I had the chance to meet seven pretty incredible women at the new Women's Extension Center tonight. I am truly still reeling from this life experience. This center opened in our community on May 1, 2009 to house women who desire a change in their life. Women who are addicts of some sort. I realized tonight that the drug or drink of choice is not what matters. Instead, what matters is that an addiction of some sort has taken over a life. And these women have decided to face their fears and deal with an addiction that has literally taken over their life. This center will house up to twenty women at any given time and this home already has 10 women.
The eyes of each lady were glued to me as I shared from my heart, reminding them that courage is simply fear that has said its prayers. I praised them for the courage they were showing by facing the truth of their addiction.
The difficulty, the hardships that were shared with me took my breath away..."I've been raped six times..." "I was smokin'crack cocaine up until I came here on
May 5th." ...and more.
As I embraced these women, I was overwhelmed with gratitude for the life that I have been given. Yes, I have had some rocks in my path...but no boulders or potholes, like these women.
After our meeting, the ladies invited us to join them for a spaghetti dinner. The cool thing was that the dinner was provided by a local AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) group. A man who was part of their group shared with me that this is one of the ways that they stay sober is by helping others who want to recover from addiction...
This reminded me of something my Mama used to always say...ËACH ONE REACH ONE."
And this prompted me to reconsider the story about the young boy that was on a beach one day.
The beach was covered with live star fish that had been washed up onto the sand. One by one, the boy threw the starfish back into the ocean to save them from sure death on the hot beach. A man came by, and observing the young boy, said "Young man, what do you think you are doing? You can't make a difference here. There are just too many starfish on this beach."
The young boy picked up another starfish and hurled it out into the sea, saying, " I made a difference for that one!"
And so it is with each life experience that we find ourselves in. We share, we encourage, we laugh, we cry, we love and we live each day and when we choose to make a difference in another's life, then our life experiences are all the richer for it.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
A SOJOURNER
"You only live once-but if you work it right, once is enough." Joe F. Lewis
You and I, we are sojourners on this earth. The Webster's dictionary defines a sojourner as follows:
"...one who is having a brief, temporary stay; a brief residence"
WE are sojourners on this earth because this earth is not our home.
"Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." James 4:14
Last night, as I worked for several hours organizing my thoughts, my story, in anticipation of sharing with the recovering ladies at the Women's Extension Center, it quickly became apparent to me how far God has brought me in my life.
HOW ENCOURAGING!!! My main prayer has become two words: "Thank You."
As a 50 something woman, (or any age woman!) I believe it is positively cathartic, very freeing, to think through, and even possibly write down your story, your personal testimony.
As I have expressed before, I have kept a journal for more than 20 years.
This simple tool has so often aided me in working through issues that have burdened my heart in my day-to-day life.
If you are not sure how to get started, try setting a timer for 10-20 minutes and just WRITE, WRITE, WRITE until the timer chimes...or TYPE, TYPE, TYPE...whichever is most comfortable for you.
In sharing with these women, I came up with the following verses to guide me:
Matthew 6:26-27
Lamentations 3:22-23
Galatians 5:1
"If you won't be better tomorrow than you were today, then what do you need tomorrow for?" Rabbi Hahman of Bratslay
Today, I encourage you to consider yourself as a sojourner as you contemplate your life journey. How far have you come?
You and I, we are sojourners on this earth. The Webster's dictionary defines a sojourner as follows:
"...one who is having a brief, temporary stay; a brief residence"
WE are sojourners on this earth because this earth is not our home.
"Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." James 4:14
Last night, as I worked for several hours organizing my thoughts, my story, in anticipation of sharing with the recovering ladies at the Women's Extension Center, it quickly became apparent to me how far God has brought me in my life.
HOW ENCOURAGING!!! My main prayer has become two words: "Thank You."
As a 50 something woman, (or any age woman!) I believe it is positively cathartic, very freeing, to think through, and even possibly write down your story, your personal testimony.
