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The Way Through the Wilderness of Grief

10/28/2021

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As I began to grieve the loss of our son, Kevin, in 2002, it was brought to my attention that grief is like a wilderness. This proved true for me, as there were many times I felt like I was in un-chartered waters, a fog, a desert and definitely a wilderness.

I'm not much for swimming in un-chartered waters. I prefer sticking my toes - my pretty n pink polished toes- into trickling streams or at the edge of the ocean. I don't care if the ocean is calm or waves are crashing against the shore, but I am hesitant to swim in the ocean, even though I did so in my youth. Now, I prefer swimming in a refreshing, clear salt water pool!

I don't like walking or driving in the fog. I've done both, when I lived a mile from the beach in So. California, but I didn't like it then and I wouldn't like it now. I like to see where I am going. I don't like being in the shadows or the dark with no light or line of sight ahead.

The desert isn't very welcoming to me. Though, it has it's own beauty (and I've been reminded of this by many friends who live in the desert) there's too much dirt, too many creeping, slithering and crawling things for my taste, and it's HOT! I'm a cool weather gal and actually like cold weather.

I have no desire to venture off, much less hike or backpack into the wilderness. Thick forests are kind of scary, if I can't see ahead. I know myself very well, and I know that I am not an explorer or a risk taker. And, I'm certainly not equipped for survival in any of these environments.

When I first entered the wilderness of grief, I felt abandoned, confused and lost. How was I going to survive, if I was left alone in the wilderness? Who was going to help me make my way through that wilderness? I knew I needed a navigator. I looked for navigators in grief support group(s) and bereavement books and resources.

Though these were helpful to me, I came to realize very soon into my journey that I needed God to be my navigator, because only He had all that I needed to take me through the wilderness safely. He knew the way and if I stayed with Him, I'd not only survive, but learn many important lessons in in un-chartered waters, the fog, the desert and the wilderness. Mostly, I learned that He is faithful and a very proficient navigator.

Does this feel true for you, precious mom?  Do you feel abandoned, lost somehow? If you have come through the wilderness, do you remember at time in your grieving, when you felt this way?

Isaiah 43:18 spoke loud and clear to me in those early times of my grief. These words from God called me to walk with Him through the wilderness each and every step of the way.  Do not keep looking back, as though I forgot something or felt like something or someone was lurking in the shadows, stalking me, but to "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, i am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland."

This scripture became one of the guiding lights unto my path and lamp unto my feet (Psalm 119:105).
This truth from God's Word kept, and keeps me moving ahead with Him; not looking back, not going ahead or lagging behind the great navigator of my life.

How about you? Where are you in your walk through the wilderness? Are you suffering from the vast and scorching desert of grief? Do you feel like you are drowning in your grief or feel like you are swimming with sharks?

Are you aware that God is "doing a new thing," in you? Or, are you stuck somehow?  I hope that you will reach for the light in Christ that you might experience how God is "making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland," for you!

With Faith, Hope ad Love,
Angie "a mom like you"
amotherlikeme@gmail.com



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Spiritual Gifts for You and Me!

10/27/2021

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There's a lot of talk and rumors about the supply chain in our Country and how there will be limited supplies and delivery problems for gifts that we want to give this Christmas.  Some people are saying that they aren't going to try to buy gifts, but will just give money or make gifts to avoid the frustration.  

Every year, I spend months preparing for gift-giving at Christmas. I usually create a Christmas Excel spreadsheet that lists the names of all who we will give a gift. I also include a budget for each person that hopefully coincides with our overall Christmas budget.  

It's November, and I have not completed the spreadsheet and have not bought many gifts, but I have been thinking and learning a lot about spiritual gifts lately.

Much of what I am writing about in this post is the result of a conversation I had with my beloved niece, Andrea Carter-Blaho. Andrea has been speaking truth and encouragement into my life, since she was a very young girl. Our conversations have always been intimate, honest accounts of where we are, what God is doing in our lives, and where we sense He might be leading us day-by-day in our spiritual journey. Our conversations lasted almost 2 hours, which is normal for us. 

