyd, our nation erupted with chaos and hatred. 80 some odd days later, still there is much civil unrest. All the mudslinging over the election coming in November is overwhelming. Brother against brother, neighbor against neighbor. Next, I see on the news last night that two hurricanes are likely to hit the gulf of Mexico in a perfect storm type situation next week. Flooding, wildfires, murder hornets. Never in my lifetime has there been such a need for prayer, and such a need for hope in our nation and our world.

So what are we going to do? Hide in our homes and isolate ourselves by sticking our heads in the sand, like it will all go away? Sinking deeper into depression? Are we going to scream at the darkness, hoping that will work? Based on what’s going on on social media, screaming sure doesn’t help. It just contributes to the darkness. And, if you think breathing is hard in a mask, try breathing with your head in the sand.

I heard someone say the other day, “I’ve quit looking for the signs of the times. I’m listening for the trumpet to sound.” You know that would be great if Jesus came back and got those of us who are ready to go. But what about those that aren’t?

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. … as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. 2 Peter 3:9

He has work for us to do, and He wants Jesus to take as many people as possible to Heaven with Him when He returns. He wants us to reach as many people as possible for Him while there is still time.

Here are positive things you can do to make a difference in 2020, to not only survive, but to thrive:

1. Be The Light.

“When it’s dark, you don’t scream at the darkness, you turn on the light.” – Gary Hamrick, Cornerstone Chapel, Leesburg, VA

How are we showing the love of Christ during these dark days? Have we told anyone lately about how the Light of the World pierces the darkness?

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16-17

Pierce the darkness… Be the light…

Go Light Your World – Kathy Troccoli https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVqR6kTu8lE

2. Be The Hands and Feet of Jesus.

Send a card, deliver a meal (even if it’s on the porch), pick up your phone and call someone. People need a touch from Jesus right now. Let Him use you to be that touch. When I help someone else, I always end up being the one who gets the greatest blessing from it. Picking up the phone doesn’t cost you any more than you’re already paying, but the rewards in Heaven are eternal, and the blessing you get back is priceless.

3. Pray.

There is a group of Americans who have organized a 1-minute daily nationwide prayer initiative. Every night at 9:00 pm EDT, they ask that you pray for the safety of the United States, our troops, our citizens, our government leaders, and a return to a Godly nation.  Set an alarm and stop what you’re doing to pray for one minute at 9:00 pm. Can you imagine the power of that prayer if thousands are praying it at the same time for that one minute.

In addition to praying for our nation, we need to pray for our communities, and specifically for those who are hurting because of health, emotional and financial problems.

4. Count Your Blessings.

Even in the midst of all that has gone on this year, there are still blessings in each of our lives to count. It’s time to pull our heads out of the sand and look around. There is still so much good in our lives. There are always others worse off. Despite all, we still live in the greatest nation on earth. Did you wake up this morning? Some people didn’t. Things we can be thankful for, if we have them, are our families, our jobs, our friends, our church families, our health, just to name a few. Grab a thankful journal, and start writing in it every day. It is amazing how gratitude can change your attitude, and give you hope for another day.

5. Read Your Bible.

The Bible is full of promises like “He will never leave us nor forsake us.” (Deuteronomy 31:8) “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” (Isaiah 40:29) “God is good to all, and His mercies are over all His works.” (Psalm 145:9)  The Word of God is powerful, living and active. Let it speak to You. Let God speak to You in Your time of need and searching. He is found there on the pages. He is hope for the hopeless, and help for the helpless.

 6. Praise and Worship God.

We need the fellowship of Christian brothers and sisters. Go to church, whatever that means for you right now. In person, spread out and wearing a mask. Talking to your computer screen and sharing in a zoom meeting. Or watching your Pastor on television. Sitting under a shade tree far enough to have to shout to each other. Experience worship. I promise you will feel lifted up and encouraged. 

When I find myself sinking into a pit of despair, I turn on Praise music. Nothing lifts me quicker when I am down. I’ve been known to crank up Mary Mary’s “Take My Shackles Off My Feet So I Can Dance” until I rattle the rafters in my warehouse while I am working. I know I look funny there, dancing and singing around. Hopefully, I amuse my Father. I know it sure makes me feel good all the way to my toes. Give it a try.

Turn your worry into worship, and God will turn your battles into blessings. Unknown

Dear Lord: Thank You that You are with us no matter what we go through. You are Who You say You are. You never change. When things are too hard for us, we can surrender it all to You. You hold us safely in Your hands. Please bring revival and repentance in our country, and heal and restore us to a Godly nation. Touch the sick and the hurting and those with financial needs, and bring them health and peace and provision. In 2020, You are revealing man’s need for You. Oh, God, how we need You for this hour, and for every hour! Please guide us with Your love and grace, and may Your perfect will be accomplished for us and through us in 2020. Amen

Thank you for reading and sharing my blogpost today. Please subscribe to my blog and encourage your friends to subscribe as well at www.sharonhawkins.net.

May God guide you and your family during this turbulent year, and hold you close. All you could ever need, you can find in Him.

Introducing Hope Rising: A GITW Women Support Group for Cancer Survivors and Caregivers

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I would like to introduce Hope Rising, our new Grace In The Wilderness Facebook Support Group for Cancer Survivors and Their Caregivers. The group has been started to create a safe place for members to be encouraged and to encourage others. No matter where a woman might be in her cancer journey as a survivor or a caregiver, it is my hope that she will find a network of support in our group among friends–a comforting and friendly place to listen, and a place to be heard.

My cancer story.

I wanted to share a little bit about my own cancer experience, and why I am starting this group. I am a cancer survivor now free from breast cancer and melanoma for 9 years. Praise God!

