Sit Still My Daughter - Spring 2021 Issue

r e t h Sit Still my Daug

Spring 2021

learning to be still in a noisy world

Letting Go

Learning to release our children to God

A Season of Waiting

For the Love of a Mother

Ivy and the Sparrow

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Our mission is to help women discover who they are in Christ and the difference we can make when we simply allow God to work within us. This requires that we have a relationship with Him and we nurture our relationship by seeking Him, and we seek Him in the quiet place.

Editorial Team Iya Durand Caroline Fike

Media Sources Adobe Stock Pexels Pixabay

Cover Photo by: @jewelliaphotography

In a world that is so fast-paced, where every moment something seems to be vying for our attention, it can be difficult to be still, but it is needful that we still our souls.

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From her desk Have you ever listened to a song but not really heard the words, only to have them suddenly grab you one day? This is what happened to me as I was listening to a familiar song while driving. The words seemed to jump out, capturing my attention as I was hit by the message.

The opening line goes, “Dear April child, are you dreaming of June?”.

This caused me to pause and consider what I was missing as I swiftly pursued my tomorrows. How much time have I lost looking for the next season in my life instead of embracing the current season of today? God has given me a life that involves stages because each is a building block for the next, it was not intended to be lived in a rush but moment by moment, day by day. Each period is given to me so that I might learn something, yet if I am rushing through them what lessons have I forfeited?

I was immediately struck by the question, “How often do we miss out on our current season in life because we are wishing for the next?”. This musing was only magnified as I continued to absorb the rest of the lyrics, especially the final stanza, “Cherish these precious days, Summer comes all too soon”. For several days I couldn’t shake the thought of how much time we spend looking for the next season instead of embracing where we are now.

Not every season of my life has been pleasant but God tells me in Romans 8: 28 that “all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” which means there was a point. I may not always see it but maybe if I quietly meditate on it God may choose to reveal what I was intended to learn.

As young children, we spend our days wishing to be a teenager, but when they arrive they long to graduate from high school, to date, to be married and this longing for the next season and the next continues throughout our life. When we reach a new milestone in our life, instead of enjoying it, we are looking for the next and the next.

The child in the song wanted summer to come now even if that meant missing the remaining season of spring, but it was admonished to cherish the precious day now because summer would quickly arrive all too soon. Rather than look ahead to the next goal, let us see our current season as an opportunity of growth and learning as we seek to become more like our Lord Jesus.

As women, we often long to have a boyfriend, to be married, to be mothers, and on and on it goes. One day, however, there comes an abrupt realization, time has steadily moved on without our really noticing it and all at once we are looking back with almost a yearning to return and soak up all that we have missed.

My desire is that we take the time to slow down, to sit still and seize the day God has given to us right now. Our spring will quickly turn to summer, let’s learn to cherish today and trust God with our tomorrows.

Learning to sit still,

Sarah Schurman Editor

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Inspiration

Table of

10 Hannah - a woman who could let go

a woman who waited her whole life for a child willingly gave Him back to God.

86 Ivy and the Sparrow

a family jewelry business planted the seed of creativity in their daughter.

72 Children and Divorce

Divorce is hard especially with children, learn more about the five feelings a child of divorce experiences.

96 Persevering through Pain

After five miscarriages, she was struggling with her faith.

44 A Season of Waiting

Sometimes the hardest part about being a missionary is waiting on God to lead you to the next field.

62 For the Love of Mother

One woman shares how she considered it an honor to care for her mother.

22 In New York City

She enjoyed a successful career, certain that this was where she would continue until God brought someone special into her life unexpectedly.

106 I Can Never be Unsaved

She found the assurance her soul needed.

Contents

In the Home

70 From Goodwill to Glam

Learn how an old chair was given new life.

36 Cooking with the Season

Learn why we should cook with the season and discover some amazing meals to try yourself.

Of Interest 94 From Brokenness to Joy

A young girl had a heart to take dolls that were broken and restore them so she could bring joy to others.

82 How are You doing with Your New Years Health and Wellness Goals?

Struggling to keep up with the goals you made? Get a few tips to help you stay on track.

114 Your Quiet Time

A few tools that can help your quiet time plus a three month Bible reading plan.

80 Mind, and Soul Read a few tips that can help your well-being

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Mother’s Knee

by Elaine Knotts

When I was young, I sat at my mother’s knee, She showed me from the Bible the most important Thing in life was to accept Jesus and He would Wash my sins away, and a child of God, I would be.

When I was a teenager, I sat at my mother’s knee, Crying over what seemed like silly things, But she would always show me something from God’s Word that soon, would comfort me.

When I was a young woman, one night I ran to mother’s knee, With tears in my eyes, I shared that a bride I was going to be.

She once again opened the Word of God to show me how To have a good marriage. I’m so thankful for a mother who knew The Word of God and how to share it.

This circle of love that started at mother’s knee Will continue because of the wisdom that we received It wasn’t just her words that she spoke, It was the living Word of God, and with that, there are no mistakes.

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by Sarah Schurman A friend has just announced that they are expecting their

third child. You rejoice with them, but inside your heart aches a little because it is reminded that you are still without a child. In private you may even take a moment to cry, to let those tears fall freely. It can be so hard to ignore that ache as all your friends seem to be having children, announcing it on social media in the most creative ways.

You are reminded of a woman in the Bible who faced these same struggles although she didn’t have to see it on social media. Her situation was almost worse, she had to share her husband with another woman, a woman who had no problem bearing children while she remained barren. What made the whole delicate situation worse was the fact that this other woman delighted in vexing her with sharp and cruel words.

Hannah knew she was loved by her husband, he took every opportunity to show it but that did not erase the longing to hold a child of her own. She desperately desired to be a mother, to remove the title of barren from her life, and feel the warmth of her child against her chest. While many would say that this was just the way God intended it to be, Hannah refused to give up on her dream, unwilling to believe that she would never have children of her own. Instead, choosing to pour out her heart to God, produced a most beautiful moment in her

life. When faced with shattered dreams and seasons of difficulty, most would merely grumble and perhaps grow bitter, but not Hannah. In her hour of deepest agony, she turned to the One who could heal all her wounds and hear her cry.

Listen to her prayer as she reveals her desperation, her tears of despair, and her depression.

And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the Lord, and wept sore. And she vowed a vow, and said, O Lord of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the Lord all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head. 1 Samuel 1: 10-11

When faced with shattered dreams and seasons of difficulty, most would merely grumble and perhaps grow bitter, but not Hannah. In her hour of deepest agony, she went to the One who could heal all her wounds and hear her cry.

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Our human nature would want to find an excuse to delay fulfilling such a promise, we surely want to find a reason to prolong our side of the deal. But not Hannah.

photo by @c.lyncreations

Here is a woman who laid her heart’s greatest desire at the feet of her God. She made a vow that if He would grant her a son, she would give him back to the Lord. We love this part of her story because she does indeed receive a son. Her mother’s heart overflows as she cradles her gift from the Lord and while we enjoy dwelling on this part of the story, it is only the beginning.

This is where Hannah shows herself to be a true woman of integrity and great strength. When the child was weaned she indeed took him back to the temple and fulfilled her vow to God by leaving him there with Eli the high priest. It is in this moment that she utters her famous words that have been claimed by countless mothers who waited so long to have a child.

For this child I prayed; and the Lord hath given me my petition which I asked of him: Therefore also I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the Lord.

And he worshipped the Lord there. 1 Samuel 1:27-28

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Let that scene sink into your mind; see the woman who begged God for a son, the woman unwilling to accept that she would not be a mother, yet willingly let him go. Our human nature would want to find an excuse to delay fulfilling such a promise, we surely want to prolong our side of the deal. But not Hannah, she weaned Samuel and faithfully took him without delay to fulfill her vow to God. She was a woman of integrity and surely provided a great example to her son of the importance of keeping a promise made to God.

Hannah released her son and trusted that God would care for him and indeed He did. Samuel would be the last judge of Israel and he would also be the one who crowned Israel’s first two kings.

Did Hannah know how her son would be used?

No, but what she did know was that he was not hers to keep. So often, the thing we desire most is what we are least willing to relinquish, yet Hannah had a light grip on the things of life, including her son, and a tight grip on

the Giver of life.

Her willingness to give up what she had earnestly prayed for was rewarded

by God when He granted her five more children.

And the Lord visited Hannah, so that she conceived, and bare three sons and two daughters. And the child Samuel grew before the Lord. 1 Samuel 2:21

This story serves as a powerful encouragement to women around the world, but there is another lesson I want to draw out about letting go. Hannah’s son Samuel proved to be used greatly by the Lord, but what happens when our children turn away from the Lord?

How do we deal with the hurt and disappointment? We do so by going to the only One who can intervene and the only One who truly understands. We must learn to be like Hannah and come to God with it all. He knows our pain and His heart grieves with us. As parents we can only say so much to our children. We can try to

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As parents we can only say so much to our children.

speak the truth with them, to tell them how their choices will affect their lives and how poor choices will only lead to heartache. In the end they must decide whether to heed our counsel and sometimes they are unwilling to listen. They, like the prodigal son, choose to go their own way.

Next to prayer, one of the best things we can do for our wayward child is to leave the light on, to let them know that we are there for them, ready to listen and ready to welcome them back. The father of the prodigal son is a perfect example. He did not run after his son

Like Hannah we have to let go of our children and leave them in God’s hand.

when he left to go to the far country, instead he waited each day with eyes turned toward the road leading home looking for his son and his waiting was ultimately rewarded.

This may be one of the hardest things you ever do, but it is the best thing. Like Hannah we have to let go of our children and leave them in God’s hand. We can pray for them, asking God to do whatever is necessary to bring them back and simply leave the light on to let them know that we still love them.

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by Nancy Hillman

All my life I have been the type of person to ask

Of course, those were the wrong responses. Now I am propelled into a position in my life where I can no myself “what do I need to do next”? Insomnia, stress, and depression became constant companions as I would longer hide behind staying busy. I have no other option frequently awake at 2:00 AM and spend the next 2 hours but to turn to God for my every need. Through every crithinking about everything on my never ending to-do list. sis I faced over the previous eleven years, God had been trying to equip me to be able to respond correctly.

I was always busy doing something. Busy seeing clients on my job. Busy going to school. Busy establishing my nonprofit. Busy making sure my husband and my daughter’s needs were met. I was always busy doing something for everyone else in my life. Can you relate?

For many of you until now it was probably a normal routine that you never questioned at all.

But what happens when you have based your entire life on a foundation of doing for others to find yourself unable to do for yourself? What do you do when you are faced with multiple medical illnesses? What do you do when you lose your spouse, your job, and your primary source of income? Do you lose your sense of purpose? Do you develop a feeling of uselessness? Do you become depressed, insecure, and lost? For me, the answer was unequivocally yes to all the above.

With each life-altering event, He was there, gently whispering to me: “turn to Me and I’ll provide all your needs”. I was just too busy to hear Him. God used some of the darkest days of my life to teach me invaluable lessons. God extended grace to me, and time to change. He spared me to allow time to grow in my character to become more like Him. I may not have seen it then, but there was a reason for every person, every relationship, and crisis He allowed.

