#faith – Page 5 – rootedbythewater.blog

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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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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Coincidence ?

May 22, 20252 Comments

Not the best picture, but it’s me at the end of this day.

I’m probably going to keep this short because I’m feeling rather drained. Yes, I was able to muster up a smile in the above picture. I can usually pull that off but it’s going to be an early to bed kind of night. Today I had my appointment with my audiologist to map (program) my cochlear implant processor. My previous audiologist was also there and they had a specialist with Advanced Bionics in California on the phone. The specialist recommended some adjustments to try to help me understand speech better. My brain seems to process speech slower than the majority of people talk. I usually have trouble hearing my husband because his voice doesn’t carry. My Audi Jenna made changes then had me and Ron to talk and see if I could hear him better. I hear him better now with the changes that were made, but it is still off.

Jenn asked if I was ready to “work” and I replied, “Yes, always have to be up for that.” The sound booth is not my cup of tea. I close my eyes to concentrate on hearing beeps, words, sentences, or whatever she wants me to listen to. I felt my body tense as I tried to hear things correctly. I mentally made myself relax and refocused. I didn’t feel like I had done well with the words. As it turned out, I got three more correct than last time. Three! Once we started the sentences I was so stressed. Out of all the random, and I do mean very random sentences, I got one completely right!! ONE! That one sentence was; Do you believe in miracles?” I looked through the little window at where she was sitting and said, “Yes! Do you believe in miracles?” Do you think that’s a coincidence that was the one and only sentence I totally understood? I don’t! I don’t believe in coincidences. I believe in God and I’ve been praying for miracles and I will continue to believe until it occurs in our lives. Yes we all need one! Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Can I see it yet? Nope! Am I sure of what I hope for? Just as sure as one can humanly be. So what do I do in the meantime as I wait? I will praise my God for He enabled me to hear that one sentence. I will thank Him and continue to seek Him because life isn’t about getting what I want. It’s about serving God with a pure heart in the good, the bad, the ugly and the stressful. That’s been 2025 so far. I was just texting Mom to let her know how it went today. At the end of the text I honestly said, “2025 has been a stressful rollercoaster that I’m ready to get off of”. She said, “Your miracle is coming and Joshua’s is too.”

God is my waymaker, miracle worker, promise keeper, light in the darkness. Yes that;s right! Even when I don’t feel or see Him working, He is still working behind the scenes; Working all things out! So in the waiting, I will lift Him high in the lowest valleys and I will continue to praise Him. He’s my Abba and I know He loves me and I’m not alone. Be encouraged. Whatever you are facing. God is great at making ways when there isn’t one. Be blessed!

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Be Prepared

May 18, 2025Leave a Comment

Truth be told, while watching our early service online this morning I maybe comprehended 65% of what Pastor was saying. We are on puppy duty for the next few days while our son is out of town. His 3 month old puppy Moose is missing his buddy. While Moose loves “crate time” for a couple of hours during the day, Joshua lets him sleep in the bed with him at night. Since last night was the first night of our puppy duty, Moose ended up sleeping with us. He must sleep walk because he sure did move around quite a bit. At one point he was on my pillow chewing of my hair. Needless to say Ron didn’t get much sleep being the light sleeper that he is. I got our dog Joy and the puppy up and told Ron to get some more sleep.

It was the perfect day to watch the early service live from YouTube. I’m so thankful for Bluetooth technology, my Marvel cochlear implant processor and live streaming church services. Moose was a bit blue today missing Joshua. We went out on the deck and he sat with me while I listened to the worship music and softly sang along. We all know I can’t carry a tune, and who knows if the neighbors were out on their porch? I can’t see that far.

I was able to follow Pastor fairly well but there were portions I missed. This is what I got from the message, Be Prepared. Pastor touched on Matthew 25 about the ten bridesmaids who were waiting for the Bridegroom. Five were wise having extra oil for their lamps, while the other five were foolish, bringing no extra oil for their lamps. When the bridegroom was late, the five foolish bridesmaids had run out of oil. Of course they wanted the five wise bridesmaids to share their extra oil but there wasn’t enough for all. We always need to be prepared.

