Screenshot of Charlie Kirk’s Memeorial service today.
Truth be told, I am too tired to blog today but after seeing this point in history my exhaustion is going to have to momentarily step aside. I returned home last night from my week away with my deaf girlfriends. Going from one sensory dominance of using vision even though mine is low, (the irony) to being back home where I rely on auditory sensory dominance thanks to my cochlear implant…… I am physically and mentally worn out today. For anyone who doesn’t know, I am legally blind and deaf without my cochlear implant processor on.
This morning I did watch our early church service and will need to watch it again to fully ”get it”. Other than that, I’ve just rested all day. Too tired to nap. I did want to tune in to Charlie Kirk’s Memorial service and I’m so glad I did! I only watched a short bit of it because I truly am exhausted, I did want to see “history in the making”. I also wanted to see Genesis 50:20 in modern times playing out before our very eyes! My spirit is revived seeing “God turning this around”!!!! “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.”Genesis 50:20 (ESV) Won’t He do it!!! You see, what the enemy meant for harm, God is turning around for HIS GLORY!!! Halllelujah!!! That State Farm Stadium was maxed out with people giving tribute to a Legend who loved God and stood for our freedoms! Look at God!!! AND……. thousands and thousands more were outside the stadium!!!! AND…… it was televised to millions!!!!! Thank you Lord for bringing good out of this evil act that was committed when your servant Charlie Kirk was assissinated. Thank you for bringing Glory to Your name through this horrible violence.
Two weeks ago it was a rough week with all that was going on in the nation plus some personal things. The beach trip was much needed. After a shift from rough week mode, to restful vacation mode, back to real life mode, I will be “good to go” soon. Seeing part of the Memeorial service today brought joy to my heart and Praise to my Lord. I was told two weeks ago by a childhood friend who though is a Christian but a polar opposite in political beliefs, that she was on the “right” side of this mess. I just let it go. I can’t change people’s minds but I can pray that God opens spiritual eyes to see things as they really are and stand for unity in Christ. All we can do is PRAY, BE STILL and WATCH THE SALVATION OF THE LORD!
And (I know I’m not supposed to start a sentence with and….. oh well) as is my usual state of being, a song is playing in my heart and it’s probably not the right words. 😂Can’t wait until I get to Heaven so I can sing with the Saints and not have to just move my lips because I can’t carry a tune, until then ”I’m calling on the name, that changes everything. God turn it around, God turn it around, God turn it around….. all of my hope is in the name, the name of Jesus. Victory comes, comes in the name, the name of Jesus”. Umm….. well I think that’s how it goes. That’s how it’s going in my heart right now. As I said I’m tired. Going to sent this off to publish and go rest!!! Excited to see what God’s going to do. I asked Siri to show me a picture of God stomping on the enemy and the below pictures came up. So timely!!!! Be Blessed!
Today marks a significant day! It was my brother Forrest’s “Bone Marrow Birthday”. Today marks five year since his bone marrow transplant back in August 2020. All Glory to God! Such a miracle and the family is so thankful. Today as he and his wife went to Duke for his appointment, everything turned out great. From what I understand, Duke no longer has a bell to ring so when they left Duke, they drove to Charlotte and rang the bell there. Forrest sent me this picture and I love the inscription beside the bell.
I remember clearly sitting on the porch praying for him back in 2020 when they found out he would need a bone marrow transplant. I am so thankful God enabled me to play a small role in his miracle by being a “perfect match”. Thank you Jesus for the many miracles that have happened along this journey Forrest and his family endured. It was a hard journey for them but to see all the blessings God has bestowed on them makes it a beautiful masterpiece of God’s handiwork to behold. Indeed, Miracles do happen!
I wore the “Miracles Happen” bracelet until it wore out.
Many of you have followed my blog from the beginning. Every year on Forrest “Bone Marrow Birthday” I have asked permission to share the joys of another year. This year is no different. We give all praise and glory to God for all He has done! We stand amazed and humbled at His grace and mercy. Thank you Jesus! And thank you all for your prayers along the way.
If you or your loved ones are facing a hard, seemingly impossible situation, let me encourage you to pray and trust God for His best. I love the follow scripture. “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21 (ESV)
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.