There was a purpose that needed to be fulfilled for me, and for you. How do I know? Because we are still here. God graced me through my storms to change me into a better person, instead of a bitter one. That grace is also extended to you. We all are graced with time to change.

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Daylight Savings

by Susan Nelson

Tips on how to make the most of our time.

• Don’t be a slave to your inbox. Check emails three

• Consider keeping your phone on silent. You don’t

or less times per day (say 9am, 1pm and 5pm)

have to answer every call that comes in. Check

• Make lists of what you have to do. You can keep lists by how long a task takes to complete (2 min-

your voice messages once or twice a day. It’s amazing how quickly phone calls eat up our time.

utes, 5 minutes, 30 minutes). When you have a few • Choose your outfit the night before (for the kids, spare minutes tackle something on the list.

• Learn to say no. I know you really want to volun-

too!).

• This will save time trying to find the right outfit

teer to serve at the bake sale, but perhaps you can

in the morning. Use a timer to accomplish tasks.

donate a cake or cookies, instead. You can toss the

If you know you only have a thirty-minute block

cake in the oven while you are doing something

of time to get something done, set a timer so you

else. On the other hand, you can even BUY a cake.

don’t run over and run late for something else.

Yes, you can and it is ok to do so. Remember that

It can be easy to lose track of time when we are

your time is valuable and you can’t do it all without

focused on a task.

going a bit crazy.

www.womanofnoblecharacter.com

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We always have time enough, if we will but use it aright.

Goethe Serving God with our little, is the way to make it more; and we must never think wasted with which God is honored, or men are blest.

John Hall It must be a prospect pleasing to God to see His creatures forever drawing nearer to Him by greater degrees of resemblance.

Addison A good man being asked during his last illness, whether he thought himself dying, “Really, friend, I care not whether I am or not; for if I die I shall be with God; if I live, He will be with me.”

Modesty is a shining light; it prepares the mind to receive knowledge, and the heart for truth.

Guizot You may glean knowledge by reading, but you must separate the chaff from the wheat by thinking.

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“A merry heart doeth good like a medicine:” Prov. 17:22 There once was a woman who woke up one morning, looked in the mirror, and noticed she had only three hairs on her head. “Well,” she said, “I think I’ll braid my hair today.” So she did and she had a wonderful day. The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and saw that she had only two hairs on her head. “Hmm,” she said, “I think I’ll part my hair down the middle today.”

So she did and she had a grand day. The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed that she had only one hair on her head. “Well,” she said, “Today I’m going to wear my hair in a pony tail.” So she did and she had a fun, fun day. The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed that there wasn’t a single hair on her head.

“Yay!” she exclaimed, “I don’t have to fix my hair today!”

Attitude is everything.

A mother leaned down to her small son while repairing his leg and asked, “How do you like my new perfume?”

“Mom,” he answered, “I like you better when you’re kitchen-flavored.”

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author unknown A woman, renewing her driver’s license at the County Clerk’s office, was asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation.

What made me say it? I don’t know. The words simply popped out. “I’m a research associate in the field of child development and human relations.”

She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself.

The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in midair and looked up as though she had not heard right. I repeated the title slowly, emphasizing the most significant words.

Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written, in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire.

“Might I ask,” said the clerk with new interest, “just what you do in your field?”

“What I mean is,” explained the recorder, “do you have a job or are just a ...?”

“Of course I have a job,” snapped the woman. “I’m a mom.”

“We don’t list ‘Mom’ as an occupation, ‘housewife’ covers it,” said the recorder emphatically.

I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself in the same situation, this time at our own town hall.

The clerk was obviously a career woman, poised, efficient, and possessed of a high sounding title like, “Official Interrogator” or “Town Registrar.”

“What is your occupation?”, she probed.

Coolly, without a trace of fluster in my voice, I heard myself reply, “I have a continuing program of research, (what mother doesn’t) in the laboratory and in the field, (normally I would have said indoors and out). I’m working for my Masters, (first the Lord and then the whole family) and already have four credits (all daughters). Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities, (any mother care to disagree?) and I often work 14 hours a day, (24 is more like it). But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers and the rewards are more of a satisfaction rather than just money.”

There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk’s voice as she completed the form, stood up, and personally ushered me to the door.

As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career, I was greeted by my lab assistants, ages 13, 7, and 3.

Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model, (a 6 month old baby) in the child development program, testing out a new vocal pattern.

I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy!

And I had gone on the official records as someone more distinguished and indispensable to mankind than “just a mom.”

Motherhood, what a glorious career!

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From Miss to Mrs

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by Debbie Fields Russ

Like most little girls, I desired to be a Godly wife,

mother and nurturer. My love of caring for others and “fixing” things was evidenced at a very young age.

Being the eldest of four children, I was the self-appointed “second” mamma, alongside my stay-at-home mother, in helping around the house and willingly “caring” for siblings, who were all close in age. I loved keeping house, cleaning, cooking and arranging. I was buying baby clothes for my future children as early as middle school, while planning for the “someday” when I would be married with children of my own.

God blessed me to be reared by loving, committed Christian parents, and drew me near to Himself at a young age. I asked Jesus Christ to come into my life and take charge when I was six years old.

Because of His mercy, love and grace, I was kept for Himself and from the world. I never thought I had an exciting salvation testimony. In the world’s eyes, I was a good girl, but now I know how my stubborn will and carnal nature can quickly take over if I am not focused on Christ. The need to listen to the Holy Spirit’s promptings is so important in a believer’s life,

24 Sit still my daughter | Spring 2021 nor could it have been more evident than in my later years. I know that God’s ways are perfect, sometimes meaning we have to sit still and wait. The longest wait for me, thus far, has been 42 years.

Before I turned three years old, God allowed me to begin using His gift of singing and acting.

Mamma tells me that I had memorized over 200 poems and songs before I was two years old, singing my first solo in church, “In My Heart There Rings a Melody,” at that tender age. She shares that I had perfect pitch and refrained from using baby talk, pronouncing every word clearly and strongly. This was not my doing, but God’s, along with the guidance of wise and loving parents.

Because the Lord developed this talent, I was able to officially begin my professional singing career while in high school. Working with a local professional dinner theatre for five months, I participated in six performances a week to sold-out audiences. After graduation, I decided to pursue an education in music and attended UNC School of the Arts in Winston-Salem where I earned a Bachelor of Music in Operatic

Performance. During my time there, I was offered the opportunity to move to NYC to perform leading roles on Broadway under the head producer of Broadway at that time. It was a flattering offer, strongly endorsed by conductor and composer Leonard Bernstein, under whose baton I had just completed a major production. This was not an easy decision to make, but God clearly led me to graciously reject the offer and continue on to complete my undergraduate work.

Later, the Lord opened the door for me to earn my Master of Music degree in Operatic Performance on a full scholarship at the New England Conservatory in Boston. I was focused on doing my best for the Lord and honoring the gifts He had entrusted to me. As I completed my education there, Princeton University also offered me a full scholarship, with a handsome stipend, to earn my Doctorate of Music in Operatic Performance, but I truly just wanted to get out of higher education and perform. Naturally I

Previous page: Me playing Bloody Mary in “South Pacific”. Ruth with chorus member, “Pirates of Penzance”.

“Sour Angelica” Puccini. Above: Katisha “The Mikado”

Spring 2021 | Sit still my daughter 25 prayed about it, as this was not an offer to be hastily rejected. Again, God gave me the liberty and approval to turn down the offer. I settled into my new routine of performing on the road with genuine enjoyment.

After five years, during my quiet time one morning, God clearly told me that He wanted me to move to New York City. I really didn’t want to go as I’m not a fan of cities, but He impressed upon me that I was to be there. Within three weeks I was settled in NYC and perfectly content to live in Manhattan. At every turn I witnessed God’s provision and grace in my everyday life. For example, I dislike crowds, (unless they are in the audience), or exorbitantly priced day-to-day necessities, but my God was faithful and in control of every detail of my life, giving me nearly 12 incredible years there! He provided countless opportunities to be a witness for Him, showing a lost and deeply hurting world that He understood and loved them completely.

Not only did God provide for my physical needs, He also met my emotional needs. Never, in all my years of traveling and singing around the US and the world, was I bothered by loneliness. Yet one day, after I had been living in NYC for more than ten years, I acknowledged to my parents, during one of our frequent calls, that I had begun to feel something unusual somewhere deep within my being. I recognized that maybe I was a bit lonesome, not exactly sad or depressed, but I feeling I was missing something. I knew I was growing in Christ and not stagnant, as I had been at times, but just lonesome. They said that they had been praying that God would reveal to me His choice of a husband, should that be His plan for my life.

At this point in time, I was 41 and had never dated, nor had I ever sought to “find” a husband. I trust my God, and knew that if He wanted me to be married, He would bring His choice into my life, in His perfect timing.

My parents called one morning to say that they had been praying about my feeling a bit lonely, and they thought that perhaps God was making room in my heart to receive my future husband. Up to this point I had never even felt lonely, because I had the Holy Spirit within me from the age of six years. While He was always with me, He was indeed preparing my

26 Sit still my daughter | Spring 2021 • A man after God’s own heart • Compassionate and willing to serve God and go wherever He leads • Loves studying and living by God’s word, meditating on His word.

• Honest, beyond reproach • Never before married • A virgin, having kept himself for marriage.

• Does not consume alcohol or smoke • A good honest, hardworking and patient man, responsible with finances • Equal or higher education than myself • Neat and clean, and a responsible, thoughtful gentleman.

• Good communication skills along with social graces.

Out of 30,000+ available men on the website, there was only one name that matched my specific input. His name was Dr. Peter C. Russ from Connecticut, ten years my senior. Every single point on my check list was met, and many more! That was my God at work, the One who can do the impossible just like His word says in Luke 6:38. heart to receive yet another blessing and precious gift!

Mamma and Daddy said that they had heard a pastor on BBN radio, a Christian station, talking about a Christian online dating site and asked me if I would pray about it. I agreed and the rest, as they say, is history!

I enrolled with Christian Café, an online dating website for committed Christians. I do want to emphasize that I have no idea what the site is like now; but in 2004, you had to write out your salvation experience, your life verse(s), where the Lord was leading you, and how you were using your gifts and talents for His glory. It was pretty intense and very thorough. I “met” a few men online, and we wrote a few times; but God did not allow my heart to be stirred toward any of them. One day, during my quiet time, God impressed upon me to completely trust Him and to stop just being general about what I wanted in a husband, and to be perfectly precise, by entering into the profile area of the website exactly and specifically what I wanted. I asked nothing of my potential spouse that I did not completely require of myself. My partial list consisted of these qualities:

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After we had exchanged many emails to each over the course of three weeks, I shared this interesting bit of news with my parents and asked them to join me in praying that the Lord would continue to help me keep my heart in check and exhibit common good sense. I wanted to make certain that I was not missing any red flags or potential problems in the relationship by allowing my heart free rein to become involved.

