Great are the works of the LORD; they are pondered by all who delight in them. Psalm 111:2 (NIV)
The Parsons clan wishing you a Happy New Year!
Fresh Market 2015
"It is not unusual to see a baby become a king but only once have we seen a King become a Baby" proclaimed my pastor. That got me to thinking. This King not only became a baby but He decided to be born in an animal stall and not in a 16,000 sq ft "not so great" Steven Furtick type of mansion. This Baby King decided to have His birth proclaimed to a bunch of shepherds as opposed to the religious, political and business leaders of that day.
This was the King who preferred the company of fishermen, prostitutes, lepers, and kids to that of the well connected upper echelon. This was also a King who was abused by the compromising religious authorities of his day. This is a King who decided to live among the suffering and to suffer Himself. This is a King who preferred to shower His love on the lost, the let down and the disenfranchised. This is a King who is close to those who are hurting.
Dealing with illness in my family
This has been a hard Christmas for us. My stepfather, Lou became acutely confused and was admitted to the hospital with a bad urinary tract infection 4 days before Christmas. He is now staying in a skilled facility to regain his strength.
The day before this happened, my mother in law arrived from Cape Cod with a diagnosis of metastatic lung, liver and brain cancer. We helped her get a second opinion at Duke. Her prognosis is poor since the tumors are growing rapidly. However, she has decided to proceed with a very difficult chemotherapy regimen which will cause her to become quite sick. We have offered to care for her during this time and I will be going to Cape Cod next week to gather her clothes and pug dog (yes, another rescued pug dog named Samantha will be residing with the Parsons!) We will be moving her into our home for the next few months (or longer).
My own mother is quite handicapped and will be having injections into her back this coming week to see if it will control her pain. I am having to help her to do shopping, etc. We have also begun the process of building a handicapped master suited onto our house in the first floor to move my own mom and Lou into our home so I can also care for them.
None of this is a surprise to me. I had long ago committed to caring for my elderly family members. However, I did not expect it to happen all at once.
A Christmas kindness from a fellow Christian
Two days before Christmas, I was determined to put on my traditional dinner since I enjoy the ruckus of our family at my house. (This year we had six dogs running around as well!) I was in Fresh Market to buy their wonderful rolls and cranberry relish when my heart sank. I had forgotten to buy Christmas gifts for my daughter and son in law's two foster children. These poor children had been through a horrific experience and I had wanted to do something really nice for them. Near tears, I started piling chocolate Santas and candy bracelets into my cart.
A friendly gentleman standing near me remarked on all the candy that I was buying. I don't know what possessed me, but I blurted out that I had forgotten to buy presents for these two dear children in the midst of the illnesses within my family. He looked interested and then offered to donate a new Frozen (the movie) Electric Scooter to them since he had one extra. Not only that, he offered to wrap it and deliver it to my house.
For some reason, I felt comfortable giving him my address. He also shared with me his business card. He then gave me a hug and went on his way. About two hours later, he showed up at my house with the wrapped scooter and two awesome hand held games for the children. Somehow, I just knew he was a Christian. So, I asked him what church he went to. I was right.
I was in near tears the rest of the day. God had sent a Christian brother to help out an overwhelmed lady. I knew God was encouraging me. On Christmas day, those two children opened the gift and the youngest one said "I have been wishing for this!" She give me a hug and I told her about a kind man and his family that wanted her to have this scooter. My son in law and daughter were so grateful for the scooter which they said "made their Christmas."
Sometimes we focus so much on wanting the big miracles, we don't see the smaller ones. I hope this dear man knows that he was a Christmas miracle to both my family and two little girls. Thank you!
The following post I wrote in 2013. It is one of my personal favorites. In an old mountain bar, I discovered more about the love of Jesus.
In An Old Mountain Bar On Christmas Eve
"A Child wandered in on some bums where they hid." Old City Bar -Trans Siberian Orchestra
The words in quotes are from the song "In an Old City Bar" which is linked to at the bottom of the post. You may want to play it as you read.
