#rootedbythewater – Page 2 – rootedbythewater.blog

The Fine-line of pushing

July 17, 2025Leave a Comment

I love this quote. It is actually “so me” BUT in my life there is a fine-line. Finding balance is key.

I am forever trying to figure out the fine-line of pushing. How about you? I can push myself too hard on the day to day basis and am always trying to find the right balance. When push comes to shove, it’s too far and the end result is exhaustion. (More mentally than physically). I went over and beyond this week and I was literally about to fall over last night when I got home from serving. I wanted to go right to bed and it was not even dark outside. I made myself wait until 10 then went to sleep and slept 11 hours. Feeling much better today. Once again I’m on a quest to get it done around the house.

Living with hearing and visual limitations, it takes more brain energy to deal with the normal things like conversing with people for a length of time, both spoken and sign language. (They are equally tiring but I love my people and push myself anyway) The same thing can be said about pushing past limitations. On Tuesday I overdid the zoom meetings attempt. I mean honestly, I was literally trying in vain to understand a live zoom. Someone was texting me some pointers of what they were basically talking about. I was using my iPad for the zoom meeting itself and texts coming in on the same device. I grabbed the iPhone which is synced to the iPad to answer the texts. Here’s the catcher, I can’t see the iPhone unless it’s under my video magnifier. Lord have mercy….. but I tried to keep a straight face and not show frustration. I’ve got to find the right balance in this. Life can stretch me so much at times, I wonder what it’s like for normal people. But hey….. I know normal is overrated.

Finding balance in the new business venture is something I’m going to have to do. I realize I can’t do it all so I’m going to need to learn to say no to some things. The phototherapy stem call technology is such an effective and fascinating product to learn and promote. I’m realizing I’ve got so much more of Life on my plate than others can even begin to understand, and knowing that, I’ve got to figure out a balanced approach.

Yesterday was ministry day when I help feed the homeless in Rock Hill. Since we have moved to an indoor facility we can now do a short devotion with the people before they eat. Pastor Daryl asked me to share with the people last night and that was such a privilege to share God’s Word with them. Nerve-wracking as well. While a women a couple of weeks ago told me it’s not hard, I personally feel a weight of responsibility that I don’t take lightly. Two days ago, God dropped some verses in my heart before Daryl even texted me. I knew in my heart what to share, but I still had to stand up there and do it. I wanted to mentally and spiritually prep myself right before standing in front of the people but I was busy in the kitchen washing the pots, pans and bowls we used during food prep. This is an industrial sized kitchen. God worked it all out though. I realize it’s Him working through me, and not me myself. I think it went pretty well. I’m going to ask someone for feedback later, who was out there with me, as they have asked me to do it again next week.

Looking back and at the present, I do see all this stretching might be leading up to something. What? I do not know. Over a year ago I was leading Bible study in our deaf group, when I couldn’t see the book. I sat down at my video magnifier that I use for reading a book and took detailed notes on my iPad using symbols to help me remember, memorizing great portions of it to be able to best teach. It took a lot out of me, but it was worth it to see growth. Next I began to weekly volunteer with RiceNBeans ministry. I can’t hear the people well but I didn’t let that stop me from serving. Now here I am still involved in that, in a new location helping with devotions. Also presently learning the Patching business and possibly pushing myself a bit too much in that area. It seems to all lead to something, which I’m not yet sure what that something is.

I believe my audiologist would be shocked at how much I’m putting myself out there to force myself to understand as much as possible. If I could give advice to myself, I’d say “Pray for a more balanced approach”. I can and do overdo it. I know when I’m so tired I want to go to sleep at 7:30 then I’ve pushed a bit too far. I guess my “Kenley stubbornness” comes into play quite a bit. Lord help me find that fine-line and stop there. I know other deaf people (just deaf, no vision issues) who only interact with deaf people. I’m not one of those. I love all people; hearing, deaf, disabled, foreign, black, white, type A personality, type B, outgoing, not so much, etc People are God’s workmanship and are there to love and encourage. That’s just who I am. I am so so thankful to have time with God daily to soak up strength and direction for the day. It’s my Lifeline. Do you know Jesus? He can be your Lifeline too.