Now is a good time for us to examine our hearts and see where we stand in preparation for the coming of the Lord. Are you ready? So many Christians today are compromised. Can someone look at how you live, your reactions, your attitude, your lifestyle and actually SEE that you are SOLD OUT for JESUS? So many Christians allow a blurred line between what is righteous and what is not. We are called to be separate from the world. People should be able to SEE that we are DIFFERENT! Paul writes the following in 2 Corinthians 6: “Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says the Lord. Don’t touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you.” 2 Corinthians‬ ‭6‬:‭17‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) That’s pretty clear.

Jesus is returning for His Bride , the Church. He could return at anytime. Are you ready? Are you prepared? Sometimes we need to ask ourselves the hard questions. As long as your heart is beating and you have breath in your lungs, you can make a choice for Jesus.

We can’t live off someone else’s anointing. You might say, “ Well I go to church.” Most church services are two hours, what about the other 166 hours in the week? Do we seek God; searching His Word an praying, seeking Him for direction? It’s time to take preparation seriously. We are to always be prepared for what lies ahead. The best part of that is God is already ahead. He already knows the way and leads us when we choose to follow. That is such a comfort to my heart.

Let me encourage and challenge you with two more verses. “Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ.”
‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭3‬:‭15‬-‭16‬ ‭(NLT‬‬)

Now I better get back to puppy duty. I left Moose in the other room with Ron watching some kickboxing match while Joy and I are chilling in the bedroom. Old Granny Joy needed a break from Moose constantly wanting to play. He was literally prancing in her face a while ago, but didn’t touch her. She wasn’t amused. Pray the pup doesn’t “puppy sleep walk” tonight in the bed. Two days down, three more to go. Good night!

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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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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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Life Celebrations

March 13, 2025March 13, 2025Leave a Comment

Ron, me and Joshua serving at RiceNBeans.

Yesterday was a full day of serving and just celebrating being together and my husband Ron’s birthday. Ron’s birthday and my Dad’s Heavenly birthday are on the same day. It’s always bittersweet as we celebrate Ron’s life and reflect on Dad’s life and new life in Heaven with Jesus.

Ron is very low key with celebrations. He says, “I have you and Joshua. God gives me all I need.” That’s true but we wanted to celebrate him anyway and we have been all week in little ways. If you knew the course of his life, he has overcome so much. A lifetime of stories and testimony, but those are his to share. We are beyond thankful for him and all he does for our family. He is also a great friend to others. I’ve never seen anyone who will listen to others problems just to let them “vent”. I admire that he takes the time for people and to listen to their troubles. I have much patience but that one is beyond me. I’ll stick with serving and encouraging and he can be the
Tele-sounding board. I know he worries about me and Joshua, with our visual and hearing issues. I always tell him, we are fine. God has us all. Nothing surprises the Lord. Just give each day to Jesus and let Him take care of it all. Sure enough, H e does.

Yesterday was also a time of reflection. Grief is one of the oddest things as it hits everyone differently. Some grieve so deeply and mourn. I’m different but don’t know why. My grief is more a reflection of Dad’s life and all the memories made: good and bad. Life happens to all of us. Dad was one of the best listeners. I reflect on his love for Mom, and our family. I reflect on his love for people and serving. I reflect on the hidden kindness he showed people. He loved to bless people as God had truly blessed him. In all this reflection, my heart was full as our son Joshua joined us in serving with RiceNBeans last night in Rock Hill. Ron and I serve our homeless friends each Wednesday but this was Joshua’s first time. Serving as a family is something special, as I used to serve with my parents at a Food Pantry. Loving on others who are hurting is a priceless gift.

Yesterday when I woke up the photo memory that was on my iPad screen was a picture of Dad reading to Joshua when he was about three. Ron says I keep too many pictures on my iPad but I love these photo memories. They make me smile. I looked back over many photos with Dad in them and oh my goodness, the memories! These reminders bring joy to my heart. I also have a lot of mental snapshots in my mind of things experienced in life. There are so many life lessons in those memories.