I was diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer in June of 2011. Because of breast cancer history on both sides of my family, and, based on the advice of my breast surgeon, I opted for bilateral radical mastectomies. I did not want to take the chance of fighting cancer for the rest of my life. My mother died in March of 2008 after she fought 3-year battles with colon and breast cancer.

I had my breasts removed in July of 2011. Then I had two other reconstructive surgeries. Surgeries were in August and another in November of the same year. God validate the decision for double mastectomies for me when the surgeon found precancerous cells in my other breast as well.

Before my surgery in November of 2011, my dermatologist told me I had stage 1 melanoma. I had surgery to remove the melanoma from my back just in time for it to heal two weeks before my third breast surgery. Since that day I have been cancer-free of melanoma. Again, Praise God!

After all my breast surgeries, I had severe pain. Each surgery was supposed to improve my pain, but it only got worse. After the last surgery, I received a Reflex Sympathetic Distrophy diagnosis. My surgeon told to never have surgery again except to save my life. I have not been able to have my final reconstruction surgery. Many times I still struggle with feeling less than because of my deformities.

Since 2011, I have lived with nerve pain every day–some days worse than others. Praise the Lord that I am able to get up, get out, and keep moving. This week I hiked in the mountains with my sons. What’s a little thorn, right?

I hate cancer! It took my mother from me. Cancer ravaged my body leaving me physically broken in many ways. It has attacked my mother in law as she had peritoneal cancer. She beat it 8 years ago after chemo and surgery. My father-in-law had his third bladder cancer surgery this morning to remove tumors that kept recurring.

The best way I know to fight cancer is to go to the Lord with it in prayer, and to support and encourage others in their battles. That is what our support group is all about–prayer, love, and encouragement.

God answers prayer.

Despite the hardships, I am so very thankful that God healed me completely of cancer. He gets me through one day at a time living with nerve pain. I am thankful that He carried my mother safely through her cancer journey, and that He healed her in Heaven. I praise God that He has been with my in-laws every step in their battles too. My father-in-law did well with his surgery today. He is already back home sitting on his porch and talking about where they are going for supper. Praise God! Praise God!

The Lord has been so good to me not only in my health but in every area of my life. How can I not want to do all I can to serve Him? He comforted me, and it is my passion to comfort others through Him. God never wastes anything that we go through, and He has blessed me to use my experience many times in these last 9 years to try to encourage someone else.

I am sure many of you have been through hard things that God can use, and He is giving you opportunities now to pour into someone else. Please take advantage of every divine appointment that God makes for you to help someone else. I promise you it will bless your socks off!

He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. 2 Corinthians 1:4

Grace In The Wilderness Ministries, www.wildernessgrace.org. 

I began GITW in 2008 after Mom died. Soon after my friend, Marie Pritchett, joined me in the ministry. It is a Christian women’s ministry to encourage women of all ages in areas of wilderness situations in their lives. We have support groups for moms who have lost children, for special needs moms, and for caregivers. There is a ministry for teen girls called Empowered Jesus Girl. We sponsor women blogs (www.sharonhawkins.net) and teen blogs (www.glitterandgraceteens.com) and women and teen girl conferences. Please check out our websites. And, if you have any interest in any of our support groups or would like more information about our ministries, please respond in comments to let me know, and I will reach out to you.

We are very excited to add Hope Rising to our Grace In The Wilderness ministries! We pray that you will be blessed and bless others by being a member of our new group if you are a cancer survivor or caregiver.

Unfortunately, it is a group that no one wants to be in. Nonetheless, here we are! We are stronger together. We are still surviving and giving care to those we love who are fighting.

Together with God, we can fight cancer because cancer starts with a little c, and Christ starts with a BIG C. To Christ goes all the glory!!

Sometimes all it takes is a little bit of hope to keep fighting for another day. One day at a time. For those cancer survivors and their caregivers, it is my prayer that your hope will rise and you will be uplifted by the encouragement you find in our group. This is because it points to the only hope we really have in this life, Jesus Christ.

If you are a cancer survivor or caregiver of someone with cancer, we invite you to join our group. Visit Facebook and apply to join the group by searching for Hope Rising: A GITW Women Support Group For Cancer Survivors and Caregivers, or click this link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1660556400774575/ 

Also, would you please help us by 1) praying for our group; and 2) getting the word out about our new ministry by sharing this information with those who might benefit from it.

Thank you so much! May God bless you always!

The Rock That Is Higher Than I

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On a blistering hot day a couple of weeks ago, my dear friend, Tamela Salinas, and I set out for a hike up Table Rock. At first, we planned to go to the lookout that was halfway up, but once we got there, we got a second wind and decided to brave the strenuous journey all the way to the top. It greatly challenged us both. Let’s just say, the next time we do that I hope the heat index is under 100 degrees, and that we have a little more water.

My two favorite places on earth are the beach and the mountains. They both help to center me when my world seems out of sorts. When I am at the beach looking out over the ocean, my troubles seem so small like tiny grains of sand. It puts things in perspective. The God who created that vast ocean and the world beyond can certainly take care of my problems. The beach speaks peace to me.

The mountains speak to me in a different way. Being out in the beauty of creation where everything is teeming with life reminds me that God is constantly recreating the Garden of Eden for us just because He loves us so much. Just because He can. He is the Giver of Life. The Lord makes all things new. He means for us to continue. Out there you would never know that the world is wearing a mask and fighting a pandemic, or that civil unrest is burning our major cities down.  The mountain encourages me to push ahead in my journey, to become a better version of myself for Him.

The hike was a great time of reconnecting with my friend, as we both reconnected with God. The three of us walked up that mountain together. We shared as we climbed about how the hike was similar to our journeys in life.

One Step At A Time.

