Tag: Encouragement

Be thankful for the journey

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Picture from the internet


As I sit outside on this beautiful October day, I find myself thinking deeply. I’m beyond grateful for the Holy Spirit prompting me to be mindful and thankful.


The Bible tells us to be anxious about nothing. Truth be told I need help on that one. Oh yes, I pray often but do I offer those prayers with thanksgiving? Ummm… not really. Do I offer those prayers with an anxious heart? Yes! In my humanity I do.


As I prayed this morning I redirected my thoughts and prayers. I rather said, “ Thank you Lord for the opportunity to pray about this situation. Thank you that I know you will answer according to your perfect will”.


Yesterday at church Pastor Loran Livingston reminded us of Psalms 27:13 “I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” NIV. Lord help me to wait patiently and expectantly for you!


As I woke this morning one of the songs from worship yesterday was playing in my heart. The chorus has been playing in my heart and mind all day.

“ There’s no doubt about it I’m on my way home
I’m not yet where I’m going
But I’m a long way from where I was, I hear a choir of angels Cheering me on. I’m not yet where I’m going
But I’m a long way from where I was”


As I continue with this day my focus has moved to a different line of the song… “I hear a choir of Angels cheering me on….” And I’m thankful. So thankful to know God is working and faithful always! So thankful that “this too shall pass”. Whatever it is that I’m dealing with… the various things that cause me to be anxious…I will choose to set my eyes on Jesus, knowing that He leads me forward in His truth and with His protection. I will choose thankfulness as I journey on.

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭12:12‬ ‭NIV‬‬


Www.shannonkenleyhinson.com
You can find my autobiography “Rooted by the Water” on Amazon and other online retailers: Barnes & Noble, Books A Million, Target and Walmart


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An EXTRA BIG dose of GRACE

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It’s been over a week since I’ve sent out a blog post. Just like everyone else, I’ve been busy navigating daily life. But unlike most people, I navigate the daily ups and downs with hearing and visual issues.


Yesterday I was helping my Mom look for a dress to wear to my nieces wedding. We were in a NC mall where masks are required. So that means a lovely masks with already a device on each ear ( Advanced Bionics Naida cochlear implant processor on right ear, Cross link device on the other. ) I’m always checking to make sure my devices are secure because the mask has caused them to shift before. It’s an anxious feeling when one of the devices worth thousands of dollars falls off in public and I have to find them with low vision. Masked people have muffled voices + the Nadia processor is in need of programming so my hearing is slightly off = overwhelming annoyance…. BUT GOD!


I’m so beyond thankful for the extra big dose of Grace and mercy God pours on me everyday. He truly enables me to have Joy and radiate kindness. With the extra dose of grace He gives I’m able to extend that Grace to others.


Pictured above is a shirt I have. When I ordered it last year I thought it was hilarious. Truth be told, when I wore it the other day, it also reflected my mood. I prayed, “Lord help me show grace.”


Life is not about me or you but about sharing the Love of Jesus with others. I know when I’m overwhelmed playing worship music lifts my heart. I recently updated the software on my iPad so when I tried to play a worship song recently, a rock and roll song came on. 😳 I’ve never heard it before and thought “what in the world” … just forget it.🤦🏻‍♀️ You see with my low vision issues relearning each update takes time and all I wanted to do was play my worship music. Instead a friend picked me up and we talked. It’s helpful to get attention off the frustration at hand. Later when I took time to figure out how to play my music I can’t tell you the relief that washed over me as I listened to “Yes I Will” (Vertical Worship) Right there in my kitchen with my husband, I raised my hands in worship to Jesus and sang along…. “ Yes I will lift you high in the lowest valley, yes I will bless your name. Yes I will sing for joy when my heart is heavy… all my days, yes I will… give you praise”. I might have the chorus slightly off but it’s what’s in my heart


So thankful for the Extra BIG doses of grace the Lord pours out on me. Everyday is a new day with fresh mercies.


“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.”‭‭Lamentations‬ ‭3:22‬ ‭NIV‬‬


To read more of my story, check out my autobiography “Rooted by the Water” available in hard cover, softcover and e book formats on Amazon, and other online outlets such as Barnes & Noble, Westbow Press.com, Books a Million, Target and Walmart.


Www.shannonkenleyhinson.com

Show compassion

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It’s been several days since my last blog. Over the last week or so I’ve just been observing and praying. With my limited vision and hearing, I often ask my husband Ron if I’m understanding right. I pick up on things others might miss; body language and frustrations. People are weary; physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Not only are people weary, they also are divided.


I was praying this morning and then as I read in Matthew, I came across this verse. “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” Matthew‬ ‭9:36‬ ‭NLT‬‬


While I don’t profess to be highly intelligent. I do use the gifts God has given me. As I pray for wisdom and discernment, my heart aches for people. There is mass misinformation. “Itching ears” can find information to backup whatever their view is to justify their beliefs. But Jesus has all the answers. He can solve all the questions we have. We must go to Him in prayer and read His Word “The Bible”. In John 14: 6 Jesus answered, “I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” NIV


Jesus has the answers. He is Truth. He is always ready to pour compassion on us, direct us in our confusion and lift the burdens off our shoulders. He is ready to forgive when we confess our sins and ask Him to help us change.


If you are weary and disheartened today, I encourage you to “Unplug yourself from the noise of the world”. Find a quiet place and meditate on Jesus. Worship Him and soak in His Word. As we all do this on a daily basis, I pray the Holy Spirit will pour into our weary vessels. Pour in His compassion for this confused and hurting world. Let us unite in prayer. The world is in dire need of Jesus! Times are short! Pray! Read the Bible! Let Jesus use you today!