The one thing I really want to emphasize here is we never know when we will take our last breath. Everyday we have new mercies and opportunities to show mercy to others and walk in God’s love. Are you doing that? The day Dad died, it was a shock. We had taken him to the hospital then went down the road to celebrate Ron’s birthday dinner, fully expecting to go back to the hospital and take Dad back home. God had other plans: He changed Dad’s residence to Heaven. Dad was spiritually ready. He loved the Lord and lived for Him. We didn’t get to say goodbye though. Make sure you are ready to meet Jesus. He loves each of us so much. None of us are beyond the reach of His forgiveness. Check out Romans 10:9-11. “because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.”” ‭(ESV‬‬). I would also like to emphasize that no matter the age of your children, we should live out our faith in God as a testimony to them. We pass along a legacy of strong unwavering faith and service to God. Children see that, no matter their age.

Bottom line, celebrate today, those who are with you and those who have already finished their race. We can be a blessing everywhere we are. That does take humility and a JOY (Jesus first, Others second and Yourself last) mindset. It’s the best way to live life. If you like this blog post, feel free to subscribe and share. I write at least once weekly but sometimes more. Sometimes it’s funny, other times deep but always transparent. I love when people can be REAL with no pretense. What you see is what you get. That’s the way I live. My hearts desire is that I will be a reflection of my Savior and bring glory to His name. Be blessed!
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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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From Prison to Palace

January 8, 20254 Comments

Image found on Pinterest One of my favorite verses.

I’ve been reading through Genesis this week and the story of Joseph’s struggles always hits me. Every single time! You know the beauty from ashes kind of storyline? Joseph was Jacob’s (Israel) beloved son born in his old age. Joseph’s brothers were jealous because of his father’s love for him, the coat of many colors his father gave him and the dreams he had. They desired to kill him but threw him in a pit then decided to sell him instead. He was bought by Potiphar, Captain of the Guard of Pharaoh of Egypt. God showed Joseph great favor and he was elevated to run the household. Potiphar’s wife wrongly accused Joseph and he was thrown in prison. Genesis‬ ‭39‬:‭21 says, “But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.” (ESV‬‬)

I always find the story of Joseph so remarkable. He went through trial after trial, but through it all God was with him, showing him favor despite all the wrong treatments he endured. Joseph didn’t know one day he would be in the palace of Egypt. Each and every trial prepared him for what was next. In reading his story I see how he was faithful in each trial.

How often are we faithful through trials? There have been times in life when it seemed like one thing after another went wrong and I just wondered, God where are you? Joseph was human and likely had those fleshly moments too. In Genesis 41:46 it says, “Joseph was thirty years old when he entered the service of Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh and went through all the land of Egypt.” (ESV‬‬) That is a long journey of trials and I’m sure he never thought he would end up in Pharaohs palace.

Each trial was preparation for the palace. He had to eventually be in prison to interpret Pharaoh’s Chief Cupbearer and Chief Baker’s dreams, that lead to him interpreting Pharaoh’s dream. Each hardship set him up for *advancement*.

These next two verses really show us how Joseph felt. In Egypt two sons were born to him. “Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh. “For,” he said, “God has made me forget all my hardship and all my father’s house.” The name of the second he called Ephraim, “For God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.”” Genesis‬ ‭41‬:‭51‬-‭52‬ ‭(ESV‬‬) Did you catch that? God had made him fruitful in the land of his affliction. God helped him forget his hardship.

Let’s think on that for a minute. How has God made us fruitful in our trials? How has God helped us to forget afflictions? I can share part of my journey. At the age of 55, I’m sitting here blogging, after a day of cooking and serving the homeless with RiceNBeans. It’s been a LONG time since I was diagnosed with optic nerve issues. It’s also been a LONG time since I lost a good portion of my hearing. There have been moments of questioning God. There have been many tears of frustration and tears of victory. While I’m still in the land of disability/affliction God enables me daily to go beyond myself and do things most people would never attempt from the sheer frustrations of it all. BUT GOD!!! Say that with me…. BUT GOD! He pours strength into me that is beyond my years. He has allowed me to endure to develop a sincere empathy and love for those hurting. He has gifted me with prayer, discernment and writing to pour into and encourage others. He enables me to let things go. He satisfies my soul. That is being in the palace!
The beauty of God’s Word is He impresses on our hearts things we each need to learn in the land of affliction. I want to encourage you to ask God to direct you as you read His Word, to help you uncover the beauty in the trials you face. There is always a hidden lesson if we are willing to seek Him in the daily grind and especially the difficulties. The next blog I plan to write about Joy. I can’t wait! There are hidden treasures to discover there. Until next time~ Blessings!