It is my belief from what God's Word tells me, that spiritual gifts are from God, and since they are from God, there should be no ego involved. If it is a gift that puts us behind the scenes or out front, then that is by God's design. You and I are not responsible for designing or manipulating them for our own purpose.

I also believe it is our responsibility to know what spiritual gifts have been given to us, to cultivate and use them, while trusting where they came from and where they might take us. This may mean we are put in an upfront, supportive or behind the scenes role. It's all God's call.

As long as our hearts remain focused on serving God and helping others, once we know what our gifts are, we can settle on the truth that wherever we are using our gifts, that is what God has meant for us; in His time for whatever season He deems appropriate.

You and I had absolutely no part in the design of our spiritual gifts, and they will not be given to us until we are spiritually "born again" into God's family, His Kingdom, a part of His loving and redemptive plan. (John 3:3)

Once we are "born again" spiritually (not in the physical sense), it is important for us to know what gifts God has given us, and we must trust the gift-giver; He knows what He is doing. It's really very simple, but we often make it so difficult. All we have to do is open our heart and soul to God, accept Jesus as "the way, the truth and the life,"receive His gift of redemption and eternal life, and wait for the gift-giver to give us the spiritual gifts with our name(s) on them. Once we are saved, sealed and align ourselves with God, we must be careful not to set aside, hide or forget about our spiritual gifts, as we often do with earthly gifts we have been given. 

Have you received the gift of salvation, redemption and eternal life through the death of Jesus who was born for that purpose?  If so, then you have spiritual gifts. Do you know what your spiritual gifts are - there's a list of spiritual gifts in I Corinthians 12:8-19 with comparable gifts discussed in Ephesians 4:7-13, Isaiah 11:2-3 and Romans 12:3-8.

Have you completed a spiritual gifts assessment to discover what are your spiritual gifts? You can find these assessments online or perhaps your home church has one you could use. I like to complete a spiritual gifts assessment about every 7-10 years, and it is always interesting to see how the prominence of each of my gifts may change a bit, depending on how I am growing and maturing in Christ.

How I hope with all of my heart that you are spiritually "born again." If you aren't, it's simple. Just ask Jesus to come into your heart and soul, to save and seal you, and to send the Holy Spirit to be your comfort and guide. Ask Jesus to forgive you. Tell Him you want to receive the gift of salvation and eternal life, and to fill you with His Holy Spirit that you may follow and walk with Him from now on.

This could be the day you are spiritually born again. "Forget the former things; do not dwell in the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland," -Isaiah 43:18 

If you are already a "new creature in Christ," saved, sealed and aligning yourself with God's expectations, will and purpose for your life, I hope you will look into taking a spiritual gifts assessment to become aware of how God has gifted you, and that you will use those gifts! Believe me, when I say you can trust the way-maker and the gift-giver.


With Faith, Hope and Love,
Angie "a mom like you"
amotherlikeme@gmail.com





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Warrior Woman!

10/19/2021

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I am currently going through a 7-week Bible study by Priscilla Shirer about putting on the "Armor of God. " My spiritual eyes are wide open to realizing how easy it can be for Satan, the enemy of God and all those who love and honor Him, to use the loss of a child to deceive, derail and dismantle our belief, faith, hope and trust in God.

This study is reminding me that though I may forget from time to time that the devil is real, at work among us, and I can be influenced by the "forces of evil." (Ephesians 6:12)

It has been sad for me while companioning and encouraging grieving moms through the years to watch many get stuck in a place of anger at God. These hurting moms not only question the timing and cause of death of their child, but actually blame God and turn away from Him in their darkest moments, just when the need Him most. 

I did not turn away from God, I turned toward Him and drew closer to Him in my sorrow, me, and I know now it is because I had been exercising my spiritual core for many years before our son, Kevin, died.