“He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few.”‭‭Matthew‬ ‭9:37‬ ‭NLT‬‬


Pictures from internet sources.


Www.shannonkenleyhinson.com

Preparation for the daily grind

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It’s a great morning. I’m back on my back porch in my “quiet place/ prayer outdoor room”. Ive missed this! While last weeks Girlfriends beach trip was a blast and I was able to really think on the Lord in His beautiful creation, it was difficult to find blocks of “Quiet uninterrupted time” with God.
I missed this time to unplug myself from people and just soak in Hs presence. My back porch quiet times are filled with Soft worship, praying out loud as that helps me to focus and reading the Bible using You Version app. I wish I could se well enough to read an actual Bible but I can only do that with my video magnifier in the study room. I’m grateful for a refreshing time away but am ready to get back on track.

Thankful for a beautiful time with the Lord this morning to prepare me for the day ahead.
I hope everyone has an awesome day. God is so good and faithful… Always! Www.shannonkenleyhinson.com

Be still and Know

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Today was our last day on the beach and it was beautiful before the storm came in. As I sat at the waters edge I was drawn in by the beauty of it all. Nature declares the glory of God. As I sat there a song began to play in my mind. I think the lyrics go something like this; “When the oceans rise and thunders roar, I will soar with with you above the storm. Father you are King over the flood. I will be still and know that you are God. Find rest my soul, in Christ alone, cover me in quietness and trust. When the oceans rise and thunders roar I will soar with you above the storm. Father you are King over the flood. I will be still and know that you are God,”. As this played over and over in my heart, I felt such joy and rest knowing that my Abba Father is in control. There is nothing outside His reach. He sees and knows it all! I can’t even wrap my mind around that truth.


As I sat there in my beach chair, just drawn in , I was digging in the sand and found so many broken shells. It crossed my mind that at one time the shells were beautifully “whole”. Not broken. As I reflected on that I thought of the irony, how people are like these broken shells. With the storms of life, pressures of circumstances, we often find ourselves broken. It warms my heart to know God can fix anything. Nothing is too difficult for Him. When I see shattered, He sees whole. when I see broken, He sees beautiful. I’m so thankful for these reminders.


Tonight we were given the perfect ending to our girlfriends week away. There was a full moon and it radiantly reflected off the ocean water. It was glorious! I’m thankful for this week away with friends. ( two weren’t able to come and we truly missed them). God blessed us with a wonderful, refreshing, relaxing week. We are heading home tomorrow with hearts full and more fun memories made. God is so good and faithful…always. Www.shannonkenleyhinson.com

Amazing Fun

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Yesterday I finally went kayaking while down at Cherry Grove. I did this last year with friends on a two seater kayak. This year I wanted to prove to myself that I could do it. I was so thrilled that I could indeed do it solo. The weather was perfect with gorgeous sunshine and blue skies reflecting off the water. It was so peaceful and relaxing… the first half 😁
At half way point we got lost in a maze of tall sea grass. We also came up on some shallow places where we had to turn around. Truth be told the maze of sea grass was a bit intimidating. I’d say a silent prayer, “Lord help us find our way out”. I would laugh and sign to my friend we were going the wrong way but she got us out.
Once we were out of the sea grass, we were hit head on with incoming high tide. Oh my goodness. It was like paddling hard but making no progress 😳🤦🏻‍♀️ We made little goals: let’s make it to the dock over there then rest, then have another goal. I lost sight of my friend a couple of times so I’d turn around and find her. I wore my old Harmony cochlear implant processor so I could hear her if she called since I couldn’t see her sign to me. I can’t see far 😂At one point I thought, where in the world did she go. She had gotten tired and decided to take a short cut through some sea grass and another friend pulled her out onto the road in front of the house 🤣 I couldn’t see what she was signing but I knew they could see me so I signed “ I’m going around on the water to the dock”. God gave me another burst of strength to get through that last bit of incoming high tide before reaching the canal behind the house. I was thankful to get out of that kayak. It was a BLAST but I had used up all my energy and was so tired.
Thank you Lord for a great learning experience. I will have to think on this one. I know there are many hidden lessons to learn from. I did prove to myself that I can indeed do it! But with God’s help of course and a buddy system. Hopefully we can find a place to rent two more so our whole group can go together.
If you’ve never kayaked the coastal waters of SC I highly recommend it. It’s so beautiful. Gods creation is stunning.
Www.shannonkenleyhinson.com

Eliminating Clutter

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During the last few weeks my husband Ron and I have been working on various house projects. In order to even start these projects we had to get rid of unnecessary clutter. I cleaned out a walk in closet that we could NOT walk in. Lots was thrown out and some donated. We also went through this process in the garage in this humid SC heat! It’s a process but was much needed.

Our hearts can be the same way. Over the years we can push things down deep in our hearts that we don’t especially want to deal with. Things like past hurts, un-forgiveness, poor choices…. and the list goes on. Clutter isn’t fun to sort through but it’s much needed to free us to live “lighter and fuller” lives. (both spiritually and physically) I had to address some “heart clutter” this morning during my quiet time with the Lord. I’m so thankful that He is always willing to listen and forgive. I quite often ask the Lord to search my heart and expose things I need to address.

Psalms 139:23-24 “Search me, God, and know my heart: test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

Have a Blessed Thursday!

www.shannonkenleyhinson.com