As I have expressed before, I have kept a journal for more than 20 years.
This simple tool has so often aided me in working through issues that have burdened my heart in my day-to-day life.
If you are not sure how to get started, try setting a timer for 10-20 minutes and just WRITE, WRITE, WRITE until the timer chimes...or TYPE, TYPE, TYPE...whichever is most comfortable for you.
In sharing with these women, I came up with the following verses to guide me:
Matthew 6:26-27
Lamentations 3:22-23
Galatians 5:1
"If you won't be better tomorrow than you were today, then what do you need tomorrow for?" Rabbi Hahman of Bratslay
Today, I encourage you to consider yourself as a sojourner as you contemplate your life journey. How far have you come?
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS
I am preparing my heart and mind to share my testimony with a group of ladies this coming Thursday night. These ladies are new residents, as of May 1, 2009, of a Women's Extension Center, a 60 day program for women that want to recover from drug and/or alcohol abuse.
A friend of mine has asked for my help and I am in the process of recruiting volunteers to help out in many areas as this new center evolves.
My book club just finished discussing the book BROKEN, A story of Redemption and Recovery By, William Cope Moyers. I highly recommend this book to anyone that might want to have a clearer understanding of the horrific disease of sddiction.
I believe that reading this book has better equipped me to minister to these women at The Women's Extension Center.
I keep thinking about a quote I heard once, although I do not recall who said it.
"They don't care how much you know until they know how much you care."
This Thursday night is an opportunity for Bible Study for these women, to help them see that there are answers in the Word. However if I go in there and share a bunch of scripture verses with them, some of whom have never opened the Bible before, I know that my sharing will not be effective.
Instead, I will share from my heart, my personal story about how God rescued me, and I will love these women, because ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS.
A friend of mine has asked for my help and I am in the process of recruiting volunteers to help out in many areas as this new center evolves.
My book club just finished discussing the book BROKEN, A story of Redemption and Recovery By, William Cope Moyers. I highly recommend this book to anyone that might want to have a clearer understanding of the horrific disease of sddiction.
I believe that reading this book has better equipped me to minister to these women at The Women's Extension Center.
I keep thinking about a quote I heard once, although I do not recall who said it.
"They don't care how much you know until they know how much you care."
This Thursday night is an opportunity for Bible Study for these women, to help them see that there are answers in the Word. However if I go in there and share a bunch of scripture verses with them, some of whom have never opened the Bible before, I know that my sharing will not be effective.
Instead, I will share from my heart, my personal story about how God rescued me, and I will love these women, because ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS.
Monday, May 18, 2009
WHAT IS SUCCESS?
I just spent some time writing checks and readying a few graduation cards. We are at that season of life where we are helping our friends and family members celebrate this milestone juncture in a young person's life: high school commencement, college graduation, or even a convocation from some professional school. One of our best friend's daughter is graduating from the Naval Academy and going on to Flight School! Wow, what an accomplishment!
Yes, the Class of 2009 is certainly something to honor and commend!
Ralph Waldo Emerson (May 25, 1803-April 27,1882) was an American essayist, philosopher and poet best remembered for leading the Transcendentalist movement of the early 19th century.
As I was considering what success in life really is, I was reminded of this well-known poet's definition:
TO LAUGH OFTEN AND MUCH; TO WIN THE RESPECT OF INTELLIGENT PEOPLE AND AFFECTION OF CHILDREN; TO EARN THE APPRECIATION OF HONEST CRITICS AND ENDURE THE BETRAYAL OF FALSE FRIENDS; TO APPRECIATE BEAUTY, TO FIND THE BEST IN OTHERS; TO LEAVE THE WORLD A BIT BETTER, WHETHER BY A HEALTHY CHILD, A GARDEN PATCH OR A REDEEMED SOCIAL CONDITION; TO KNOW EVEN ONE LIFE HAS BREATHED EASIER BECAUSE YOU HAVE LIVED.
