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Look who’s Back

April 7, 2025Leave a Comment

Never in almost four years of blogging have I missed a week of publishing at least one blog to encourage and challenge others. Well, until last week. I suppose there comes a time to rest and recover which is what we did last week. Having covid and the flu at the same time really drained my energy, but we are much better. Just about every night I’d tell my husband Ron I was going to go on to bed. I said “I’m going to get this day in the books, tomorrow is another day.” It was like checking off a day of being able to do nothing but read. He watched March Madness basketball and I read. Joshua never got it and was free to do his own thing. I did download a ebook from the library called “Land of Silence” by Tessa Afshar. It is a Biblical fiction based on the woman with the bleeding issue, who touched the hem of Jesus garment. That account in the Bible has always resounded with me because I have dealt with my issues for so many years and no doctor can help. BUT….. oh my goodness…. This book has had so many sad twists. The main character finally encounters Jesus in Chapter 30! Prior to chapter 30, there is so much heart break it is astounding. Thank God I’m almost finished. Not a light read but it has been thought provoking and has helped pass the days of being sick inside.

When I started feeling better Ron had been outside cutting the grass, coming in he said the momma Mourning Dove had nested again on our bakers rack. We were surprised since I had moved the bakers rack to the other end of the porch but “Little Momma” found her spot and made a new nest. I love nature and it amazes me that this is the fourth year the Dove has nested there. In this world full of difficulties and issues to deal with, it’s refreshing to appreciate the simple pleasures of new life. I don’t intend to watch the nest this year, but will leave her to her business of bringing baby doves into the world.

We also have been anticipating the arrival of our “grand pup”. Last Friday we took a day trip to Union Grove NC to an Amish establishment. They breed Bernadoodles and Joshua got first pick of the litter. It was my first day back in the “land of the living” and the beautiful countryside was delightful. There were ten puppies available and Joshua made his pick. How in the world do people pick just one? They are all so cute! He will be able to pick him up April 19. Joshua is so excited. We are hoping our old Queen Joy will be a good little “granny”. We shall see.

Lots of new things to look forward to: renewed health, new baby birds and a new puppy. Good times ahead. Can’t wait to get back involved with RiceNBeans too. Sometimes we face life interruptions. We just have to deal with them and move on. I’m thankful for the new mercies the Lord gives us daily. Let’s continue to grow in our love of others and mostly our love for God. Blessings to each of you.

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Rejoice Anyway 🙌🏼

March 30, 2025March 30, 2025Leave a Comment

This is a screenshot of something I saw online years ago. Kind of sums up things right now

This blog has been “brewing” for several days and the title has changed in my mind multiple times. Let’s see so far it’s been: “Lord I want a Redo of 2025”, then there was “Like a Frog” but now…. “Rejoice anyway”. Amazing how God changes me to rejoice despite life. Seriously! This year has been something else! But who am I to complain?

If you know our story, you know that despite hearing and visual issues God allows me to rise up and live in His strength, definitely not mine. My husband Ron is a “trooper” helping me and our son Joshua. The motto over here is more or less, “just get it done” and we do with God’s help.

If you follow my blog you know I fell HARD on ice in early January causing a compression fracture to my lower back. I’m a “Doer” I don’t like to sit, but sit, I did for weeks and weeks. Now at the end of this back recovery, I can finally do more. So, last Tuesday I asked Ron if he wanted to go help with the Big Birthday street party that RiceNBeans ministry was putting on for the homeless in downtown Charlotte. It was an awesome party to minister and love on our homeless community, with live music giving glory to Jesus. It was a fish fry with hush puppies, coleslaw, birthday cake, ice cream, and the usual RnB things. I am so impressed by this ministry and all they do for Jesus. It truly warms my heart. Ron and I were assigned to give out birthday cards with another lady, so we were among the people. Other than going to the doctor, that is the last time I’ve been out this week.