Table Rock is pretty much straight up. As we rounded the corners, often we would see the next huge flight of steps and it would be overwhelming. I found it easier to climb if I just concentrated on the step I was on. Looking ahead sometimes makes life seem too hard. There are times in life when God just gives us light and strength for the step we are on.

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:34              

Friends Along the Way.

Tamela and I have been friends for years and have experienced some of life’s struggles together. It is such a blessing that God gives us Christian brothers and sisters to help us and to walk alongside of us on our journey. I am very thankful for Tamela and all my friends that God has placed in my life.

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.”  Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

A Cool Breeze Around the Bend.

At times our walk got unbearably hot, and just when I didn’t think we could handle it any more, a little breeze would give us just enough reprieve to go on. God knows the exact moments when to send the little breezes along to help us gather our breath to keep climbing toward the goal.

“The Lord’s unfailing love and mercy still continue, Fresh as the morning, as sure as the sunrise. The Lord is all I have, and so in Him I put my hope. “ Lamentations 3:22-24

Voices of Encouragement.

As we hiked along, we would meet people on their way down from the top of the mountain who would encourage us on our way. “It’s just a bit more climbing, then you will have a flat area to walk for a while.” “You can do it.” “It is so worth it!”

God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things. Because He loves you and me, He speaks to me through you, and He speaks to you through me. When He has been good enough to take us to the mountaintop and get us through, we should only want to share that hope and testimony with those who are following after us.  

He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. 2 Corinthians 1:4

No Other Rock Like God.

“There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.” 1 Samuel 2:2

The more we walked, the more evidence we saw that Table Rock was basically just one big rock. Seemingly immovable. Unshakable. But there is no rock that compares with the firm foundation that is the Rock of Ages. Never changing, always reliable. The same yesterday, today, and forever. He is the Rock that we can stand on when we lose our footing and we feel ourselves sinking.

When the earth all around me is sinking sand, on Christ the solid Rock I stand. When I need a shelter, when I need a friend, I go to the Rock. –Aaron Jeffrey

“I waited patiently for the LORD; He turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.”

Every time I hike in the mountains, I feel that is just what God does for me—He lifts me up, and sets my feet on firm ground with a new optimism for the journey ahead. After spending time with Him in His outdoor cathedral, you cannot help but leave with a heart full of praise for His greatness.

Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the Rock that is higher than I, for you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy. Let me dwell in your tent forever! Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings! Selah   Psalm 61:1-4

Thank you for reading and sharing my blogpost today. If you could use a lift in this time of uncertainty when it seems that bad news is around every bend, go to the Rock. He is always there. Just a whisper away.

To Josiah and Back…Living With Part of My Heart in Heaven

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This week, my blog is welcoming a guest writer, Sharon Diane Moore. To many of her friends, we know her as Diane. God has called her to begin a blog to encourage moms who have lost children. Please visit her site to subscribe to her blog: https://sharondmoore.com

Also, please share this link with moms you may know who have lost a child, and invite them to also subscribe. Thank you.

Enjoy as she shares her heart. Even if you are not a mom who has lost a child, you will still receive a blessing. Promise.

Why A Blog???

Hello! I’m thankful that you’ve stopped by. You have already been in my prayers. Prayers for your aching Mom hearts to find Encouragement, Strength, Comfort, and Hope along your way. Please believe that you’ve found an understanding friend.

I am a Mom of 8, 4 boys and 4 girls. You won’t find a string of degrees after my name, nor have I had a monetarily lucrative career. I will NEVER put the word “just” in front of Mom, because there’s nothing UNIMPORTANT or ORDINARY about being one. The gift of knowing Jesus as my Savior is greatest thing that ever happened to me, but being a wife and Mom, and now “Nonnie” to our 4 grandchildren, have been my most precious blessings. I’m grounded in Christ. Have been for many, many years. I’m not a counselor, but I have regular appointments with “THE COUNSELOR” Himself. I’m also the member of a club that I wish I didn’t belong to and that I certainly wouldn’t want anyone else to become a member of either. The cost of dues is ENORMOUS!!

The Unthinkable

Four years ago, we had the most violent of storms. On December 22, 2015, our 3rd born son, Josiah, died. He was 23. As described in Matthew 7:25, the rains came and flooded our souls. The winds blew against our damaged shelter with hurricane force. The very foundation that we occupied was attacked in the worst way we’d ever experienced. Had our house been built on sand, instead of The Rock, we wouldn’t have survived. That dark day began the most painful and difficult journey of my life.

Since then, there have been so many times that I didn’t want to get out of bed, because I had awakened to realize that my nightmare, was indeed, my reality. Lots and lots of days were spent sitting on the green couch in the den. Hours and hours in the same spot, just me and “Lila”, our Great Dane. This was where Josiah took his last breath. We were the last ones he saw on earth and we were holding him when his soul met Jesus, face to face, for the very first time. There have also been days, too numerous to count, that I just wished to be with him in Heaven. The pain grips you so badly that you have to ask God to breathe for you, because it’s just too hard to do it yourself.

“God, This Hurts Too Much!”

I’m an introvert. I admit it. To those who know me, they immediately say, “Oh no you’re not!” I have to put forth my best effort to “get out there.” Add to that a traumatic loss and the end result is a desire to hide and never come out. My bucket of cares got knocked over and I didn’t pick it back up. A very dear friend, who had also lost her son just 10 months before Josiah died, lovingly advised me that “I MUST take care of myself!” I agreed and had great intentions, but as I escaped further into my hiding place, I convinced myself that it was a temporary fix.

For the most part, I put my own grieving aside to help my children try to make sense of the “unpredictable everything” in our lives. My oldest daughter basically put her life on hold by not going back to school, just to be here for us. For that, we will forever be eternally grateful. My husband had not even begun to work out his grief yet. That would be a couple years down the road. The predictable thing about grief is just how UNPREDICTABLE it is.