Eventually he asked me if we could speak over the phone, so I gave him my number and it wasn’t long until I was utterly smitten.

We met for the first time in person on Friday, August 27, 2004, in NYC; my female roommates allowed Peter to stay in our guestroom. Saturday, we explored the city together and, wow, what a feeling to hold a man’s hand for the first time! On Sunday, Peter and I went to my church together, Calvary Baptist, which was then pastored by Donald R. Hubbard, across from Carnegie Hall (where I had been a soloist on occasion). As we made our way home after the services, having our very first photo together taken in Central Park, at the Bethesda Fountain, by a willing passerby. It all the more special to me because Bethesda is a Hebrew word meaning House of Mercy or Far left: Little Buttercup “H.M.S. Pinafore” Left: Our very first picture together~ Bethesda Fountain Central Park New York City. Bethesda means House of Mercy or House of Grace.

Above: Always on stage even when shopping~gloves make a great bow tie!

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House of Grace. We were experiencing both God’s mercy and grace in bringing us together.

A few days later, I left for an operatic engagement out of state. When I returned at the end of September, Peter took a few days off from his private practice to meet me at the airport. We went for a walk and were going to visit a friend of mine. While waiting for the elevator, he gave me a hug and whispered in my ear, “Will you marry me?” I pulled away and said, “Did I just hear what I think I heard?”

With tears in his eyes, he said “Yes, I’ve said it three times, but this is the first time it actually came out of my mouth and my heart at the same time!” I was thrilled, to say the least and, of course, my answer was, “Yes!”

What a beautiful and precious courtship we enjoyed! We shared each moment, even the wedding planning. Peter wanted to be involved in every detail, helping to plan for our marriage with great strength and wisdom.

I still had over nine months of operatic contracts to fulfill during the year of our engagement, so we worked hard to continue to see one another whenever I was not on the road.

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Upper left: Our wedding day. Bottom left: One of my favorite wedding pictures.

Above: Valentine’s Banquet at a local Christian college, we sang several duets.

Left: Our first Thanksgiving complete with turkey!

In spite of an extremely busy and demanding family practice, somehow, he even made it to several out of state performances to support me. It was terrific knowing that my husband-to-be was out in the audience supporting me and praying for me.

Saturday, September 24, 2005, a day for which I had waited, prayed and dreamed my entire life, finally arrived, my wedding day. Just over one year from the day we first met in person, Peter and I took our vows before over 600 guests; we had a lot of friends! It couldn’t have been a more perfect day, as those who had prayed, loved, and invested their time into our lives, celebrated with us. All that waiting was worth it, every minute. How often we get impatient when some answer to prayer or longing seems delayed without reason. But for the Believer, the waiting is never without purpose. On many occasions over the years, I have learned to sit and be still, while waiting upon the Lord to work out His good pleasure in the life He created in me. On this glorious day He had given me one of the greatest desires of my heart.

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Can I say that it was always easy to wait, to obey God’s leading in my life even when it took me to places I never wanted to go instead of staying in my comfort zone? Absolutely not, but I love when the Holy Spirit speaks to me about a certain area saying “No, my child”, yet still gives me the choice to obey.

Sadly, and sinfully, I have ignored those corrections on multiple occasions and tried to “handle” things on my own, only to fail miserably. Time after time, I find myself in tears confessing and agreeing with God about my sin; and although the consequences of my sin serve to remind me of His compassion and sacrifice, He lovingly restores me to fellowship with my perfect Savior. He is such an amazing God who is worthy of all my praise.

As I look back, I can see how God was with me each and every step of the way, using my career to masterfully orchestrate my steps, preparing me to meet my husband. Had I gone to Broadway when offered in the mid 80’s, my husband would have still been living in Italy. Had I gone for my Doctoral Degree at Princeton; my husband would have been practicing medicine in Yellowstone National Park.

Had I moved to Germany; my husband would not

have been within a 4-hour drive of me in Manhattan.

In other words, it is highly probable that we would never have met, knitted our hearts together and married. God is so personal, and wants only the very best for His children; and this is tangibly evidenced daily, including every time Peter looks at me.

I know that waiting can be hard, I waited 42 years but I can say that there are also many benefits.

Waiting patiently upon the Lord strengthens our relationship with our Heavenly Father and helps grow us into His image. While our marriage is far from perfect (since my sweetheart is married to me), we do have a strong, blissfully happy and growing marriage because Christ is our head. I cannot imagine being a wife to anyone other than Peter, nor would I want to. He has far exceeded any hopes and dreams that I had built over 42 years regarding a husband. He is everything, and so much more than I had ever prayed for. I truly mark myself blessed to be called his wife.

My prayer for every “miss” is that she makes Christ her all in all; and if it pleases Him, He will give you the desires of your heart. It is so very much worth the wait to allow God to choose your mate because

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He never makes a mistake and His timing is always perfect. I kept a small silver-capped vial of mustard seeds in my NYC apartment bedroom and it served to remind me of this promise: “If you have faith as the grain of a mustard seed…” Matt 17:20a.

Now that symbol of God’s faithfulness and love, resides in our North Carolina home, and always speaks volumes to my heart every time I look at it.

God’s goodness is evidenced to me every time I look at my beloved Peter and I am reminded that dreams do come true!

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 Far left: Opening of a new business in town.

Left: Peter hard at work, dedicated physician!

Above: We love being together, always a good time. Right: My container of mustard seed sitting where I can be reminded of my God’s goodness.

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Be the woman who is brave enough not to settle for just any relationship and courageous enough to wait for the future God has for her.

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Woman was taken out of man; not out of his head to top him, nor out of his feet to be trampled underfoot; but out of his side to be equal to him, under his arm to be protected, and near his heart to be loved.

- M. Henry

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Spring2021 2021||Sit Sitstill stillmy mydaughter daughter3335 Spring

For the children This book reveals a powerful truth. Simple and entertaining for young readers. Yet, profound enough for adults. Challenging us to have dreams and goals but to be open to God’s divine plan which is always the best to an outcome above our imagination. ~a reader

For the young girls Beautiful Girlhood, while written in the early 1900’s, still is relevant for the girls of today. Mable Hale discusses important topics such as friendship, conversation, character, and relationships.

This is a must read for young girls. ~a reader

For you We all go through seasons of loneliness, and while it is not always easy to manage Mrs. Elliot, with her usual wisdom and insights, shows us that there are blessings hidden even in the dark days. ~a reader

For inspiration The Crash of the Dragonfly comes from the heart of the tropical jungles in Southern palawan, Philippines. Carolyn Searls shares the true story of her worst fear being realized when her husband’s plane went missing. This is more than just a story from the mission field, it is the testimony of how great our God is and that there is a pupose for everything. ~a reader

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by Robin Cook | Cook 2 Flourish

Emerald leafy greens that fall and winter bring, sweet summer berries, hydrating melons in the heat, cool crisp autumn apples- to everything there is a season.

We are blessed with the opportunity to source our favorite foods year round, so it’s easy to forget that foods still have a peak season.

with the farmers.

Do you enjoy going to a local farmer’s market?

Karin Velez, one of my farmer friends whose delicious produce has filled our plates over a decade, shared: “When you are eating foods that are seasonal to your region: • nutritional value of the food remains more intact spinach can lose 90 percent of its Vitamin C levels within the first 24 hours after harvest!!

• less distance for produce to travel from farm to fork [which decreases the amount of fossil fuels being utilized for transportation].

If you make a habit of shopping with your local farmers first you’ll begin to get a better understanding of not only what is fresh in season, but what tastes better because it’s in season!”

This can be one of the simplest and satisfying ways to eat with the seasons- they can provide not only healthy foods but also a harvest of relationships

Discover what foods are seasonally available to you at seasonalfoodguide.org, and taste the benefits!

Let’s cook to flourish in every season!

When we think about it, watermelon and tomatoes just aren’t as flavorful or desirable in winter, are they? Leafy greens and carrots harvested in the cool months, though, provide a sweeter flavor, farmer friend Sheri Redfearn noted. Hearty winter squashes and sweet potatoes are comforting and nourishing in the winter months… God is so wise to give us the right foods in each season!

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• • • • • • •

16 oz asparagus, chopped in thirds Directions: 1 Tablespoon avocado oil Pre-heat the oven to 375 degrees. ¼ teaspoon pepper, to taste Cut the asparagus spears into 3 pieces each, then toss ¼ to ½ teaspoon sea salt, to taste with the oil, seasonings and lemon zest and juice (if ½ teaspoon garlic powder using).

Dash of Thyme, dried or fresh Place in a glass baking dish or unbleached parchment 2 teaspoon organic lemon zest, paper lined cookie sheet, and bake until tender. Thin plus extra to garnish spears will take 15-20 minutes, and thicker spears will • Squeeze fresh lemon, optional take closer to 20 or 25 minutes.

Top with an extra sprinkle of lemon zest, and enjoy!

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4 to 6 servings Garlic Balsamic Dressing: Makes 2/3 cup • ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil • ¼ cup balsamic vinegar (Napa Valley Naturals® Cherry Wood Aged Organic Balsamic Vinegar) • 2 Tablespoons filtered water • 1 garlic clove, minced • Pinch of REAL® sea salt • Pinch of ground black pepper • 1/8 teaspoon stevia, to taste • ½ teaspoon cinnamon and/or oregano (dried)

Salad: • • • • •

8 cups fresh greens, such as arugula and spinach 1 organic red beet, shredded 1 medium red onion, sliced ½ cup red cabbage, thinly sliced, optional 8 organic strawberries, sliced, optional or ½ cup raspberries • ½ cup walnuts, chopped • ¼ cup feta OR goat cheese, crumbled

Directions: In a large salad bowl place the salad greens, beet and red cabbage (if using).

Pour in half of the dressing and toss well to coat.

Arrange the onion slices and add in the berries.

Pour the rest of the dressing on top.

Sprinkle with walnuts and your choice of crumbled cheese.

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• 4 cups organic spinach or fresh basil • 1/4 cup water • 2 Tablespoons basil infused olive oil (or organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil) • 1/4 cup walnuts • 1/4 avocado • 1 teaspoon garlic powder • 1/2 teaspoon REAL® sea salt • 1/4 teaspoon pepper, to taste Directions: Simply blend all ingredients together in a food processor until it is as smooth as you wish. Serve or freeze for future use. This is wonderful on spaghetti squash or on zucchini spirals! Enjoy!

Follow Robin on Instagram @cook2flourish or visit her website to find out more about her cookbook and how-to videos: www.cook2flourish.com

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From the mission field

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By Michele Risinger Surrender? Yes Lord. I will surrender to your will. It

will be easy since I already have, but if you want me to walk the aisle and publicly surrender again, I will.

Even though we are already active with the youth, teach Sunday school, organize VBS, church picnics, Christmas programs, preach at a nursing home––if there is more I need to surrender to you Lord, I am willing.