Nevertheless, the enemy did attack me, my husband, and our family many times after our son's death. We were all heartbroken, traumatized, in shock and consumed by our grief; we were not prepared and were ill-equipped to fight against the attacks being waged against us by our enemy. I call him "our" enemy, because he hates God and he hates us because we love God. Satan was able to use death to distract us, drag us down and to try to pull us away from the God we love.

I highly recommend Priscilla Shirer's study to anyone who may not be aware, has forgotten or simply denies that the devil is real and is prowling around looking for who is weak and heavy-laden with sorrow and grief. He knows our weaknesses and whether we want to admit it or not, God's Word tells us that he is very mindful of us, because we are not on his side of things.  He uses strategies and tactics to distract, discourage and convince us that God isn't good, and I believe that we have to know our enemy, if we are to withstand the attacks against us.

Priscilla focuses our attention not only on the reality of the devil, but how we can put on the "full armor of God" so we can stand firm and experience victory in Christ over the forces of evil that come against us. This study is equipping me to be a stronger, more courageous woman, and I fervently pray that it makes it way into the hands of many precious "moms like me."

The enemy knows me, knows my weaknesses and that I become complacent and lazy, misconstruing these for a false sense of peace. When I get too comfortable, that's when the enemy pays special attention to me and goes after me - not face to face, but covertly, using his lies, deceit and trickery in trying to get me to doubt God and spend little time in His Word, in prayer and fellowship with Him and His people.  it is when I am tired and weary of the battle, loss and grief, that I am vulnerable and encouraged to think that God isn't enough. 

After only one week in this Study I am stronger. I am putting on the full armor of God, one piece at a time. I am "girding" (encircling my spiritual core) with truth and I'm already standing up taller, gaining spiritual energy, more in balance and experiencing a greater sense of stability and strength. Back in line with the other soldiers of God, I will be able to better resist spiritual attacks and push against the enemy's strategies and schemes against me.  

One way I know when my "spiritual core" muscles are weak is when I am too sensitive, easily hurt or offended. It was such a great reminder when Priscilla Shirer shares that feelings, "have no intelligence." When I rely on my feelings, that's when I begin to be tired, weary, out of balance, unstable and an easy target for the enemy.

This is the week that all that changes. With God's help I will put on the full armor of the "Divine Warrior." 

How about you? Are you fully armed to resist and withstand the deceptions, lies and attacks from the enemy who will most certainly try to use your heartache and sorrow against you? How's your "spiritual core?" Are you girded with truth or do you rely on your feelings to guide you through life? I know firsthand that this great loss we are living with can be the catalyst for abundant living or it can derail us and even destroy our relationship with God and others.

It is my hope and prayer that you are fully equipped, but if not, I encourage you to put on the armor . . ."be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything to stand firm, Stand firm therefore having girded your loins with truth (our spiritual core) and having put on the breastplate of righteousness (being right and at peace with God) and having shod your feet (put on the spiritual shoes) with the preparation of the gospel of peace (good news of what Jesus has done); in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one, And, take up the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God). With all prayer and petition, pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, and pray!" (Ephesians 6:10-19)

If you have a chance do Priscilla Shirer's Armor of God Bible study - as our son, Kevin, would always say, "Just Do It!" If it's not available in a local church, you can get the the study book and probably watch the video online Maybe there is a group of moms that you are connected to that would be willing to go through this study together.

Praying that you will be armed and able to stand firm, and will be an active part of our great resistance against the "forces of evil" in this troubled world.

With Faith, Hope and Love,
Angie "a mom like you"
amotherlikeme@gmail.com





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Closure to Grief?

10/4/2021

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Has anyone ever told you that you need closure after the loss of someone you love?

As you have most likely experienced, as I have, "there is no closure to grief."  Death is not an issue or matter to resolve and there doesn't ever seem to come to some sort of conclusion.

I have learned while living with some traumatic and heart wrenching losses that we can make peace with grief, but only, if we surrender our will and accept God's authority over life and death.

