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Glimpses of Grace

April 28, 2023Leave a Comment

Life can really put us through a “wringer” and having a strong support system is so vital. I have experienced this in my own life as I wrestle with hearing and visual issues. I also see strong support systems evident in people around me and it makes my heart fill with joy. It’s like God gives you “glimpses of grace” that spur you along. It’s like a heightened sensitivity to the Holy Spirit at work around you.

I love the Bible study group God has me in. We are a group of five, four deaf and one hearing. All of us have experienced difficulties in life and it’s beautiful to see the hand of God at work. Psalms‬ ‭51‬:‭17‬ ‭ says, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart— These, O God, You will not despise.” (NKJV‬‬). When we come together to study Gods Word, to encourage each other and pray, God smiles.

The past several weeks we had not been able to meet due to sickness of one friends father that resulted in him passing away. Yet I see glimpses of Gods grace during these last few weeks. Four of us had already lost our fathers so we knew the heartache and could extend loving support. 2 Corinthians‬ ‭1‬:‭4 says, “who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” (NKJV‬‬). I love how God works.

This week we were finally able to be together again for our study. Our friend who had lost her father brought her Bernedoodle Rocky with her. That dog is a love bug and has the cutest personality. As we began our study, she let him out in the backyard but did not think he would get in the pool. A few minutes later another friend happened to look out the window witnessing Rocky diving in the pool. We all dashed out of the house and his mom grabbed him by the harness pulling him to safety. After the crisis was averted we had the best laugh. There is nothing like a deep heartfelt laugh from deep within. A merry heart does good like medicine, Proverbs 17:22 (NKJV)

How does your support system look? Do you have a relationship with Jesus Christ? He is my Rock, the one who gets me through every situation. He is my anchor. The one who holds me steady in the raging storms of life. When you know Him, He gives you glimpses of grace that keep you faith and hope alive.

As I started blogging this morning, the title had been in my spirit for a few days. I had some thoughts on what I would write about but the Lord has directed me in a similar yet different direction. I trust His prompting and know it will accomplish what He desires. At the end of this post I want to share a YouTube music video form church with Larry Green singing Horizon. This blesses me every time I hear it and I pray it blesses you too.

If you liked this blog post please subscribe and share. I write when God puts something on my heart. 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. All for the Glory of God. Be blessed!

Www.shannonkhinson.com

When the music changes

November 20, 2022Leave a Comment

Memories…my last recital.

Have you ever had a time in your life when God enabled you to do something you would not typically attempt? Taking piano lessons as a hearing and visually limited adult was that season for me. I am so thankful for that time period, worshipping on the piano was my therapy. My friend and former teacher taught me chords since I can’t see well enough to read music. I bought a sketch book and she filled it with songs I wanted to learn. I would sit for hours practicing and would play through my whole sketch book.

My husband Ron bought a used piano for my birthday several years ago. It was my happy place to sit and play. I stopped taking lessons when I needed that extra money to buy a Cross link device that worked with my previous cochlear implant processor. On a sad note, that cross link device doesn’t sync with my new processor.

Once I stopped playing the piano was when I really began writing. I published my autobiography Rooted by the Water in May 2021. You can find it on Amazon. Writing became my new form of therapy. Unlike with playing the piano, I no longer have to depend on someone else to write out the music for me. Writing and blogging are ways to glorify God, encourage others and share my heart. I never meant to stop playing the songs I had learned on the piano but my focus was shifted to written expression. In the last few years I only sat down to play a couple of times and was surprised at how much I had forgotten.

A few months ago some friends of our son Joshua moved up from Miami, Florida. One a social media influencer/artist and one an award winning music producer. I kid you not. He sat down at my piano and literally burned up those keys with his talent. Wow! Joshua knew I had not played in a while and asked if the guys could buy it. Every musical instrument meeds to be loved and played. I knew it would be used often in its new home, so I agreed to sell it. The guys came and got it last week. In a way I’m a bit sad because that season is over but I know great music will come forth from the new owners. I still have my electric keyboard, if I can only find what my husband did with the electric cord and sustain pedal.