True Confession: My favorite Christmas music is by the Trans Siberian Orchestra which will probably cause some out there to claim "Ah ha! I knew she was a heretic." I have seen them in person twice, one time with Deb. Oddly, I found myself in tears listening to one of their songs "In an Old City Bar." Usually, that means I need to think. And then I remembered…
It was our second year of marriage and we were living on the Navajo Indian Reservation. We were not going to be able to go home to the Boston area for Christmas. I was pretty sad since it would be the first Christmas away from my extended family. Christmas was a big deal at my house: food, games and presents. My father would wrap his presents to us, on purpose, in the worst possible way. Torn paper bags, string, ripped wrapping paper, glue and rubber bands. We would laugh so hard; he the loudest and longest of all. In fact, the presents we looked for the hardest were Dad's crazily wrapped presents.
I was pleased that we decided to spend Christmas in a little town called Ouray in Colorado. It would provide a distraction. Back then, Ouray was small, nestled in the mountains. Its fortunes have since changed and it is a now a bustling and trendy town. It was a fairly long drive from Gallup, New Mexico. We drove north past Shiprock and through the mountains surrounding Telluride. It was snowing quite heavily and we were forced to put on chains or the police would not let us into the dangerous passes. It was a bit scary.
When we arrived, the little town was deserted. We tried to check into our cabin but the people who ran it had gone away. They left a note with a key on the door of the cabin, along with some firewood, and said to slip the check under the front door of their house when we left. We were totally alone. In fact, we would never meet our hosts and have often remarked about their trust in their unknown guests.
We decided to try to find something to eat but everything was shut down except for a bar with a neon light that said "Open." In we tromped, cold and tired. This was not some trendy watering hole. It was a plain old bar. The bartender said he could rustle up a burger for us and down we plopped. I was feeling a little sorry for myself. I had survived a treacherous car drive and was now sitting in an old bar, damp and tired, sipping a mediocre glass of wine with a bunch of drunks who probably got tossed out by their families.
And he (the Child) asked did we know
That outside in the snow
That someone was lost
Outside our door
As I looked around, we realized that, of the dozen or so people in the bar, we were the only couple. Everyone else was alone. Faces were bent over their drinks. Most of them looked sad and tired. There were several mountain men, kind of Duck Dynastyesque, with long beards, flannel shirts and jeans.
The bartender turned
and said, not that I care
But how would you know this?
The child said I noticed
If one could be home,
they'd be already there
Then, a man stood up. He looked like a businessman, more well dressed than all of us. He sat down at the piano. I do not think this was expected because the bartender looked a little rattled. To our surprise, the man began to play Christmas carols and he played them well. As time passed, people began to sing along, including the guys whose faces had been hunched over their mugs of beer. As they sang, they started to look around. As we caught each others eyes, we nodded and smiled, just a little bit. Even the bartender was singing quietly along.
Oh, was I mad at myself! I realized that the people in the bar were lonely and sad while I was sitting around, feeling sorry for myself. I was judging them instead loving them. Jesus not only loved them; He understood them. He was born in a cave, amongst the animals, to a teenage mother who was far from her home when she should have had the comfort of her family as she labored. Instead, it was only Joseph who most likely was not adept in birthing babies since that was often left up to the women. Can you imagine the judgment of those who knew about this woman giving birth in a cave, of all places?
Back at the bar, we began to leave after we sang "Silent Night." The quiet sounds of "Merry Christmas" were heard. There were even a few pats on the back. The Child, 2,000 years later, still brought people together in very strange places.
The next morning, the sun came out and we drove up to a cross country ski area. The snow was too deep to easily ski. We were all alone, not another person could be seen or heard. It was so quiet that it almost hurt our ears. I thought about the quiet of a cave from which came an explosion that was louder than a nuclear bomb. It would forever change the landscape of this world. The drunk in the bar meant as much to this Child as the greatest of kings. In fact, I think He may feel even closer to them than to the privileged and arrogant.
So, as my kids grow up and leave home, I plan to find some places where people, outcast and alone, are spending Christmas eve. Do not be surprised to see a woman, with cute shoes, sipping a glass of mediocre wine, on Christmas eve in a run down bar. This time, however, she will have a have a sack with some presents to give to them. As she does, she plans to let them know that there is a Child who cares for them and knows what it is like to be in a strange place on Christmas eve.
First?
Lovely family story. People who care for their elderly relatives are awesome. Praise God!
Two parts wonderful makes for a wholy awesome past — thanks for that present, Dee. And especially for this: “Sometimes we focus so much on wanting the big miracles, we don’t see the smaller ones.” So often, the Lord’s provisions are found in the quiet, small things — feedings from the ravens — instead of delivered by big, loud 747s.