Though I would  like all of my unanswered questions answered, and to be able to make sense out of God's timing, I believe as Isaiah 55:8-9 tells us . . .

"My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." 

This August, my 93 year old mom headed off to Heaven. She had been in long term care for 3 years and the last year she became very fragile and immobile. Because of COVID restrictions, I was unable to be with her as much as I wanted to, but during the last few weeks of her life I was able to spend many hours at her side and did all I could to let her know how much I loved her and what she means to me. My mom and I had a very special relationship; we grew up and old together.

Though I spent some precious moments and hours with my mm at the end of her life, I wasn't with her, when she took her last breath and that bothers me. It especially troubles me that I woke up at 5:00 am the morning she died and thought of getting up and going into the facility, but after 12 hours with her the day before, I decided to sleep for another hour. At 6:00 am, I got the call that she had died. Would going in at 5:00 am have provided me with some sense of closure? Would she have had final words for me? Did I miss something important or did she slip away in her final moment without incident? These questions are left unanswered and I think I will always wonder how she stepped into Eternity, and if I should have been at her side, when she took the step.

For some reason (God only knows why), I have never experienced a sense of closure after the death of anyone I have loved. My Dad died suddenly of a massive heart attack and I didn't get to say goodbye. My sister died while I was asleep with my head on her bed. Our youngest son died instantly of sudden cardiac death while surfing. My brother died minutes after I left his room for a short break, and now my mom died without me there with her either.

So, what can we do, when we have unanswered questions and don't experience a sense of closure after the death of someone we love? The dictionary defines closure as "a sense of resolution or conclusion" . . . . "a feeling that an emotional or traumatic experience has been resolved." A resolution is defined as "the act of solving a problem, dispute or contentious matter."

I do not perceive death as a problem, a dispute or a contentious matter to be solved, but  most certainly as an "emotional, traumatic experience" and no matter how much time passes I know that
I must leave the details in God's hands - His most capable and trustworthy hands. If I trust Him, His timing is all the closure I need, as well as my faith that one day I will experience absolute closure, when I am reunited with my loved ones, because I am confident they are with Him now.

If there is any sense of closure for me, it is the sense that I have no control over life or death, and I can only control what I believe and how I accept and live with loss. I believe that God is loving, and it is He who has control over life and death. That's closure enough for me. How about you, precious mom?

With open hands and heart,
Angie "a mom like you"
amotherlikeme@gmail.com






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Is it OK to Question God?

8/17/2021

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I woke up this morning at 4:30 am with a lot of questions for God, and I couldn't go back to sleep, because my mind kept sorting through all the questions I have for Him.

I tried to pray, but couldn't find the words, as I wrestled with my thoughts and concerns.  At one point, I realized that I had to get up, turn on the lights downstairs and make my way to the place in my living room where I sit with Him. It's been too long since I have just sat with Him, talking to Him.

"Why did I wake up so early this morning, Father? Was it your wake-up call to spend time with You? Why couldn't I pray? Why was I restless and wrestling with so many questions?

After a few minutes of sitting in silence (with a hot cup of coffee in hand), I reached for a book that I am reading written by Lois Tverberg entitled "Walking in the dust of Rabbi Jesus - How the Jewish words of Jesus can change your life."

Opening the book, I thumbed through the pages to the next chapter to be read, and to my delight the chapter was on "praying with chutzpah" - praying boldly with tenacity.  So much of what Lois Tverberg writes in her book rings true for me and this morning's chapter was just what I needed to remind myself of the importance of taking all my cares and questions to God.

A few weeks ago, I met a grieving mom new to me, and there was an immediate bond between us. Our conversation went deep quickly, as a mutual friend introduced us and had shared something of my loss with her. She has suffered the loss of her only child - a beautiful daughter and she is heartbroken.