In this new season, I’m thankful for the opportunity to write and blog. Several topics have been swirling in my mind lately but I’ve been too busy to write. One day soon I will get those out in a blog. You can find my blog from the menu on my website http://www.shannonkhinson.com or at http://www.rootedbythewater.blog

Check it out and subscribe if you haven’t already. Be blessed!

SHAKE ME

October 25, 20221 Comment

If life was like an Etch A Scetch…..

Sometimes we need a good shaking from the Lord. A good shake will clear all the creative mess we make. If we’ve learned anything from previous explorations with the etch a sketch, after a shaking or clearing, if we leave the controls alone there is peace and stillness.

Wouldn’t it be awesome if life was that simple. Just think, when situations or circumstances become messy, just a good shake would clear it all away. That’s wishful thinking.

Life has been a bit stressful lately. What’s new? It seems like a curve ball is always coming up around the corner and catches us off guard . That’s pretty much the story of my life. This latest scenario has tested not only my patience but also my husbands.

My Optelec video magnifier that I’ve been using for 15 years stopped working. I use that machine to see recipes, directions on food packaging, paying the bills, balancing the checkbook and even simply writing. Bottom line, I need it to see for daily functional living and it’s been broke for weeks.

Ron is very mechanically inclined and usually can fix anything. He contacted the company who makes it and they sent instructions on how to disassemble it. He was excited and after talking to someone at the company, ordered the part they thought would fix it. The part was over $500 but that’s way less than a new machine. We waited a week for the part to come in and found out that was not the problem The next part to try is the camera feature to the tune of $2000. Lord give us wisdom to know how to fix this or to get a new one. We could use a good boost of endurance as Ron is doing some of the things I’ve always done.

Meanwhile life continues to happen. Ron took me to my appointment yesterday with my new primary doctor. I’ve seen the same doctor since I was in college but this new one is just two miles from us and was recommended by a friend. She was awesome. We were happy with the whole experience until checking out. Whoa what a sour grape we dealt with. Ron told me later the woman kept telling him to pull his mask up while I was telling him to pull it down. Lord only knows what she was saying to me, because she was all masked up and Ron was too, I could not follow. I told Ron he should have told me. The American Disabilities Act would have come in handy and I would have nicely given her a piece of my mind. She has to learn to be gracious to different types of patients. Communication barriers are no joke. Goodness gracious! She gave us a bunch of forms to fill out. (Remember my broken machine? ) I am in their system and have a patient portal with all my information available to her at the touch of a computer mouse.

This is life! This is us! It takes an abundance of patience. Lord help me be gracious! I spent time in prayer last night and went to bed early. This morning I spent time in prayer again. As I prayed I told the Lord there were so many things but He already knew of them all. He knows the frustrations of dealing with people. He knows the abundance of patience it takes and He knows my weaknesses. This morning I felt in my heart I was to “Be Still”. Just “be still” and worship all that He is. Just “Be Still” and know that He is God. Today is a new day with fresh mercies. It’s a clean slate. Tomorrow is gone with its troubles. There will always be people to deal with and situations to maneuver. Move on and let it go!

May God bless you today in whatever you face. May you see Him smiling and encouraging you as you look to Him. Whatever you do, keep moving forward. It is tempting to throw in the towel and say “I’m done”. Don’t do it! Our purpose is to bring glory to God. We can’t
bring Him glory when we quit but we can bring Him much glory when we surrender and push through by His Spirit. Let’s hit that next curve ball out of the park! Let’s go!

If you enjoyed this blog please subscribe. I share life lessons, struggles living with hearing and visual impairments. It’s my purpose to bring God glory in my daily struggles. My autobiography Rooted by the Water cam be found on Amazon.

