I can’t tell you how light my heart has been these last few weeks. As I sit in the early mornings with just the Christmas tree lights on, it is utterly peaceful. These early morning times are spent in prayer and reading the Bible. I do this everyday year round , minus the Christmas tree lights which are only on in December and part of January. These times with Jesus set the pace for my day.
As the Christmas Carol goes, Joy to the world the Lord is come. Let earth receive her King. Let every heart prepare Him room…. I will stop right there. I personally opened my heart to Jesus years ago. He is the greatest gift from God. He fills my heart with great Joy. I have sought and found Him and my confidence is in Him for all my needs. He fills my life with great joy and helps me have perspective on the hard things in life.
You might scoff at my view and think I live under a rock. Yes I know all the troubles going on in the world. Yes I see the suffering. Life is tough. Being legally blind and deaf is a day to day challenge that few understand. BUT God gives me such great determination and strength to endure. It’s not about me and having it all easy. It’s about Jesus and bringing glory to His name.
Jesus is the best and most Undescribable gift! Like the shepherds and wise men who eagerly followed the star and found baby Jesus in a manager, in a stable. When they found Him they were filled with awe and joy. Have you sought Jesus? He is waiting for you to make room in your heart amd life for Him.
Christmas is a promise kept. (God keeps All His promises) The prophets foretold Jesus birth hundreds of years before it happened. Wow! What an awesome God we serve. As I typed that I actually started singing the worship chorus… My God is awesome, He can move a mountain, keep me in the valley. Hide me from the rain. My God is awesome, heals me when I’m broken, strength when I am weary, forever He will reign. I’m sitting here with tears streaming down my cheeks. I might not have the words exactly right but my heart is in tune with my Lord.
Do you know Jesus? He is the greatest gift you will ever get! When you accept Him as your Lord and Savior and confess and repent of your sins, He forgives you and fills you with such peace.
If you have wandered away from the faith, come home to Jesus! He is the only thing that will ever satisfy your soul. The world is filled with distractions and momentary pleasures but they won’t ever fill your heart. There is a place in our hearts that only Jesus can fill. Make room! Don’t turn Him away.
Dear Jesus I pray for all who read this, I pray you will open their eyes to your truth, your word, your love. As we prepare to celebrate your birth, I pray we each worship you with all our hearts and rejoice in the gift you give. It’s all about you Jesus! Show us the way! Shine brightly for the whole world to see! I love you Lord! Happy birthday Jesus? Amen!
Merry Christmas to you all! If you liked this blog post please subscribe. You can find my autobiography Rooted by the Water on Amazon. I pray it gives you great hope and courage to surrender to Jesus. He is all you really need. Be blessed.
Recently I was scrolling through Tik Tok and I came across a Pastor who has no arms or legs. I followed him on the app a while back so his videos appear in my feed. He is such an extraordinary person with extraordinary faith. This particular video I came across captured my attention. In the video clip, this pastor with no arms or legs was saying,” When you don’t get a miracle, Be a Miracle”. I though, whoa.. did I get that right? With my low vision and hearing issues, I do often get it wrong. A few days later I went back to try to find the video to save it for future reference and inspiration. Sure enough, with my caption zoomed in large and volume on my device up, I was right. He said, “When you don’t get a miracle, Be a miracle.”
I can’t tell you how many times I have prayed for a miracle for myself and others. While I’ve seen no physical improvements in my nerves that affect my hearing and visual problems, God has and continues to give me extraordinary strength to push through. However, I have never thought in terms of, “Being a Miracle”. Okay Lord will you show me how?
How can I “Be a miracle”? This takes a big shift in perspective and active faith. I decided to get out in nature to walk, pray and reflect. I asked my husband Ron to drop me off at River Walk for some quality time alone with God. As I walked and prayed, praise and thanksgiving filled my heart and mind. Suddenly the thought “let gratitude be your attitude” came to mind. I began to thank God for the strength that He gives me every day. As I walked and prayed, I thanked God for allowing me to see the asphalt path. I had never walked this path alone. (It is safe with security patrolling) I was hoping to see a deer but I saw squirrels and a bunch of dear people enjoying the beautiful day. My senses were heightened. The sounds of moving water from the river, birdsong and rustling leaves surrounded me. I’m so thankful my Advanced Bionic Marvel cochlear implant processor allows me to hear those beautiful sounds. The warm sunshine, a refreshing breeze and smells of nature enveloped me. As I walked and worshiped the Lord I was tempted to lift my hands and sing but I didn’t. My heart was singing though. Walking more than four miles, I became weary along the way. My mind was telling me to push! Push through even through I was tired! I sensed in my spirit the Lord saying, I clothe you with strength…. Keep going!
God got me back to my starting point. After sitting down on some steps, I texted Ron and told him I was ready to be picked up. Physically wear, I came away refreshed in spirit. To “Be a Miracle” you need only to focus on Jesus with a grateful heart. It’s easy to look for God in the supernatural, but He wants us to know Him on a personal level. When we choose God daily, He allows us to find the everyday miracles. As He leads us forth, He enables us to “Be a Miracle” through His power made perfect in our weakness. Trust Him! He’s got this…whatever this is!