It was the week of our annual missions conference. A highlight of the year. I always enjoyed meeting new missionaries, renewing friendships with returning missionaries and often tried to host a missionary in our home, knowing the importance of our children being in contact with these amazing people. I wanted missionaries to be their heroes. It was vital for them to see that they were real people, just like us, whom God was using in very different and unique ways.

Our pastor had felt led by God to wait until the last night of the conference to have an altar call, though I had never seen him do that before, or since. Regardless, I knew God wanted me to go forward, but for what? I really didn’t know.

Little did I know that inwardly God was calling my husband Randy to go forward as well. I worked in the nursery, he was sitting near the front. Since it had been such a busy week, we had not shared what the Lord was doing separately in our hearts. I arranged for some-

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previous page: Gilbert’s Cove Lighthouse where we spent many afternoons enjoying the rocky coast. above: my son (left) with his friend during our time at school. upper right: our home in NC.

above: Doc and our daughter. left: hosting one of many thanksgiving dinners in our home. across, upper left: Randy in class. far right: us with some family who visited. lower left: our daughter playing with a friend. lower far right: taking notes in chapel.

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one to cover the nursery during the altar call, so I could wait at the back of the church, hoping Randy would step forward. I was going to give him one verse of the song, but he didn’t even wait until they started singing. He was at the front being welcomed by our pastor, and in seconds I joined them there. But why? I still had no idea.

The days ahead found us in the pastor’s office talking about full time ministry and words that neither one of us ever expected to hear–– Bible school! What?? We are in our 30’s with 5 children and have had so many ministry responsibilities. What else do we need to know? We left Pastor’s office planning to commit one year to formal training. We just wanted to get to it. We had a lot to learn!

Our survey trip to Ambassador Baptist College in the “foreign country” of North Carolina left no question; this was where God wanted us to receive our training.

We walked into Dr. Child’s office to discuss the one-year Bible program and walked out having signed up for the

48 Sit still my daughter | Spring 2021 Visiting the lighthouse again. left: Randy leading VBS. bottom right: our church family.

three-year graduate of theology major. These were very exciting days for our family.

First came an enjoyable vacation with family in Florida and then followed preparation at home for our new adventure. Our home needed some work so Randy started on that with the idea of selling it ourselves in the spring. One week before we put our house up for sale, I was holding our 18-month-old daughter and she suddenly stopped breathing. Randy desperately dialed 911 and they explained how to do CPR on his own child. It was like a bad dream–– the ambulance, the hospital, the seizures. God, what was happening? We are surrendered, we are going. What are you trying to tell us?

find us a home and, although we still hadn’t received an acceptance letter from Ambassador, on faith we packed up a truck and moved to Lattimore that August. We simply knew God wanted us there.

God taught us so many things during those five years at ABC. He provided our daily bread and so much more. As we entered our last year, with no clear direction as to where we would go on completion of our training, we soon were offered a pastoral position in Nova Scotia, Canada. Through many circumstances the Lord opened this door for us to minister there for the past ten years.

Our motto when we went there was–– we came here to die here but in 2019 the Lord began to reveal to us that we were not there for the long haul. He had chosen another path for us, leading us back to Maine.

We feel now that it was a test to see if we had really surrendered all. Our daughter soon recovered and two weeks later we sold our home and felt that we were We didn’t understand God’s purpose but as the back on track. Randy and his Mom took a trip to NC to uncertainties of 2020 unfolded we found ourselves with-

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50 Sit still my daughter | Spring 2021 out an income or a home! In ten days, we were packed and headed across the US border, to another place where we had no income and no home. We knew God was in it all ––but we just couldn’t see ahead. As Proverbs 16:9 says we were devising our way, charting our own course, but the Lord directed our steps. He closed doors that we were trying to open, all the while meeting our needs and more during this time of waiting. Waiting, waiting–– waiting for what? Well, full time ministry of course.

We had surrendered to be in the ministry and that is what WE want, and what we often try to define.

But as I look back over these ten months of “waiting” I discover that God’s definition is quite different from ours. We aren’t waiting to be in the ministry. We are simply being used by God, full time, right where we are.

This is what our waiting looks like: we plunged back into ministry at our home church––in the music program, nursery, kids church, youth group, song leading, deaconship, preaching at home as well as filling in at other churches and striving to support our pastor in these uncharted days. Full time ministry is being all God wants me to be, where I am, every day of my life.

and I am excited to be used by God in this way. This is entirely unexpected, but we know that God will give us what we need, just when we need it.

As you daily walk in God’s will, be certain that He will show you exactly what He has next for you. Our theme verse for our time at Ambassador was 2 Corinthians 3:5 - “Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves, but our sufficiency is of God.” He has proved that true over and over again and we thank Him for refining us and giving us the privilege of serving Him.

Now, after ten months of “waiting” to be back in full-time ministry, the Lord has revealed His plan to us.

Randy’s uncle with dementia is moving in with us this week. This will be a full-time ministry of love and care

above: lobsters left: our daughter.

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above: children from VBS. far right: surprise visit from my two oldest children for Mother’s Day. above left: beach time with friends. right: a team from our home church in NC.

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The older I get, the more I enjoy Saturday mornings. Perhaps it’s the quiet solitude that comes with being the first to rise, or maybe it’s the unbounded joy of not having to be at work. Either way, the first few hours of a Saturday morning are most enjoyable.

missed your daughter’s dance recital.”

A few weeks ago, I was shuffling toward the backyard patio with a steaming cup of coffee in one hand and the morning paper in the other. What began as a typical Saturday morning, turned into one of those lessons that life seems to hand you from time to time. Let me tell you about it. I turned the dial up to listen to a Saturday morning talk show I heard an older sounding gentleman, with a golden voice. You know the kind, he sounded like he should be in the broadcasting business. He was telling whoever he was talking with something about “a thousand marbles”.

And that’s when he began to explain his theory of a “thousand marbles.”

He continued, “Let me tell you something Tom, something that has helped me keep a good perspective on my own priorities.”

“You see, I sat down one day and did a little arithmetic.

The average person lives about seventy-five years. I know, some live more and some live less, but on average, folks live about seventy-five years.”

“Now then, I multiplied 75 times 52 and I came up with 3900 which is the number of Saturdays that the average person has in their entire lifetime.

Now stick with me Tom, I’m getting to the important I was intrigued and stopped to listen to what he had to part.” say…

“It took me until I was fifty-five years old to think about all this in any detail”, he went on, “and by that time I “Well, Tom, it sure sounds like you’re busy with your job. had lived through over twenty-eight hundred Saturdays.

I’m sure they pay you well but it’s a shame you have to be I got to thinking that if I lived to be seventy-five, I only away from home and your family so much. had about a thousand of them left to enjoy.”

Hard to believe a young fellow should have to work sixty “So I went to a toy store and bought every single maror seventy hours a week to make ends meet. Too bad you ble they had. I ended up having to visit three toy stores

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to round-up 1000 marbles. I took them home and put them inside of a large, clear plastic container right here in the shack next to my gear. Every Saturday since then, I have taken one marble out and thrown it away.”

“I found that by watching the marbles diminish, I focused more on the really important things in life. There is nothing like watching your time here on this earth run out to help get your priorities straight.”

“Now let me tell you one last thing before I sign-off with you and take my lovely wife out for breakfast.

all use is a little more time.”

“It was nice to meet you Tom, I hope you spend more time with your family, and I hope to meet you again. “ You could have heard a pin drop on the radio when this fellow signed off. I guess he gave us all a lot to think about. I had planned to work that morning. Instead, I went upstairs and woke my wife up with a kiss. “C’mon honey, I’m taking you and the kids to breakfast.”

“What brought this on?” she asked with a smile. “Oh, This morning, I took the very last marble out of the con- nothing special, it’s just been a while since we spent a tainer. I figure if I make it until next Saturday then I have Saturday together with the kids. Hey, can we stop at a toy been given a little extra time. And the one thing we can store while we’re out? I need to buy some marbles.”

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A moment in Psalms Spring is a time of renewal, the earth awakens to the

warmth of the sun and begins to replace the barren land with new shoots of life. There will be seasons in our own life where we also need to renew our spirit due to lapses of barrenness from the choices we made.

David went through such a season when he made the decision to sin with Bathsheba and his confession can be found in Psalm 51. His desire for restoration is verbalized in verse ten.

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Ps 51:10 The word renew carries the idea of rebuilding or to be new. David was a man after God’s own heart, he had desired to follow God, to know God intimately but even he had fallen away and sinned. He was now in a state of complete brokenness over his sin.

We all have sinned, made bad choices and lost our zeal for the Lord but this verse gives us hope. Just because we have sinned, doesn’t mean we cannot be forgiven, or be rebuilt. Our God is One who restores that which has been lost and that includes those who have fallen away.

My mind goes to the parable of the prodigal son, a child who walked away from his father, and chose to squander his inheritance on the world’s empty entertainment and goods. When it is all gone and he is destitute, he realizes his mistake and returns home, humbling himself before his dad receiving forgiveness.

We can behave like that, we take what the Lord has given us and use it for our own foolish pleasure but then we come to ourselves, we see the error of our ways and come before our God looking to be renewed, rebuilt.

When we approach with this humble attitude we will not be turned away. God waits to renew us but He will never force it, we must be willing to come to Him.

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A Tribute to Mothers Everywhere

photo by @jewelliaphotography

photo by @jewelliaphotography

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Listener Encourager Gentle Sacrificial

Loving

photo by @c.lyncreations

you have been with me from the start and hold a special place in my heart.

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Her heart has always been full of love for each of her children. From birth to teen years and through adulthood, she’s always there to hold our hand. To listen to every dream. Encouraging us to see it through. Crying with us in each of life’s disappointments and heartaches.

Beaming wiht pride in each of our victories.

I love you Mommy!

Monika Reese

I am eternally grateful to God for giving me a mother whose life’s passion has been to proclaim the Good News that JESUS SAVES! Some of my earliest memories are of my mom boldly sharing the Gospel. When Jesus saved her, He set her free from chains which bound her life in sin and she’s never stopped sharing the story of God’s grace in her life with others!

Gloria Duarte My mother ... mommy ... mom ... my best friend. Born and raised a city girl, shy, she met and married a farmer and became a farmer’s wife. She sewed many clothes for me, an accomplished seamstress and taught me to sew at an early age.

She was a hard worker on the farmer, a helper to her farmer husband and raised four kids, me being the oldest. She suffered the lost of her oldest son unexpectedly when he was 63 and reflected that it was the worst day of her life, but went on with her life living alone in a small home after moving from the farm.

She was raised in church where the gospel was not preached, but was saved later in life and enjoyed some years of church involvement in a former Wesleyn church, which was my honor to attend many of the church functions with her. My mother was a wonderful woman and mother. I lost her three years ago to a virus that had invaded the nursing care facility where I was forced to move her form her cherished home because it became no longer safe for her to be alone. I miss her terribly but have the assurance I will be with her again in her Heavenly Home. Janis Biberstein My mom represented the true meaning of servant-leader. No matter what, she faithfully served her family, her friends and her community. That’s the most precious gift I can say I received from her.