Www.shannonkhinson.com

Meaning behind the name

October 22, 20221 Comment

One and a half years ago I released my autobiography,Rooted by the Water. As I brainstormed possible names the word “Rooted” stuck in my mind. Being rooted and established in Jesus is so symbolic to my life story. Yet rooted by itself did not reflect the full picture of my journey.

By the summer of 2020 the majority of my book was finished. That summer I decided to read through the Bible in 90 days. I wish I could see well enough to read the Bible in book form but with my low vision reading from the YouVersion app was more assessable. With the font zoomed in large I read from Genesis through Revelations. As I read, I took notes on many scriptures. Searching diligently,God showed me so many scriptures I could use. In Jeremiah I came across the following verses and they stuck. “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” Jeremiah‬ ‭17‬:‭7-8‬ ‭(NIV) After reading that the name of my book took form.

My goal and purpose in life is to bring God glory. What better way to do that than to put my trust and confidence in Jesus. In all honesty, life is tough and doesn’t always make sense.

Over the course of my life many many seeds hvee been sowed: seeds of faith, seeds of trust, seeds of hope, seeds of perseverance ,and seeds of joy to name a few. If you’ve ever planted seeds, you know that not all seeds take root. Those seeds that take root and grow deep and strong are the plants that last.

Jeremiah gives us this illustration of a healthy tree planted by the water whose roots grow deep. This is symbolic of someone whose trust and confidence is in the Lord.

In John 4 Jesus is talking to a Samaritan woman by the well. “Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” John‬ ‭4‬:‭10‬ ‭(NIV‬‬) When we are rooted in Jesus, the true living water, we need never to fear.

My trust and confidence are in Jesus. He keeps me rooted and established in all I need to persevere. Life is not about me but the one who sustains me. In good times and bad he helps me flourish. Winds and storms come in my life living with hearing and visual issues, but I hold tight to Jesus. During those gusty windy times of self doubt and despair, Jesus keeps me from breaking. In the dry dark times of drought when I wonder where God is and why I am having to endure various hardships, I remain rooted and nourished by God’s Word filled with life giving scriptures.

If you have never discovered Jesus or surrendered your life to him, he is all that truly satisfies and sustains us in this life. You too can be “rooted by the water.” I have found in life that Jesus is all that really satisfies. I pray whoever reads this that seeds of faith in Jesus take root and change your life for His glory.

I welcome,e you to subscribe to my blog. 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.

Www.shannonkhinson.com

Be a Miracle

October 7, 20222 Comments

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

The Harvest

September 29, 20221 Comment

Last Sunday was a busy day at the apple orchard in Spruce Pine NC. This was my first experience in an apple orchard and I marveled at the fact I could see many apples on many trees. Having low vision all my life, I’m not used to seeing such detail. I went with four friends and we decided to take a wagon ride through the orchard first to learn history of the area and the orchard itself. All the friends with me are deaf but one can lip read so well, she interpreted what the tour guide said. We all listened with keen interest but once the tractor had pulled us into the orchard I turn around and just absorbed the beauty of the experience.

The orchard has a gorgeous backdrop of mountains. I was sitting in the front corner of the wagon and turned staring in awe. Tree after tree covered with a variety of apples. Some were red, green and yellow. Some sweet and others tart. After the wagon ride, I bought a bucket so I could experience harvesting apples. The guide explained how to know if the apples were ready. Apples ready for picking came right off once I pulled and twisted the steam. I came across some that were not ready and some trees we skipped completely because that particular variety had a different harvest time. It did not take long to fill my bucket with apples then I headed back to meet my friends.

There are some life applications that I gleamed from this experience. If you want to be part of the harvest, you have to participate. You will have to endure the elements to achieve the goal of picking apples. It was a warm day and I broke a sweat trudging through the uneven, rocky slopes. There were weeds and grasses growing in various places. With my low vision, it wasn’t the easiest task maneuvering over the uneven ground. However, I desired the apples more than the hassle it took to get them, so I pushed through.