To read more of my story you can find my autobiography on Amazon in hard cover, soft cover and e book formats. “Rooted by the Water” by Shannon Kenley Hinson. Www.shannonkhinson.com
Have you ever felt slighted? Overlooked might be a better word. I experience this quite often and I know it’s not intentional. When it happens you can feel despair. It’s as if no one sees your struggle and in my case they usually don’t. Although no one is at fault.
Last weekend was one of the lowest points I’ve had in many years. In all honesty I am left out in a sense on a regular basis. This has been my life for many years. When you have low vision and hearing you are cut off from people. You are at the mercy of someone caring to include you and helping you be a part of what’s going on. One on one I’m usually fine but anytime it’s a group of people, I’m struggling to understand . I get bits and pieces. It really disconnects me from people. That’s why I love talking to people online because there are no communication barriers. My low vision makes it a bit difficult because I must push through finding all the typos and a sense of humor to laugh in spite of the frustrations.
The enemy knows our weaknesses and last weekend I took quite a few blows . First it was my Facebook being suspended when I had done nothing wrong. That was a big connection to many people where I was not left out. It’s like God gave me an additional sense when people are struggling with life. I saw people who constantly posted things of sadness and being slighted by others. In these posts, I took the time to encourage and speak life to them. Social media platforms can be a ministry tool if used the right way. I was blown away that my page was suspended. My husband had a FB as well but had not used it in years, so we found his old password and got on his to file a complaint. We have not heard back from them. He said for me to use his page. Two days after I started using his, I got the same messsge that I was in violation of their standards. Whoa! Seriously?!?! I had posted all of FOUR things and none were offensive at all. I navigated around that and changed his password . So far we are still up but I don’t know for how long.
On to the second and third knock this past weekend, all which were unintentional. We were invited to a family dinner to celebrate my brothers two years anniversary of his bone marrow transplant. I loved being there for him. As we sat around the table I smiled and watched everyone conversing. I got bits and pieces but that’s all I can comprehend in a group. I depend on some one helping me to understand. The third knock came on Sunday, it was another unintentional thing. It was a lapse in communication among my deaf friends. Sometimes they prefer to FaceTime because sign language is so natural to them. FaceTiming is hard for me though because I don’t see all the signs. They did a group FaceTime and someone was to tell me but they forgot. I usually don’t care bit it was too many things in a short time; Facebook, family, then my closest friends.
Sunday after church I could not hold the tears. As we sat in Harpers splitting a pasta dish, the dam broke and out came the tears of frustration. Ron had been sitting across the table from me but. slipped into the seat beside me so I could feel his support.
That afternoon I cried out to God. Lord why does it have to be this way? Why do you disconnect me from people because of my hearing and visual issues? Lord these are things you could fix. Jesus you took a besting for our healing. Your word says in Isaiah 53:5 “But He was pierced for our offenses, He was crushed for our wrongdoings; The punishment for our well-being was laid upon Him, And by His wounds we are healed.” (NASB2020) God you see what I’m dealing with. Help me!
On Monday I had lunch with my deaf girlfriends. (All but one who had to work) they did not mean to hurt my feelings. It was unintentional. I shared about everything over the weekend and they understood. They too feel these things in family gatherings. One friend said her high school counselor had explained deafness well. Her counselor said some disabilities are invisible. People don’t know what you’re going through. The person right beside you could be crying out on the inside but not show it outwardly. I am that way. I can put on a smile despite what’s going on, most of the time. In my way of thinking, it’s no one’s fault that I have these limitations.
On Tuesday I had my Bible study with my neighbor who is like an older sister to me. On that day we talked about two names of God: El Roi the God who sees and El Shaddai, the all sufficient one. We are doing the Kay Athur study, “Lord I want to Know You”. It teaches the names of God revealed in the Bible and reveals God’s character. It’s amazing God had us cover these names this week, as He revealed His sufficiency and the fact that Hre sees it all. Studying Gods Word this week and knowing who He is, has reaffirmed my faith and hope in Jesus. I do not know why I have these ongoing hardships that are invisible to others. I know El Roi sees me and meets me where I am. I’m not going to lie, it’s tough but God is the anchor that keeps me steady when the going gets rough.
2 Corinthians 12: 9-10 were two of the verses we discussed on Tuesday in Bible study. This is what these verses say: “And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in distresses, in persecutions, in difficulties, in behalf of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (NASB2020). I told my neighbor that I hoped to be like Paul one day when I can honestly say this. I’m not there yet.
I am so thankful for new mercies every day and renewed strength. He will continue to pour into me as I look to Him. In the meantime time as I journey on each day let me remind you that people need compassion and love. Just because someone looks fine on the outside does not mean they are fine on the inside. We can’t walk around with a sticker on our head saying, “Don’t forget me please”. Everyone is going through some thing. Let’s be there for each other. God uses people to do His work. Let’s always be available to do His work. We are in this together and Jesus helping every step of the way.
To read more of my story you can find my autobiography on amazon in hard cover, soft cover and e book formats. “Rooted by the Water ” by Shannon Kenley Hinson.
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