I better get back to work. This is my second cleaning day. Got half of it done two days ago and finishing up today. Have a blessed day.

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Multi-Tasking kind of Day

July 15, 2025Leave a Comment

We all have those days when we’re on a quest to get it done. Thank God for the ability to multi-task, or shall I say the willingness to attempt it. Just being real. I am also so thankful for a crockpot to help get dinner together. This is the second day this week I’ve used ours. Our son Joshua asked for “Pain in the butt” chicken for dinner. Well honestly I have another word for it but butt is much nicer. The recipe is actually called Marry Me Chicken but when you see like I do, it gets another name. I have a zoom meeting tonight and wanted to tweak the recipe and use the crockpot so the guys can eat when they want and it’s easy clean up. Sure hope it turns out good.

This is also my cleaning day but I’m apparently only getting half of it done. Was trying to catch an afternoon zoom meeting, challenging myself to tune in via “Bluetooth” while I cleaned but that was a bust. Couldn’t follow without actually watching. #goals One day I’ll get it but it won’t be today. Moved some things around a bit while stopping to send texts and check messages. Now that dinner is in the crockpot, I can move on to another chore and continued prayer before this evenings zoom meeting. I have no clue how I will do, but I will show up and be a “fly on the wall” while attempting to gleam a bit and stretch myself a bit further. Not to mention writing a blog and mid way through catching Joshua’s friend before he left to ask him a tech question about Google Documents and spreadsheets. Well, I did say I was multi-tasing and he helped me figure it out!! Woo Hoo!

Also so excited that Pastor Daryl asked me to do the devotion for our homeless friends tomorrow night at RiceNBeans Rock Hill. Truth be told, this morning during my quiet time a scripture dropped into my heart. I’m going to continue praying through the day for confirmation from the Lord. I don’t know what these precious people need to hear but God knows and will direct me in what to say. I’d appreciate prayers for guidance and confidence / boldness. I am not qualified to do these things; the devotion for the ministry outreach and these zooms BUT God doesn’t called those already equipped, rather He equips us despite our abilities or lack there of. So, onward I go….. I need to accomplish a bit more today so I will leave you with this….. let’s finish out today STRONG IN THE LORD and in the POWER OF HIS MIGHT! Be blessed!

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I can’t but HE CAN and DID!

July 2, 2025Leave a Comment

What can I say? This morning I texted my friend Tami to see if they needed my help with RiceNBeans tonight: a ministry that feeds the homeless. Tami and I had been away from serving for over a month and last week was our first week back helping at a new location.

It’s amazing how God works! We are well familiar with the previous location at the bus stops but the ministry in Rock Hill is now serving from an indoor location. If we had not gone last week, we would have not known what to do. God foreknew Pastor D would be called out of town, even though we had no idea. God’s ways are awesome!

This morning Tami texted me and asked me if I would do the devotion tonight for our homeless friends. I have learned over the course of my life, when God opens a door, He will provide and see you through it. So I said yes and asked if I could talk on whatever God gave me, which of course was fine. I began praying for direction and asked others to pray as well. God answered! 🙌🏼🙌🏼

He put Philippians 4:13 on my heart: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” I live this verse day in and day out. God also brought Hebrews 11:1 to my heart.: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen”. I said a quick quiet prayer before starting then began to pour out what God gave me, using a bit of testimony in how He strengthens me. I don’t remember all I said and it was a short devotion. I had about ten minutes and my prayer was for divine direction to speak encouragement over them all. We can rise up over our circumstances, not in our own strength but in the strength God gives us. I told them God has given me such faith to move forward even though I honestly don’t have what it takes. I can’t hear or see well, but that did not stop God from enabling me to do His Will tonight. I am honored to be a vessel for His glory.

I often feel inadequate. I like to be doing something, encouraging, helping, writing or whatever. I love to use my abilities for the glory of God. No i don’t have all it takes, but God does. What we lack, He brings, plus more. He just wants us to make ourselves available. I can share from a true sense of lack, because I in myself can’t do it, but He can and He will. It’s not about our abilities or our resources. It is about our surrender. It’s about having an attitude of submission. I told Tami and her husband tonight, I’m open to doing this again if needed. I felt like a fish out of water, but honestly when it’s a God thing, that’s the best way to feel. It’s not about me but about Him and what He wants accomplished.