Traveling the road of loss, even though at times, just feeling stuck in the ditch. Learning a whole new way to live life here on earth, while part of my heart is in Heaven. Sometimes it still feels like Josiah died yesterday. Unexpected reminders, like hearing the song, “Shoulders” by “for King & Country”, can leave me feeling like I’ve been sucker punched in the gut. Love the song! Had it played at the funeral. I recently found a Birthday card he had given me before he died. To hold it and touch where he had written, “Mom, I Love U Very Much:) Love, Josiah” This makes it seem like he’s been gone forever. Yet, no matter how many times I’m caught by these surprises and tell God how much living without my Son hurts, I experience a reassurance over and over and over that “In MY weakness HE is Strong” 2 Cor. 12:9

“God is a PERSONAL God”

Just a few months after Josiah died, someone asked me, “What’s the main thing you’ve learned from all of this?” Without hesitation, I quickly replied, “God is a PERSONAL God!! Without a doubt He has shown me, in tangible and miraculous ways, that I can depend on Him.”

Sometimes the next question would be, “Well, are you mad at God? Do you feel like you can still trust Him?” Josiah’s death did not go against the Character of God. He is a GOOD and LOVING God!! I trust Him now, more than ever, because He’s helping me to learn, day by day, how to live here with part of my heart in Heaven. In all honesty, I have dealt with my share of anger. Not at God, but others , and will go into further details in future posts. I just have to admit that there are things, this side of Eternity, that I will never understand. Declaring in Faith, not by feelings, that “Even though it’s very dark, the light will come.”

“Lord, I Trust You”

Over the last few months though, I have sensed, within my Spirit, a stirring. An awakening, urging me, gently knocking on the door of my comfort zone, announcing that it’s time to come out of hiding. Reminding me that God hasn’t miraculously gotten me to this point, for me to keep to myself all of the ways He’s carried me through. Having a new desire for God to use my PAIN for His PURPOSES. To jump up and down, waving my arms frantically, saying to other grieving Mom’s, “Hey, I see you! I know how you feel! I know your pain is real! But most importantly, GOD SEES YOU!! He’ll meet you where you are!”

So, there we were, and still are, as a family, just putting our Faith and Trust in God to survive, as the days turn to weeks, weeks turn to months, and months to years. But, this I know! The one CERTAIN thing among all of these uncertainties in our lives, is that God continues to let me know that He’s where I am. He’s NEVER left me or forgotten me, as He says in Hebrews 13:5.

I know precious Mothers who have been on this road for many years now and others who have just started to live this new reality. While our stories and timelines differ, common similarities abound. And I bet that they can, more than likely, be found within the answer to the question that we’ve ALL asked at one point in the midst of this unchosen journey, “Does anyone else feel this way?”

So, again, Why a Blog???

Because, even though my life was devastated on December 22, 2015, I was not destroyed. His Hope is holding me, even when my feelings tell me it’s too hard and hopeless. Not being able to see through the tears, He takes my hand and leads me. When I can’t seem to make sense of it all, He assures me that He is indeed a PERSONAL God.

I NEED to tell Josiah’s story. The miraculous last 12 days of his life, when his eyes were opened and he began to see. From then, to now, almost 4-1/2 years later, a testimony of God’s never ending presence in our lives. In honor of a son that is LOVED, MISSED, and REMEMBERED every single day!

My Prayer for You

“God, would you please remind each Mom, that has a part of her heart in Heaven, just how personal you are. Thank you for meeting us right where we are. We depend on You to gently care for our broken hearts and to bandage our wounds. (Psalm 147:3) Thank you, In Jesus Name”

The God Who Sees

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“God, do you care? God, are you there?” These are a couple of the questions that 15,000 women dug into in an online Jennifer Rothschild Bible Study that just finished up. The study was called Missing Pieces, and was just what so many of us needed for just a time as this.

Has the world gone crazy? Who would have thought on March 1 that we would be right here, right now? A worldwide pandemic in a wave of resurgence. A country fueled by hate, division, and civil unrest. Jobs lost. Sickness surrounding us. Financial ruin rampant. Relationships strained and broken. Loved ones lost.

Trials are raging in the midst of the chaos, some caused by the chaos, some in addition to the chaos. If the decade of the 2020’s is going to be like this, “Please, Lord, could we go back to the 2010’s?” Or better yet. “Lord, could You please just come get us?” These trials are enough to crush the strongest Christian, to shake the roots of the most grounded saint. Are we starting to lose hope? Are we losing heart? 

Hagar knew what it felt like to be crushed. In despair, she must have wondered if anyone cared about what was happening to her. She was a slave who had been abused by Abram and Sarai. She was forced to carry her master’s child against her will. Then her mistress turned on her and treated her terribly. She did all she knew to do. She ran away.

Perhaps you can relate to her, not to her situation, but to her emotional state. Have you ever felt lonely, fearful, and unloved? Have you wanted to run away? Maybe you’ve lost your health or lost your job or lost your home. Has your heart been broken by a prodigal child? Have you been betrayed by a friend, been unappreciated by a boss, or been abused, abandoned or neglected by a parent or a spouse? Like Hagar, maybe you’ve felt less than.

Hagar found herself alone on a deserted desert road by a well when the angel of the Lord came to visit her that day.

“Hagar, slave of Sarai, where have you come from, and where are you going?” (Gen. 16:8)

The Lord spoke her name. He saw her right there in the midst of her need. Although He knew the answers to the questions He was asking, He wanted to have the conversation with her. He cared. He was there.