This is a screenshot of something I saw online years ago. Kind of sums up things right now
This blog has been “brewing” for several days and the title has changed in my mind multiple times. Let’s see so far it’s been: “Lord I want a Redo of 2025”, then there was “Like a Frog” but now…. “Rejoice anyway”. Amazing how God changes me to rejoice despite life. Seriously! This year has been something else! But who am I to complain?
If you know our story, you know that despite hearing and visual issues God allows me to rise up and live in His strength, definitely not mine. My husband Ron is a “trooper” helping me and our son Joshua. The motto over here is more or less, “just get it done” and we do with God’s help.
If you follow my blog you know I fell HARD on ice in early January causing a compression fracture to my lower back. I’m a “Doer” I don’t like to sit, but sit, I did for weeks and weeks. Now at the end of this back recovery, I can finally do more. So, last Tuesday I asked Ron if he wanted to go help with the Big Birthday street party that RiceNBeans ministry was putting on for the homeless in downtown Charlotte. It was an awesome party to minister and love on our homeless community, with live music giving glory to Jesus. It was a fish fry with hush puppies, coleslaw, birthday cake, ice cream, and the usual RnB things. I am so impressed by this ministry and all they do for Jesus. It truly warms my heart. Ron and I were assigned to give out birthday cards with another lady, so we were among the people. Other than going to the doctor, that is the last time I’ve been out this week.
We had been under big oak trees and the pollen was bad so I figured my allergies were kicking in After several days of Mucinex and no improvement, Ron took me to the doctor. I had a low grade fever, sinus pressure, and cough. My blood pressure was fine, oxygen fine, lungs clear and lymph y nodes normal so the doctor suggested a flu and covid test. Oh boy! Both of those tests came back positive. Then the doctor actually asked if I wanted the covid jab! 😳 Ron said “No thanks”. Seriously! The truth is out that the jab does NOT prevent the infection. Burns me up that this is still being “pushed”. But I will hush because I know this “stirs the pot” with people. The doctor prescribed something for the cough but that is about it. She told Ron she hoped he didn’t get it. Well he’s got it but this too shall pass. We are of course laying low, resting, not around anyone and Joshua is fine upstairs. Thankful for friends who shared ivermectin for all of us. (Precautionary for Joshua). That along with zinc, vitamin C, vitamin D, Quercetin and water. It is improving.
It’s interesting how the Holy Spirit directs our thoughts. At first I was depressed at yet another ”set back” in life. As I laid in bed, I realized that we probably picked this up helping with the homeless, I am so humbled. We have a comfortable bed to rest in and pillow for our head. We have vitamins to take and clear water to drink, food to eat, and my thankfulness went on and on. God forgive me for complaining at first. I have not had the flu since before our son was born so that’s a very long time to be healthy.
Yesterday the depression kind of lifted as I found humor in random things. I was out of epson salt but wanted to soak in the tub to help with head pressure. I can tell you it is a rare day if I have any kind of head pain but with this virus, it feels like someone is pushing on my ears and neck. I ran a tub of water as hot as I could stand it and added lavender oil. I lay totally submerged except for my face and knees. Joshua had texted me and said “Don’t drown, we don’t have time for a funeral” I texted back, “I’m not planning one, I’ll be fine”. And so the day unfolded with bits of random humor and it uplifted my spirits.
Today I watched our church service live on YouTube. So thankful for technology and so thankful God allowed me to be able to understand enough to follow Pastor. I was tuned in with my cochlear implant processor via Bluetooth but I sang along. I honestly sound like a frog right now from all the intense coughing, but I don’t care. Pastor said to Rejoice and rejoice I sure will and actually am. The choir sang a song that said “Thank You Hallelujah thank You Hallelujah thank You for all that You have done! 🎤🙌🏼 (and imagine that being sung in a froggy raspy voice😂) And now you know why I chose the title “Rejoice anyway” for this too shall pass. Love to you al. If you enjoy this blog be sure to subscribe and pass it along to encourage someone else. We need more encouraging, lifting content and laughter in life. You are loved! Be blessed and better yet, be a BLESSING! All for the Glory of God!!!
You know it’s almost Christmas when you break out in Christmas carols at the most random moments. My husband Ron and I got in the car tonight to make a quick run to Publix grocery store for a few items. The moon was beautifully showing off. As I looked in awe I began singing, It came upon a midnight clear, that glorious song of all and Ron said, “Shannon!’ I can’t blame him being as off key as I am. I do believe they will be singing that tomorrow at church so I will wait and sing along with them. Or rather just move my lips.