Let me encourage you to be open to being used by God for His glory. It doesn’t matter what you can or can’t do. If He opens the door for you, He will equip you to do whatever is needed. All glory to God! Be blessed and better yet, be a blessing. Good night! This girl is tired, but a good kind of tired.

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Truth or fiction

June 29, 2025Leave a Comment

Would you like a “story” or reality? Truth or fiction? After all, it is a lovely June Sunday. I can write up a wonderful account of the day so far. Let’s see, I woke before the alarm giving me a nice peaceful time on the porch in prayer. The sun had not yet risen and it was so peaceful. We were finally going to make it to church today, planning to drop our son Joshua off at work early on our way to church. Hie puppy Moose was finally feeling better. After three days of dealing with puppy diarrhea it was great to have things back to normal. Nope, that’s not how things unfolded. Can we fold them back up and try again?

While parts of that lovely account are true, things took a swift downward turn. After a wonderful peaceful time with the Lord, I went in to get ready for church. Walking into our bathroom, I noticed a puppy “accident” on one of the bathroom rugs. Oh no! Moose has had diarrhea for three days. Vet prescribed medicine and a plain diet of rice and chicken. Yesterday he seemed back to normal so I was surprised to see this accident on the rug. I thought I better check the rest of the house to make sure there was nothing else. I cleaned up the rug and proceeded to take it to the laundry room to wash. Looked quickly in the dining room and found another small “accident”. Continuing on to the laundry room, the hallway was dark and I stepped right in his biggest accident. Oh my word, my foot was 3/4 coated in poop! No one was awake yet so I hobbled to the bathroom for a foot bath. By that time the guys were awake and discovered the situation. After cleaning up the accidents and putting the rugs in the washing machine we decided to just watch church from home.

I must admit I was not happy with the whole scenario and had been looking forward to worshiping in person. It seems we have missed church more this year for unforeseeable reasons than any year in remembrance. Grabbing my iPad I went back on the porch to watch livestream. Joshua came out to talk briefly not realizing I was tuned in via Bluetooth so I couldn’t hear him. I turned off the sermon so I could hear him, then restarted it. I zoomed in on Pastors face so I could follow the best I could. Three fourths through the sermon my cochlear implanted battery died unexpectedly. No warning or anything. Geez! I tried to go inside to replace my battery so I could continue and……. the back door was LOCKED! You can’t make this stuff up! I knocked and knocked on the door, rang the back doorbell and no one came to open the door. I was like, “What in the world?” I put on one of the guys flip flops and trudged through the wet backyard in my pajamas, around to the garage door to go in that way. Thank God I had already unlocked that door when cleaning up the accidents. By that point I was in tears. Very frustrating morning! One thing after another. It’s almost like the devil himself was pulling strings to get me out of sorts, and out of sorts I sure was!

Ron took Joshua to work. He has four massages scheduled for today. I decided a hot epson salt bath might sooth me and it helps purify the body, getting toxins out. Thing is, as I was detoxing, sweat ended up mingling with tears. Detox the body, detox the soul. Life happens and we have the deal with it but it doesn’t make it any easier. Sometimes a good cleansing cry and detox bath help. It would be nice if we could just ”wash things away” just like I washed the accident from the rugs and have them drying right now on the porch. This too shall pass but I’m really hoping Moose has “passed” all of whatever has upset his stomach the last few days. Changing diapers is much easier than cleaning floors.

Lord can I have a redo? I did get enough out of the livestream (in a nutshell it was about the Fear of the Lord, at least that’s what I understood.) and the worship was beautiful. I’m back out on the porch writing this blog. A trip to the beach would do this girl good. Hopefully one day in the near future. In the meantime I can imagine. I sure hope your day is going way better than mine. Now off to give Moose his rice and chicken and medicine. Have a peaceful Sunday.

Back to peace on the porch while the rugs dry.

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You are Chosen❣️

June 26, 2025Leave a Comment

Photo credit ~ Carry the Light Facebook post.