It was not likely that a young, pregnant, defenseless, runaway slave woman without shelter or sustenance would survive the trudge through Canaan’s wilderness to a foreign land. The Lord knew what was best, and He told her to go back to her mistress for her safety and the safety of her unborn child. Sometimes His direction is not what we want to hear, but it is always what is best for us.  

“I will increase your descendants so much that they will be too numerous to count” (Gen. 16:9)

Haggar acknowledged the Lord and heeded His direction. That day at the well, she gave Him the name “El Roi”, which means “the God who sees”.

He saw Hagar in her desperate, hopeless situation. The Lord sees you too. He knows your name and what you are going through at this very moment.

Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Luke 12:7

He feeds each and every sparrow. He can, He has, and He will continue to take care of you. His works are wonderful. You are fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:13-14) He has plans to give you a hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11) You are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10)

The depths of His love for you are unimaginable. He sent His only son Christ Jesus to die a cruel death for you and your sins. He did this so that you could be forgiven and be reconciled back to God. (John 3:16, Romans 5:8)

He not only wants a conversation with you like He had with Hagar that day, He wants a relationship with you—one that will last for eternity. There is no love that compares with the love of God.

He is hope for the hopeless. The Lord is rest and comfort for the weary. He is strength in our weakness. He is the answer when our hearts long for answers.

El Roi sees you. When you’re out of answers, sit quietly by your well, and wait expectantly for Him to call your name. 

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:28-29

Dear Lord: Thank You that You seek us out and find us in our greatest hour of need. You pour Your grace on us, and we can cast all our anxiety on You because You care for us. You are the Father of compassion, and the God of all comfort. Thank You that You see us, and that You call us by name. Thank You for sending Your Son Jesus to die for us for there is no greater love. Amen

Thank you for reading my blogpost. I welcome your thoughts, experiences and comments. Please share this post with your friends and invite them to subscribe to continue receiving it by visiting www.sharonhawkins.net.

May the Lord bring you peace and hope during these trying days. He sees and knows all that you are going through, and He cares more deeply for you than you can ever imagine.

Love Wins

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At a time when our country is burning out of control with civil unrest, social media is lighting up with opinions and advice on what everyone needs to do to make things better. In this blog, I want to focus on love. I believe love can heal what is going on in our country today. Love can wash away a world of hurt. I believe in all situations, love wins.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13

The Bible is very clear about love. Only God can change a human heart and fill it with His love. You can will change, protest for change, and demand change, but only God can bring real and lasting change and the peace that comes along with it. 

Only Jesus can give you a new heart and a new spirit. John 17:17

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.  1 Peter 4:8

Love wins.

We live in a fallen world. During these days, it is easy to get caught up with all that is wrong in our world. And there is plenty wrong. It is country against country. Political party against political party. Race against race. Brother against brother. But as Christians, we are to look higher.

“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” Colossians 3:2

Christians, are we lifting up others? Are we edifying one another? Are we following God’s greatest commandments?

He answered, “’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'”  Luke 10:27

Love wins.

God’s answer to our problems in America is simple.

My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. John 15:12

Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend. Martin Luther King

Love wins.

Last week and this week, I have had opportunities to go hiking with people I love. Last week was with my son Bradley. We hiked to Rainbow Falls in Jones Gap State Park. Rainbow Falls drops 100 feet over steep walls streaked with black and tan from the alternating layers of amphibolite gneiss, granitic gneiss, and mica schist. It is truly breathtaking as the water plummets into a pool at the base of the falls and then splashes, bubbles and swirls around the rocks and flies down the mountain.

This week I walked by the gentle streams of the nature trail at Hagood Mill with my dear friend, Tamela Salinas. The Hagood Mill Historic Site & Folklife Center is in Pickens, SC, and is the home of the historic Hagood Gristmill, on the National Register of Historic Places. There has been a grist mill on site since 1792. The mill is fully operational, and the trails surrounding the center are as peaceful and serene as you will find anywhere.

With both trips, we had an opportunity to linger by the water. I reflected on the goodness of God, and how only He can save us from ourselves and from the plans that Satan has to destroy us. It is God’s love that can and does make all the difference. Like the water washes over the rocks, it is only His love that can wash away all our hurt, pain, lies and sin.

Love wins.

There is a reason for the phrase, “peace like a river”.

For thus says the Lord: “Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the nations like an overflowing stream; and you shall nurse, you shall be carried upon her hip, and bounced upon her knees.  Isaiah 66:12

I love the song, The River, by Kim Hopper. We listened to this song on our nature outings, and I let its encouragement wash over me as we rested by the water.

“Fathers, mothers, sons and daughters, we’re all searching for that peace that can fill us and then reveal to us that sweet forgiveness that we all need. Come on, and meet me down by the river, and let’s dive in like little children do. And let our troubles wash to the Father. He’ll wash us clean, and He’ll make us new.”  -The River, Kim Hopper

No matter what battles we are facing, may we never forget that we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places (Ephesians 6:12). 

Don’t lose heart. We know how this story ends.

Love wins.

Dear Lord: Thank You for Your great love for us. Without it, we could have no hope. During these dark days, pour Your love over our nation, and bring revival that will carry with it the only true and lasting change. Help us to trust You more, love You more, and love others more. Please heal our country and fill us with Your peace, unity and love. Amen

Please share your thoughts, experiences and comments with our readers. Thank you for reading and sharing my blogpost today. May God’s love wash over our land during these difficult days and bring us unity, peace and comfort as only He can.

How To Eat An Elephant

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You must be wondering to yourself, “What kind of question is that?” and “What do elephants have to do with what I am going through right now?” Well, just everything!!! Any huge project, problem or trial is an elephant of sorts. Sometimes we have a choice of whether or not to take on an elephant.