At on point in our conversation, this precious mom asked me the question that so many "moms like us" ask; "Why my child. Why now?" This heartbroken mom also shared that she was angry with God, which is not unusual and actually very common. In response to her questions, I shared my belief that it's OK to ask God questions, and it's even OK to be angry with Him for a time.

The following statements I read this morning confirmed my belief that God knows our hearts and understands our need for questions to be answered -  it's actually a sign of humility and acknowledging that He is in control. 


" . . . it's an ancient Jewish assumption that an intimate faith in God is tenacious, even to the point of being a little pushy at times, because God is worthy of our trust." -Brad Young

"Sometimes asking questions is a way to demonstrate humility, because inherent in the questions is the assumption that I do not have the answers, God does. Sincere questions give God respect. They acknowledge His power. They honor Him."-Lois Tverberg

Waking up with lots of questions about what's going on in our Nation, Afghanistan, around the world and within my personal life, my restless, wrestling soul was hungry and thirsty for answers that only God could provide. It has been awhile, since I carved out time to be alone with God, worshiping and praising Him, bringing my questions and concerns to Him, simply spending time and talking to my Father. How long has it been since you carved out time to sit and talk to Him?

What questions do you have that only He can answer? Will you make time and space for Him to meet with you?  I hope so, because I have found Him to be faithful and this morning was evidence one again that He is always with us, ready, willing and able to talk to spend time with us, to answer our questions, which is why I do not hesitate to ask, expecting to receive.

With Love and Blessings Always,
Angie "a mom like you"


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Seeds and Soil

7/28/2021

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Perhaps it is because of the many months of COVID restrictions that our town's garden centers have had an increase in sales and limited supplies of plants, flowers, fruits and vegetables. When Spring came to Colorado, people were out and about planting seeds, gardening, working in their yards and enjoying the beauty of our land.

Bob and I have never planted so much like we did this Spring. We planted a salsa raised garden box, many large barrels and raised beds of herbs and spices, asparagus, tomatoes, tomatillos, green pole beans, squash, peppers, pumpkins and even a few stalks of corn, which should provide a tasty treat for the squirrels and raccoons, if not for us to eat.

For the first time ever, I planted vegetables and flowers from seeds, and to my delight the seeds pushed through the soil, which let me know they were well planted in good soil that would promote growth for a harvest to come.

During our time of planting, I thought of a couple we know who's only daughter died suddenly this past May of a seizure. She was a beautiful 28 year old soon to be engaged, the same age and in the same season of her life, as our son, Kevin.

Bob and I have stayed in close contact with this grieving dad and mom,  and we have talked with them several times about how they are doing and what they are experiencing, as we empathize with their pain and sorrow, and we love and care deeply for them.

In a recent phone conversation, the dad asked Bob and I how we navigated through our grief, kept our faith and our sanity. Bob shared that we both held on to our hope of seeing and being with our son, Kevin, again in Eternity.  In recalling how we both were intentional about holding on to our eternal hope, I was reminded of how I didn't want the seeds of pain and sorrow to be too deeply rooted within me. I didn't want to stop growing and I knew that life goes on, and I had to somehow get my "happy" back.

My personal journey through grief strengthened my core personality and solidified my identity in Christ. My journey enhanced my faith and caused me to surrender absolutely to the sovereignty of God. I fully embraced God's love and grace. To this day, nearly 20 years since Kevin died, the seeds of compassion, empathy and mercy for those who grieve continue to be planted and bear fruit in Bob and I. We are both more loving, more caring and concerned for those who are hurting and for that we are grateful. We needed to change and the changes in us saved our marriage. We are both better for the wear and the tears.

What are the seeds growing within you precious mom? How is the soil of your heart?

With Faith, Hope and Love,
Angie "a mom like you"
amotherlikeme@gmail.com


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"What a Day Can Hold"

7/6/2021

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Recently, I received the phone call that every Human Resource professional does not want to receive. One of my employees passed away. Only 23 years old, he had his whole future in front of him.