We had been under big oak trees and the pollen was bad so I figured my allergies were kicking in After several days of Mucinex and no improvement, Ron took me to the doctor. I had a low grade fever, sinus pressure, and cough. My blood pressure was fine, oxygen fine, lungs clear and lymph y nodes normal so the doctor suggested a flu and covid test. Oh boy! Both of those tests came back positive. Then the doctor actually asked if I wanted the covid jab! 😳 Ron said “No thanks”. Seriously! The truth is out that the jab does NOT prevent the infection. Burns me up that this is still being “pushed”. But I will hush because I know this “stirs the pot” with people. The doctor prescribed something for the cough but that is about it. She told Ron she hoped he didn’t get it. Well he’s got it but this too shall pass. We are of course laying low, resting, not around anyone and Joshua is fine upstairs. Thankful for friends who shared ivermectin for all of us. (Precautionary for Joshua). That along with zinc, vitamin C, vitamin D, Quercetin and water. It is improving.

It’s interesting how the Holy Spirit directs our thoughts. At first I was depressed at yet another ”set back” in life. As I laid in bed, I realized that we probably picked this up helping with the homeless, I am so humbled. We have a comfortable bed to rest in and pillow for our head. We have vitamins to take and clear water to drink, food to eat, and my thankfulness went on and on. God forgive me for complaining at first. I have not had the flu since before our son was born so that’s a very long time to be healthy.

Yesterday the depression kind of lifted as I found humor in random things. I was out of epson salt but wanted to soak in the tub to help with head pressure. I can tell you it is a rare day if I have any kind of head pain but with this virus, it feels like someone is pushing on my ears and neck. I ran a tub of water as hot as I could stand it and added lavender oil. I lay totally submerged except for my face and knees. Joshua had texted me and said “Don’t drown, we don’t have time for a funeral” I texted back, “I’m not planning one, I’ll be fine”. And so the day unfolded with bits of random humor and it uplifted my spirits.

Today I watched our church service live on YouTube. So thankful for technology and so thankful God allowed me to be able to understand enough to follow Pastor. I was tuned in with my cochlear implant processor via Bluetooth but I sang along. I honestly sound like a frog right now from all the intense coughing, but I don’t care. Pastor said to Rejoice and rejoice I sure will and actually am. The choir sang a song that said “Thank You Hallelujah thank You Hallelujah thank You for all that You have done! 🎤🙌🏼 (and imagine that being sung in a froggy raspy voice😂) And now you know why I chose the title “Rejoice anyway” for this too shall pass. Love to you al. If you enjoy this blog be sure to subscribe and pass it along to encourage someone else. We need more encouraging, lifting content and laughter in life. You are loved! Be blessed and better yet, be a BLESSING! All for the Glory of God!!!

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Never Forsaken

March 24, 2025March 24, 2025Leave a Comment

Yesterday I was in awe at how God works. Waking early, I had time in prayer and tuned in to our early church service via blue tooth tech oncology so I could try to listen while getting ready for church. I usually do this to see if I can “follow” Pastor with my Advanced Bionics Marvel cochlear implant processor. I was pleasantly surprised to be able to follow the sermon. Of course I didn’t get it all but I got enough to know it was a powerful Word and we were attending the second service in person. Add a sign language interpreter, and all the pieces I missed came together.

My friend who was interpreting asked me before service how I was doing. She had read my last blog and we had texted during the week so she knew it had been a rough week. I told her I had listened to the first service and didn’t want to cry during the second one. She understood. The thing is, while I had listened to the first service I missed the fact Pastor wasn’t feeling well as he was preaching. He had been experiencing vertigo and was advised by more than one doctor not to preach. However, Pastor was determined to “deliver” the Word of God! And “Deliver it”, he surely did. Talking about an example of perseverance!

What really hit home for me is that he somewhat “echoed” what another friend had texted me earlier in the week. (I shared this in my last blog so go back and read it if you’d like.). God is with me, no matter what I’m feeling or experiencing. I am never alone! As I listened to part of the service a third time this morning, I thought I heard him mentioned 2 Corinthians 4 so I paused the message to go look up that chapter. This verse stood out to me: “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,” 2 Corinthians‬ ‭4‬:‭16‬-‭17‬ ‭(ESV‬‬) Ok Lord, I hear You!