I’ve been meaning to blog all week but life happened, like it always does. Let’s see, the weeks summary in a nutshell~ New iPad came in, first plan of business get a screen protector so it doesn’t crack again ✔️, get someone to transfer all my information from device to device ✔️, learn new device partial✔️, discovering a issue when it was pouring down rain and water stated sprouting up in the yard that one will take some time, discovering an expensive plumbing job we had done may not have been necessary that one will hopefully be resolved this week. Thus the reason I’ve not blogged yet this week. However, I did type the title back on Tuesday. It’s about time finished what I started.
Last Tuesday morning I came across this scripture. “We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters.” 1 John 3:16 (NLT) As I sat there thinking, I envisioned the greatest gift ever given. From the birth of Jesus to His sacrifice for us on the cross, His death, resurrection and assertion ~ No greater love!
Will you take a minute to think deeply about this with me? God made the earth and it originally was without sin until the Fall in the Garden of Eden. Our God is HOLY and sin came into the world through Eve and Adam’s sin. Sin continued and God sent His Son Jesus to be born as a human babe, in a stable to a poor couple. This is God’s Son, leaving His Heavenly Throne and being born as a human. That is an astounding love and what He did for us. No greater love!
This so moves me! “Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:6-11 (NLT) No greater love!
Stay with me as my train of thought goes another step. Think of God the Father, fully knowing this plan of redemption from beginning to end, saw His Only Begotten Son Jesus bearing our sin upon the cross. Can you even imagine the pain He had to have felt? Being a parent of one son, I can’t even perceive the pain that would cause God, watching His Son take our punishment. I’ve always been a Mother bear. I didn’t like anything hurting my son, so I can’t even imagine what God felt when He had to look away. No greater love!
I’ve been pondering this all week in the midst of life happening and I didn’t even share it all but enough for you to get the picture.
Deep calls to deep….. God put this in my heart earlier this week and I sense the devil didn’t want me to write it. He didn’t win! It’s Saturday night, my iPad died right before getting ready to blog. I got an extension cord, plugged the iPad in and here I am doing what God wanted me to do. From Jesus birth in a stable to the cross and resurrection: No greater love! And one more thing well honestly I may write more but ….can you even imagine putting your newborn child in a feeding trough in a stable because there was no room for you in the inn? From His Heavenly Throne to the humblest of mangers~ No greater love.
I am in AWE !!! Can we pause a moment and just adore our King? O come let us adore Him, O come let us adore Him, O come let us adore Him…. Christ the Lord
As we worship and adore our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, let us follow His lead, humbling ourselves and truly show love to Him and to our neighbors. Who is your neighbor? Not just your brothers and sisters in the Body of Christ, but the people you run into everyday. The person who almost ran into us tonight in the grocery store parking lot. Praise God for His protection. Let’s remember those who are hurting, those who don’t have family, the homeless, shut ins who don’t have the health to get out. Let’s love one another. It can be as simple as praying for others, calling or texting someone to encourage them. There are so many ways to show love, kindness and compassion. Spread the joy and wonderful of Christmas~ No greater love!
I didn’t want to end this day without giving Glory to God for the amazing miracle of my brother Forrest’s life. God is good and so so faithful! Not many people have three birthdays but my brother has three: the day he was born, the day he accepted Jesus as his Savior and the day he had a bone marrow transplant. Today marks his 4th birthday and we are so thankful! Some of you have followed my blog from the beginning and were part of the team that prayed for him. Thank you! Today he continues to be cancer free. He is thriving and quite frankly, it’s hard to keep up with him. He’s a busy family man who loves God, loves his family and serves faithfully. Four years ago, God brought him through the fiery trial of acute leukemia. He now is PopPop times 4. His fourth grandbaby was just born.
As I was cleaning up the dinner dishes tonight, I began to sing the chorus of “Say Amen”. I will post the music video for you below. The chorus goes like this… Has anybody here found Him faithful? Anybody here knows He able? Say Amen! Has anybody here seen His power? Anybody here brought through the fire? Say amen! Has anybody here found joy in the midst of sorrow, peace in the storm, hope for tomorrow and you’ve seen it time and time again, just say Amen! I love that song and the testimony that it shares.