Every beautiful experience has positive and negative aspects. The trick is to keep your eyes on the prize. In the beginning, as I rode on the wagon through the orchard, my eye was drawn to the fruit. The grassy, rocky slopes weren’t a problem until I was on foot trudging through it. I grasped the beauty of the apples so the negatives of the elements didn’t bother me because my eye was on the goal.

Another life application is, you reap what you sow. Our orchard guide told us about the man who planted the orchard. He put lots of effort into his goal and years later the orchard continues to produce beautiful tasty fruit.

Last but not least, I pondered on how those many apple covered trees represent humanity in need of some one to pick them and bring them in to enjoy. If the apples aren’t picked, they eventually fall and rot on the ground. In Luke 10:2 it says, “These were his instructions to them: “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.”(NLT)

Our communities, schools, neighborhoods, business are full of apples (people) waiting for someone to see their value. So many want to be “picked and cherished”. Let’s pray and ask God how we can be useful in the greatest harvest ever. It will require a willingness to participate but we won’t be disappointed in the results.

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

Latest adventure of the “Hear no evil Chicks”

September 27, 20223 Comments

Just got back from a long weekend in the NC mountains with my deaf girlfriends. Quick side note about the name- we have an ongoing chat group and one friend wanted a name for us. Some of the suggestions were; Sassy Chicks, Hear no evil Chicks and Hot & Sassy. You can insert my eye roll on the last suggestion made by one of the girls Italian husband. Go figure! 😂 Since 2019 we have gone on one trip each year. This year it was hard to get everyone’s schedule together. We had talked about a day trip to pick apples but we ended up having a long weekend.

We rode up on the first day of Fall and came home on Sunday. We had perfect Fall weather. We stayed in a small place in Blowing Rock NC that said it slept 6 people but I don’t think it meant six women and a BIG sweet “Doodle-Dog”. There was just one bathroom, but it was fun and we made it work.

Our first day was gorgeous and clear skies. We took advantage of the perfect weather and went to Grandfather Mountain. Ome of my friends had never walked across the swinging bride so that’s the first thing we did. We all crossed the bridge, looked at the beautiful views, took pictures and sat on the rocks overlooking the mountainside. We also saw the animals. With my low vision I could not tell where they were but a friend took pictures and videos of the black bears, cougars, bald head eagles and river otters. It was such a perfect day.

The second day was overcast with a few showers. We decided to visit the old Mast General store in Boone. The scent of old-time fresh popcorn greeted us as we walked into the old store. One friend and I had a friendly game of checkers. The playing pieces were bottle caps. It was a bit hard for me to see but I managed and won! There were barrels full of various candies and a OLD tractor outside. I sat in the drivers seat and we took a group picture. Later on that day we went in some shops on Main Street in Blowing Rock.

Our last day we went to an apple orchard in Spruce Pine. This was my first time ever being in an apple orchard. It was amazing to me to be close enough to see all the MANY apples on the trees. We took a hayride and learned the history of the area. It was a neat experience. I think I will write a separate blog on that.

I don’t have any biological sisters but God has blessed me with some wonderful friends who are like sisters. This one particular group is a special bunch. We are all deaf. We all lost our hearing at different ages and stages in life. Three of us have cochlear implants. Two are incredible at lip reading. I’m not one of those. Low vision hinders that. We have the common connection of hearing loss and a special bond. I’m so thankful for these girls and making memories together.

When they dropped me off at home on Sunday I was exhausted physically, visually and mentally. I’m not used to watching sign language continuously for days. My husband was surprised at how tired I was. I unpacked my things, took an epson salt bath and went to sleep. So A vacations you need a vacation to recover from. That was one of those. It was an awesome time though. Fun memories made with special friends. Until next time….