I scrolled back up a few verses and Bingo, I believe he touched on the following scripture. “But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you.” 2Corinthians‬ ‭4‬:‭7‬-‭12‬ ‭(ESV‬‬) This passage of scripture made me cry. I feel this often. Pressed on every side but God!

This past week I’m not sure why it was so “rough” but God understands even though others can’t quite grasp it, and for the most part, not many try. I’m not complaining, just being real. Pastor also mentioned we can’t really fully understand what another is going through: miscarriage, divorce, etc.unless we ourselves go through it.

Yesterday was like a “healing balm” as the Lord showed me, He has not forsaken me. He has not left me alone. He knows every hurt, every thought and every feeling. I’m beyond thankful to the Lord and for His servant Pastor Livingston, who though he was weak with vertigo yesterday, he was determined to deliver the Word God had given him. We too can be determined to press through our momentary afflictions. God has us. He will never let us down. He will strengthen us to rise up yet again.

God gave me another beautiful reminder of His love yesterday. We had returned home from church and having lunch. I decided to go out on the deck since it was a beautiful day, even with the pollen coating everything. I had been out for maybe 20 minutes when Ron came out to let me know some friends were at our house. We had not seen them in quite a while. They stopped by because Trish had bought me a shirt and on the front of the shirt it said in sign language “Jesus Loves You”. I was so touched at her gift and God message to me again! I am loved! God is with me! He won’t let me down! Trish and her husband Billy came around 3;30 pm and went home around 8:30 pm. God also used them to minister to another friend who came by. God is so faithful!!

Thinking back on this last week I see it was God carrying me. I had shared with Ron my feelings of sadness and being overwhelmed even though I press though. I don’t “show the world” my daily struggles. I can’t control people, make others care or control situations. However, I can control my response. I can pray for discernment to know how to tread through “tricky situations”, and so I do. You can too.

Many are going through trying things but let me remind you, you are never alone. God carries you when you are too physically or emotionally tired to move forward. God will carry you! You are not forgotten. Press through this week and be a blessing regardless of your situations. Pray for each other and spread encouragement and words of life. You are loved! You are not forsaken! Be blessed.

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More than enough

March 19, 2025Leave a Comment

This evening I was so moved by a text from a friend. Me, my husband Ron and son Joshua just got home from serving with RiceNBeans ministry to the homeless in Rock Hill. To say I’m tired this evening would be an understatement. However, it’s always a fulfilling kind of tired.

As I was letting our dog outside, the following text came in. My friends text said ~ “While in prayer I felt impressed to tell you this. When you feel overwhelmed in life know that God is with you. When you feel compassion for J and think as a mother how he’s inherited much of the same as you. Remember you were only the vessel God got him. When loneliness, sadness and if onlys try to distract you. Remember God is with you. When you look at Ron and feel he has so much on his plate remember God put you together and He never makes a mistake. You are loved, you are beautiful and you are strong. I love you my sister and friend.” As I read it, tears started streaming down my face. In life sometimes we deal with it to the point where we don’t realize the deep sadness we have stuffed deep down within as we are pressing on. I showed Ron the text and he too teared up. The guys left for the gym and I sat down and read the text again and began to cry again. I closed the iPad and began to pray. Lord you know my heart. You know how I feel. I know you are with me and our family. Let me be able to say that’s enough. As I prayed I began to worship and praise God. I don’t understand this life here on earth. I don’t pretend to even try to understand it. I just wake up daily, spend time in prayer and God’s Word. Fortified for the day, I just dive in to whatever the day holds. I know this is not my home. I’m just passing through and here to bring God glory in whatever way He sees fit.

I am always truly blown away when God puts things on peoples heart to share with me or speak into our family. I’m beyond thankful for God’s compassion for us and knowledge that we know He is El Roi ~ the God who sees. He sees, He feels and He knows. Even when we push things so deep down we don’t even acknowledge it ourselves. He knows and reveals Himself in various ways. Tonight it was through a friend’s text, which led to a heartfelt time in prayer and worship.My heart is FULL!