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Reflecting on 2024

December 30, 2024Leave a Comment

With beautiful Carolina blue skies and an unseasonable mild day, it was the perfect day to sit on the front porch swing and think. As the end of 2024 draws near, I find myself reflecting on this past year. Things learned and take aways. While I don’t advise living in the past, it serves a purpose to learn from it and move forward into the new year.

Way back in 1987 I wrote a poem for our year book in high school. I don’t recall it word for word but it went something like this: Reflections of the past, of things that used to be. Memories tend to come and go, once the mind’s set free. Though times change, we’ll always have a record of our deeds. Look into the past and see ,Reflections.

As we end 2024 what are some things you’ve learned this year? Are there any valuable take aways that you can apply moving forward? 2024 has been a year of service and surrender in many ways. It’s also been a year of encouraging others enduring hard situations. It’s been a year of faithful prayer time and seeking God’s Will for my life and family.

One BIG highlight of this year was our son Joshua moving home in April. He had a chance to move to Florida with friends but chose to move home and go to Massage Therapy school. With him being an only child, for many years we had his friends always around. While there is nothing wrong with that, I missed time with just the three of us. These last nine months have been times of catching up. I know he won’t be here forever and we are cherishing the time spent together.

Another highlight of 2024 has been getting involved in serving with RiceNBeans organization. This February will mark one year of serving. I absolutely love being a part of this organization and what we do for the less fortunate. Cooking and being a part of feeding the homeless at the Rock Hill location has been such a joy. The Bible says in Matthew 25:40, ““And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’” (NLT‬‬) Being a blessing to these hurting homeless people, enables me to allow God to work through me to encourage and show God’s compassion. If you would like to give or get involved here is the link. Www.ricenbeans.org

No year is without its challenges and this one has been no different in that regard. However, I choose to focus on what is good. Philippians 4:8-9 says, “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.” (NLT‬‬). My outlook on life bubbles over into my present frame of mind and attitude.

I choose to be optimistic, approaching life with joy. It makes a world of difference in my reactions to how life unfolds. I do know people who are more pessimistic. This causes a negative complaining attitude. Choose Joy! It will serve you way better than being negative. You may wonder how you can change your outlook. In my opinion, what is stored in your heart strongly affects how you view the world. We can choose what we feast our eyes on; books, tv, movies and hobbies. We can choose to be uplifting rather than negative. Life is all about choosing the best things. Forget popular culture. Woke-ism is such a cancer in today’s society. God gives us common sense. Use it and while you’re at it, love others like you love yourself. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you and reveal amazing things you do not know.

This year also was a year of writing, blogging and encouraging others. If you have followed my blogs this year, thank you for your support and feedback. It encourages me to be able to pour into others through this gift of writing. I’ve had a couple of people tell me I should write a devotion book. My hearts desire is to possibly publish a novel. I actually did a rough exploratory chapter just to get my feet wet. It’s something I’m praying about. It would be a huge undertaking with my low vision. I don’t really want to go there unless I know it’s something God is birthing in me. Praying for the right story line that would engage, encourage and propel the reader to keep reading. Currently I am reading an amazing book called The Peasant King by Tessa Afshar. This author is brilliant in weaving an incredible story line. GOALS! If you will, pray for God’s direction for me. Thank you!

As 2024 comes to an end, celebrate your triumphs. Don’t live with regrets and excuses to not change in the coming year. The BEST is yet to come. With God, all things are possible!
Www.shannonkhinson.com