Tag: inspire

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

Take a look

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Lately I’ve caught myself taking a step back and looking at myself. While chaos seems to be overtaking the world. I’ve never in my lifetime seen such division among people. It would be so easy to get sucked into the arguments but that isn’t pleasing to the Lord.


As I take a step back and look at myself, my words, attitudes and actions, I must aim to be a reflection of my Savior Jesus Christ. God knows I fall short and need His help every single day. God sure does know my hearts desire to please Him and be a reflection of His peace and compassion.


As I sit here reflecting and old song came to mind. “Mirror” by Evie. I had not heard it since I was a little girl at Grace Presbyterian. The lyrics go something like this……” You’re searching for Jesus, looking to find, hope for tomorrow some peace of mind” – the lyrics go on to say, you can find Him in the Bible and many churches BUT until you find Him in the mirror, you’ve got a long way to go. ( www.musixmatch.com)


This stirs my heart. I want to look in the mirror and see Jesus reflection as He molds me into the woman He wants me to be. Let’s be moldable and willing. The world is in dire need of seeing the light of Jesus! Let’s be a reflection of Jesus for all the world to see.


Keep focused. There is work to be done. Share the Gospel! Shine for the Lord!


“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” Psalms‬ ‭139:23‬ -24 NLT‬‬

“What we see now is like a dim image in a mirror; then we shall see face-to-face. What I know now is only partial; then it will be complete—as complete as God’s knowledge of me.”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭13:12‬ ‭GNT‬‬


My book “Rooted by the Water” can be found online on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Walmart, Target, Books A Million and Westbow Press online bookstore Www.shannonkenleyhinson.com

My kind of deer hunting. (take two)

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“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

Happy 1st Bone marrow birthday ~HALLELUJAH🙌🙌🙌

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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

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

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Gods Beauty. Enjoying Coastal Cherry Grove SC. So beautiful and peaceful! Thank you Lord for your magnificent creation. All the intricate details are amazing. 

Www.shannonkenleyhinson.com

Our adventure awaits

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I woke up before the birds this morning. Way before my alarm clock was set to go off, I woke up wide awake. I’m excited! Today me and four girlfriends are beach bound for one week. So thankful for the sweet family who opened their beach house for us.

The coastal lands and beach are so beautifully powerful yet peaceful. I “think” one friend is bringing two kayaks and there are already two down at the house. Weather permitting we will spend some time on the inter coastal waterway. Last year we rented a two seater but this year I really want to try “solo”. Getting in and out of the kayak and onto the water will be the tricky part for me. (My balance isn’t great) Once on the water I should be “good to go”, Lets hope none of the girls video me getting in and out. Last years episode was hilarious.

The weather doesn’t look too promising but God willing we will have periods of clear weather to enjoy time on the beach, on the water and to play putt put.. ( Yes I can play. I just have to find the hole before I start so I know where to hit the ball.)

Thank you Lord for a refreshing time that lies ahead of us this week. And Lord whether it’s a vacation, work or school, we ask that you go before us and be our rear guard. Surround us with a shield and fill us to overflowing so we can pour into everyone we see this week. Show us Your glory Lord, in all You perfect ways. We praise and honor You alone. In Jesus name Amen!

Lets go!!!
www.shannonkenleyhinson.com