God is good all the time. Whatever you are dealing with, just know God is with you! He is there always. We don’t have to be understood by people. We are understood and fully known by our Creator. I can’t thank Him enough. Good night!
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Tuesday’s Funny ~ In the “Hole” she goes 😂

March 11, 2025Leave a Comment

The “hole” I fell in to the front left of the tree. 😂

It’s priceless to reach a point in life where you literally can crack up at your mistakes. Truth be told, I’m planning to blog tomorrow night but had no plans to write today BUT this cracked me up and perhaps you need a laugh of your own today. I got a text from my cousin Craig earlier, with tomorrow being Dad’s Heavenly birthday. I made a mental note to go out and check on the Tulip tree we planted in his honor almost four years ago. The blooms are opening and it brought such joy. I asked Ron if we could get some more dirt, mulch and stones to go around it. Home Depot didn’t have any matching stones but I did lay the dirt and mulch down. Ron told me to wait because it was really wet from yesterday’s rainfall, but I insisted on doing it. I wanted to take a picture of the blooms, not necessarily the whole tree. Ron threw away the bag the mulch was in not knowing I planned to sit on it and take a picture of the blooms with the blue sky as a backdrop. Inside, I grabbed my iPad and set the camera on. I have a hard time seeing the iPad screen in sunlight so I got it ready to take my pictures. I knelt down by the tree and was about to take a picture when I lost by balance and my behind fell right in a puddle of rainwater, my behind then iPad. What a sight! I died laughing at my clumsiness but got up and attempted to take the pictures anyway. When I got in the garage I checked and not a single picture made it. I died laughing again and Ron came to investigate, and lo and behold my butt, leg and shoes were a muddy mess! He kind of got onto me because he said I could have hurt my back again but I didn’t. He said he would go out and take the pictures for me. He came in to show me, and it wasn’t want I had tried to do at all. I explained I wanted to see the details of the blooms not the tree, so he went back out and tried again. This time he got it right. I love the beauty of this tree and the hope of new life it brings each year. Dad would be laughing at what it took to get these pictures. It cracked me up as well, although Ron, not so much.

This was the beauty I was trying to capture. The tulip tree buds have opened. 💗

Tomorrow I hope to blog on celebrating life: we have two birthdays tomorrow, one earthly birthday and one Heavenly birthday. Tomorrow is also RiceNBeans day so it will be a full one. I’ll be back soon. Check in tomorrow night or Thursday for another Edition of Rooted by the Water blog and God willing I won’t have any cringe worthy stories to share.
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Anticipation☺️

March 9, 2025March 9, 2025Leave a Comment

I absolutely love the sights of Spring approaching. About four years ago we planted a Tulip tree in honor of my Dad, Every year since, it blooms around his Heavenly birthday. This Wednesday marks four years. We sure do miss him but he is in a better place, fully healed from cancer. When I see the buds on this tree, I begin to anticipate the beautiful blooms that are sure to come soon. Yesterday I noticed more color and it made my heart smile. I’ve clipped back the very bottom breaches so it grows more into a tree form rather than a large shrub. My husband Ron and I expanded the border stones yesterday so we can add more nourishing soil and mulch. Haven’t finished yet but we have time.

Spring is coming soon. The signs are all around and my allergies sure have kicked up as well. One cluster of daffodils have bloomed and the others should be opening their beautiful yellow petals soon. Things come back to life after a lifeless Winter. The sun is delightful in our Carolina blue sky as the days are a little bit longer. Spring puts a little “pep in my step” and makes me happy. The beauty of the Tulip tree is bittersweet as the budding reminds me that Dad has finished his race but he’s with Jesus. I can’t wait to see the spectacular blooms and I also can’t wait to be reunited with him and Jesus someday.

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Surely Goodness

March 2, 20252 Comments

Me and my brother Forrest many years ago on Easter.