What about that project to start the business you’ve always dreamed of? What about that healthy diet to lose 25 lbs. or more and improve health? More exercise for your heart? Create a budget to get rid of credit card debt? Paint a room? If the project seems too big, often we don’t take the first bite.

But what about the ones that don’t give us a choice—our trials. Forget taking a bite, we are just trying not to get stepped on! Some of our elephants can be overwhelming, overpowering, even Mammoths. When faced with eating such huge elephants, where do we begin? With the tail? Too hairy. With the trunk? Too tough. With the belly? It ain’t happening!

When life seems overwhelming, we often wonder how we’ll overcome. Christ gives us hope and helps us face our trials.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

What a promise!

Ever had a huge elephant stampede right up to you demanding to be eaten? I have. This month nine years ago, a mammogram revealed that I had breast cancer. It was a gigantic elephant so big, there was no way this girl could slay it on her own. That same year I had 3 invasive breast surgeries. I received a melanoma diagnosis. And my best friend went to federal prison for embezzling thousands of dollars from me and my business. The surgeries left me with a nerve pain illness that the doctor says I will struggle with for the rest of my life.

Herds of elephants have trampled through my life and over the top of me, not just in 2011, but before and since then. Through it all, God has kept me safe and protected. He has been my strength when I have needed it, and He has carried me through the darkest times of my life. He has brought healing to my body, and comfort and peace for my weary heart and mind.

People are always saying that God doesn’t give us more than we can handle. They point to this scripture.

“No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able. But when you are tempted, He will provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13

I know God gives us a way out when we’re tempted. But He also gives us a way out when we’re burdened, when we face problems, obstacles and even elephants way bigger than we are. HE’S THE ANSWER!! And we need Him.

I am here to tell you that I have definitely had more than I could handle. But it has never been more than my God could handle. Today I am 11 years cancer free, and thriving in His grace and mercy every day one day at a time as the elephants still linger around me.

Sometimes, doesn’t He give us more than we can handle on our own so we’ll learn to give it to Him? The Bible is full of great stories of how God helped others do things they couldn’t possibly have done on their own… slay a giant, outrun Pharaoh’s Army across the parted Red Sea, share a small lunch with 5,000, survive a den of hungry lions, live through a fiery furnace, and escape the stomach of a huge fish, just to name a few.

There’s help for conquering the elephants in our lives too! When God gives us grace, it is for each of us individually. It’s for today. One day at a time. One elephant at a time. One bite at a time. Don’t worry. There will be more grace for tomorrow and the day after that and forever!!

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:35-39

There’s only one thing God can’t do and that is fail us!! I’m so glad He’s always there for His children. But we have to do our part. Sometimes that means He wants us to step out in faith—take the first bite.

“Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” St. Francis of Assisi

Do what you can, and give the rest to God. He is forever faithful, and a friend that sticks closer than a brother.

So, How Do You Eat An Elephant?

Only with God’s help… One Bite At A Time!! 

Dear Lord: Thank You for Your faithfulness, and for helping us as we face and endure the big things in our lives. Help us to remember that nothing is bigger than You, and nothing is impossible with You. May we hold to the hope that we profess because You promised in Your Word, and You are faithful to the ends of the earth and beyond. Give us courage to do all we can, one bite at a time. Give us grace to give the rest to You. Amen   

Are you facing a trial bigger than you? Are you finding that elephant is tough to chew? Is God helping you through one bite at a time? Please share your thoughts and experiences.

Thank you for reading and sharing my blogpost today. May God bless you and your family always. 

Stand

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What do you do when yet another crushing trial comes along from out of nowhere? Maybe a devastating worldwide pandemic that impacts every man, woman, and child? Maybe the threat of losing your job or not knowing how you are going to pay your bills? Has there been news of a serious health problem? Is caregiving for your elderly parents becoming too difficult? Are you struggling with a wayward child? Is your marriage in jeopardy? 

It’s enough to make you want to lay down and give up. But you know you cannot do that. You have to find a way to stand through it. 

They say, “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” Well, this is a time when strength is definitely being tested for all of us. The virus adds a whole new layer of difficulty.

When I was a young girl, I thought I could stand through any problem, any burden.  I could just cry it away into my pillow, work a little harder, drop the friend who was causing me grief, avoid confronting my problem altogether, or get Mom to bail me out.  As I grew older, I found out that it wasn’t that simple.  My tears, hard work or even my Mom couldn’t fix everything, and refusing to confront my problems didn’t make them go away, they just got worse.

I learned the hard way that I needed help to stand.  Life is too hard to handle on my own.  I need a strength and a refuge that could only be found in Jesus. Through the years, through the trials (divorce, cancer, death of my parents, financial uncertainty, living with chronic pain, and many others), I have learned to stand, but only with God’s help. 

Can you imagine how the Children of Israel must have felt as they fled from Pharaoh’s Army only to be cornered, standing room only, by the edge of the Red Sea?  They panicked, yet all they could do was stand. What a lesson they learned that day! 

In Exodus 14:13, Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid.  Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today.  The Egyptians you see today you will never see again.  The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.”  Verse 21 says, “Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land.” 

Not only did God hold back the sea but He did it ‘all that night.’  Whatever you need, He’s there for you as much and as long as you need Him. “All that night,” I love that!

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 

In the time of my greatest weakness in my life is where I experienced God’s most powerful strength. It’s always been just what I needed and when I needed it. My faith has become stronger, not because I am a stronger person, no, just the opposite.  I have become weaker.  I’ve learned that I am no match for the storms of this life, or for Satan for that matter, but through my trials, I’ve learned God is.  Through my weakness, I’ve learned to stand on His strength, His Word, and His abundant provisions.  I have learned that out of His great love for me, He has been working a plan in my life since before I was born.