A graduate of the prestigious Cornell University, he was a great employee who loved his family and was involved in giving back, because he knew the good future he had because he grew up with opportunities not everyone has and he made sure to be grateful and humble. He was just a great kid!

Heartbroken to hear his father cry, while telling me of his loss, brought me right back to when our family had the doctor come out and tell us the dreaded news that my son, Tommy, was not going to make it, and we had to prepare for the biggest loss you can imagine after his death caused by spinal meningitis.

While talking with the grieving dad, I had to hold back tears to make it through the call. When I shared with him that I knew that he was going through, this amazing man could only think of his wife and what she was going through. He asked if I could spend some time talking with her about my experience, and I prayed for strength to help this mom through this difficult time, because someone did that for me (Angie Green) and I need to pay it forward.

We never know what minute, hour, or a day can hold. This could never be more true than for the Clancy family right now, as they begin their journey through grief. I am asking that everyone who might read this will say a prayer for them.

Robbin - "a mom like you"

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"My Father, Your Father"

7/6/2021

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"Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.’” —John 20:17

On the morning of the Resurrection, Jesus didn’t allow Mary to touch Him. He was essentially saying, “It’s not going to be the way it used to be. You can’t hold on to Me in the old way. It’s a new covenant.” 

Then He made a radical statement: “Go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God’” (John 20:17). For Jesus to call God His Father was one thing. But He said, “I am ascending to My Father and your Father. . . .” In other words, “He is your Father now too.”

This past Father's Day marked the 61st without my dad who died in 1960, when I was 12 and my brother was 8 years old. On the day my dad died suddenly of a massive heart attack, I felt fatherless and I knew that God was going to have to be my Father from that point on, and so He has been. He became my  Abba (daddy) overnight, and I needed a Father as faithful as He in the years that followed and I continue to need Him to be my Father.

God can be the Father we never had. Jesus opened up a new relationship for us through His death on the Cross and His Resurrection from the dead. No longer must we go through a high priest to seek atonement for our sins, because Jesus became the final sacrifice for our sins. And He has given us free access to God the Father, to whom we can come in times of need.


"Do you know God as your Father? Or does He seem like some distant force? If that is the case, I have good news for you: God is not some mere force or distant power somewhere in the Universe. He is personal, He is caring and He loves you. And, that is why He sent His Son to die on the Cross in our place." - Greg Laurie, Harvest Ministries

If you feel fatherless, all you have to do is speak His Name and He will come in your time of need. I know this to be true in my own life, and I pray it will be true for you, as well.

With Faith, Hope and Love,
Angie "a mom like you"
amotherlikeme@gmail.com


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"A Mother Like Me" Book

6/25/2021

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"Writers write to keep the windows of words open."
@AnG 2020

It is with humility that I have written a book entitled "A Mother Like Me - A Conversation With a Grieving Mom About Faith, Hope and Love in Loss."

For several years, many people have encouraged me to write a book about my personal journey through grief, which began with the death of my dad, when I was 12 years, and was intensified and lengthened after the sudden cardiac death of our youngest son, Kevin, in 2002.

I have always written, but never imagined that I would complete a book and be in the process of publishing. I put pen to paper on this difficult, but very important subject, as someone with the experience of loss and grieving, and a long walk with God.

Once I began to write, I couldn't stop. My personal story of loss, grief and healing poured out of me. After my husband, Bob, read the first few chapters he said, "Honey, this needs to be published. This will help a hurting mom in her grief and I'll support you anyway I can."  One way he has supported me is by reading each and every page several times, and not so much as flinch at the cost of content and copy editing.

Several close friends, as well as Dr. Alan Wofhelt, Director for the Center of Loss and Transition, have read the completed manuscript with very encouraging responses that keep me focused and committed to publishing. 