Dee – thank you for sharing your story with us. What a powerful message it was. I remember one Christmas that my grandfather was in the hospital over Christmas with a heart attack, and we all took turns visiting him there. As a child, I didn’t like that. But I’m sure it was even harder on my grandpa. I admire you and your family for taking in your family members. I know it is not going to be an easy road to travel. It you ever need anything from this East Texas girl, contact me. We will be lifting you up in your prayers. We weren’t harmed by the bad winds and tornadoes in Dallas. But we did have loved ones who live near the area where the tornadoes hit, but God spared them. We did have 6 inches of rain yesterday.
What lovely experiences! Praying for your stamina and fortitude in the coming months.
3 wonderful stories and all so encouraging! Thank you for sharing them.
Seventh!
And there’s a lesson for you all there.
Best regards,
God
That wasn’t a little miracle. It was a big one, and may they keep coming your way!
I just dried my tears after reading about the tornado victims in Texas, and then reached for the tissues again when reading about the kind stranger who gave gifts for your daughter’s foster children. I have emotional whiplash from the pain and joy.
Hoping things go smoothly for you and your loved ones in 2016.
A friend and I had a discussion on Christmas Eve about this same area….God does work in mysterious ways.
@ God:
It is considered a holy number!
@ Eeyore:
Faster than Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.
@ dee:
The friendly gentleman you’ve regaled us with is what the Jews call a Righteous Person.
Dee, thanks for telling your Christmas story again, and with your prelude about your family and the gift of from a wise man. Mrs. and I have enjoyed it this evening and have been deeply moved. We will be praying for you and yours during this time. We once purchased a house specifically so my parents could move in with us and we could help Dad take care of Mom as her Alzheimer’s was progressing. It is not an easy commitment you have chosen to bear. May you continually feel the presence and comfort of God. And give my regards to your husband.
“Christmas kindness”
A wonderful story and an encouragement, I hope to be as open to such opportunities as this man was. Thank you and my prayers for your challenges this coming year.
Dee, your beautiful stories made my heart ache.
Here’s my final post for the year! I did a wrap up and analysis of the first year of writing. Here are the stats!
181 posts
54,000 who have read
A breakdown of the most popular posts and the feedback I am getting.
https://wonderingeagle.wordpress.com/2015/12/26/2015-the-wondering-eagle-in-review-the-top-posts-statistics-and-feedback-in-the-end-all-i-wanted-is-peace-with-andrew-white/
I’ll open up about it but I learned from my East Coast Mom that Karen was reading my blog during The Village Church mess. There are other things I have heard that have been amazing. I’m working on my first church story now. It’s horrific!
The thing about it is this….if the guy who made the false accusation just came to me and said, “Eagle let’s talk it all out…” I would have ceased the blog. All I wanted is peace. That’s all….
I love when Jesus meets us just like that kind man at the store. I’m sure your parents think the same about you as you care for them. Thank you for all you do, Dee, and then sharing with us the real meaning of Christmas and what it is to be Christian.
Loved your story of the man who gave you your Christmas miracle and the story from 2013. We can never be reminded enough of Jesus in places He’s not expected to be by man.
You have my prayers. I don’t know how you care for so many as I only have my mother to care for and it is indeed a full time job. But she took care of me for my first years. I’m not sure how much longer I’ll have her. Don’t forget to take care of yourself.
What you have described is Christianity. Thanks for sharing. You and the kind man you told us about are both inspiring.
Your story reminded me of one of my favorite songs – “I’m With the Drunks” – give a listen here:
http://stefanvanvoorst.bandcamp.com
Thanks for sharing.
Awesome post, Dee. Thank you for sharing, and please keep us posted over the next year on your family situation.
Awesome post. Praying for much grace for you and your family.
Xoxo
Thank you for this great post Dee! I faithfully read your blog because I think you are doing important work of holding the church and its leaders accountable. This post was different but wonderful and needed certainly by me and probably many of your readers as well. I just had a decision to make that fell into my lap a couple of nights ago. One of the possibilities could lead us to moving further away from our ailing parents. I think I have my answer.
Beautiful story. Thank you for sharing and for your service to your family.
