A friend sent this image to me after reading my latest blogs in dealing with my drought and silent retreat. There is something so FREEING in being able to admit that I just can’t be that ‘strong’ anymore and allow myself to fall limp into my Father’s hands. 😉
I checked out for a bit this week to enjoy some free time at the beach with my boys. Not only did I get my behind kicked in fuzzball and ping-pong, a bit of a sunburn, and a few dozen mosquito bites, I also got to love on my boys sans interruption, hear them giggle, celebrate victory and say ‘thank you’ and ‘I love you!’. 🙂
All of these blessings washed over me, lifting my spirit to a degree that I could no longer allow the stench of frustration and anxiety to remain. And as many of you know, if you have been following me for the past almost five years, I LOVE THE BEACH. I am the closest to God when I stand before the vast shore seeing the reflection of the sun make a path to the horizon like the yellow brick road, hear the melody of the waves crashing into the sand and smell the mixture of coconut oil and salt sting my nose. I ran every morning on the beach praying as I headed into the sun.
And in just three days so many prayers were answered! I was preparing for a women’s luncheon event I have this Saturday in Deer Park, Tx at St. Hyacinth Catholic Church (see the Events Calendar for details if you would like to attend!) and though I knew the direction I wanted to go with the women I wasn’t quite sure how I wanted to get there. But I put it before God and voila! It came to me as I was running. In fact, the answer was so clear it took my breath away and when I finally could take a breath the tears came fast. I was stunned with the sudden clear direction I’d been given. I couldn’t doubt its source.
A few days later I was with a girlfriend who came with her boys to spend a day with us and we had taken the kids to the new Pleasure Pier in Galveston. We were sitting there watching the boys ram into one another in the bumper cars when I confided in her about one of the issues I was having that was leaving me very frustrated, uncertain and anxious. Talking about it out loud and voicing everything helped and it helped to have someone put it into a perspective I couldn’t see. However, just moments later, literally ten minutes later, I checked my emails while the boys were on a TWIST, TURN AND THROW YOUR GUTS UP ride and received an email from a source that had the ability to put the specific concern/anxiousness/frustration I’d just voiced to rest. I wish I could share exactly what it was but I believe that might come in due time. 😉 My point is, there is no ‘coincidence’ in that email coming at that very moment. In fact, it was as if the person had HEARD my conversation and ANSWERED my issues SPECIFICALLY. I would say it was eerie if I wasn’t already keen into God’s ‘Godwinks’. 😉
My point is not to say ‘Ask God and He will give it to you.’ We all know that what we ask for isn’t always answered in the way we desire. However, what I am saying is that I have and will continue to rely on my faith beyond all the fears, uncertainties, frustrations and anxieties and I will trust that God will answer in His time, in His way and with His love. 🙂
On another note, if you were not able to catch the TV interview with The Harvest you can watch it here on YouTube: Shannon Deitz/The Harvest
Also, 5 Days left to receive perks and contribute to the HOPEFUL HEARTS MINISTRY Campaign with Indiegogo. Can you help get us over $1000? (Or you are welcome to contribute to Hopeful Hearts ANY TIME directly from this website!) Thank you to the following who have already contributed to the campaign either monetarily and or just by leaving behind a comment:
Catherine Dunn, Fr. Gavin Vaverek, Bill Hines, Amy Koepp, Amy Banmiller, Tina, Alicia, Donna, Morlley and Angela and Tara!
And to ALL OF YOU who have contributed before I began the campaign with Indiegogo and helped me literally start up Hopeful Hearts….THANK YOU!!!
Blessings
Shannon