Today four generations sat to hear my nephew Justin preach. Four generation; the youngest being my three year old great niece sitting with her Mommy to hear her Daddy preach and the oldest, her two great Grandmas (GG and Maw Maw) I won’t give their ages away My Mom who is also Grandma and GG Great grandma interpreted for me. And let me tell you for an 82 year old (oops, there her age) she did quite well. Justin began with Psalms 23 and the fact that God’s goodness and mercy pursue our family daily, did not escape my attention. He shared that before David wrote Psalms 23, King Saul had tried to kill him. David was running for his life. Yet Psalms 23 is one of the most encouraging and peace-filled scriptures.This shows us that even though David was running for his life from King Saul, he still proclaimed The LORD as his Shepherd! David wrote of God’s provision even in the valley of the shallow of death. David wrote Surely goodness and mercy follow me all the days of my life. See Psalms 23.

Yesterday we celebrated Mom’s 82 birthday. It was a fun time with all my brother Forrest family and his grandkiddos. Truth be told, in family situations, although I love being there, I only comprehend a small part of what’s said. The overlap of voices makes it hard for me to follow conversations. However, I loved watching the little ones. It reminded me how much Jesus loves children. Jesus said in Matthew 19:14, “but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”” (ESV‬‬) Also check out Jesus words in Matthew 18:3, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” ‬ ‭(ESV‬‬) These things went through my mind as I watched the little ones play. The oldest 3 and youngest almost 8 months. Their joy, laughter and innocence ~ God wants us to be like that. Not weighed down by the cares of the world, rather to trust our Heavenly Father and find joy in Him.

As we were taking Mom home last night, she mentioned Justin was preaching today and she was planning to go. My husband Ron asked me if we could take her and I agreed. I woke up early to have some time in prayer before we needed to get ready. As I prayed I told God, “Lord you know I won’t be able to hear him well. Help me get something out of the service. Help me understand something.” When we arrived Mom offered to sign for me. That’s a pretty big accomplishment for an 82 year old to sign a whole service when she doesn’t sign much. She did a get job keeping up with Justin, who did an amazing job sharing God’s Word.

As we sat on the second row, I thought of all our family has and continues to go through; my visual and hearing gradual loss, God’s faithfulness through it all, my Dad’s fight with cancer,, my brother Forrest fight with acute leukemia, God’s faithless, God allowing me to be a perfect match bone marrow donor for his transplant in August 2020, God’s faithfulness, Forrest is 4 1/2 years post transplant and doing great! He and his wife now have four grandchildren and it brings such joy to my heart watching them enjoy these precious blessings. We still have struggles. Our son Joshua voluntarily stopped driving this past year, feeling his vision wasn’t good enough. That showed tremendous maturity. We all continue to trust God with our visual and hearing issues. But you know what, God’s goodness and mercy continues to pursue us every single day of our lives. The last song of the service today rang so true ~ All my life you have been faithful. All my life You have been so so good. With every breath that I am able. I will sing of the goodness of God. Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me. Your goodness is running after,it’s running after me. With my heart laid down, I surrender now, I give you everything….. Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me

Whatever you are facing in life, you can depend on God’s faithfulness. Life doesn’t always go the way we think, but He is always faithful and always gets the last word. He’s pursuing us daily with goodness and mercy. Imagine goodness and mercy constantly following you. That’s what God does. Be encouraged! Whatever God brings you to, He will bring you through it. Hold on to Him and thank Him for His goodness and mercy.

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Roll on~

February 25, 20252 Comments

See that piece of old tape on that zoom dial?

One of my least favorite things to do is organize our study room. If I could see well it wouldn’t be so bad, but I have to put every single paper under my video magnifier to see what it says. Not to mention that old video magnifier has a zoom dial that is broke. As I’m looking at whatever, it zooms extra large to small at the tiniest touch of the broken dial. Lord help me! Ron was looking into replacing it but I said NO! Those things cost a lot of money and I can just tape it at a reasonable zoom level….again!

Yesterday I asked Ron if we could switch our large desk around. It’s a large L shaped desk with the computer at the angle, my video magnifier on one end and his stuff on the other. I wanted to try switching ends. What was I thinking? I created a pile of papers that now need to be looked through and probably shredded. In the midst of those papers and notebooks that I had tucked things into, I found some “GEMS” Tucked in one of my journals from 2006, I had put a Christmas card picture from an old childhood friend. Wow! I don’t even remember getting the card. It was in the envelope, with return address. Wonder if she still lives there. Gosh, it’s at least 17 years old from the looks of her children who are now grown adults. I also found a card I received 19 years ago when I was getting ready to have my cochlear implant surgery. Lord have mercy! I really need to look through these things but…. like I said, I have to put everything under my machine to see what it says.

