Finding Life

Today I went out on our front porch to change some old artificial greenery. I had bought a fuller replacement that looks more real. As I reached for the thin old greenery something began flapping and I backed away. The flapping of life in something old made me smile. With low eye sight, I figured it was a bird but couldn’t tell. Grabbing my iPad from inside I crept as quietly as I could and took a picture. Above is an enlarged picture of what I found. While I don’t know for certain, Im assuming that’s a momma bird sheltering her young. New life is beautiful. As I ponder this truth I see faith in motion. Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we don’t see. I don’t see the eggs under this momma bird or possibly hatched baby birds but I truly believe they are there.

Yesterday I bought a new shirt that says “Momma Bear”. I love it and will wear it with joy. There is nothing like the love and protectiveness of a mother for her child, no matter how old they are. Our son Joshua arrived home last week after being away for half a year. It is the greatest joy to have him here again. The long talks and time together are priceless.

This Wednesday May 18 at 10:45 he has his annual appointment with his eye specialist. Every year since 2009 my heart becomes a bit anxious as this appointment approaches. I have to confess this to the Lord daily and He strengthens me. The doctor told us I could not pass along my vision problems since it was said mine came from a birth defect to my optic nerves. As I pray fervently for our son I am asking for God to create new life and bring restoration and renewed health to Joshua’s optic nerves. I believe that behind those beautiful green eyes, new life is forming and restoration is taking place. When he was a little guy he used to sing, “My God is great, so awesome and so mighty. There’s nothing that my God can not do.” From the mouth of babes!

Recently I have been reading different books with testimonies of how God heals. In the Bible itself, Jesus never turned a single person away who sought healing. Jesus healed them all. Why God has not done it yet, I do not know. But I do know that Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8) Nothing is impossible with God! (Mark 10:27) As Christians we must take God at His Word and stop believing the lies of the enemy. You might think Im a bit radical but that’s okay. I choose to believe God. Jesus took a horrible beating at the whipping post over 2,000 years ago. Isaiah 53:5 says “But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.”

Jesus also teaches us that greater works will we do because He goes to the Father. Jesus died on the cross to save us from our sins. He took our place! He was buried and raised to life on the third day. He is alive! He ascended to Heaven and sits at the right hand of The Father interceding for us. The Bible tells us in John 14:12, “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father.”
‭ I am believing my Jesus! He makes all things new! ‬ Will you join me in faith declaring restoration in our sons eyesight? The Doctor will see signs of new healthy life at his appointment on Wed essay. Signs of restoration! May a huge wave of faith and prayer arise over the world as I sent this blog post out far and wide. We give all glory to Jesus! Thank you Lord for renewal, flourishing nerve health and bringing everything in line to what it needs to be for optimal health. Amen!

If you’d like to read more of my story please check out my autobiography “Rooted by the Water”. It’s a true story of how God has enabled me to overcome great difficulties, not by my own strength but through His strength made perfect in my weaknesses. You can find it on Amazon and many other online retailers such as Barnes & Noble, Books a Million, Target and Walmart.
Www.shannonkenleyhinson.com

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What will we choose?


Today I find myself winding down as we await a brand new year. 2022 I’m as ready as I ever will be.

2021 was a rollercoaster of a year, if there ever was one. It was a year of pushing through. Between releasing my autobiography “Rooted By The Water”, losing my dad and Joshua moving to Arizona. …whew!

We lost dad to cancer in March. Miss him but am comforted with the knowledge of where he is. This. Christmas I know he was smiling down on us from Heaven as we gathered together in celebration of Jesus birthday. He was smiling knowing the family was together, his son’s health is improving and there was a great grand baby among us. As we celebrated the greatest gift ever, Jesus, we also celebrated time with family. Last year we face-timed with my brothers family since he was recovering from a bone marrow transplant. This year we were together! Such a sweet gift! Having our son Joshua home from Arizona was a gift in itself as well.

The last four days I’ve had a bad cold and have been at home keeping my germs to myself. It’s been a time of deep reflection. Taking stock of your life can be enlightening. Taking time to assess progress or lack there of. Lack of progress is ok too because it’s acknowledging we have room for growth. As long as we have breath we can choose to move forward.

So as I’m winding down 2021 I choose to throw off anything that hinders me from moving forward into all God desires. You can fill in the blank________.

What will you throw off and leave behind in 2021? Fear? Leave fear behind. 2 Timothy 1:7 tells us, God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and self control. What about unforgiveness, self righteousness, pride? I’m stepping on my own toes here too. We are all human and fall short of the glory of God. Im so thankful for Jesus blood that cleanses us from all unrighteousness.

As we move into 2022 let’s choose Jesus! Let’s choose humility, joy, love and kindness. Let’s choose to let Jesus shine through us. Let’s be there for each other with an encouraging smile. We will fall down but God is full of grace and will help us. Let’s confess, repent and keep moving forward into all He calls us to. Be Real! Be Humble!

Happy New Year. The best is yet to come!

Shannon, Joshua and Rom Hinson

Mental “snapshots”

Thanksgiving has come and gone. While I intended to blog on Thanksgiving morning, I only got one paragraph down before putting my iPad away. This year was just different without my Dad who passed away last March. It was also our first Thanksgiving without our son Joshua, who is enjoying his new life in Arizona. Yet we still gathered together, a small croup of three: me, my husband Ron and my Mom.

I’m a deep soul who is always reflecting and thinking deeply. I wondered what it would have been like to gather that very first Thanksgiving. Very different groups of people came together to share. Imagine that in todays world! Such sharing today would be a breath of fresh air.