My story is a story of tragedy and a testament of praise. It is a comprehensive, conversational look at loss, grief and how it affected me, my husband and our family. Our grief was intense. What grief isn't? We were not prepared or equipped for what was to come, after the sudden death of our youngest son, and as we stepped into the "valley of the shadow of death." (Psalm 23:4)

Early in my writing the book, I realized that my heart and soul were still so very tender, while I was also amazed at how God was fully present to me every step of the way. I spent most of my grieving alone, and He was my primary source of comfort and strength. He became my "refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." Psalm 46:1 (NIV).  


In writing, I had to revisit some very painful and emotional times, and I also realized that the pain of such a great loss is always just a thought or a memory away. After nearly 20 years I think I tried to convince myself that the more time that past, the less it would hurt. Now, I know even more than before that time doesn't heal, God heals. He is truly El Roi, the God who sees; El Shaddai - the All Sufficient One; Jehovah-Jireh - the LORD will provide and Jehovah-Rapha - the LORD who heals.

"A Mother Like Me" is dedicated to mothers who have suffered the loss of a child. We are an uncommon community of moms connected by loss, and because of our love for our children. I would have had little to say about grief without the blessing of knowing all the moms who have journeyed with me through the years. Knowing these "heroes of hope," as I call them,  has been an amazing blessing, considering and because of the context of our relationship.

I hope that the words of my hurting and hopeful heart will encourage a hurting mom somehow, somewhere. It seems to me that God is why a book finds it readers. If my book finds someone and encourages someone who is hurting, my hope and fervent prayer will be fulfilled. 


Please pray that I will find the best publishing option, as there are many and the world of publishing is changing fast and can seem overwhelming. However, "with God all things are possible!"

With Faith, Hope and Love,
Angie "a mom like you"



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"God is With Us Always!"

8/9/2020

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As I was recently reading Isaiah 43:2 and listening to a message by Pastor Greg Laurie www.harvesthome.org,  I was reminded in these COVD-19 Pandemic times that God will protect us until our time on Earth ends. 

Mark 16:18 tells us that we are protected by God.

Philippians 1:21 says that "to live is Christ," and that God is greater than death.

Matthew 14:22-23 encourages us to "Be courageous and brave" and to not live in fear. 



There have been many times these past few months, when I have been VERY afraid.  Afraid for our Country and for our children, that evil and wickedness may overcome and change or even destroy our Nation, and that we, as Christians, will face pending persecution.

In my fear, I have had to intentionally remind myself whose I am, as I cry out to God to be present and to calm me in these stormy, uncertain times and seasons. 

I believe, without a doubt, that Jesus is with us always - "watching us with great interest and concern."- Greg Laurie  

We are not alone - He cares and is interceding on our behalf.

I know and have experienced the truth that Jesus is God, came to us in the flesh - fully human, and he not only understands us, but he meets us in our humankind with love, grace and mercy. 


Matthew 14:30 tells us that we should not be afraid when looking at a storm, which also reminds me to keep my eyes, my focus, my heart turned toward Jesus.  It's Jesus that gets me through anything and everything - and He has never failed or forsaken me - NEVER!  When I have stayed close to Him, when I have trusted Him, He has been fully present to me without fail.

Jesus tells me to keep my eyes on Him and remember that He promises us that He will be with us always - "unto the end of the age" (and until the end of our life here on Earth).


As always, and especially in the storms of my life, I ask myself these two questions, perhaps you may ask them, too . . ."Is Jesus living in my life? Is He living inside me?"

For me, the answers are always the same "YES and YES!"  

Jesus is HERE ALWAYS!  
"Be of good cheer - the Lord is near!"  

I hope you are experiencing the presence of Jesus in this storm that we are facing and living in each and everyday during these hard times. I hope you are also realizing and reveling in the reality that God loves you, has redeemed you through Jesus at the Cross and that we have nothing to fear, but rather have an eternal hope of His presence in our lives and life everlasting starting now! 

With Faith, Hope and Love in Christ,
Angie "a mom like you"

www.amotherlikeme.info
amotherlikeme@gmail.com



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    These blog pages are written by and for moms who have suffered the loss of a child.

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