Sometimes we have to “roll with it” and get it done but oh my word, I’m not looking forward to this. Speaking of “roll with it” I don’t mean literally. We have two office chairs in the study that roll on the wooden floor. Last night when I sat down in one of the chairs, I just made it to the edge and the chair started rolling backwards across the floor. The treadmill saved me from busting on my butt. That would not have been good with this being week two of being out of the back brace.

We really do have to “roll with it” in life. My day started wonderfully. My friend Katie who is a Pastor/Missionary’s wife came to visit. I really loved seeing her and having time to catch up since we haven’t seen each other in years. When she left I sat at the computer to put in a Mary Kay order and things went downhill from there. I haven’t sat at that computer in months and my bookmarked page was no longer there. Keep in mind I have to “Ultra zoom” to see the computer. I’m talking so zoomed the font becomes like little pencils. AND my bookmarked page was gone. After much frustration I finally got it figured out and Ron bookmarked it for me again.

Next thing….. yes there’s a next thing. There is always a next thing. The tax booklet from the accountant still needs to be complete. I’ve got one more section. That means back to that machine, and I’ll be sure to not “fall out of the chair” when I “roll with it” this time. Ron told me we are also having a house guest tonight. I told Ron, I just washed the sheets so they would be clean when our son returns from out of town next week. I joked that our house is the “Hinson Inn & Call Center”. If you’re having a rough day and need a sounding board just give us a call. (Well Ron, not me) If you need a place to crash, come on by. (I’m kidding but it’s kind of what happens). Years ago our son Joshua was always having friends over. He’s an only child, so we always welcomed them. I used to look out the window and know who was here by whatever car(s) were here. Yes sometimes more than one. I used to tell Ron we needed a sign for the yard. “Hinson Inn ~ NO Vacancies” ~ drive on!😂

We go through seasons in life where there is change and we have to declutter, making room for new growth. After the stressful afternoon I decided to get out in the sun. This is my kind of February day, sunny and 67 degrees. Perfect! I needed to trim the bottom layer of limbs on Dad’s tulip tree. We planted that tree in his memory almost four years ago.. Trimming the bottom branches will help me be able to see if anything is hiding underneath when the tree blooms. It has buds all over it and always buds around the time he passed. It’s bittersweet.

That’s the thing about life, it gets cluttered, you have to trim things back, you have to “roll with it” and continue to be a blessing despite the stress. Tomorrow is RiceNBeans day, which brings life into perspective. Our homeless friends don’t have a place to call their own. They don’t know where their next meal will come from. Two weeks ago my friend gave a lady the boots off her own feet because the lady’s shoes were soaked from the cold rain. That was one of the most beautiful things. We are beyond blessed; papers I can’t see, machines with the broken zoom dial, phones to enable people to call who need a listening ear (Ron’s) , clean sheets for the next guest. There is much to thank God for. He is faithful. Even when we don’t understand why He doesn’t fix things the way we want. He sees the big picture. Let’s just raise a Hallelujah and “roll on”.

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Deep Breath & ASAP

February 11, 2025February 11, 2025Leave a Comment

Someone sent me this years ago and it fits perfect with this blog.

This blog title ”hits the nail on the head”! It’s been one of those days, or shall I say “few days”. This is week five since my fall on ice, getting a compression fracture to my L3. I’m healing well and ready to be finished with this back brace. Sunday afternoon I thought I’d work on our taxes. I was just sitting at a desk so I figured not wearing the brace was okay, but I paid for it yesterday. My lower back was very sore. Taking a muscle relaxer does help at night but it causes me to sleep much longer than normal.