THIS IS TO HAVE SUCCEEDED.
By, Ralph Waldo Emerson
WHAT IS YOUR DEFINITION OF SUCCESS?
Yes, the Class of 2009 is certainly something to honor and commend!
Ralph Waldo Emerson (May 25, 1803-April 27,1882) was an American essayist, philosopher and poet best remembered for leading the Transcendentalist movement of the early 19th century.
As I was considering what success in life really is, I was reminded of this well-known poet's definition:
TO LAUGH OFTEN AND MUCH; TO WIN THE RESPECT OF INTELLIGENT PEOPLE AND AFFECTION OF CHILDREN; TO EARN THE APPRECIATION OF HONEST CRITICS AND ENDURE THE BETRAYAL OF FALSE FRIENDS; TO APPRECIATE BEAUTY, TO FIND THE BEST IN OTHERS; TO LEAVE THE WORLD A BIT BETTER, WHETHER BY A HEALTHY CHILD, A GARDEN PATCH OR A REDEEMED SOCIAL CONDITION; TO KNOW EVEN ONE LIFE HAS BREATHED EASIER BECAUSE YOU HAVE LIVED.
THIS IS TO HAVE SUCCEEDED.
By, Ralph Waldo Emerson
WHAT IS YOUR DEFINITION OF SUCCESS?
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Let's "GET IT RIGHT"
A good friend and I were chatting on his front porch a couple of days ago and he was letting me know that his mother's cancer had spread and she does not have long. He and I talked about what kind of Mama she had been and I cannot get what he said to me out of my mind...he said: ~
"When my mother reaches the gates of heaven, she will hear the words...
'You got it right'."
While my friend elaborated very ittle about what exactly he meant by this, I knew without a doubt what he was saying to me...
His mother made sure to ~~~~LOVE WELL ~~~LAUGH OFTEN and LOVE MUCH~~~~
I want to get it right, too! Don't you!?!
"When my mother reaches the gates of heaven, she will hear the words...
'You got it right'."
While my friend elaborated very ittle about what exactly he meant by this, I knew without a doubt what he was saying to me...
His mother made sure to ~~~~LOVE WELL ~~~LAUGH OFTEN and LOVE MUCH~~~~
I want to get it right, too! Don't you!?!
Saturday, May 16, 2009
GRADUATION TIME: A new beginning
I was at the graduation for my son's school today, as a volunteer, because he will not be a senior until next year. The volunteers were in charge of setting up a lovely reception to follow the ceremony. Everything was pulled together at 2:50, as the event was to take place at 3:00 p.m. The flowers and balloons had been arranged and were in place. The cake, punch, and nuts were ready for the crowd.
Just before the graduation began, a woman ran into the reception area calling out to us: "Call 911, my uncle is ill!" We of course, called 911, and the emergency vehicles were on the way. One of the administrators ran to his office to obtain a AED (Automated External Defibrillators). It has become more and more common for public places to have a machine like this available for cardiac emergencies.
This machine when attached to the victim reads the heart rhythm and directs the responders as to what they need to do until the ambulance arrives. A friend of mine that was present as a mom of one of the 2009 graduates, who is also a cardiac nurse, along with an Oncologist, who had a son graduating assisted this gentleman until the EMTs arrived. The good news is that the man appears to have improved with the passing of a few minutes and that is good considering my friend reported to me that he had NO heart rate and no pulse when she first appeared on the scene. She stated
that the AED was what made the difference in this medical emergency...Thankfully, this school was equipped with one! Hopefully, this gentleman will realize that he has been given a new beginning, and actually, all those folks in the audience should also realize the fragility of life after witnessing this experience...I know these were the thoughts that went through my mind!
And on this graduation day, a day for new beginnings, my thoughts once again returned to my Mama who passed away in October 2006, after just 4 short months of cancer.
When I was with her, I tried to be brave and put up this cheerful front. But there was this one night a couple of weeks before she left us that I was crying openly on the phone as I talked with her. "Joan," she said, "This is a new beginning." And so it was...