Todd Wilhelm wrote:
Last Sunday was my church’s last official meeting. We watched a slideshow from our five years together. What it described was Christianity. Folks were eating or talking together. Singing or praying together. Kids playing or learning together. Folks working in a garden growing food for strangers. Cooking Thanksgiving dinner for strangers. Raking leaves for strangers. Holding garage sales for strangers. Only 2 pictures of the pastor teaching. Recently we’ve gotten into a rut of blessing families as they moved on to larger churches (most of them were with us last Sunday). We undergrew supporting our pastor, who’s now unemployed. Another church-planting failure— or maybe– a success! Lots of experiencing the love of Jesus, without one soul “joining”, being “disciplined”, or getting shunned. And I suppose few churches “end well”. All in all, the best church I’ve been part of. Plan to be a none now unless I happen upon somewhere great.
I like these comments made by Calvin Miller: “Finding Jesus is never hard when you look for Him in the right places. Wherever anyone hurts, Jesus is there.” and “Touch the hurting with love, and you will have worshipped the Christ.”
Florence in KY wrote:
To me this also includes being a voice for factory farmed animals whose short lives are long on suffering and misery. Dogs and cats too, abandoned by those who have no feeling. Those who have only stone underneath their sternums, no flesh.
Beautiful stories and beautiful song. In my life it seems that when I am looking most for God, I see nothing. When I’m not paying attention… Ta-da! A gentle reminder that He is at work in places and people I would never have guessed.
We took care of my mother-in-law for three years. We moved her 200+ miles to be near us. She lived in an apartment about 3 blocks from our house. Physically, she was fine, but the last year of her life was marked by memory loss and dementia.
I was 100% supportive of caring for her from the beginning, but let me tell you: it will affect you spiritually in ways you can’t imagine. I discovered evil and impatience in my heart that I didn’t know existed! 🙁 I grew so much through the process and it was a wonderful experience for our teenagers. She passed away last spring; in fact, I was the one who found her. I could write pages and pages on that experience alone and the spiritual ramifications surrounding it. Suffice it to say, you will NEVER be sorry you are doing this and hooray that you and your husband are in agreement.
Dee, I wept as I read your post. It allowed me to touch the grief I am in as well — the little lady with dementia whom I’ve taken care of in her home for the past five years died last Saturday, and my mom was diagnosed with dementia last month. I live way too far away from my mom, and will be spending the next two years, as my kids finish high school, figuring out how to get back to her, possibly to live with her. (We have lived the past 9 years in the same town as my husband’s parents, whom we are committed to as well, but they are 10 years younger than my 80 year-old mom.)
That you are facing all of this at once is almost unimaginable; thank you for giving us the privilege of sharing in your journey through prayer and remembrance. I am going to link to your post on my Facebook. It is the most touching, well written piece I’ve seen this Christmas. It’s such a relief to read the stories of people who understand the real Jesus and his real people.
I will pray regularly for you and your family throughout this year. You are, of course, doing what Jesus would with your family members, and God will honor your choices. You know ahead of time how constant and exhausting your work will be, and I am glad you have such a deep online community as well as local friends and family.
Two years ago, my marriage was beginning to heal after years of rage and verbal abuse (my husband was grievously abused on every level since he was a little boy and, as he dealt with it, I became the main focus of his rage for 10 years.) I knew I would eventually write a book with my husband about our journey and also start a blog. So I started reading blogs for the first time, and even joined Facebook(!). Because of my years on church and para-church staffs, as well as my marriage, I was very familiar with the world of spiritual, emotional and mental abuse. I started reading Wartburg Watch as well as other blogs, and my eyes were opened as to what is going on in the conservative American church at large. Your blog, as well as the gracious ways that you and Deb interact with your readers, provide a standard of grace, truth and humility that has helped me in my own healing more than you could know.
Starting today, when I post here, I am going back (permanently) to posting under my real name. After two years of reading, writing and reflecting, I have decided that my blog (which will launch during Lent this year) will focus on biblical and systematic theology, primarily in the areas of Christology and soteriology. Both my training and my heart are centered in these areas, and I will initially be staying with positive posts that set up a framework for biblical thinking and understanding.
Your posts and others on the Neo-Cal resurgence (especially with their targeting women by postulating a hierarchical Trinity and the “eternal subordination of the Son”) helped me decide this. I have dear family members who have bought into this “stuff,” so I am tackling it in a positive, constructive way, at least initially.