We all have a testimony and are called to testify and give Glory to God. I couldn’t let this day end without doing just that. Life is unpredictable. My brothers acute leukemia diagnosis back in 2020 came like the “meanest curve ball” out of no where, but today I can say “God knocked that ball out of the park!” Don’t stop praying! God’s ways are so much higher than our ways. All we can do is submit to God, pray, worship, serve and trust Him for His best. You are loved! Keep looking to Jesus! He will see you through! Thank you Jesus for the Miracle of my brother’s life and thank you for blessing his family over and beyond! Www.shannonkhinson.com
Time truly FLIES! I “blink” and three years have gone by. This past Friday marked my three year anniversary of blogging with WordPress.com This has become a passion of encouraging others to face life with Jesus. Blogging started out as a continuation of things God has taught me through living with limitations. It continues to be a time of sharing my journey which I first shared in my autobiography Rooted by the Water published in 2021 through Westbow Press. (You can find it on Amazon in print and ebook format).
By the grace of God, in the past three years I have written 213 blog posts with 6,964 views. All for the Glory of God! It’s an honor to share the things the Holy Spirit reveals through nature and life in general. Oh the lessons He teaches me as He refines and sharpens me. Convicting me at times, humbling me and cheering me on. I’m grateful for this process He has me in. It’s my hope and prayer that Jesus love and care are seen through the words He enables me to write.
The Bible tells us to “let our light shine”. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 (NKJV) So I write. I am astounded that Rootedbythewater.blog is read around the world. Each week the blogging site tells me in what countries it is viewed. I am not saying many people read it, but it humbles me that God uses this gift He has given me to touch someone here and there: in China, another in England, Nigeria, France, Canada and so many countries. (There have been a couple I’ve never heard of. Looking them up, turns out they were small countries in Africa.) The majority of views are here in America.
The times we live in are evil. It’s a worldwide peril. In a sense, it’s like being out at sea on a stormy night. With darkness and raging winds and waves surrounding, we strive to catch sight of a “lighthouse” to guide us to safety. In these times, let Jesus use you to “shine” for Him. I’ve always had this hidden gift but God has chosen to bring it out during the last three years for “such a time as this”.
We all have God given talents. Whether it’s music, dance, acts of service, teaching, encouraging, speaking life and so many more….. whatever your gift may be, will you offer it back to God? Can you pray, ‘Lord I’m so humbled and thankful you chose me to have this gift. I give it back to You, asking You to enable me to use it for Your Glory, not mine. Lead me through the Holy Spirit to encourage someone today and lead them to You. Help us to overcome this evil world with the blood of the Lamb and Word of our testimony (Revelation 12:11)” I pray that you can surrender and pray that prayer with me. God is at work all around us. Join in this labor of love! It’s all for Jesus! He’s worthy of it all!
Here’s to many more blogs or whatever else He calls me to do. As long as He continues to pour into me, I will continue to pour out. It’s all for Jesus! 🤟🏼❤️ Www.shannonkhinson.com
Wrapping up the birthday week. It’s been a good one. Some friends surprised me with an early birthday lunch last Saturday and a fun “Girls Day”. Italian must have been the “Double Nickels” birthday theme. Lunch was Italian Saturday, Italian Sunday and the very best Italian around on my actual birthday. I’ve had enough pasta to last for months..
We are in a transitional time of adjustment. Our son has moved back home while he figures out a career change and fresh path. It’s an adjustment but it’s all going to work out. (And I love getting his awesome hugs every day)
In the meantime, God has sent some of His divine “God winks” to bring joy each day. We have another mourning dove resting on the same top shelf of our bakers rack on the front porch. The funny thing was that Ron discovered it behind a small sign that says “pray without ceasing”. He moved the sign because sometimes the wind makes it fall. We also slightly moved the bakers rack s we can watch the nest from inside. When I saw it I had such joy, and peace in my heart. It was like God saying” I’ve got you all. Trust me.” I go check on the nest several times of day from inside. It appears that the male and female take turns sitting on the nest.
Our Mourning Dove. Not the best picture but it gives an idea of my view.
So those days of celebrating have been followed by bird watching and several days of serving. There is nothing quite like giving the gift of yourself to others. Whether it be your time, your talents or encouragement: acts of service have a way of coming back to you in the sweetest way.