Just before the graduation began, a woman ran into the reception area calling out to us: "Call 911, my uncle is ill!" We of course, called 911, and the emergency vehicles were on the way. One of the administrators ran to his office to obtain a AED (Automated External Defibrillators). It has become more and more common for public places to have a machine like this available for cardiac emergencies.
This machine when attached to the victim reads the heart rhythm and directs the responders as to what they need to do until the ambulance arrives. A friend of mine that was present as a mom of one of the 2009 graduates, who is also a cardiac nurse, along with an Oncologist, who had a son graduating assisted this gentleman until the EMTs arrived. The good news is that the man appears to have improved with the passing of a few minutes and that is good considering my friend reported to me that he had NO heart rate and no pulse when she first appeared on the scene. She stated
that the AED was what made the difference in this medical emergency...Thankfully, this school was equipped with one! Hopefully, this gentleman will realize that he has been given a new beginning, and actually, all those folks in the audience should also realize the fragility of life after witnessing this experience...I know these were the thoughts that went through my mind!
And on this graduation day, a day for new beginnings, my thoughts once again returned to my Mama who passed away in October 2006, after just 4 short months of cancer.
When I was with her, I tried to be brave and put up this cheerful front. But there was this one night a couple of weeks before she left us that I was crying openly on the phone as I talked with her. "Joan," she said, "This is a new beginning." And so it was...
Friday, May 15, 2009
WOMAN WITH CLARITY
As I hoped, my vision was much clearer when I awakened this morning. I checked in with my doctor and he was happy with my overnight progress. My visual clarity is returning as expected.
You know, Helen Keller was born just like most newborn babies. There was much hope and anticipation when Helen came into the world on June 27, 1880. It was at age 18 months after a serious illness that she was left blind and deaf. Later, it was with the help and guidance of Annie Sullivan that Helen began to gain clarity about her life and her future became bright even through incredible adversity.
By the time Helen was 16 years of age, she was accepted into Radcliffe College and in 1904, she graduated cum laude, with honors.
As a young woman, Helen found her passion and became interested in improving the lives of others. With insight, energy, and deep devotion, she lectured throughout the world, worked to forward her ideas in Congress, and wrote thousands of letters asking for contributions to finance efforts to improve the welfare of the blind.
Annie Sullivan served as Helen's counselor and companion. When Helen died just before her 87th birthday, her name had become a worldwide symbol of what the human spirit can accomplish despite severe physical limitations.
I find many of Helen Keller's quotes inspiring. Following are some of my favorites:
"The best and the most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart."
"The only thing worse than being blind, is having sight, but no vision."
"What I am looking for is not 'out there', it is in me."
There is much we can learn from this remarkable woman who gained much clarity throughout her life.
You know, Helen Keller was born just like most newborn babies. There was much hope and anticipation when Helen came into the world on June 27, 1880. It was at age 18 months after a serious illness that she was left blind and deaf. Later, it was with the help and guidance of Annie Sullivan that Helen began to gain clarity about her life and her future became bright even through incredible adversity.
By the time Helen was 16 years of age, she was accepted into Radcliffe College and in 1904, she graduated cum laude, with honors.
As a young woman, Helen found her passion and became interested in improving the lives of others. With insight, energy, and deep devotion, she lectured throughout the world, worked to forward her ideas in Congress, and wrote thousands of letters asking for contributions to finance efforts to improve the welfare of the blind.
Annie Sullivan served as Helen's counselor and companion. When Helen died just before her 87th birthday, her name had become a worldwide symbol of what the human spirit can accomplish despite severe physical limitations.
I find many of Helen Keller's quotes inspiring. Following are some of my favorites:
"The best and the most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart."
"The only thing worse than being blind, is having sight, but no vision."
"What I am looking for is not 'out there', it is in me."
There is much we can learn from this remarkable woman who gained much clarity throughout her life.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