For some reason things seem to have aligned for this blog post. First, I listened to a sermon yesterday while walking on the treadmill. (Thank God for blue tooth technology!) Typically I don’t do that since I can seldom comprehend, especially if I’m unfamiliar with the speaker. Yet, I could follow the message. It was the first in a series about King David and how God chose him. Second, my husband Ron and I were talking about how people can be so fixated on issues that they begin to define the person. We both agreed that people aren’t defined by their issues but rather defined by God. Third, as I was scrolling through Facebook today I came across this picture (shared above) and the blog title came to me. Let’s talk about this.

In typical Shannon fashion, my blogs change and cover quite a bit of topics. This one may go deep and I hope you’re up for some exploration. Are you ready? What defines you? Is it your career, financial status, talents, abilities, your looks, health, or perhaps your role in another’s life? When you look in the mirror, what do you see? Someone too skinny, too big, not good looking enough, or perhaps you have an “ego” and think you’re “all that”. Just being real. There are all kinds of people in the world. Each one unique and beautiful in God’s sight.

In 1 Samuel 16, God tells Samuel to anoint one of Jesse’s sons because He has rejected Saul as king. Samuel goes to Bethlehem to make a sacrifice and invites Jesse and his sons. Here’s the thing, all Jesse’s sons were there except for David, the youngest. Samuel thought God was choosing one of Jesse’s other sons but listen to what God says. 1 Samuel‬ ‭16‬:‭7‬ ‭ says, ”But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”” (NLT‬‬)(emphasis added) God ended up choosing David, the youngest of Jesse’s sons to be King of Israel.

God’s selection process is not like ours. We tend to look at the outward man, but God looks at the heart. God has created us. We are His masterpiece. Psalms 139: 13-14 says, “You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. (NLT) Why don’t we go ahead and decide that God knows what He’s doing? If He made us with whatever features, it’s part of His masterpiece! I think we ought to praise Him because we are indeed fearfully and wonderfully made. Believe what Go says and the noise of the world is quieter. Try it!

Another thing I notice is, people can be so fixated on their problems and issues that they begin to “own” them and allow them to “define” who they are. Let me gently say this, you are NOT defined by your self imposed or professionally imposed “labels”. You have to deal with certain issues and situations, Yes! However, you aren’t defined by them. Let me give you an example from my own life. I don’t label myself as deaf and blind. Do I meet the legal description of that label? Yes! Do I own it? Certainly NOT! So how do I manage? I say, “I have some visual and hearing issues, I can hear some and see some too.” Does that make sense? See, in taking this perspective of me and my “abilities” I’m not limiting myself to a ”labels set of things I can and can’t do”. Why choose this stance in life? I’ll tell you why, God says we are fearfully and wonderfully made. (PS139:14) God says we can do all things through His strength not our own. (Philippians 4:13) It’s not about you or me! It’s about God! Let’s stop letting our finances or lack there of define us. Let’s stop allowing depression to define us. The Joy of the Lord is our strength. ( Nehemiah 8:10) Let’s stop letting our culture say we are or are not good enough. Who cares what people think? All that matters is what God thinks and let me tell you something, He thinks you are amazing because He formed you just the way you are. Rise up people and stop living in despair. Greater is HE who is in you than he that is in the world. (1 John 4:4)

I think I will stop here. That’s a good bit of self examination for one day. I pray the Holy Spirit will guide you in all truth and reveal to you how He sees you. You are so loved. God wants us to rise up out of the “holes” of life we fall n. Let’s ignore the lies of the enemy. God has chosen you because He delights in you. Look in the mirror and say “ God has me in (whatever the situation is) but HE IS GOING TO GET ME THROUGH IT! I”M COMING OUT THE OTHER SIDE STRONGER and GLORIFYING GOD FOR ALL HE IS DOING!” Trust Him! Be blessed and better yet Be a Blessing! If you know someone struggling, feel free to share this with them. All Glory to God!