I will let you know when my blog is up and meanwhile, thank you SO VERY MUCH, you and Deb and the amazing commenters here, for playing a major role in my own healing and direction. God bless you in the New Year — if I can be of any help (online, since I live in Montana), please let me know. You always have my gratitude and prayers.
Carole Jane Hausmann Ryan
Dave A A wrote:
I’m dating myself but going bigger reminds me of the song “They Paved Paradise And Put Up A Parking Lot”, i.e. “you don’t know what you got till it’s gone”.
Dee, prayers are with you and your family,
And thank you for what you do here by exposing issues and providing a place for the sometimes voiceless-
But what I hear is not whining or complaining – to be cliche – “it is what it is” – and we deal with those things and not to minimize, but it sure sounds like that you are handling those things in a Christlike manner
TSO’s Christmas Eve and Other Stories is my “go-to” every year to get in the true Christmas spirit. For those of you who have not heard it – I highly recommend listening to it straight through – listening closely to the lyrics as well as the narration. To me it captures the true meaning of Christmas and is quite spiritual even if “secular” I can not listen to it and not be moved to tears – even if it rocks (frankly, you didn’t even mention my favorite line from “Old City Bar”)
“If you want to arrange it
This world you can change it
If we could somehow make this
Christmas thing last
By helping a neighbor
Or even a stranger
And to know who needs help
You need only just ask”
So it is not just the “little miracles” we seek for ourselves but we should also be looking to be the “little miracles” to others…….
I was in a bar Sunday night- some Christmas cheer with my brother – and went to fetch another round and saw some bills on the ground – a couple bucks maybe – actually 2 $50s. The bartender, and the folks right there said keep it…..I checked with the last few people who had been right there and did find the young lady who dropped it. Who was very appreciative – and wanted to buy me a drink, I told her no, and she continued to ask – finally as she left, I told her that she could look for an opportunity to help someone in need and then do it. It not only made me feel good, and she didn’t lose $100 – it also impacted the customers at the bar and the bartender to a lesser extent. Just like the gentleman you came across – that story inspires me here in California (which he would have no way of every knowing
And to quote further from “Old City Bar”
“So he walked back inside
Somehow different I think”
The next song on the Album (Promises to Keep) gives me the most hope (and really is about faith, perseverance and the process of becoming more Christlike) and what happens
“If our kindness
This day is just pretending
If we pretend long enough
Never giving up
It just might be who we are”
May we all never give up pretending
Thank you for sharing this story. I love hearing about when people met someone at a time of need. And, a huge thank you to your daughter and son-in-law for taking in foster kids. That is not an easy job and I have seen first hand some of the risk involved in that. It makes me happy to hear that those kids were able to experience a nice Christmas with a loving family.
Muff Potter wrote:
One of the happiest days in my life was the day I brought home my 2 cats, both from the local Humane Society shelter. They come to me over & over–sometimes 12 or 15 times a day or more, just to be told that, “Yes, I love you, & I am so glad you are here with me”. I was thinking just today that they are one of God’s provisions. He showed me which ones to bring home, & I get to share in the joy of their lives here. All because my father (bless him!!) taught me how precious these little creatures are.
God bless you for speaking of them! May we all be the “voice of the voiceless”.
Thank you for sharing this story. I could picture the bar, picture the Christmas caroling, and feel the power of that Christmas. (When I grow up, I want to write like that. 🙂 )
Thank you for all you have done for us this year.
Thank you for being a voice for those who feel as if they have no voice.
Happy New Year.
“Do not be surprised to see a woman, with cute shoes, sipping a glass of mediocre wine, on Christmas eve in a run down bar.”
beautiful!!!
in my Church, we are ‘sent forth’ at the end of Mass ‘to love and to serve’ in the Name of the Lord
they don’t tell us WHERE to go, and they don’t limit our journey, so it is an adventure out into a world where lonely people exist and are also looking for a place of sanctuary on the night of all nights . . . a lonely, run-down bar sounds about right, yes
you have a genuinely good heart, my dear . . . God Bless!
@ Mike:
I only wish I had known about your experience with this song. I would have included it in the narrative. Thank you.
Christiane wrote:
Thank you for your kind comment. In my liturgical church, after the blessing, the pastor says
“The worship has ended.”
The people reply:
“The service now begins.”
That gets me every time.
Christiane wrote:
“The Mass is ended. Go forth in peace, to love and serve in the name of the Lord.”