In todays society people are so caught up in themselves, their families, their friends, their church… and of course their traditions. While there is nothing wrong with these things, let’s be mindful to include others. Many families are mIssing loved ones and friends who have passed on. Many are lacking the resources and a caring embrace.

Imagine sharing of yourself, your time and your heart. Include others outside your own circle of people. People matter! All people!

Many times over the years we have invited others to join us on Thanksgiving. Sometimes they did not have a family and others had family too far away. This year with my cochlear Implant processor not functioning correcting and the upgrade scheduled to arrive in a few weeks, we opted to go to Cracker Barrel. Mom and I preparing all that food for three people wasn’t ideal. Everything currently is an exercise in patience and grace as I try to understand conversation with faulty equipment and low vision.

We didn’t take any pictures this year but I took “mental snapshots.” Some of these snapshot include: gathering the night before Thanksgiving with my brothers family for chili at Moms., meeting my precious newborn great niece, a crisp beautiful morning as we picked Mom up to go to Cracker Barrel, the cozy fire snapping in the fireplace, one plate of a delicious meal, a nice nap in the sun at Moms afterwards, making turkey cranberry sliders for dinner, and just a all around heart full of gratitude in the goodness of God.

Let’s challenge ourselves this holiday season to be doers of the Word. Be conscientious and thoughtful of everyone around us. Let’s make a difference.

Www.shannonkenleyhinson.com

My kind of deer hunting. (take two)


“As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God.”‭‭Psalms‬ ‭42:1‬ ‭NLT‬‬


Here’s to attempt number two of posting this blog. When I have to zoom in large on my iPad to be sure there are no mistakes and to copy/ paste, things can easily be accidentally deleted. Deep breath… here’s to hoping this one goes through.


Yesterday Ron and I met up with my brother and sister in law at Moms house. After visiting a while we all got into my brothers car to head over to Dairy Queen, in honor of Dads 79th birthday (first one in Heaven) Dad loved the “Dilly bars”. I don’t know if that’s the correct spelling. I can’t see the menu.


After eating our ice cream I realized we weren’t heading back towards Moms. Being hearing and visually Impaired I miss parts of conversations. I’m always trying to connect the dots….fill in the blanks. I heard someone mention deer hunting. I said “Y’all better start praying if you’re taking me deer hunting because I can’t see far”. My sister in law said we were just going to look for deer. Ron suggested going towards Lake Wylie in the Tega Cay South Carolina area. Sure enough, we saw some.

I usually can’t see them because they blend in with the landscape, but these were close. It was such a wonder for me. I let out quite a few “AAAWWW’s”, They were so beautiful. There was one homeowner that was feeding them. There must have been five that walked right past our car. I told Ron we should go back over there and ask the man if we can feed them sometime.


This experience might not sound like a big deal but when you can’t see well and are able to take in the beauty of these gorgeous creatures you’re left in awe. I told my brother I’d go “Deer hunting” with them anytime. That’s my kind of hunting. Truly made my heart happy. Gods creation is so beautiful!


Top picture found on the internet. Bottom two pictures taken by my sister in law.


Www.shannonkenleyhinson.com

Celebrating Dad (Forrest Kenley)


“God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5:4‬ ‭NLT‬‬


On this day 79 years ago, my Dad was born. Tomorrow marks 6 months since he went home to be with Jesus. Not a day passes by that I don’t think of him.


It is amazing the comfort the Lord has brought to our family. Yes we miss Dad greatly but we know he is with Jesus and we know we will see him again. Knowing this brings such comfort to my heart.


Today is his first birthday celebration in Heaven and I know without a doubt, it’s the best one he’s ever had. I know he’s smiling BIG knowing Forrest Jr. is doing so well after his recently one year bone marrow transplant anniversary. He would be so proud of Mom and the strength and courage she has shown. He would be proud of my book “Rooted by the Water” and the spin off blog I’ve started. He told me I should write. He liked the way I put things into words on my Facebook posts. However he did tell me to not write any emotional sappy posts after he died. (his words not mine ) 🤣 He was funny and I think he will forgive this one. He would be excited to know a great grand baby is on the way. He would LOVE that! He would love hearing about the upcoming wedding for his granddaughter. And he’d be so proud of Joshua too as he shows strength and resilience in life.


Grief is a strange thing. It still has not hit that he’s really gone. I know that’s the comfort from the Lord and I’m so grateful.


We celebrate you today Dad. Your legacy of love for God, and generous spirit continues. You are missed greatly but we will see you again!

Happy birthday Dad! I love you! 😎🤟🏼 (Those were the emojis he put at the end of his texts to me).


Www.shannonkenleyhinson.com

Happy 1st Bone marrow birthday ~HALLELUJAH🙌🙌🙌

If you only knew the Praise to the Lord and Joy bursting from my heart today.

One year ago today my brother Forrest received a bone marrow transplant with some of my bone marrow. God has seen him through a “Rollercoaster” of a year and today he is doing WELL! ALL praise to Jesus! We give God praise and glory for all He has done. Every single detail: for the amazing doctors, nurses and medical team and especially Forrest awesome wife Jan and their kids, Justin and Lauren. Their church family and friends at First Baptist Church of Indian Trail were such a beautiful representation of the body of Christ as they offered continuous prayers and support. We are so thankful!


Mom is overjoyed to see her son thriving! It’s bittersweet that Dad is not here to witness this miracle. We lost him this past March to cancer. We know Dad is pumping his fist in the air in Heaven and thanking Jesus for bringing Forrest through.

Let me encourage you today that Miracles happen. Dark trials and storms come and go BUT GOD REMAINS FAITHFUL!

Never give up on God because He never gives up on you!
Keep the faith! Keep praying and Believing! God gets the last Word! I PRAISE HIM! Www.shannonkenleyhinson.com