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

Balancing Act

August 8, 20222 Comments

A few weeks ago I got my bosu ball out to begin working on my balance. I also found a Pilates app that has different routines to do to strengthen your body and help with flexibility. It is surprising how off balance I can be even on solid ground. I’m sure my low vision and hearing contribute to the balance issue. I’m also only implanted with a cochlear Implant in my right ear. My trouble with balance can be embarrassing as I always try to play it off if I wobble. I knew it was time to take action and do what I can to strengthen my core muscles .

When I first got my bosu ball out, I was amazed at how hard it was to find balance with the round side on the floor. One night right before bed at 11:30 I had the “bright idea” of closing my eyes to see if I could balance without looking. That was a very short experiment. As I tried to balance with the rounded side on the floor, as soon as I closed my eyes I fell straight over to my right side(The side my cochlear implant is on) I hit the carpet pretty hard causing a carpet burn on my knee. Otherwise I was fine. My husband heard the fall and came to investigate. I was laying on the floor laughing. I said, “No worries. I just fell over, that’s all.”

There is a life lesson in this. We need to keep our focus. If my eyes are open and fixed straight ahead, Im not as likely to waver in faith or character. Life is a balancing act. Equilibrium is so necessary: a calm purposeful focus on what’s most important.

Last week I felt stretched in all different directions and it had me stressed out. We were finishing up a home improvement project and having carpet put in that room. The day of installment was so confusing. The company went back and forth on if it was actually coming. Someone one said”Yes, it’s coming”, another said, “No we made a mistake”. It finally came that evening. Our son also started a new job doing something totally new to him. He’s working as an electrician apprentice. That caused some underlying anxiety to flare up. All the while, I was my husbands “sounding board”. Listening to your spouses frustrations is part of marriage but I don’t hear like a normal person and with everything else going on, I’d had more than enough! I needed quiet time to unwind and not have to listen to things I have zero control over. I went into our bedroom, for some time alone. My husband came in and said, “I love you.” I replied, “I love you too now go away.” I’m thankful my husband understands when I need peace and quiet after over stimulation.

Recently I asked a good friend who is also a neighbor if she would do a Bible study with me. We are doing “Lord I want to know you” by Kay Arthur. I’ve done this study years ago on the names of God in the Bible and how the names reveal who He is. As I started day 1 today, I was amazed at how the opening illustration reflected me right now. The illustration is of a doe running from a barking dog. The doe is exhausted from the chase and comes upon a person standing at a fence. Sensing security there the doe goes to him. As I reflected on that illustration I saw myself being exhausted by the chase of lie worries and frustrations. Life happens and we have to deal with it. God does not leave us to face it alone. He’s right there saying “Come to Me“. In Matthew‬ ‭11:28‬ ‭ Jesus is saying, “Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”(NASB2020)

So you see life is a balancing act. Whether it’s with physical balance, life in general, relationships or spiritual, Jesus is there willing to help us stay steady. It will require focus on Him but it will be so worth it. Be encouraged and press on,

My website is still down. Thankfully I have the files but am waiting for a friend to show me how to transfer them to a new site. I’m hoping to combine my website and blog together. It is coming along just rather slowly. In the meantime if you’d like to check out my book “Rooted by the Water” you can find it on Amazon in hard cover, soft cover and e book formats. Thank you for journeying with me. Please subscribe to my blog and share it with others. Blessing to you all.

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The Missing Link

June 27, 20222 Comments

There is glorious light at the end of this struggle. Today I went back to my Audiologist for another mapping (programming) of my Advanced Bionics Marvel cochlear implant processor. The last several weeks have been quite an interesting challenge. After a week of a sound diet, having no auditory stimulation, followed by turning the processor back on to a low level; today she found the missing link. I had three electrodes that were turned off for some reason. My Audiologist tried turning them all back on but it was just one that made a big difference. Turning that one electrode back on brought a crispness back to sound. It no longer sounds muffled. She also turned the other two electrodes on and off while I listened to my husbands voice. I could understand him better with those two electrodes off. My nerves were able to tolerate the increase in sound without any eye twitching. I can’t begin to tell you how relieved I am. I am so so thankful to the Lord for His direction and wisdom. Ron and I have prayed throughout this process and family and friends have also prayed. It will take me some time to adjust to the new mapping but I’m all smiles! I can hear myself above the background noise so I know how loud to speak. I will have to get out in the environment to practice. If I learned anything this past time, I learned to ease into it. I will navigate this next stage with a more balanced approach. I am eager to explore sound and see what I can understand but I will not push myself too hard this time.

