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"Sacrifice"

5/29/2018

I saw this Facebook post recently . . .

"We are not the sum of what others imagine us to be. We are who we are, regardless of others thoughts about us. The same goes for God.

God is who He is, regardless of our belief or unbelief.
He is the great I AM (I AM enough!)
He loves all because He is love.
His holiness cannot be imagined or fathomed.

He wants every single soul to believe in and accept His son, Jesus, His perfect gift to mankind for forgiveness, salvation and redemption.

I could not stand and try to account for my sins without Jesus to cover me. I praise God I won't have to, because He made a way through Jesus Christ! His life, death and resurrection made a way for a lost sinner like me and this is His plan for good for us all, because He wants no one to be separated from Him now or eternally."

In reading this post, it caused me to pause and to reflect on just how much God loves us and how He went to great lengths to make a way for us to be in relationship with Him now and forevermore. His redemptive plan may seem unthinkable and untrue to some, because the idea of giving up His only Son as a sacrifice to atone for our sins and redeem us just doen't seem real, but it's true, it really happened.

This Memorial Day, I found myself imagining all of the moms and dads throughout the world who have suffered the death of their own son or daughter who's life was sacrificed for liberty and freedom. Thoughts of real people losing their children on the battle fields fighting against the enemies of liberty and freedom made me stop and think about what an unthinkable sacrifice that is as there are so many graves that mark a life "layed down" for our Country. And, to think that God gave His only Son that we might be saved and free forever - I'm just shaking my head in awe and wonder trying to wrap my heart around such amazing love!

We are loved more than we will ever know this side of Heaven, but how blessed we are, but, do we really count the cost?

In Christ Always,
Angie "a mom like you"
www.amotherlikeme.info
amotherlikeme@gmail.com

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The "Wilderness of Grief"

5/12/2018

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I recently made a trip to Connecticut to speak to a group of grieving moms at a "Hearts of Hope Journey of Healing" Retreat on the Long Island Sound in Madison, CT.

The Mercy by the Sea Conference site was beautiful, peaceful and the perfect place for a group of hurting moms to come together for retreat, refreshment and renewal.

Before and after the Retreat, I had opportunities for visiting some of my childhood special places, as my family lived in Connecticut and up-state New York from the time I was 4 to 9 years old. My "little" brother, Russ, was born in New London and I have many wonderful memories of this place that I still call "home."

During our time together as moms who have suffered the loss of a child,
I was amazed at the honesty, courage and compassion that exists in the community of the Hearts of Hope moms.

Two very special "moms like me," Ann Starke and Helga Findley, started Hearts of Hope after attending an Umbrella Ministries Retreat for moms several years ago. Ann came away from that Retreat with the words "We have to take hope back with us to Connecticut" and that's just what they have been doing for the past 11 years.

As I meandered around Connecticut, I was reminded of how many woods there are in that part of the Country. Some very old and overgrown, some young and new and the one in this picture was taken close to my friend's, Helga's, house. Peering into these woods reminds me of how I approached death of grieving of my youngest sin, Kevin, 16 years ago. I had no idea what to expect and it is only by the loving movements and actions of God that I made my way through that "wilderness."

What would we do with our grief, if there weren't people who were willing to "comfort others as they have been comforted" after making their way through their personal "wilderness" experience? I dare not think of the unresolved grief issues that would impede upon our lives, and how that unresolved grief would keep us in the "wilderness" far too long.

Stepping into the "wilderness of grief" takes courage, and a willingness to trust that we are not alone, as we invite God to lead the way, And, coming into community with other moms "like us," who know the way through the wilderness, like Hearts of Hope, helps us to find our way through our grief, as we are being comforted and led through the "woods."

If you are grieving and you don't have someone who has made their way through their "wilderness" to come alongside you, please go searching for a grief support group in your area - this "walk in the wilderness" is not one you should make alone - you may just get lost.

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

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"Sacrifice"

The "Wilderness of Grief"

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