I hope you have trusted Jesus as your Savior, and you can say the same—that He has carried you through your trials and that you have learned you can stand with His help.  If not, there is no better time than right now. He is waiting with outstretched arms to welcome you into his protective embrace, and to help you through whatever you face. 

When the trial comes, when we get that phone call in the night that no one wants to get, when the virus scare threatens to overtake us… With the Lord, we can be ready to experience that power that parted the Red Sea and made a way for the Children of Israel to save them from  certain death.

This time… May our knees hit the floor quicker because we know where our help comes from (Psalm 121:1).  This time… may we immediately ask our friends and family to pray for us because we know it makes all the difference (James 5:16). 

This time… May we grab our Bible, going straight to the promises in His Word because we’ve learned He’s always faithful, and we can gain strength to stand from His promises (Hebrews 10:23).  Promises like…He will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:4).  Promises like…He’s working all things together for our good (Romans 8:28).  Promises like…He who started a great work in us will complete it (Philippians 1:6). Promises like…He has plans to prosper us and give us a hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11).

This time… let’s keep on our armor of God because we’ve learned what it means to be in a spiritual battle (Ephesians 6).  Ephesians 6:13 says, “Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”

This time… let’s not even try to take on a trial that is too heavy for us.  God is the only One strong enough to hold back the Red Sea all that night.

This time… Stand there and watch Him part it for you.

Dear Lord: Thank You for taking care of us through this time of uncertainty, and through all the trials in our lives. You are forever faithful. Thank You that we can stand on Your strength, Your Word, and Your abundant provisions. You fight for us. We need only to be still. For those impacted by COVID-19, please bring them healing, comfort for the loss of loved ones, and financial blessings to get through this time. Use Your children to be Your hands and feet. We pray that true revival would begin in us and spread throughout our world.  Thank You in advance for all You are going to do. Amen

Have things become too hard for you? Isn’t time to let go, and let God? Do you have a story about how God is providing for you and getting you through difficult circumstances? I would love to hear from you. I welcome your comments, experiences, and thoughts.

If you would like to find out more about how to receive Christ as your personal Savior or if I can pray for you, please reach out to me through private message or at sharon@wildernessgrace.org. 

Thank you for reading and sharing my blogpost today. Please subscribe to my blogpost and encourage your friends to subscribe by visiting www.sharonhawkins.net.

May God bless you and your family always. Don’t be afraid. Stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today.

And It Came To Pass

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He has made everything beautiful in its time.  Ecclesiastes 3:11

As I turned my calendar over to the month of May, the verse displayed reminding me that God is in charge no matter what we are going through.

I hope that May will be the month that He blesses us with the beauty of a world reopened. This pandemic has set the world on its side, physically, financially, and emotionally. Verse 1 of Ecclesiastes 3 says that there is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.

COVID-19 seemed to come from out of nowhere. A couple of months ago, we could not have imagined its impact that we are now living with. This virus did not come as a surprise to our Lord, and it will be resolved in His time, but not before. He will bring beauty when He is ready.

It has been a time of tearing down (Ephesians 3:3),  but there will come a time of building up, hopefully sooner than later. I pray that our country and the other countries of the world will recover well financially and that the rebuilding of the economy will start soon.

I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God. Ephesians 3:12-13

This pandemic has shown us what is built by man can be gone in a flash. True provision comes from God, not from man. This time has definitely served to remind us of this.

This has been a time of weeping (Ephesians 3:4), but the time of laughing will come. We have cried for what’s been lost, for the hardships we are enduring today, and for the uncertainty over the future. These are scary days for many of us. It has been a time of mourning. In time, the dancing will return.

This has been a time to refrain from embracing (Ephesians 3:5), but there will come a time of embracing once again. And when that time comes, may we appreciate every hug more, and linger just a little bit longer. May we resolve to not be the first to let go of a hug in the future. People are precious, and through this time, I think a lot of us have realized just how much. The power of touch is a blessing and a healer.  

My soul is in deep anguish. How long, LORD, how long? Psalm 6:3

How much more can we endure?

The good news is that this too shall pass. The phrase “it came to pass” appears 452 times in the Bible. I love Comedian Mark Lowry. He says his life verse is “And it came to pass.” Boy, I must say that is one of my favorites too.

The phrase in the Bible always comes with something else. Some of it is good. Some of it, bad. Most of us believe the phrase just means, “It happened.” But if you look a little deeper, it doesn’t say, “It came to stay.” It says, “It came to pass.” Praise God!

I can’t tell you how many times in my life I couldn’t wait for something to pass. When I could not hold on for one more minute, in God’s faithfulness, it passed.

I have rested in His promises that He would never leave us nor forsake us no matter what happens. He has walked with me through fire more times than I can remember.

Time and time again, either God healed me, helped me or held me when I needed Him. I KNOW He will do it again. Sometimes He did all three at the same time. It came to pass. Through each hardship, He has taught me something, or tried to. Sometimes I know I missed it, but He’s never given up on me. He promises He never will.

As I look back, I can say my success rate for getting through the hard times up to this point has been 100%. This is not because of anything I did, but because of Who my Big, Big God is. I am still here, pushing on because He is here with me. I am sure many of you can say the same.

God knows. And these hard times will either pass, or He will hold us one day at a time while we endure them together. Even if enduring them together means that we are enduring them apart.

While bad things are coming to pass in our lives, so are good things, like all the indescribably happy times with family and friends, even via Zoom; and more blessings than we can conceivably count in our lifetimes. He is carrying us through one day at a time. Such is the abundant life that God intends for us to have.