— The form of the Dismissal used in my church
dee wrote:
Never heard that particular form of Dismissal & Response before.
Which denom are you?
Bill M wrote:
I remember that one too!
Dave A A wrote:
Me too! 🙂
@ Victorious:
Me too. Sonny and Cher did it on their TV show. Long, long ago and farther away than I like to admit.
@ Victorious:
love Joni!!!
Thank you for sharing these experiences. It reminds me to look for God’s presence everywhere, and also to be God’s presence everywhere – to pass along the love and care that I have received to others.
It reminds me of the time when my oldest was three or four years old, and we were in a department store right before closing on the last day of their big white sale. We had worn out all of our wedding-gift linens and were truly in need of this sale to replace them. The line was very long, the bedding was very heavy, and my little girl was winding up, up, up. I had exhausted all of our little songs, games, I-spy, and things we usually did to keep her engaged and happy. Just as I was sure I would have to leave my items and take my daughter home without anything, a woman and her daughter got in line behind us with their arms full, too. They smiled at us and struck up a conversation. My little girl was enchanted and went from imminent tantrum mode to sweetly chattering away in seconds. As we inched along in line, our companions kept our minds off the wait and we hardly noticed the time passing. Just as our turn at the register approached, they said goodbye and walked away and out of sight around the racks, and never purchased the things that they were carrying.
I don’t know if these two just happened upon us, saw what was about to happen, and stepped in to help or if they were heavenly messengers. It doesn’t matter to me. I am convinced they were sent by God to meet our need and bring comfort and joy at that moment.
Lydia wrote:
Me too. Here’s one of her tunes that was really popular on the day room phonograph at the VA Hospital all those years ago… Even the brothers (blacks) liked her.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-q4foLKDlcE
Off Topic for a moment. I had my 17th foot surgery this morning to remove a plate out of the top of my left foot. The surgery took 2 hrs, which was a lot longer than expected. My doctor put me on morphine for a few days, as this is quite painful. I alternate the morphine with 800 mg of tylenol. I would ask everyone to pray for me. My neighbor is having foot surgery tomorrow. i guess we will be comiserating with each other. WE Le loaned him my extra wheelchair. Thanks (Geva)
Muff Potter wrote:
That was marvelous. Her range has always blown me away.
@ Harley:
Wow Harley. Will be praying
Harley wrote:
Bless your heart….will be praying.
Mourning Dove wrote:
So true that caring for one’s parents is difficult but blessings abound. Gramp3 and I grew together through the experience of caring for parents and one of our grandparents, and we are thankful that we were able to do that. But, oh, the emotionally and spiritually and physically difficult times we went through. We are thankful for those who prayed for us, helped us, and reminded us that we are only human
K.D. wrote:
And your foot, as well.
Back on target & topic, thanks Dee for pointing out the Jesus in every day real life. Not the theoretical Jesus of theologians, clergy, and politicians, but the real deal, the real McCoy, the Jesus with us in the here and now.
@ Bookbolter:
That’s amazing!
I love this
@Patriciamc
It was amazing – that was almost twenty years ago, but I remember the feeling so clearly! One of many times I know the Lord has met a need, but that was such a small thing. There was no reason other than love.
dee wrote:
The thing is, I didn’t think anything of it or make the connection myself, until I read the post and about the gentleman you came across……
It made me realize that while I fail more often than not, it is me
“pretending long enough
Never giving up
so It just might be who I am”
One of TSO’s other Christmas albums The Lost Christmas Eve- hits me really close to home, while I don’t care for the music as much. I have 2 grown and accomplished sons…and an 11 year special needs son (who sounds much like the son in the story) – I feel blessed that he came about later (I was 45) as I was more mature, there wasn’t feeling the selfish loss of him not being an athlete or educated and successful, he is loved just because, sure he is different, and more work, but…..happy affectionate and brings joy to those around him – in his small realm, he makes the world a better place.
Blessings and peace to you and your family – you will remain in my prayers and thoughts.
Thank you for what you do here – it is a ministry – connecting people that wouldn’t be otherwise – shining a light on issues, which helps people not feel so all alone, isolated, or crazy…..
Mike
Such moving holy encounters that to attempt to express my feelings after reading of your experiences fall short of any words I could find. A very touching read indeed of the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of a dedicated Christian and people Jesus loves. Glad I read this one as it directs my thoughts to understanding God’s love and purpose more.