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Humble Pie anybody? 🙃

June 23, 2025Leave a Comment

Has anyone had one of those moments when you goof up and just have to laugh at yourself? I’ve had too many to count. I mean really, something humbling and cringe worthy can happen at any time and Hey, I just laugh and keep going. I know we all have these moments but living with hearing and vision issues certainly multiplies mine! Let’s see ~ I have gotten in the passengers seat of the wrong car before at the grocery store. (In my defense, the car was the same color and it was at night.) ~Years ago a service repair person came by the house and parked in the exact same spot that my husband parks. He had a white suv which my husband Ron also had at the time. I had called Ron and mentioned needing his help to clean out the “buck stove” that had hot ashes in it. When the service guy got out of his suv (that looked like Ron’s, parked in the same spot he parks in.) I was on the front porch with hands on my hips and said, “I did it all by myself!” The service guy was baffled and I was terribly embarrassed when I realized it wasn’t Ron. Thank God Ron pulled up shortly afterwards. Let’s see, what else have I done? There was an evening when my neighbor was coming by to pick up her Mary Kay order. I wasn’t quite sure when she was coming so I showed Ron the items were in the foyer. I went in the bathroom to proceed to color the gray roots of my hair. I came out of the bathroom with my hair sticking in all different directions and plastic gloves on my hands. The front door was opened and I noticed Ron was speaking to someone. I “assumed” it was our neighbor picking up her order. The porch light was not on, the person was about the same height as who I “thought” it was and I waved with plastic gloves on. 🙃Turns out it was another neighbor, a man who is a great guy and also a local politician. I was SOO embarrassed. Yet another time, my son Joshua and I were in the produce section of the store, I had set down my iPad to bag some veggies and walked off. When I realized what I had done we were on a search for my iPad among the veggies and fruits. Luckily I had my iPhone and Joshua used it to set off the iPad alarm. The produce guy and Joshua and I started listening for the alarm until we found it. I laughed and continued with the shopping. There’s much more but you get the picture.

Moral of the story, we can’t take ourselves too seriously. The best way to live life is to live humbly and able to laugh at shortcomings. Is it embarrassing? Oh Yes! Is it funny? Oh Yes! Sometimes we have to eat “humble funny pie” because life is too short to worry about what people think. That’s the wisdom of a 56 year old speaking. Wish I could have learned that much earlier. Yep! Real life. Keeping it humble and hilarious over here!

I’d love to hear your funny stories. Feel free to comment and pass along the laughter. Be Real, Be humble and Be YOU!

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Mastering “Sunny-Side up”

June 18, 2025Leave a Comment

Today was my first time ever attempting “Sunny-side up” eggs. My husband and I prefer eggs scrambled but our son said he likes them “Sunny-side up”. I got the cast iron nice and hot, added some olive oil, cracked two eggs, in their own small bowl, then poured them into the hot skillet, waited a couple of minutes then put a lid on it. Joshua said they turned out good. I’ve never liked a runny yoke but my Dad sure did. My first experience frying eggs went well but I’ll stick with scrambled.

Truth be told, we are all a bit scrambled and it’s a great goal to keep our attitudes sunny. Personally I am drawn to people who are cheerful and have an encouraging word. Proverbs 17:22 says, “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.” (NLT‬‬) Whatever your situation is, try to find the good and focus on it. Keep your smile shining! A sunny disposition, sunny day and evidently “sunny-side up” eggs go a long way. Let’s keep Shining!

Have a great week! Be Blessed

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Seeds of Grace

June 10, 2025Leave a Comment

As I sat on the back porch yesterday morning, this blog topic came to me. Grace is such a treasured gift God gives us daily and we have opportunity aplenty to pass grace along to others. My prayer time is something that is a daily constant. I love my morning time with the Lord when I pour out my heart and ask Him to examine it and prompt me where I need change and surrender.

I absolutely love the ministry gifts of prayer and encouragement God has given me. It moves my heart to see prayer requests and hear of others needs and struggles in life. God brings people my way who need prayer and I’m honored to lift their needs up to the Lord. Recently I had two people share with me about two ladies dealing with vision loss. Another person accidentally messaged me, but as it turned out they needed prayer after being in three car accidents in a short period of time. I marvel at how God brings people into my life through social media and He moves my heart to cover them in prayer. It is a privilege to lift others up to the Lord. It’s like planting seeds of grace and He will nourish and answer in His perfect time.