This morning I woke up at 9:45 so my morning was thrown off. I really need to start my day in prayer. It helps me handle the day so much better. This morning as soon as I woke up, my husband Ron was asking me for a small box to mail something in. He needed it this morning but I didn’t know until I woke up. I was not fully awake and searching for a box, before putting on the back brace. Had not even had my coffee yet. Not my way for starting a day. He finally had what he needed and left for the post office. I put on the back brace, made my coffee and went upstairs to pray. Truth be told, I need to do that FIRST before anything else.

Grabbing my iPad, I glanced at the screen and saw several texts come in. Some girlfriends decided to have lunch. I already had a day of baking cakes and laundry planned so I thought I’d pass on lunch. I quickly texted one of the girls and said, “I really need my prayer time first. I’ll text you after I’m done and let you know.”. Finally taking a deep breath, I began praying. Lord help! Hey I am being serious. The morning had been a bust and I needed a restart. There is something about praying in the morning. It’s as if you are taking the flesh captive and saying Lord Your Will not mine! I told the Lord about my frustrations and lifted up some people in prayer. I can tell you I felt so refreshed after that time in prayer. When I was finished I told my friend I’d join them. Fellowship with friends always helps.

When I arrived home from lunch (lunch with these friends is always long. Today was about a three hour lunch). I did wear the back brace but my back was tired from sitting so long. I had two more pound cakes to make, and the two I made last night had to be sliced and put in bags for our outreach tomorrow. Ron helped me with the slicing and wow, we got 100 slices of cake from four pound cakes. That made me happy.

Finally sitting with a cushion at my back and the heating pad, I decided to check social media posts. Oh my! Sometimes you have to take a deep breath and SCROLL ON! One person was all uptight over President Trump changing the Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America. I mean really! Isn’t that a bit petty? I’m learning to not respond to political posts. I did say, I’m learning! (Not there yet 😂) The thing is, our media is bought out. They report according to a narrative They have succeeded in the smear Trump campaign and people are beyond brainwashed. It’s not their fault, it’s the medias bias. When people post ignorant things I sometimes respond. I will say I’m always respectful in my responses but I guess Ron can tell when I’m frustrated. So tonight I’m sitting here typing really fast and he comes over and says, “How many words can you type a minute?” I’m like,”Umm, that’s like asking you how many words you can speak a minute.” He said what are you frustrated about? It does frustrate me when people post things and haven’t a clue what’s really going on. But that’s just one of those times when I need to take a deep breath, say a prayer and scroll on.Everyone has a right to their opinion.

Life is challenging. I meet all sorts of of people on social media. I know some people frown on that but hear me out. People need words of encouragement. That was one of my reasons for writing my autobiography, Rooted by the Water to encourage people during the pandemic. People need Life spoken over them. As Ron was driving me to meet my friends for lunch I ask him a hard question. I asked, ”How do you respond when people say something that seems suicidal?”. I am sensitive to people’s tone of voice in writing. (Remember I can’t hear well or see well but people’s tone of voice in writing is clear) I told him about a post I had seen last night and that’s the way the person came across, as suicidal. When I saw it, I responded with encouragement to keep holding on. God uses all of us in different ways. So many different talents and gifts. Where ever you are in life, people are watching, listening. You make a difference with your response or lack there of. The decision is yours. You can shine for Jesus or not. Yes life can be tiring, but we are on a mission to make a difference for the glory of God. We have to take the flesh captive and make it submit to God. Sometimes we need to apologize for a sour attitude. That’s okay. Apologize and move forward.

For me , prayer changes the course of my day. Prayer gives me a different perspective. Serving people also lifts my spirits. Taking deep breaths can also let out pent up tension. Maybe avoiding social media or limiting it is a good idea too. I love to encourage people, but it can be draining.

God willing, next Monday I will be released from this back brace and ready to strengthen my back and core muscles again. I’m used to the hearing and visual limits but the physical limits are annoying. I’m ready to get back to my normal. Hopefully soon. In the meantime with whatever comes I will keep on taking a deep breath, ASAP (always say a prayer)and scroll on.

Www.shannonkhinson.com

Life is 10%

February 1, 2025February 1, 2025Leave a Comment

This morning I checked X to see what was trending. Usually if there is something that happens, people will be talking about it. This morning “Life is 10%” is trending. I clicked on it pretty sure what it was going to say. Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you respond. I have found this to be so true in life.

