lizgmarshall

“My unseen yet important anchors are friends who stand by me,

prayers that lift me up and the decision to hunt for gratitude every single day.”

~ gosh I wish I knew who came up with these wise words!                    

It’s no secret, 2016 was a tough one for many of us. Whether it was a terrifying medical diagnosis, family trauma, or the loss of something or someone you love- you may have been ready to flip the calendar page and start over completely.  

For me, the struggle to hyper focus on the unexpected adversity was real. A few memorable moments: a broken leg, fractured front tooth, tornado taking out a tree and a flying (rein)deer that shattered two windows in my car. You seriously can’t make this stuff up! 

Through it all, I know it sounds a little crazy, but God was really good.  He: 

*healed the busted leg to the point of being able to do everything (except play rugby).

* connected me with a world-class periodontist to correct the cracked front tooth catastrophe.

* sent wood cutting angels to make firewood from the tornado toppled tree.

* protected me from any injuries when  

this happened. (notice back window- inches from my face- is completely gone.)

All that to say, “God is still God; and God is still Good. To God be the glory!” –   quote cred: Zac Smith. You can watch Zac’s phenomenally inspiring story here. 

Looking ahead to 2017, I pray you will cling with me to this timeless promise:

How can it be anything but an extraordinary year?! 

God’s grace and peace, my friends as we, “hunt for gratitude every single day.” 

Beth 

A few weeks ago a freakish tornado touched down in our neighborhood, more specifically in our front yard. Ninety degrees to the right, and this monstrous tree would have landed in our master bedroom. Thank You, Lord! 

With Christmas just weeks away we were faced with a couple options- to scream, cry and freak out over our “terrible awful no good very bad day” … or throw Christmas lights on the situation and keep moving. 

While I don’t know what life has thrown your way this year, I want to encourage you:

* to keep looking up.

* to take good care of yourself. 

* to find glimmers of goodness, even on the darkest of days, 

This Christmas season, I pray the Lord will show you exactly who He is… your comforter, your healer & the Prince of peace.

Please join us for Christmas at NewSpring- live at one of our SC campuses, or on line. Here’s how.  

What do you do when the happiest season of all doesn’t seem happy at all?

Whether it’s a scary medical diagnosis, the loss of a relationship or death of someone you love, a traumatic season of life can make the holidays feel overwhelming. The idea of cooking, decorating, shopping and house guests might be more than you can imagine this year. Before you decide to pull the covers over your head and wake up in January, or start your day with eggnog, stop! You are not alone.    

3 Steps To Survive The Holidays Without Losing Your Mind

1. Say what you need to say.

It’s a temptation for many of us, especially when cool weather hits to spend a lot of time at home, alone. Maybe you’re facing crushing circumstances right now all by yourself. The problem with isolation comes when the little voice starts whispering in your head. The lying, conniving voice telling you, “Nobody understands. Life will always be this painful. Nobody cares about you.” Don’t believe the lies. Tell someone you can trust what’s going on in your heart and mind.

2. Make a plan.  

Don’t let the holidays sneak up on you. Consider doing things a little differently this year. Plan a time to talk with those closest to you about creating a strategy for the holidays. For example, this year will be the first Christmas for a dear friend since the death of her dad. She and her mom are discussing their strategy, which might include a few days in the Caribbean.

Would a change in location, menu or traditions be helpful this year?  If the thought of decorating, entertaining, or gift buying is making you hyperventilate, it’s OK to bring it all down a notch. Do whatever works for you.

3. Be still.

Tomorrow morning, rather than hitting the ground running, would you take a few moments to be still? Wake up up 15 minutes early, find a quiet cozy place away from the noise and chaos, and spend the first precious moments of your day with the Lord.  

Psalm 34:18  promises, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” You can know His indescribable peace when you invite Him in.

Have you ever noticed how adversity-losing a job, a relationship, a person you love, or maybe your health…can look a lot like crazy?

When life turns upside down, sometimes:

* you can’t sleep.

* you can’t stop sleeping.

* you walk into a room and have no idea why you’re there.

* the thought of food is disgusting.

* you count red, yellow and green M & Ms as vegetables. 

* you think, “I can do this all by myself!”

* you realize you don’t have to fly solo through this. 

Some days you just need somebody to assure you that your life will not always be this intense and painful… and You Are Not Crazy!

You’re welcome.  

What’s the craziest thing you’ve done during a catastrophic time?   

Have you ever had a tough time putting your thoughts into words when you’ve lost someone you love? Me too! 

That’s why I was so thankful to find a really cool new website created by the amazing and talented founders of What’s Your Grief- Eleanor Haley and Litsa Williams. 

Eleanor and Litsa’s newest creation is called Grief In Six Words~ GriefInSixWords.com. This amazing concept inspires you to dig deep and narrow your thoughts into six words to describe your grief.

I decided to take a slightly different angle and use my six word statement to describe the legacy my mom left for her friends and family.

“Taught Us Live Love Laugh Repeat”  

Your words might be intense and raw right now, or not. Everyone’s story is unique. 

My mom loved everything about Fall~ so in her honor, I’m pretty sure she’d want me to have these fabulous Fall flowers. They’re a sweet reminder to chill out, focus on what really matters and be sure to laugh every day. 

To share your six word story, I invite you to stop by the Grief Survivor and A Time to Heal Facebook page. Please feel free to ‘like’ the page (if you do!)

Are you going through a tumultuous season right now? I get it.

Five months ago, in the middle of recovery from a broken leg, an X-ray revealed a fractured front tooth. It was likely agitated during the freakish leg fall. Seriously, you can’t make this stuff up!

The periodontic peril since certainly created anxiety, but thankfully very little pain. Two surgeries, lots of dollars and one dental implant later… I’m counting the days- actually months- till the pearly white project is complete.

How about you? In the middle of traumatic circumstances, have you ever gotten so caught up in the crisis, you forget to breathe? I surely have. Sometimes life forces us to slow down, relax & unwind.

We have a dear friend who lost both parents in a very short time. As he gradually eased back into his intense travel and speaking schedule, I asked how he was coping in the wake of such great loss.

He told me one of his secrets- set aside some time (an hour if possible) every day, all alone and unplugged from technology – to do what you need to do – sleep, write, cry, pray… whatever. I love this idea.

Are you recuperating from physical trauma or finding your equillibrium afer loss? I encourage you to find time and a peaceful place to escape the noise of life. Sometimes making space for healing is the most selfless decision you can make.                       

I’m grateful for the promise from Matthew 11:28-  “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”                

                                     His peace, my friends