No matter what comes to pass, there is one thing that will never pass. It spans all space and time. And that is the saving grace of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

If you do not know Christ as your Savior, I urge you to accept Him today. Ask Him to come into your heart. Believe that He is the perfect Son of God who died to take your sin away. Commit to follow and serve Him for the rest of your life. I promise you will never be sorry. The Bible does not promise an easy road, but help to live each day through a relationship with Jesus. Frankly, I cannot imagine going through life without Him.

When I wake up with the weight of this pandemic sitting squarely on my chest, He is there waiting for our morning walk together. I have to give Him that burden every day or it would crush me. Isn’t it time you let Him carry your burdens too? 

Dear Lord: Thank You for Your faithfulness. You are our hope when we face trials we can’t bear, our help when we have nowhere else to turn. When we realize You are all we have, we find You are all we need. Please be with those reading this today who can’t hold on for one more minute. May they find comfort and peace, as I have, in Your loving arms. Amen 

And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, establish, and strengthen you. 1 Peter 5:10

Thank you for reading and sharing my blogpost. Please share your thoughts, comments and encouragement for others by replying below. May God hold you and your family close as the trials of COVID-19 come to pass.

A Little Good News Today

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It all seems hopeless in the news these days.  Record unemployment. Cases of illnesses and deaths every day. Global pandemic.  It seems that life as we know it has ended, at least for a time.

In the middle of the uncertainty, fear, and worry that surrounds us, each new day seems to bring news that’s worse than the day before. For those who are infected as well as those trying to avoid infection, these are trying times. The burden is crippling for those struggling with financial uncertainty. For those who have lost loved ones, the hurt is unspeakable.

Is there any good news at all these days? Are we going to sink deep into a hole?

Or are we going to look up, and allow God to lift us above our circumstances?

We cannot control what happens to us, but we can control how we respond to it. Amid all the gloom and doom, there are lots of reasons to hope. There is more than a little good news today.

Our Recovery.

In most cases, people are recovering from the virus. It does not seem to greatly impact the young and healthy. The number of cases is falling in areas where the virus has escalated previously. We have been blessed with the greatest healthcare professionals and scientists in the world who have set their focus on fighting this enemy. The numbers are improving. Treatments are showing promise. There is a light at the end of this tunnel. Our governor is opening up some more businesses this week.

Our Communication.

Even though we are quarantined, we live in a time in history when we have ways to stay in close touch with our friends and loved ones—phones, letters, the internet. We can connect to our families and friends. Zoom, Facebook, and Webex chats have saved the sanity of many a grandparent longing for their grandbabies during this time. In many cases, it allows people to continue to work and receive a pay check when we cannot physically go to work.

Our Country.

If we are going through such catastrophe, I am grateful that we can do it in the greatest nation on earth. I believe that the American Spirit is strong and that our economy will show remarkable healing once we are able to open back up.

Our Churches.

While the devil is trying really hard to close the doors of the church through this pandemic, the church has filled the airways in a way like never before. It has poured out of the church buildings and into the parking lots, then into countless homes across our country. Where people haven’t gone to church in years, church has now come to them. Distractions that once kept people away have now been removed for this brief time in history. Real change is happening.

Our Families and Friends.

This pandemic will pass, but I hope some of the good things that have transpired will not. Families are sitting at the dinner table together. They are working puzzles together and playing board games. Couples are talking more. I think we have all grown more thankful for our homes and those we love and the provisions that God has given us. Neighbors are helping neighbors in a way we haven’t seen in a very long time.

Our Blessed Hope.

We don’t have to face troubles alone. There is hope and His name is Jesus.  When we cannot be with our loved ones, He can. When we cannot go out, He stays in with us. He is hope for the hopeless and help for the helpless, rest for the weary, grace and mercy for the undeserving and that would be all of us.  This pandemic is not a surprise to Him, nor is it more than He can handle. Rest assured He is always working a plan, and He promises that all things work together for the good of those that love the Lord and are called according to His purpose. He does His best work during, through and with trouble.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

A long time ago, God looked down from heaven and saw our need and that we were lost in our sin.  He knew that we could not save ourselves, and He would rather die for us than live without us.  So He stepped out, came to a sinful world, paid the price for our sins in the greatest act of love that ever was.  His story of grace is the ultimate good news for mankind.

This pandemic is not in charge. The financial markets are not in charge. The government is not in charge. God is. He created the universe, and you and me. He can and He certainly will bring us through this. It is important to remember that our provisions do not come from man. They come from God. If we keep our heads up, we will see Him work His amazing plan in our lives. A great revival is springing up in the midst of this storm. Help is on the way. Help is already here.

Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:19

I love Stephen Curtis Chapman. His song “The Great Adventure” says, “I opened up my Bible and read about me”.  Isn’t it great to know that God’s word is just as real today as it was when it was written. And, yes, it is about me and you today right now in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic in April of 2020! 

It’s full of His promises. Promises of peace in the midst of our storms; healing for those willing to reach for the hem of His garment; and living water for the thirsty and sight for the blind.  He came to give us life, and to give it to us more abundantly. We would all be dead in our sin without His grace.  He promises, “My grace is sufficient…” (2 Corinthians 12:9)

Dear Lord: Thank You that You know exactly what it going on, and that you hold us all in Your hands. You have overcome the world, You can certainly bring us through this trying time, and do a great work in the process. Bring revival. Make us better people coming out of the pandemic than we were before it began. We lift up those who are struggling physically, those who have lost loved ones, and those who suffer financially. Please bring help and comfort in each of these situations. We thank You in advance for all that You are going to do. Amen

It is not a matter of if we will walk out of this trial, it is a matter of when. I know we will walk out changed.  How will you let the experience change you?

Please share your thoughts, comments and experiences to encourage our group. Thank you for reading and sharing my blogpost today.

May we emerge with the good news on our lips, a song of thankfulness to God in our hearts, and a continuing spirit to help and love others.