Nancy Hillman

A Mother is someone who is always there twenty-four seven. That’s my mom! She never stops, always helping with anything that needs to be done day or night. She is always providing for her family (shopping) and always shops for the best deals. She is one who cares and loves her family so much. She never waivers in her faith for God. Growing up in a Christian home with a mom who loves the Lord is one of the greatest blessings and privileges I know. One thing I have to say about my mom is that she has been my rock, and fortress and encourager. Whenever I am overwhelmed or frustrated she is always there to listen and pray with me. One thing she always says is “PRAY! Ask God to help you, He will never fail you.”

Something else that comes to mind is her love for her God and her family. She always puts others before herself. I am so grateful for a Mom who loves the Lord and taught us how much he loved us too. She is always faithful in His Word and encourages us to seek God and be in His Word daily. Katrista Osborne

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When I think about my mom, Sharon Soehn, and her character, many wonderful adjectives flood my mind, but three come to the forefront. My mom is wise and discerning, a trait I didn’t grow to appreciate until my 30s when I started praying more for wisdom. (James 1:5; Proverbs 13:20) My mom is kind. To literally everyone. She’s a great listener which in turn makes her a great friend.

(Proverbs 16:23-24) My mom is long-suffering. The amount of patience she has shown over the course of many years is a huge encouragement and challenge to me. (Ephesians 4:2) My mother encompasses these traits and more, and as she would tell you, not because of what she has done, but because of who Christ is and what He has done for her. I am so thankful to have a Mother who walks with Jesus. Colossians 3:12 basically sums up my spirit-led mother. I am truly thankful and blessed.

Julie Zimmer

Tribute to Janice James, mother of 7: My mother has always been a living example of a servant hearted woman. Her commitment to praying for us and sacrificing all she could’ve held on to is a constant reminder of Jesus Christ and His unconditional love.

Alli James

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by Caroline Fike

How many times has a parent been relegated to a lonely life because of the neglect of an adult child, who, for any of a myriad reasons––none really valid, finds little or no place for that parent in his or her life? I’ve heard it far too often. I fear we live in a society that is obsessed with self: my rights, my needs, my desires, my plans, my pain. I cannot help asking, “Why is this happening? What is the root of the problem?” I’m no psychologist or sociologist, but it doesn’t take a three-letter degree behind my name to recognize some of the causes.

I’ve certainly lived long enough, over eighty years, to observe some of the roots of this problem, but before I launch into my diatribe on the subject, I’d like to tell a little of my history. I was born to a young Christian couple just before the beginning of World War II. Life was difficult, since America had scarcely recovered from years of depression, and my father had to support my mother and me on about $25 per week.

By the time the war took hold, he had been injured on the job and we were forced to live with a relative and scrape by as we could. Mama planted and tended a garden on our landlady’s back lot and, through the kindness of a neighbor, raised chickens in a garage down the alley.

Life got worse when my dad’s kidney began to fail, necessitating four major operations in two years.

When finally, he was able to work again, there weren’t

many jobs available in the city, so we moved to a series of farms where he worked as a laborer or share-cropper.

All the while my dear mother did all in her power to care for me. We moved from place to place, never able to put down roots. By the time I was seven it became evident that my health had also broken. The combination of post-war scarcity of antibiotics and my repeat- I was born to a young ed strep throat infections Christian couple just led to a diagnosis of rheu- before the beginning matic fever. In September of World War II. Life 1948 I was put to bed for was difficult, since what would prove to be an America had scarcely entire year. I wasn’t even recovered from years allowed to stand up the of depression, and my whole time! father had to support

So, how does a young mother deal with my mother and me on the challenge of keeping about $25 per week. an eight-year-old girl quiet? My mom dealt with it the way she had every trial in her marriage: love––she loved me enough to spend hours entertaining and teaching me. In fact, she home-schooled me long before the practice was heard of! What was more, she had no books except a set of children’s reference books, entitled The New Wonderworld, and she certainly had no access to curriculum or home-bound teachers for me. We truly lived in “the sticks”!

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One of the many gifts Mama gave me was the love of reading. Before I could read she spent many hours enchanting me with stories from those books.

Robert Louis Stevenson became a friend, especially as he wrote of “the Land of Counterpane”. Wasn’t my life encompassed by just such a land? Also, recognizing my need to keep busy, she invented lots and lots of hobbies for me. At one time, I remember having twenty-three different pastimes to occupy me!

Nor did my precious mother neglect my spiritual needs. Having been saved at age six when I was still able to attend Sunday school, I observed her life and came to share her deep love of our Savior. Life for her was so difficult and from my perspective today, over seventy years later, I realize she had learned to cling to Him through it all. This dependence on God was instilled in me by her prayerful parenting. I saw in her a heart that not only loved me but one that clung desperately to the Lord.

I firmly believe God bound us together with a deep, abiding, even eternal love-bond! And I also believe that bond is available to any Christian parent-child relationship.

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previous page: my mother and I when I was seven. left: me as a baby. below: me growing up in rural TN. right: me as a high school senior.

I’ve often heard the advice to parents, “Remind your child you are his/her parent, not a buddy.” I suppose this counsel is intended to protect the parent-child relationship from becoming so shallow that the child does not respect the parent nor respond well to discipline. Such was never the case with my mother’s and my relationship. I firmly believe God bound us together with a deep, abiding, even eternal love-bond!

And I also believe that bond is available to any Christian parent-child relationship.

I am not a parent but I can clearly see when children are crying for a parent’s attention and I can also see when a parent is failing to establish a firm, loving, Christ-centered relationship with a child. So, the blame for much of the sad failure of adult children to truly care for parents lies at the parents’ doorstep.

That being said, however, it is still the responsibility of adult children to heed and obey God’s command to honor parents. But just what does that “honor” entail?

Is it simply the acknowledgement that one’s parents

I am not a parent but I can clearly see when children are crying for a parent’s attention and I can also see when a parent is failing to establish a firm, loving, Christ-centered relationship with a child.

66 Sit still my daughter | Spring 2021 are to be commended for providing for a child? Does it include the obligation to provide financial support to an elderly parent? Does it mean taking control of an elderly parent’s life, such as decisions about end-of-life, wills, trusts, or bequests?

I submit that all of the above may well be included in honoring parents but each situation is, of course, unique. What it does require is for the adult child to be sensitive to an aging parent’s needs, especially emotional and spiritual. It means, above all, the relationship must be founded in genuine, unselfish love! There is nothing sadder than an older person being relegated to little or no contact with children and grandchildren! After all, reader, think about this: that parent will not live forever. Can’t you set aside your interests for the time they have left? What is so important in your life that you cannot minister to your aging parent? So, what, if they failed you in your early life! Is that a reason to cause them pain now? Does God not direct us in His Word to “do good to those who despitefully use you”? And what about, “love your

I had no problem whatever providing tender care for the mother who gave so unstintingly of herself for me.

left: a picture of my mom and above is the painting I did of her from that picture. right: my husband Woody, me and mom before she passed away. far right: a recent picture of just me as my husband passed away last year.

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I had no problem whatever providing tender care for the mother who gave so unstintingly of herself for me. But, the same care was not present between me and my father. I will not go into detail, save to say that he caused a great deal of grief and trouble in my life and, because of his behavior, we were estranged for nearly twenty years. I praise the Lord that a day came when, by God’s grace alone, I was able to forgive my Daddy for his sin against my mother and me. I was able to trust the Lord for the rebuilding of a destroyed relationship and can say that, by His mercy, we developed a healthy father-daughter connection. My husband and I were enabled to provide for him in his declining years and I can say today, “I have no regrets”.

Nor do I have regrets concerning my precious mother! I was privileged to care for her, support her and comfort her for nearly twenty years. For all but the

final year of her life, I remained single because the men I dated really didn’t care to take on a wife who had a parent to care for. In fact, the way I knew that I had finally met God’s man for me came when I realized, while we were dating, that he loved her and she loved him and trusted him to be the husband I desperately needed. I am also forever grateful that God gave my husband and my mother and me one precious year together as a family before He took her. She was buried on our first anniversary.

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The fact that I ‘m a woman doesn’t make me a different kind of Christian, but the fact that I’m a Christian does make me a different kind of a woman.

Elisabeth Elliot

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From To

by Cheryl Luckett Dwell by Cheryl I’ve been known to take a furniture piece with good bones and give it a new life through reupholstery and a fresh perspective, but I’m often doing that for my client’s homes. Well this time, it was all about me.

My good friend Jennifer sent me a text about a year ago with this photo attached.

She was out shopping at her neighborhood Goodwill and noticed that this piece looked a lot like my sofa.

I immediately inquired about the price. When she responded with $14.99, I couldn’t type “GET IT!” quick enough.

I’ll be honest, it sat in my garage for nearly a year, before I finally found the right place for it and the perfect fabric. Sometimes these things take a while.

Patience is key. It wasn’t until the night Baity’s Custom Upholstery came to pick it (and another chair) up that I got really excited about the transformation.

I selected a velvet and cotton cheetah print. Yes, a bit of a departure for me but I felt like my living room needed a little fun.

I decided to up the prep factor with a contrasting welt in a rich gold I used previously on a throw pillow. I almost flipped when I got this progress picture from the upholsterer.

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This was going to be good.

I was right! I’m obsessed with this chair. It is exactly what the space needed.

I was obsessed with the bones from the jump. I’m sure it had something to do with the fact that I’m a sucker for a Chippendale leg. The fabric is just to DIE for and add to that the contrast piping and I think I ‘ve died and gone to chair heaven.

Oh, did I mentioned it’s comfortable too?

I LOVE THIS CHAIR!

After a 15-year career in Corporate America as a Registered Dietitian and Human Resources professional, Cheryl launched Dwell by Cheryl Interiors in 2012 seeking a creative outlet and an opportunity to explore her passion for design. The venture began with a blog chronicling her own home improvement projects and quickly morphed into a “side-hustle” decorating homes. After five years and a carefully executed strategic plan designed to help make the transition easier, she made the decision to leave corporate life behind in 2016. Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, Cheryl and her team provide clients with a professional and seamless design experience creating homes that are classic, colorful, cultured and cozy allowing them to live their fullest lives.

In 2018, she launched her first licensed collection of upholstered furniture with NC - based Sylvester Alexander called Belle by Cheryl Luckett. Her work has been published both locally and nationally appearing in Charlotte Home Design & Décor, Traditional Home, Country Living and Southern Home.

Follow her on IG @dwellbycheryl or visit her website: www.dwellbycheryl.com to see more of her amazing work.

Pictures by Dustin Peck Photography

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by Sarah Geringer

If you have gone through a divorce, I’m sorry for the hurt you’ve experienced. I have no judgement for you, because I’ve experienced severe difficulties in my own marriage, including a brief separation.

Yet as a child of divorce myself, once at age four and again at age twenty-two, I have wisdom to share with you about what your child has experienced. The more understanding you gain about your child, the more you can help your child heal from the deep hurt of divorce.

