Seth has no health issues! 😀 All of his tests came back ‘normal’ – PRAISE GOD! The tests came back so quick I was stunned to receive a call at 10am from the doctor to hear this great news.
Another great message I received today was from Jenna, the young woman I’ve been in contact with since a conference I spoke at last year. She is a survivor of incest and her story is being featured in the video project “I Have a Voice”. I’ll be revealing her video shortly in the July Hopeful Hearts Newsletter and the rest of the project videos will be released in September. Jenna wrote me the following email and it lifted me up as a survivor so I felt it had to be shared with the rest of you….for we all have survived something in our lives… I pray this brings you HOPE.
The question is not why do we feel this way, rather, why do we not see God in these emotions?
It can be a struggle seeing God in everyday feelings, challenges, and emotions. Why do we not see it though? Is it because we don’t want to see our faithful God hurting us? Or is it because we are ashamed? In my life I have come to realize that life is God. My everyday is a path of choices I make however it is a plan God has already created. I know that God makes us weep, get frustrated, and angry because he LOVES us. If He chose to let our lives be simple then it would mean He did not care enough. But the thing is…. HE DOES CARE A LOT!
I have had to come to a realization that God’s love is a love so much more complex that we humans can only grasp and understand such a small bit of it. I know God never wants His children hurt, but He knows we are strong people. We can make it. Or he would have never created the strong willed people we can be!
“Father God, I come into your presence so aware of my human frailty and yet overwhelmed by your love for me. I thank you that there is no human experience that I might walk through where your love cannot reach me. If I climb the highest mountain you are there and yet if I find myself in the darkest valley of my life, you are there. Teach me today to love you more. Help me to rest in that love that asks nothing more than the simple trusting heart of a child. In Jesus name, Amen”
Prayer Written by: Sheila Walsh
-Jenna Hagan
( I was reading your blog and thinking of you today. This is what my heart rambled on about. I hope this manages to impact you today in some sort of a way. I bought your book again on my kindle and the audio so I can fully understand your story,and Shannon, this book makes me realize how strong you and I are. We have suffered through basically hell and managed to survive. If we can survive what we went through, are going through, and will go through then we followed God’s plan. I know he gave us this challenge for a reason. WE ARE STRONG WOMEN. WE CAN AND WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE. I love you Shannon and see you as not only a sister in Christ but someone I can connect with and understand. I am so thankful God has joined our paths in life. We are going to do great things!)[/box]
She truly ‘showed up’ for me today. 🙂 This woman, young in her years but wise in her soul, is surely a testament of His power and might. We are brave, we overcome with His Might, and then He sets us forth to make a difference. Go forth to love and serve the Lord. 😉
Blessings
Shannon