Thank you Lord for lessons learned. Thank you Lord for always being my anchor that holds me when troubled waters come along. Thank you for your promises that are new every morning.

We are considering looking into getting my other ear implanted. It is something that will require much prayer. It is an option to think and pray about. In the meantime, I will be working with what I have and trying my best to succeed with what God has given me. God is faithful always.

Never give up. It’s easy to get overwhelmed at times and changing coping methods is needed. However, giving up is not an option. It’s okay to take a step back, rest, refocus and ease into it again. There is help and support, you just have to be willing to accept it. You are never alone in the struggles! God is always right there with you as you lift up your voice in praise, thanksgiving and prayer. Help is on the way. It might not always look like you think it will. Putting your trust in God will see you through. God is faithful always! Let Him help you.

If you happen to come across this blog post for the first time. I encourage you to read 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.

Three life seasons in a weekend

June 18, 2022Leave a Comment

This weekend is packed full with different life celebrations. A memorial / celebration of life for a precious friend who recently passed away. A celebration of marriage for a young couple embarking on their married journey. Last but not least, celebration of Fathers Day. Celebrating my husband Ron and remembering my awesome Dad who is no longer with us.

Life comes at us all the time. We never know what lurks around the next corner but we embrace Jesus who holds us every minute of every day. He enables us to find the good in hard seasons like when we lose a loved one. He enabled us to speak life into other new life seasons and cherish and appreciate each stage.

The Memorial service

Recently a precious lady passed away unexpectedly. It seems surreal like it just can’t be true. When we got the news of complications after her surgery we all raised our voices in faith filled prayers before God to bring before God healing. He brought her healing in Heaven. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and precious friend. One thing that stood out to me in her beautiful memorial service was, the Pastor said she preached her own funeral by the way she lived her life. The words spoken weren’t just empty words. They were true. She will never know the impact of her sweet spirit, love, encouragement, kindness and faith. May God comfort her family as they struggle with her loss.

The wedding

Today we got to witness a sweet couples wedding. We’ve known the bride since she was born. Such a beautiful young lady inside and out. We were happy to be a part of their celebration as they begin their married journey together.

I remember our wedding day. It was over 28 years ago. Being in love and ready to start life together, is like planting roots. Living out the promises you make to one another before God, day after day, takes commitment. It takes three: the bride, the groom and the Lord. A cord of three is not easily broken. We wish this sweet couple a lifetime of happiness.

Fathers Day

We have been celebrating Ron all weekend. Friday night our son Joshua wanted to have dinner together, then today we all attended the wedding together. Tomorrow Joshua will join us for church then a lunch for Ron.

It will be a bittersweet day as it will be the second Fathers Day without my Dad. I was a Daddy’s girl and I sure do miss our talks. Dad was a great listener. He would let me talk and give me words of wisdom and advice. I know he’s celebrating Father’s Day with our Abba Father. There is nothing like the love of a Father for his children.

Experiencing various parts of life’s journey over this weekend makes me reflect on the goodness of God. In all the seasons of life He is faithful and so so good!

Cherish a relationship with God and if you don’t have one, I urge you to get to know Jesus. It’s the best decision you will ever make. He is always there loving you and waiting for you to open the door of your heart to Him. He will see you through each season of life. The happy times, the difficult times, the joys and struggles, He is there every step of the way. Thank you Jesus!

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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