My Story as a Child of Divorce

I have a photographic memory, which is both a blessing and a curse. I vividly remember many details of the day my father moved out, the day he remarried, as well as the ongoing drama. I also have vivid memories of my mom remarrying when I was thirteen and the difficult transitions that followed.

I was twenty-two the year my dad divorced for the second time and remarried for the third time. I thought to myself, “I can handle this; I’ve already gone through this before.” But it took me at least ten years to make a full adjustment, because divorce is always hard on children.

Studies show it takes at least five years for

children to adjust after their parents divorce. And yet, I’m living proof that you never really get over it as a child of divorce. It’s part of you forever, and you can’t help remembering it at birthdays, holidays, weddings – any time families should be together, but aren’t anymore.

For a long time, I wanted to minister to fellow adult children of divorce like me. There are many resources for adults going through a divorce, and also for children and teens whose parents are divorcing.

But there are not many resources for us adults, still suffering in hidden ways decades after our parents split.

I started my podcast, Heart in a Drawer, in September 2020 with this audience in mind. Yet I’ve been surprised and deeply pleased at how many listeners are actually parents of children of divorce.

They want deeper understanding of their children’s problems and hope to help them heal. If this is you, I pray God’s favor upon you today. I hope my story gives you understanding on your child’s inner life, no matter what age he or she may be.

5 Feelings a Child of Divorce Experiences

Children of divorce struggle with many

74 Sit still my daughter | Spring 2021 difficult feelings. I’ve picked the top five ones that have affected me and other children of divorce I know.

I’ve also listed what you can do as a parent to help your child with these feelings, and what not to do. I’m including Bible verses that helped me in each area.

May this give you greater understanding and spark fruitful discussions with your child.

Fear

I don’t know a single child of divorce who doesn’t deal with the fear of abandonment. Whether they remember their parents’ divorce or not, children fear a repeat of others abandoning them in the future.

This fear persisted throughout my life, in my dating relationships and even into my marriage. It’s a coredeep fear that may need professional help to overcome (as mine did).

• Do: Reassure your child, “I’m here for you.” Let your child know that though you are no longer married to his father, your love for your child is unwavering.

• Don’t: Reinforce this fear even in little ways.

Let your child know if you are running late, for example.

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“For he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”

Hebrews 13:5b

Anxiety

Due to the deep-seated fear of abandonment, your child may have anxiety over many things. I was anxious about being on time, getting good grades and never being in trouble, because I felt I had to earn my worth. Anxiety can range from mild to severe and may need medication for treatment.

• Do: Be consistent with both love and limits. Your child needs boundaries to feel safe, and lots of love to fill up her emotional tank.

• Don’t: Tell your child there is nothing to worry about. Affirm her anxiety and get professional help if needed.

“Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”

1 Peter 5:7

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Anger

Children can’t help but feel angry that their most important relationships changed without their consent. They may feel irrationally responsible for your breakup. Your child may turn anger inward or outward, or let it leak out passively. All of those methods are destructive. Your child’s anger needs to be talked out and worked through – the sooner, the better.

• Do: Look for the feelings underneath your child’s anger and address those. Common ones are sadness, unfairness or hurt. Affirm those feelings and talk about them with your child.

• Don’t: React to your child’s anger with your own anger. Practice self-control and respond after praying and thinking it through. You probably have your own anger over the divorce, and family counseling could greatly help.

“A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.” Proverbs 15:1

Loneliness

Loneliness is one of the most persistent feelings a child of divorce experiences. Even if you have a good relationship with your ex-spouse, your child doesn’t get to have his mom and dad together all the time. This fact causes a deep ache in your child that can last long into adulthood.

• Do: Remind your child that no person is designed to meet all his needs. Only God can do this. Also, connect your child with other godly adults to fill the gaps in his or her life. Your son needs a godly man as a mentor, and your daughter will need godly women in her life. Ask your pastor to set up mentoring relationships with people in your congregation.

• Don’t: Leave your child alone for long periods. I know this can be difficult for single moms working multiple jobs. But children of divorce get into the most trouble when they are lonely. Do all you can to have a trusted adult with them, even into their teenage years.

“God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry land.” Psalm 68:6

Spring 2021 | Sit still my daughter 77 Grief

Divorce is a lingering death. You and your child both need to grieve before you can move forward. The stages of grief are denial, anger, bargaining, sadness and acceptance. Your child may repeat these stages as he grows older, especially if you remarry and start another family. Grief is a necessary step because it’s the only way to fully heal.

• Do: Empathize with your child’s grief. Help your child name his feelings. Be patient with him as he works through the steps.

• Don’t: Bury your grief. Your child will see this and suffer. Through grieving, you will all heal as a family.

“Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” Psalm 30:5b Sarah Geringer is a speaker, podcaster, artist and author of Transforming Your Thought Life: Christian Meditation in Focus. She lives in southeast Missouri with her husband and three children. Sarah writes and speaks about finding peace in God’s Word at www.sarahgeringer.com.

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A friendship with the Lord will sustain you in difficult times.

Elizabeth George

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Your Mind...

Thy word have I hid in mine heart... Psalm 119:11

2 Peter 1:4-8 4.Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

5. And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6. And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7. And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.

8. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

What we put into our mind will make its way into our hearts, it is important that we monitor what we allow to pass through our mind. One of the best ways to do that is by hiding God’s word in our heart. When Jesus was tempted by Satan, He quoted a verses from scripture and was victorious.

Over the course of the next three months try to memorize the verses on the left. We will only be able to defeat our enemy by holding fast to the truths found in the Word of God about our God. In moments of temptation, the Holy Spirit will bring the verses we need to mind that will aid us in being victorious.

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Your Soul...

Be still, and know that I am God... Psalm 46:10

But so much the more went there a fame abroad of him: and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by him of their infirmities. And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed. Luke 5:15-16

Much of Jesus’ ministry was spent pouring Himself into others, either through teaching or healing those who were sick. But even the Son of God took time to step away from the crowds and spend time in prayer.

It is not a bad thing to take a moment to withdraw from the crowds, in fact, our souls need that time with the Lord to renew our spirit and prepare it for the day.

• to spend some extra time in prayer.

• to journal your favorite scripture passages.

• to write down some areas in your spiritual life that you want to grow.

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by Jenn Mair

According to Forbes, “The statistics on how many people actually follow through and accomplish their New Year’s resolutions are rather grim. Studies have shown that less than 25% of people actually stay committed to their resolutions after just 30 days, and only 8% accomplish them.”

This can be discouraging to read but I want to encourage you today that you don’t have to be a statistic. We serve a God of second chances, He doesn’t give up on us, so why should we give up on our health and wholeness?

So, what if you set the goal and didn’t complete or didn’t even begin. “Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.”

Lamentations 3:22-23 Every morning is a new day, a new beginning, a new start.

I have a friend who is a fitness instructor and he will say to his class, “mind over muscle.” This is important when it comes to our health. We can train our physical body

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but if we are not training within (mind) first, we will fail.

We get stuck in our minds and become our own worst enemy.

When it comes to our health and wholeness we tend to believe the following lies: • I am not good enough.

• I will never change, this is hopeless.

• I am too old.

• I can’t do it.

Here is the truth that God says about you: • You are enough because He is enough. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 • Victory is yours. Romans 8:38; Isaiah 54:17 • I am accepted. John 1:12 • I am strong, because of His strength in me. Isaiah 40:31 Write these verses down, repeat them out loud, pray and ask God to help you believe these truths about yourself.

Practical Tips for Success: Accountability Get a buddy! According to Women’s Health, “chances of success rose to a staggering 95% if they committed to meeting up with that person in real life.”

Find something you enjoy Not all workouts have to be boring and torturous. Try some fun workout ideas: dancing in the kitchen with

84 Sit still my daughter | Spring 2021 your kids, drumsticks (checkout our YouTube channel for a workout), hiking, bike riding, etc.

Add this to your daily routine I tell my community to incorporate an exercise routine into their everyday living schedule. Make it a priority.

Break up your workout routine.

You do not have to spend hours in the gym. Maybe you walk 10 minutes in the morning, 10 minutes on a lunch break and 10 minutes after dinner.

If you are in the Greenville/Spartanburg/Greer area, check out a Whole Fitness class. All of our classes serve all fitness levels. We will give you plenty of success options during your workout. Not only will you get a great workout but you will hear truth from God’s Word, taught by our instructors. We would love for you to join our community. First class is FREE! Don’t lose hope or give up. I am cheering you on!

Jenn Mair Founder of Whole Fitness Personal Trainer, NETA Group Fitness Instructor, Revelation Wellness

Visit Whole Fitness 1249 S. Suber Rd Greer, SC 29651 www.wholefitsc.com wholefitness16@gmail.com Facebook: Whole Fitness Instagram: @wholefitsc

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by Hannah Speights Mold! Mold! Mold! The aggressive creeping, fuzzy black fungi had consumed almost all of her families’ clothes by the end of their first year as missionaries in Brazil. Eight-yearold Joanna was left with a few every day things and one church dressa slightly large, brightly colored polka-dotted dress, stitched to fit.

Each week the pink sashed cotton print was carefully washed, wrung out, hung up to dry and ironed.

After explaining the situation to her mother, Joanna’s mother responded by encouraging her daughter to ask God to provide. The petitioning began. Months passed and still no answer. Several times Joanna complained that nothing had happened yet. Her mother assured Jo that God knew all about the need and that she must continue asking.

Four, or five months after she began praying, a friend gifted Joanna with a lovely blue-flowered dress and matching jacket! Then God provided two more floral dresses and more dresses and even more dresses. Upon counting all the dresses, mother and daughter discovered that Joanna had, not just one dress, but twenty! God had answered a little girl’s prayer.

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by Robin Cook

Growing up in my parents’

jewelry store, I always had

an affinity for beads and still remember

receiving my first bead box. Looking

back, I realize God’s purposeful planting

of this gifting has grown into a fruitful field of

beauty for many to enjoy.

Early on our jewelry store (Especially Jewelry) was adjacent to a hair salon, and I remember one day taking a small rack of my handmade earrings to sell to the salon patrons. Cash in hand and a smile on my face, I excitedly shared this success with my parents.

Realizing this budding talent, my mom said to me, “Robin, open your hands.” I held out my hands, and she said, “God can do more with your talents than you can…” She prayed with me, and this made such an impression on me to invite the Lord to use my gifts and life for His glory. “Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established.” Proverbs16:3

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Tagging along to jewelry trade shows was an enriching experience and one event especially stands out. During the Orlando jewelry show we attended a private dinner and show at SeaWorld, where I got to go up and meet Shamu. After introducing Shamu, the trainer turned to me with the microphone asking what I wanted to do when I grew up. “If it’s God’s will, I want to be a jewelry designer” I replied. What an honor and defining moment this proved to be!