God has brought me through much in life and He continues to guide me forth with strength I otherwise don’t have. It’s only through His Holy Spirit that I am able to rise above whatever and I know this is due in a large part to the prayer covering I have. I know many people pray for me and Jesus Himself intercedes for us! What a tremendous blessing. Because I know and have experienced the power of prayer, I desire to plant those seeds of prayer and grace for others. If you need prayer, I invite you to comment to this blog and I will pray for you.

Another thing I pray for each morning is revival. We need revival and it starts within our own hearts, and overflows into our marriage, our children, families, our communities, churches, cities, states, nation and world. It starts with me and you. Prayer and revival changes us and sets our hearts anew with hunger for the things of God! Let’s challenge each other to plant seeds of grace, to seek the Lord in prayer for ourselves and others. Lord let revival and healing come. Be blessed!

“Never stop praying.”
‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5‬:‭17‬ ‭(NLT‬‬)

“Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.” James‬ ‭5‬:‭16‬ ‭(NLT‬‬)

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The HARDEST question

June 1, 2025Leave a Comment

To write or not to write….. no that isn’t the hardest question. I’ll certainly have to clear this with someone before publishing it (and I certainly will). (He said it was fine to publish it.)

#Iykyk…. Yep that’s the truth and half the time, no I take that back, the majority of the time people don’t know. (For my older reader, and I know there are a few. IYKYK means if you know you know).

This afternoon was the time for a deep discussion and sharing. The majority I won’t repeat and this little bit that I do share I will make sure he is ok with sharing. People can learn from these things. It was after church and our 27 year old son was annoyed due to his hearing and vision issues and not being able to understand. I totally understand. I remember years ago, a bit younger than him, being quite annoyed during church to the point that I got up and walked out crying. That was before I had learned sign language. So many similarities between us and it does truly hurt my heart to see him endure these things.

So at the end of a lengthy much needed talk today he asked me the hardest question he could ask, saying I was the only one who really understood. He asked, “If you knew you could pass along your hearing and vision problems would you have still had me?” I honestly responded, “Well, I did ask my doctor if I could pass along my limitations and he said no. But honestly, you are my greatest joy.”. He then gave me a big hug. No one and I mean absolutely no one besides God will ever understand our situation and frustrations we endure.

Yesterday my mom picked me and Joshua and his puppy Moose up. We went to Brixx to sit outside for pizza then went to mom’s so Joshua could help in her yard. Moose is a little magnet for attention being the cute puppy he is. Joshua took Moose for a little walk while we waited for the bill. A few people approached him and asked about Moose. He of course didn’t hear it all and it bothered him. He related a situation that happened at the gym when someone he knew walked by and was talking to him but he didn’t hear them nor recognize them and he felt bad. I told him today you need to say, “Look I’m hearing and visually impaired. I’m not ignoring you I just didn’t hear or see you.” I totally get it. It took me years to be able to say that. You just don’t want people to see weakness. As I talked and encouraged him today I asked him, “How do you think I live with all this with Joy and peace? It’s not in my own strength! I’ve gotten to a point where I honestly say, “Lord I can’t do this but with Your help I can.” You need to get to that point.”. I shared with him the scripture in 2 Corinthians 12:7-9, “Even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.” (NLT) The bold is what I emphasized to him. It’s not what we can do as a person but what God can do through us when we surrender what we want and let Him do what’s His perfect Will.

I will tell you as a mom these are the most precious conversations because God has given us such a bond that no one else understands. It’s hard to find really genuine people who stick by your side. People disappoint you but God is always there. Joshua said , “If He’s there.” I said, “ Watch me as I breathe. You see my lungs rise as they fill with air then recede?” He said , “yes”. I said,”You can’t see the air, but you can see my lungs fill with it. It’s the same with God. He is there. You can’t see Him but He fills us when we let Him.” He said,” Good analogy.”