Wednesday was RiceNBeans day. I work with my friend Tami to prepare the food for one of the local locations where we help serve a warm meal to the homeless. We are so happy Pastor Daryl and Cheri have entrusted us with cooking for one location. After a few hours of cooking rice, beans and 120 hotdogs, we took it to the location but no volunteers showed up besides staff. No worries, we all worked together and got the bags of food ready then rode out to the bus stop to meet people with a warm meal as they waited at the bus stop. One funny thing happened. In my haste to get out the door to get to Tami’s, I accidently picked my husband Ron’s s shirt instead of mine. I was wondering why it was so big but I just got busy with the cooking. Later Ron met us and his shirt was rather small. It kind of looked like a body builders fit. Ron thought he had gained weight. Tami checked the size of my shirt and sure enough, I was wearing the wrong shirt. Ron and I disappeared for a few minutes to switch shirts, then we were out the door.
It is so rewarding to be a part of such an awesome outreach. Tami mentioned the people are starting to recognize us. Pastor Daryl brought a pair of work boots for one of the men. While I wish I could hear well enough to “hear” the stories, I do get them second hand. Tami said the man was so surprised about the boots. Another lady was smiling and laughing as we talked to her.
Just imagine what it would be like to be in their situation. You never know some of the stories or how these precious people end up on the streets. I was exhausted when we got home that night but it was a good kind of tired. I went to bed at 9 pm with a heart full of thanksgiving for the opportunity to serve.
Thursday morning I woke up and prepared one last time before our girls Bible study. One more chapter and we will be finished with our book. I am so grateful that God unexpectantly gave me the opportunity to teach my deaf friends. In all honestly, God has shown me what He can do when I surrender to His Will. This was not something I just volunteered for. God put the opprtunity in front of me and I obeyed. I can’t say it’s been easy. It hasn’t but it is so rewarding. The girls have come such a long way since we started. I can’t wait to see what else God has in store for us. I have also gleamed so much from the time invested studying and preparing, even memorizing because of my low vision. I have sat hours “signing” the lessons to myself to make sure I can present it in a way they could understand. Often I would stop and pray, “ Lord help me do this is a way that is clear and understandable.” We studied the women of the Bible. So many of the stories I knew, but teaching them takes you to a whole different level of understanding. I am so thankful for this gift of trust the girls have placed in me. But most of all I’m beyond thrilled at how we have all grown in our relationship with Jesus.
On this next “trip about the sun” I’m eager to see the new things God will teach me and ways He will continue to stretch my faith. This year is brought to you by… my true roots of gray (hair). Some women have the midlife crisis. I’m embracing this new stage. Live, learn, laugh and grow stronger each day.
As I had my quiet time the past two mornings, I decided to study 1 Thessalonians chapter five. I love the whole chapter but some verses really stood out. The chapter spans from being prepared in the last days, being on your guard and alert, keeping on the armor of faith and love with our confidence in our salvation. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 says, “So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.”(NLT) 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 is my heart. “ Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”(NLT).
A little side story for you. The other day Ron fixed the rotors on the back wheel area of his car. (You can tell I know nothing about these things, even if I spelled the part properly.) It was a tough job but he got it done. He came in the house and got under the kitchen sink to fix another issue. At the same time I had run from one bathroom to another with a plunger to unstop the toilet before it overflowed. I wasn’t going to even mention the stopped up toilet to Ron. As I was plunging the toilet, I had a mental picture of what I was doing, and then Ron under the sink in the kitchen , and I burst out laughing at the absurdity of it all. That’s life for ya. Things happen but we have a choice in how we respond.
There was one more verse in this chapter that I cling to. It is 1 Thessalonians 5:21, ‘but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good.” (NLT) Can I get an amen there? God gives us a brain. Use it. Be a leader not a follower. Look for the good in situations and cling to it. Some people can be so critical. Just look for the good. Ask God to help you see things from His perspective. Things look a whole lot better that way. No one is perfect. We all sin, we all fall short. There is always room for grace. Since God is merciful to us, shouldn’t we also be merciful to each other? Just some things to think about. Be blessed and most of all, keep on being a blessing. What you do for Jesus is not in vain.
One short note… wow… this blog was a HASSLE. In all my years of blogging this has never happened. For some odd reason the format would switch up while I was typing for no reason at all. I turned this iPad on and off, restarting five times. Started this blog last night but put it away in frustration until this morning. Here’s to hoping it posts without any strange formatting. I tell you the truth, I don’t think all those Apple updates are “all that” with fixing software flaws. 🙄😂 Just being real.