God has been so gracious to provide the materials and opportunity to create jewelry for my parents’ store these past 15 years. One milestone was grasping the skill to finish designs with a little twisted wire wrap for a tailored edge. I had tried and tried, working tediously with my wire and pliers, and suddenly it clicked! Creative at heart, my favorite skill involves making unique pieces or new designs.

Each time I’m privileged to design, the Lord inspires unique layouts with gemstones, Swarovski®

crystals, baroque pearls, and precious metals.

It’s an honor to create treasures for weddings, gifts for friends and family, etc.

Knowing the stories behind the jewelry makes this endeavor all the more enjoyable. Many sweet memories of designs come to mind: • Helping brides create dream earrings to wear on their special day, such as a dear friend who wanted the sparkliest chandelier earrings for her wedding.

• One of our older customers and her husband came in one day, and the husband said, “Honey, I want to get you some earrings.” Inspired by her colorful floral shirt, I went to my desk and crafted some Swarovski® crystal earrings for her!

• Collaborating with a sweet lady who brought in a faux strand of heirloom pearls to recreate them for her daughters and granddaughters to enjoy.

• Two sets of sisters as well as a grandmother and granddaughter who wanted matching baroque pearl necklaces...

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• A mother who ordered a pearl necklace for her daughter to signify that she is a pearl of great price...

Jewelry is personal, beautiful and sentimental; and it’s such a gift to be part of people’s stories.

What wisdom we find in Proverbs 31:16, “She considereth a [new] field, and buyeth it: [expanding prudently and not courting neglect of her present duties by assuming other duties]; with the fruit of her hands [of time and strength] she planteth a vineyard.”

God had blessed my jewelry collection at my parents’ store, and I began dreaming about how to expand. In His faithful timing, He began to open up other doors. Etsy was an avenue I had explored to extend my line of jewelry to a wider market, and in 2018 the Cook 2 Flourish online shop was launched! It’s a joy sending packages across the US and even to Austria and Israel!

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In 2019 God opened up another local door to share these handmade designs in a beautiful boutique called Ivy & Sparrow. We featured the jewelry collection there during one of the downtown art walks, and it was so special to interact with the customers. I get to make re-stocking deliveries often, and on a few occasions, God has enabled me to cross paths with friends who wanted me to go into the store with them to pick out a new necklace.

Most recently, a nice lady (total stranger) and I struck up a conversation as I walked up the street to deliver new designs. I invited her to accompany me into Ivy & Sparrow, and she inquired about my designs. Before long she had picked out one of the beautiful pearl necklaces from my collection––from stranger to above: Jon Romero (jeweler), Joyce Langston (bridal specialist), myself, and Julie and Del Cook (parents). left: the store where my work is showcased

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supporter! These opportunities for expansion have been blessings to grow in the community, in organization, as well as in business.

It’s so encouraging that God knows the desires of our heart, and as we continue seeking Him, He is faithful to provide for us! Whatever field you may be considering, may God give you wisdom and favor to cultivate a flourishing field for His glory!

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by Leah Joy Barcus

Hello, my name is Leah Barcus, Founder and Executive Director of Joy Doll Hospital. At 11 years old, I had finally saved enough money to buy a secondhand American Girl doll. However, my doll arrived with loose limbs and curiosity left me wondering how to fix them?

Not wanting to part with my new doll only to pay for an expensive repair at the store, I instead, began thorough research into the world of these dolls and how to repair them myself. Soon, on an unexpected journey, I discovered hope in the idea that a doll, once broken and discarded, can be restored. It is on this experience, God began to build His work.

With His provision and the help of gracious mentors, a plan for Joy Doll Hospital was marvelously revealed after passing road signs for children’s homes during my travels to support another ministry. Having only read about orphanages or having seen them in movies, I had no idea they existed! As I reflected how my doll, even with her loose limbs, had already brought me so much joy, I began to wonder how much more joy a doll in the arms of a child experiencing heartache would bring!

But, now at 12 years old, how could I gather dolls to give to these children along with the message

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of hope and joy which God had laid on my heart?

What could I do? This is where Joy Doll Hospital began and is now a 501c3 charity. You see, for a Joy Doll, brokenness is the feature most useful to deliver a message of hope and encouragement.

Sponsors provide the blessings for me to restore and breathe new life into these once damaged dolls. The complete process I get to take the dolls on from brokenness to joy is symbolic of the hope for every child gifted a Joy Doll. We are all fragile, having experienced hurts, bumps, bruises, scars, failings and disappointments; but there is a Hope and a Help Who is greater than all these things.

And with that Hope comes true restoration, renewal and Joy! above: Beautiful dolls that have been restored and bring joy to countless girls. right: some dolls, all packaged with love, ready to be delivered.

visit: www.joydollhospital.org to learn more.

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By Michelle R. Hopper MSN, RN

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I can remember it like it was yesterday. I was at church

serving in ministry like I had always known to do with children and young people gravitating to me and always around. This particular day, a group of us were hanging around after church and one of the older ministers casually, even thoughtlessly said, “People who usually have kids around them a lot usually don’t have children.” At that time, I thought little of the statement, neither internalizing it nor considering it was directed at me.

However, I would realize and be reminded of that statement years later when I learned that I was that one out of six women who would travel the uncomfortable and traumatic path of child loss and infertility. I was married at 34 years of age. Why did I wait so long? For a woman growing up in California, marriage was never a priority nor even an immediate goal. Raised by a single mother, I knew little of the true model of marriage; therefore, it couldn’t be a high priority for me. My focus was on education and a career. I wanted to travel and enjoy my singleness to the fullest.

I knew marriage would happen one day. And, oh, when God did send my tailor-made husband, we started our journey as one on June 11th, 2011. We knew exactly what we wanted: to start a family immediately. Our vivid dreams of the ideal family––2.5 kids, the white picket

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fence, the 3600 square foot house, the perfect home, the perfect job and the perfect family. But all that came to a screeching halt six months later with miscarriage number one.

My first miscarriage was devastating, painful and discouraging, leaving me with an overwhelming sense of loss, but I was told that this was not unusual. I was told that “most” all women miscarry! We were encouraged to try again and assured that everything would be well. Then followed miscarriages number two, three, and four. All of this occurred, while I served the youth of my church. It was a silent trauma for me. Persevering through pain was easier said than done. I was responsible for serving in my church––teaching, equipping, encouraging and walking alongside people during their good times, bad times and ugly times––all the while feeling as if no one was there to walk with me.

Infertility is a subject that is seldom openly discussed within the church. Many women face that emotional and physical trauma in silence. What do you say to a woman who has lost four children? Do you encourage them with the Word of God? Do you simply listen? This was the challenge for me. I wanted to know how I could give to others when I felt as if God had forsaken me? I wondered how I could tell others to trust God when,

after the fourth loss, I was ready to throw in the towel myself. I remembered the words spoken to me all those years ago. They rang so loudly now. I kept hearing, “People who usually have kids around them a lot usually don’t have children.”

I internalized those words and accepted them, not once asking God for a specific word or insight regarding my situation. I got to a place where those words robbed me of the hope of carrying a child full term or even having a child at all.

After the fourth miscarriage I finally received a definitive diagnosis from doctors. While sitting in the obstetrician/gynecologist’s office, my husband and I were informed that I had an incompetent cervix. With the counsel of our physicians, we established a plan moving forward to try again with the help of surgical and reproductive intervention, because at age thirty-eight, I was now having infertility issues. Try as we might, we just couldn’t get pregnant!

At least there was a dim light at the end of the tunnel because I finally had a name for this silent trauma.

I felt a little bit more hopeful because our physicians gave us a concrete plan to help us realize our dream of parenthood. A piece of me was thinking that it could finally

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100 Sit still my daughter | Spring 2021 happen. At twenty-one weeks with a vaginal cerclage in sessions I was numb, hopeless, feeling like a failure. I place, my water broke and we were on our way down the vaguely remember him sharing the story of Jeremiah familiar tragic path to losing another child. in Lamentations. Prior to this session, I was angry at Christians who always wanted to quote scripture in the

My faith failing, I questioned everything that I midst of my pain. It seemed merely a callused approach believed up until that point about God. Here I was for to empathize with my situation that always came off cold the fifth time leaving a hospital after delivering a baby and insincere to me. that died in my hands. I remembered during that time finding it difficult to breathe. It wasn’t that I had sui But somehow this particular day, hearing the cidal thoughts, but breathing seemed so labor intensive. reference to Jeremiah was different. Our therapist led us My husband and I needed more than the prayers of the on a tour through the third chapter of Lamentations with saints. We sought professional therapeutic help. skilled precision that demonstrated how Jeremiah started off complaining and questioning God. He shared how

While sitting in our therapist’s office, after several Jeremiah continuously ranted about his afflictions and

Spring 2021 | Sit still my daughter 101 circumstances and, after all of that, came to his senses and pivoted amazingly. Lamentations 3:21-24 says, “This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.’” This was my pivot!

that “by this time next year, we will be changing stinky diapers!”

To the glory of God, in March of 2016 we conceived and made the conscious decision to rejoice, enjoy the journey and not walk in fear. The faithfulness of God was abundantly apparent throughout our pregnancy.

While eight months pregnant we were miraculously and

It was then that I reminded myself that I do have surprisingly presented with an opportunity to adopt a history with God. I had to remind myself that His sovbaby girl. Our son was born December 8th, 2016 and ereignty is sure and He makes no mistakes and the plans our daughter was born six weeks later, January 22th, that He has for me are yes and amen! On New Year’s Eve 2017. God indeed gave me double and he helped me to 2015 I found the strength to testify about my journey. persevere through my pain!

After sharing, my husband had the audacity to declare

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What prayers has God answered for you?

Write them down here.

answered prayer

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He will fulfill the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them. Psalm 145:19

The Lord impressed deeply on my heart that I needed to take the step of faith and decide to relocate to Taylors, SC, to engage in a fuller capacity ministering at The Academy of Arts. I knew I would have to sell my Tennessee home and I also knew I had an impediment to selling it in the form of an old 40 foot long 5th wheel RV that my husband and I bought for travel and only used as a place to stay while we were building this home. The RV isn’t really livable as is and not worth selling. So, what to do? A friend suggested I advertise it on Facebook Marketplace. I did this yesterday afternoon, indicating I would give it to anyone who could figure out how to remove it and haul it away. Would you believe? I got rid of it in five minutes of listing it! A man is coming next weekend with all necessary equipment to get it out and take it to his place and refurbish it, so he can park it closer to his work. I love it when God clearly shows the way. ~Caroline Fike I have been praying that God would provide a job for me where I can minister to others and still be home with my daughter to homeschool etc. I heard about a job opportunity on the radio working for the Billy Graham Association. I went to their website and applied and I now have a job praying for people who call in on the prayer line! ~Donna Lambert

Over the past year, the Lord has brought Proverbs 3:6 to my mind. “In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.”