I don’t understand God but His ways are not our ways as He is so much higher than we are. All I know is to pray and trust God through every single mountain and valley. It’s hard. People don’t understand. We can’t hold that against them. It’s hard to understand something you’ve never experienced. We have to let go and let God. There is no other way. Nothing in this world will ever satisfy our souls like knowing Jesus and walking with Him. As we sang at the end of church today, Oh it reaches to the highest mountain, and it flows to the lowest valley. The blood that gives me strength from day to day. It will never lose its power.

Sometimes these deep testimonies are needed. So many people deal with so many things and people never know. It’s my hope and prayer that in being transparent you will know you aren’t alone. You never know what someone is dealing with. The deep frustration and annoyance, so always have a kind smile and kind world. It can can make a difference.

When I asked Joshua’s permission to share a small fraction of our conversation he was okay with it. I told him a lot of people go through hard things and say nothing. When people share these life lessons, they realize they aren’t alone. It’s my prayer this encourages someone and reminds you to pray for those around you. You never know what people are dealing with. Be Blessed and better yet, be a Blessing!

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The Power of Words

May 27, 20252 Comments

Lately I’ve been reading and listening to the book of Proverbs that is so rich in sound advice. I’m currently going through the New Living Translation Today as I listened to several chapters (it’s good auditory therapy for me) I was struck by how many verses are about our speech, the power of words and their impact. Here are quite a few verses I came across today, all of which are from the New Living Translation. “A fool’s proud talk becomes a rod that beats him, but the words of the wise keep them safe.” Proverbs‬ ‭14‬:‭3‬, “The wise are known for their understanding, and pleasant words are persuasive.” Proverbs‬ ‭16‬:‭21‬, “Kind words are like honey— sweet to the soul and healthy for the body. Proverbs‬ ‭16‬:‭24‬, “A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends.” Proverbs‬ ‭16‬:‭28‬, “Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.” Proverbs‬ ‭15‬:‭4‬, “Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time!” Proverbs‬ ‭15‬:‭23‬, “The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking; the mouth of the wicked overflows with evil words.” Proverbs‬ ‭15‬:‭28‬, “If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise.” Proverbs‬ ‭15‬:‭31, “The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.” Proverbs‬ ‭18‬:‭21‬ ‭(NLT‬‬)

Wow this was just from a few chapters. There is so much power in words whether spoken or written/ typed/ texted. How often do we think about the impact of our words? How often do we say or text something in haste, then regret it? (Or edit what was sent?). Editing is a luxury of modern times, however spoken words once said can impact in a powerful way.

Let’s think about our words. With words we encourage, inspire, spread cheer, correct, hurt, tear down, gossip and crush. We would be wise to choose our words carefully. We can light up the world or burn it down with the words we choose. Let’s choose to encourage and build up, refraining from causing destruction.

Today I got a notification from my blogging site that I’ve hit a milestone: over 10,000 views. I was humbled. I never take lightly the responsibility of blogging. God will hold me accountable for the words I send out. I want to always encourage and inspire people to trust God in life’s storms. Four years ago in the midst of Covid-19, when I published my autobiography, I felt a burden to encourage people. Rooted by the Water is my testimony of walking with God and relying on Him despite life’s hardships. That’s why I started and have continued to blog for the last four years, to spread hope, joy, resilience and the fact that You can do hard things with God’s help.

As I read Proverbs today, saw the notification of having over 10,000 views on rootedbythewatere.blog it was confirmation of the power of words. I pray that God continued to guide me in topics to blog on and stories to share to bring joy and laughter to the heart.

You don’t have to be a blogger, writer, teacher, preacher etc to realize the impact of the words you choose to use. Let’s all be aware of power behind what we say. Let’s build up and encourage others.

If you’re going to say negative things, gossip, argue, bring division and tear down, do everyone a favor and zip it! Those negative words have an impact that spills into those around you. Positive words have the opposite effect and bring joy to others. Let’s make the world a better place, one positive encouraging word at a time.

You can find my book Rooted by the Water on Amazon (ebook, soft cover and hard cover). If you know someone who could use some encouragement, send them a copy. You can also subscribe to my blog. This coming July will mark four year of blogging once or twice a week. It’s my hearts desire to bring glory to God through sharing how He brings beauty from the hard things in life. Thank you all for your support and prayers. God is faithful always. Be blessed!!