I pray this blog post has been a blessing to you. If you like it, please feel free to pass it along to bless someone else. We all need encouragement. You can find my autobiography Rooted by the Water on Amazon. I hope it inspires you to never give up in hard situations. Push through. God is always there to help us. Surrendering to Him years ago was the best decision I’ve ever made. Be blessed and better yet, be a blessing. Have a great weekend. Www.shannonkhinson.com
Yesterday I came across a devotion on our church’s App. It’s actually a book called “Read and Pray” which is portions of sermons our Pastor Loran Livingston has preached over the years at Central Church of God. We bought many copies about a year ago and gave them away as gifts. Recently a friend reminded me of the devotions and I started reading them again on the church app. You can find the devotion on https://centralnc.org/read_prayer_devotional The website is http://www.centralnc.org Past messages and music are on there. Check it out.
Yesterday, April 3 devotion was titled, “What have you done with this gift of suffering”. Please go to the website and check it out for yourself. I don’t know about you but I don’t think I’ve ever thought about suffering as a gift. Suffering can be depressing. It can be annoying and discouraging. But a gift?
One of the scriptures listed to look up is Philippians 1:29 which says,“For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him.” (NLT) There it is folks. The New Living Translation calls it a privilege to suffer for Christ. That sure is a “game changer”.
There is an old saying, “If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.” If you take a good look at people around you and really see them and their situations, you will see suffering on all different levels. You can see emotional suffering when people are having relationship issues. There is financial suffering when families try so hard to make “ends meet” in this ridiculous inflation.There are people suffering from physical pain and health issues. Other people suffer from their lack of ability.
If we look at our “suffering” through the lens of “privilege “ or a “gift”, what are we doing with it for the glory of God? I will be the first to admit that it’s tough. Honestly you can’t do this in your own strength, but you can in the strength of the Lord. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
In my personal situation, many might see my low vision and hearing issues a suffering. I’ve heard many people complain when they couldn’t drive for a certain period of time like that was the end of the world. I get it. At the beginning that was one “tough loss” but here I am about 35 years since I stopped driving, and I’m just fine. It was not the end of the world. My priorities have changed. I don’t always have to be going somewhere and I’m sensitive to others around me that have “lost”something. Add to that low vision hearing and speech comprehension issues, is it easy? Not by any means but God has given much perspective and empathy for others.
God has given me opportunities to get involved in serving others and helping to meet their needs. There is nothing like taking the attention off yourself and helping others. Forget the “woe is me” outlook. A couple of months ago my husband Ron and I got involved with some friends helping with Rice N Beans Ministry. We are helping with the Rock Hill location. A few weeks ago we met a homeless man and he said he was so blessed because he knows Jesus. This man has no earthly possessions but he has Jesus and he feels so blessed. That is the biggest testimony. With his “gift of suffering” in being homeless, he is declaring the goodness of God. Wow.
Another example of doing something with the “gift of suffering” would be in teaching bible study to my deaf girlfriends. Three of us have hearing loss and one is hearing. Our learning approaches are all different and so are our reading skills. With my vision issues and preparation for the lessons, it takes a lot of time to prepare. As I have pressed through, God has given me a deeper understanding of His Word. The girls who bought Bibles at the beginning of the study are now looking up and reading scripture. They participate in the discussions. One friend who has always been shy about praying out loud, is now signing short prayers. She said she didn’t know how to sign it in English. I said “ Prayer is talking to God. It doesn’t matter how you sign it, just talk to our Heavenly Father, and so she did. These things are priceless.
So what are you doing with your “gift of suffering”? Can you even see suffering as a “gift”? Think about the hardships you have endured. Has God brought people along side you to help “carry the load”? That could be in the forms of encouragement, offering to pray, bringing a meal, offering a listening ear. Reading Pastor’s devotion and reflecting on life, helps me see things more clearly.
I pray this blog post has been a blessing to you. If you like it, please feel free to pass it along to bless someone else. We all need encouragement. You can find my autobiography Rooted by the Water on Amazon. I hope it inspires you to never give up in hard situations . God is always there to help us. Surrendering to Him years ago was the best decision I’ve ever made. Be blessed and better yet, be a blessing. Www.shannonkhinson.com
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