No Shame in a Scar

God winks often to me in the posts of others on Facebook. You can often see into the heart of a person by what they post. 

A friend of mine posted this picture of a lioness with a scar on her face with the quote from an unknown author. Many responded to this picture that I also shared. It seems we all have scars that often control us rather than us controlling how we view them. I am thankful for this reminder, because I too have physical, surgical scars. I have emotional scars as well from various trials of life, but God has healed my heart. Those scars remain as a reminder of God’s healing, grace, love, and care. God helps me be stronger than what caused the scar. 

Another story involves scars that heal; the story of the cross. Jesus' scars remained even after his resurrection to remind us He arose and is stronger than those who tried to hurt Him. His scars demonstrate His love for us and offer a story of redemption (John 3:16). 

I'd like to share a story of a friend from high school, Jackie Janning. Her story may resonate with many of us who have been touched by cancer personally or a close family member or friend. I trust you will be encouraged and that her story will be a “God wink” as you read. You are a beautiful child of God and He loves you scars and all!! 

“About eight years ago, I was shopping with my mom looking at dresses for a special event. I remember trying on a beautiful dress that I loved, but it exposed the scar from my chemotherapy port. I asked mom if she thought I could cover the port scar with makeup without too much trouble. To this day, her response rings in my ears --- 'why would you ever want to do that, you should be proud of that scar.' And that my friends, is why I share this post with all of you. Love ya Mom!” -- Jackie Janning-Lask

by Joni Ormsbee

Casting your Cares

As I sit to write about how God shows up in my life, every day it seems, I often find it easier to share the big things. But honestly, He “winks” every day if I only open my eyes and heart to see and hear Him.

 

I think of the movie “Facing the Giants” where the father says, “We will praise Him whether we win or lose.” This statement holds so much in it about how my disposition should be toward God and how He shows up in my life. Will I thank Him no matter what? At times, He seems so slow in answering, but His timing is perfect. At times, I wonder why I feel distant from Him, yet He is ever so close. At times, I wonder whether that was His voice, only to realize He is always with me.  I only need to listen; the answer may not be what I thought, but it is never-the-less Him.

As I pondered this week, I remembered not only the “Facing the Giants” quote but also the Mount of Transfiguration story. At the top a mountain, three disciples see Jesus, Moses, and Abraham in all their glory. The disciples wanted to stay on the mountain, but the people and the work of the Lord waited in the valley. Was Jesus there on the mountain, absolutely!  He was also with them in the valley!  So, God winks in a story of His own.  “Yes, Joni, I am there on the mountain top where you can’t miss me in all my glory, but I am also with you in the valley when things seem hard; Cast your burdens and anxieties on me! I am able to carry them. My yoke is easy and my burden is light.” 

My prayer to Him:  "Thank You Lord, You are with me on the mountain top moments of life as well as the valleys. Thank You for the birds that chirp outside my window on a morning when You seemed distant as I spent time with You. But, I admit the heaviness of my heart creates the distance. I am concerned about parenting two beautiful boys, the uncertainties of all that goes into helping my in-laws as they move back to our town, and the inevitable job transitions ahead…  It all seems overwhelming at times.  But I do not carry this burden alone. I can give it to You!  I cast my concerns of parenting to You and my in-laws care. I trust You to work in our boy's heart's in ways beyond our control and help us raise them to be godly men! I trust You to give me each day what I need.  You are faithful! There is peace in Your presence alone as I surrender my control and worry to You."

God winks every day to me, but this week I saw Him in the chirping of a bird, the sunrise, the smile of a friend,  the perfect timing of affirmation from a friend regarding my parenting, and the provision of a job for my husband!   

by Joni Ormsbee

Nature's Thermostat

Having neck problems on and off for close to a year now, it seems I have tried everything; medical massages, chiropractor visits, relaxing yoga, drinking water, hot tub, heat and ice. Basically it can get pretty miserable due to flare-ups of massive knots, making my neck so tense that I experience severe headaches and sensitivity to light. That's just a little back-story.

Attempting to save on our utility bill, my hubby and I regularly refrain from using the air conditioning in our little condo. Opening the doors and windows usually cools things off a bit, but this was not the case on Wednesday. It was an extremely hot and muggy day with hardly any wind. That day, I had taken a good chunk of the afternoon to clean up around the house, because we had a dinner and game night planned for the following evening with a sweet young couple from our church. 