In all the busyness of life, the Lord has reminded me to pray and ask Him to order my steps. He has answered this prayer in so many “little” ways. And through it all, He has taught me about His kindness and attention to the details of my life. If you doubt that Jesus cares, remember Proverb 3:6. He cares about all your ways. ~ Alli James

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Hearing someone’s personal testimony is always a delight

by Ellen Lockhart

to me. It is also a great way to share the gospel with those you love as well as friends and acquaintances. Sharing my own salvation story with my family and grandkids is of most importance to me and a helpful way to instill the gospel into their heart. It saddens me that I never got the testimonies of my own parents and grandparents! Do not ever think that your testimony is not as special as the next person. Any testimony of the saving grace of God is special, unique, and a miracle beyond our understanding.

I was raised in a Christian Home – Praise God! Many do not have that privilege. Although my parents were young Christians, they were “for real” Christians, living it by their actions from day to day. Though by no means perfect, they were growing in the Lord and sought to instill the gospel into their own children. Being the second to youngest of six children, I was blessed to hear about Jesus from the time I was born. As I grew older, I began paying attention to the gospel message and the importance of knowing Jesus Christ as my personal Savior, however, it did not make sense to me just yet.

It was obvious to me that I did “bad” things, but still, in my heart I thought everything would be OK if I did enough good things. I reasoned that, since my parents were good and loved God and they were going to heaven, then God would overlook the bad things I had done and see all my good things. Yes, one day God would surely let me into heaven. I understood later that this was not true and never will be true. It has always

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been one of the devil’s lies. Instead, this is the Truth: Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us… Titus 3:5 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

My best friend and I would often talk about God and heaven. As a Roman Catholic, my friend believed there were certain things you must do before going to heaven, like being a member of the Catholic church and being baptized into it. She was so concerned about me that she said if I were about to die, she would baptize me into her church so that she could be sure I would go to heaven. Each of us were positive we were amazingly good though and that our own religion was the best. Surely one day God would weigh our good and bad deeds and see what wonderful little girls we were and the gates of heaven would open to us.

No church, no religion can ever take a person to heaven. There is only one way to heaven.

Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:5-6

In the words of a chorus we often sang at Christian camp: I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, that’s what Jesus said.

I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, that’s what Jesus said.

I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, that’s what Jesus said.

Without the way, there is no going, Without the truth there is no knowing, Without the life, there is no living, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, that’s what Jesus said.

This little song says it all: Without Jesus as the way, there is no going to heaven. Without Jesus as the truth,

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Enjoying dinner with my children and their spouses.

we cannot know about Him or how to get to heaven.

Without Jesus as the life, we can never have eternal life in heaven, but we will die in our sins. I’m glad the words of this song were instilled into my heart, just as Biblical truth is so crucial to be implanted into the hearts of our children while they are young.

One year as I was getting ready to go to camp, for some reason (God’s providence, I believe) I asked my mother, “Am I a Christian?” “Am I going to heaven?” I just knew that she would say yes, because after all my mom and dad were both Christians and I was a “good” little girl. Praise God, I had a very wise mother who wanted me to know the truth and she answered, “You must know in your own heart if you are saved”. You are not saved simply because your parents are saved. You must trust Jesus as your own Savior. Thankfully, I heard the key word - Your OWN Savior. He was my parents’ Savior, but He was not mine until I accepted His gift of eternal life by His grace alone.

Off to camp I did go with a lot to think about.

God was preparing my heart to receive the gospel. I

heard it every day in chapel service at camp. I was blessed with a counselor who cared about the souls of her campers, so one day while she was leading devotions with all the campers sitting on bunks in her cabin, she told us about Jesus and what He did for us at Calvary. She then asked, “How many of you know Jesus?” “How many of you are saved?” Not wanting to be different, I raised my hand along with several others, but guess what? It did not end there! Now, my counselor wisely began asking us, one by one, when we had gotten saved and how. I was a little nervous. What would I say when it was my turn?

Would I say: I have been good. My parents are Christians. I go to church every week. For some reason, I knew that none of these answers would be right. So, when it was my turn, I said, I don’t know. The response from my counselor was “Would you like to know?”

She took me away by myself and showed me John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

The light came on! Jesus, the Light, shone out of dark-

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ness. He had come to rescue me from the powers of darkness. I had heard that verse so many times, but suddenly, it became personal. Jesus died for me! Jesus is the Light that came into the world to save a poor wretch like me from the powers of darkness. I was that sinner who desperately needed a Savior. No amount of good deeds would ever take me to heaven. My Christian home was not going to take me to heaven. Being baptized into the right church was not going to take me to heaven.

Jesus alone, is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. He is The Only Way to Heaven.

There had to be one perfect sacrifice for sins and Jesus, the perfect Son of God, satisfied God’s wrath and took upon Himself my sins, so that I might be justified. Praise God! I became a Christian! Jesus was now MY OWN SAVIOR! I bowed my head and gave my life to Him. Such peace flowed into my heart, even as an 8-year-old girl. Yes, the gospel is simple enough for a child to understand. I would now never be “Unsaved”; Yes, it saddens my heart that I do not always live like a Christian, but God has never “unsaved” me. Hallelujah!

I am kept by His power. No one can pluck me out of His

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hands. As one of His sheep I often wander off the path of righteousness and into my own pastures.

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He sometimes gently pulls me back in and sometimes in my stubbornness, He exercises stronger discipline to guide me back into His will. He has kept me all these years and when the day comes for this earthly body to die, I will enter the presence of my Lord and Savior and live forever with Him. I need never to fear death for it is but a shadow when I am walking in the Light.

How about you? Is John 3:16 just something you memorized or is it real to you? Do you know Jesus as Your OWN personal Savior? Sadly, I did not immediately grow as I ought in my Christian life. I did not spend time reading God’s Word and praying, asking Him to do a work in my heart. As a result, I got terribly backslidden and lived an up-and-down spiritual life, often going my own stubborn way. This continued for several years, causing me often to doubt my salvation. I am grateful that I still liked to go to church and Christian activities. I was continually “rededicating” my life to the Lord.

Upon graduating from high school, I attended Bible College where I was always under the sound of good preaching. But it was not until I was 21 years of age after a revival service, that I finally received peace in my heart. It was nothing that was said in that service, that I can remember. The Lord just quietly assured me in my heart that I was saved and no one or thing could pluck me out of my Father’s hand.

My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.

John 10:29

From that time, I never doubted my salvation.

I knew that God by His grace alone had saved me as an 8-year-old girl at Junior Camp. Although I cannot remember the exact date, the event is indelibly clear in my mind and heart. Jesus’ promise is sure. He will never leave or forsake me! He loves, He saves, He keeps, and He satisfies. The Lord has wonderfully blessed me over many years since I came to know Him. As God’s Word says, He daily loads us with His benefits. I am grateful for a Godly husband, Godly children, and 21 grandchildren of whom many have already trusted Christ. They are, in fact, the only “thing” I can take into eternity with me. I look forward to that glad reunion in heaven one day. left: me, my husband, and our 21 grandchildren. upper left: my husband and I of 44 years.

Would you like to trust Jesus Christ today?

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” ~Ephesians 2:8-9

“For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.” ~Romans 3:23

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” ~Romans 6:23

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” ~Romans 5:8

“If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” ~Romans 10:9-10

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Tips & Tools to help your quiet time along

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Have a place that is yours like a favorite chair or at the kitchen table with your favorite beverage.

It’s important that we give God our full attention, try silencing your phone or leaving it in another room.

Try to be consistant, pick a time that works best for you and make that your quiet time.

Looking for a Bible reading plan? Use this three month plan with a theme that is unique for the month. Graphics provided by Have Faith Studio

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PREPARE OUR HEARTS FOR EASTER READING PLAN

1. John 11:25-26

12. Acts 4:33

23. Matthew 21:9-11

2. Philippians 3:10

13. 1 Corinthians 15:3-8

24. John 20:17-18

3. Acts 3:15

14. Romans 6:8-11

25. Thessalonians 4:142

4. Mark 15:29-31

15. Romans 8:34

26. 2 Corinthians 5:17

5. Luke 9:23

16. Colossians 1:13-14

27. Luke 23:46-47

6. Hebrews 12:1-3

17. Ephesians 1:20

28. 1 Peter 1:3

7. Corinthians 1:18

18. Philippians 2:8

29. Ezekiel 18:21

8. John 3:16

19. Mark 16:5-7

30. Isaiah 58:6-7

9. Romans 10:9

20. Mark 15:46-47

31. Revelation 1:17-18

10. John 14:6

21. Luke 24:2-3

11. Mark 8:31

22. Matthew 28:5-6

READING THE BIBLE SITSTILLMYDAUGHTER.COM

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APRIL READING PLAN 1. Romans 8:34

16. Romans 5:5

2. 1 Corinthians 15:3-8

17. Jeremiah 29:11

3. Luke 24:6-7

18. Romans 12:12

4. Luke 24:50-53

19. Psalm 119:114

5. Daniel 12:3

20. Romans 15:4

6. Psalm 16:9

21. Romans 15:13

7. 1 Peter 5:10

22. 1 Corinthians 2:9

8. Isaiah 40:31

23. Ephesians 1:18

9. Proverbs 23:18

24. Colossians 1:27

10. Psalm 130-5

25. 1 Thessalonians 5:8

11. Jeremiah 17:7

26. Titus 1:2

12. Lamentations 3:24

27. Titus 2:13

13. Romans 8:24

28. 2 Peter 1:10-11

14. Micah 4:4

29. 1 John 3:3

15. Zephaniah 3:17

30. Revelation 21:4

READING THE BIBLE WITH HOPE WWW.SITSTILLMYDAUGHTER.COM

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RENEW THE M A Y

R E A D I N G

P L A N

1. Psalm 51:10

17. Galatians 3:28

2. Romans 12:2

18. Galatians 1:10

3. Psalm 51:12

19. Deuteronomy 30:14

4. Isaiah 40:31

20. Colossians 3:2

5. Ephesians 4:23

21. Ephesians 6:10

6. 2 Corinthians 4:16

22. 1 Peter 2:1

7. Colossians 3:10

23. James 4:7

8. Hebrews 10:22

24. James 1:15

9. Ephesians 4:22-24

25. Acts 3:20-21

10. Revelation 21:5

26. Philippians 4:19

11. 1 John 4:1

27. Isaiah 65:17

12. Galatians 5:22-23

28. 2 Thessalonians 3:3

13. 2 Corinthians 7:1

29. John 3:16

14. Philippians 4:8

30. Ezekiel 18:31 2

15. Matthew 11:29

31. Corinthians 5:17

16. Psalm 51:2

READING THE BIBLE WITH A RENEWED SPIRIT WWW.SITSTILLMYDAUGHTER.COM

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In the next issue ...

. I said “no” twice: a girl said no to two good men choosing to wait on God’s best. . Hope for tomorrow: find out what lessons Eve has to teach us today. . Crash of the Dragonfly: a missionary wife shares the story of the day her husband’s airplane crashed in the jungles of the Philippines.

and much more ...

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Gracefulness has been defined to be the outward expression of the inward harmony of the soul. ~ Hazlitt

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YOUR MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS. Give yourself the gift of mental health and faith.

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