Our response to Life is so important. If you know me well, you know I love observing human nature. Watching various personality tropes respond to the same situation can be intriguing. How we respond to “life” not only affects us, but also those around us. When I’ve seen people have very negative responses before it takes restraint not to respond in a similar way. I always tell our son: let it go in one ear, out the other and zip your lips.

As I am working through reading the whole Bible this year, I’m now in Exodus. Last night I read through the account of how God delivered the Israelites from the Egyptians. I’m currently reading their first experiences in the wilderness after the Miraculous escape through the Red Sea on dry ground. Yes they celebrated that astounding Miracle but soon after began grumbling. I like to try to imagine what I would do in their situation. I think, surely they are impacted by what could have only been a divine intervention from God. But as I trudge through the imaginary “Wilderness” where there is bitter water and no food, I understand how they could whine. Perhaps they thought, “In our slavery in Egypt, at least we knew what was the norm”. That’s a possibility to consider. However as we walk with God, we have to trust Him with what is unseen.Therein lies Faith!

Let’s talk about the “wilderness” for a minuet. While I’ve never been in a desert before, I’ve seen pictures. I can imagine what it would be like. However, if you think of wilderness as in hardships in life, I totally get that. I know what the desperation feels like when you come to the end of yourself and all that’s left is God. I know that overwhelming feeling when everything seems to go wrong and I finally just laugh out loud and say “what’s next?” Godly strength is usually what ends up being Next. Strength to get through whatever the day holds is usually what’s next, when we TURN TO GOD. A Godly perspective that we don’t typically have is sometimes what’s Next when we TURN TO GOD. That’s the bottom line, turning to God!

We are all human. God knows our weaknesses and He is there to help us. Jesus sits at the right hand of God the Father interceding for us. He constantly has His Father’s ear. In John 16 we find the following verses: “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me. All that belongs to the Father is mine; this is why I said, ‘The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from me.’” John‬ ‭16‬:‭13‬-‭15‬ ( ‭NLT‬‬) Now that is truly AMAZING.

Just think about that source of Power we have in the Holy Spirit! We need not be afraid or anxious, but PRAY. I can honestly tell you that I can’t do it, BUT HE CAN. Paul’s tells us this very thing in 1 Corinthians 12. I’m just going to share the following verse but go back and read the whole chapter. it is so encouraging. Paul writes, ““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.” 2 Corinthians‬ ‭12‬:‭9‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) This is just a little food for thought. Seek the Lord in that 90% of life when you are responding to what happens to you.

We all have different situations and they are all challenging in different ways. Some are more isolating than others. I will share one relatively little thing I experience. No matter where I am I can always feel left out. With people who can hear, I miss chunks of conversation because of my hearing loss and limited vision. When I am with deaf friends, I can feel like that too depending on if I can “see” the sign language. That depends on lighting and distance. (and let me tell you, you have to be fairly close.) Yesterday I had lunch with some deaf friends and one hearing friend. I guess I understood the hearing friend best because she speaks as she signs so if I miss something I pick it up with her voice. One friend was across the table at an angle and I had some trouble seeing her. Across the table at an angle. There is also the technology perks, or lacks on my end. They can all FaceTime but I have trouble with it and fall through the cracks since I don’t FaceTime. When FaceTiming I can see the person on the screen of my iPad but can’t see if my “signing” is in the upper frame. It’s just one of those things where I get left out. But I remind myself, God is with me. With Him I am never “left out”. So I guess this is an example of the 10% of what happens. My response determines the outcome. Do I go with my feelings of being left out or do I Let it roll? I’d be lying if I said it doesn’t bother me to a degree, but I do Let it roll. God is much bigger than our feelings. As I prayed this morning I said “Lord show me what to do with where you have me. Show me how to glorify you in each area where you place me.” I know He will. As surely as things seem to die in the winter when things visibly stop growing. Deep in the darkness of the earth, roots are still strong and waiting to rise up again and bloom. That’s what we should aim to do in the 90%. Bloom where ever you’re planted, for the glory of God. Have an amazing Saturday. You are loved!