Moving from room to room, I felt as if I were in a sauna because of how much I was sweating. Normally, I am not too keen on being sweaty and hot, unless near a swimming pool.  Instead of giving-in to my desire to cool down, I recalled reading that sweating in a sauna could help relieve knots in the neck by releasing toxins from the body. By God's grace, I held a good attitude to endure the heat as I worked.

Around three o'clock, I received a text message from my hubby, informing me of a big storm approaching. I closed all the windows, except for the kitchen and bedroom window. Satisfied by my completed tasks, I plopped onto our wonderful king size bed, just as a strong, cool breeze began to blow through the window into our bedroom. Before dosing into an unexpected nap, I lied there wondering at "nature's thermostat" which God had provided for me that day. He knew exactly what I needed and helped me find joy in a hot, muggy day and a severe thunderstorm. And so God winks...

by Katie Sue Hill

by Katie Sue Hill

Beauty from Ashes

I may plan my day, but I find He directs my path, instructing my heart even in the everyday tasks of life. The Lord loves personally and I hear Him every day as He speaks to my heart.

What seems like just reading an email directs us to a step that takes us to the next step and the next, and as we look back, we can see the hand of a personal God. An email is just part of my story. It actually started five years prior, almost to the day of the email that would direct me.

Five years ago, I heard about a woman's house that burned down in Bellbrook, a town nearby to where I live. The woman was in women’s ministry, and some ladies in my circles knew her, but I had never met her. I drove by her home as I had heard it had horses and was a beautiful property. The house was gone, and over the next year they would rebuild. I had seen the new house as we drove that way often for our boys to play with some friends.  The sign on their gate read “Beauty from Ashes--Glory to God” based on that scripture from Isaiah 61:3 

“To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for his own glory.” 

I had thought five years ago, I would love to meet her some day and see her new home. Her life just seemed to depict a strength I wanted during the time I faced my mother’s death in 2006 and then my dad’s in Oct 2008. In the past year along my own journey, God has shown me this verse in Isaiah, reminding me that my life is for His glory and He redeems lost years, lost hopes, lost dreams….He is the Redeemer!! I was intrigued by her story.

Fast forward to the end of May 2013; I read an email from Donna Partow, author and motivational speaker on a mission to empower women to live out their God given call and take their message to the world. It was about a class she was offering, so I took the intro tele-seminar and decided to sign up. Nothing profound, just simply I liked the title and thought it would be interesting. 

Little did I know that that decision would be confirmed in the first class. The verse on day one was Genesis 50:20, the same verse I had just studied in the last week of my Bible study in Genesis. Yep, the same one!! God winks: I am in the right place at the right time. 

I also realized that Deborah Lovett, the co-teacher with Donna, was the same person whose house burned down five years ago. The same person I nonchalantly thought, I would love to meet her some day and see her new home. WOW!!   

I am excited that through “random” events, God would “wink” in my direction the realization of a thought five years prior. It blows my mind that the God of the universe would touch ME in such a specific and loving way. But HE does care about the small details and often works in the everyday tasks of life - so glad!! I can’t help wondering what more He will do through all the “random” intersections of lives through an email!! All for His glory! Watch for Him!    

by Joni Ormsbee

Professional, Functional, and a little Funky

I try to be professional, functional and a little funky in my business world image. As I get older, the line where you look 'hip' or 'goofy' is more difficult to distinguish.

I needed a new binder for my work calendar. Using these guidelines, I headed to the store and there were many colors, styles, and varieties from which to choose. Knowing this is an item I will use everyday - it will go with me on my calls and sit on my desk when I'm at home - I was very picky. I decided on a sleek, black, patent-leather binder that is both professional and functional. But when you open it up, it is a funky, bright, neon green. Although green would not be my first choice, I liked it. This binder fulfills it's purpose and it makes me smile as I use it. 

After much prayer about an opportunity, I decided to take a new job. When I reported for my first day, I had purposefully not taken my binder in with me.  I didn't want to look like a pack-rat with my purse, binder, and such when I arrived, so I had left it in the car.  As I sat in my bosses office, I glanced around and saw my patent-leather binder with neon green interior. Weird - I left it in the car (so I thought). Yes, I had. My new boss had the exact same one! What a funny "God wink" of confirmation to me. I had made a good choice in both my binder and my new position. That position is what has lead me to even be able to write this story down and share it with you now. "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delights in his way!" ~Psalms 37:23

by Tina Wagner