Take a moment to check out this 90 second video about A Time to Heal, a grief journal. It tells the story way quicker than I can!
https://bethgmarshall.com/take-a-moment-to-check-out-this-90-second-video/
Last upated: by lizgmarshall
Take a moment to check out this 90 second video about A Time to Heal, a grief journal. It tells the story way quicker than I can!
https://bethgmarshall.com/take-a-moment-to-check-out-this-90-second-video/
Last upated: by lizgmarshall
The Healing for a Mother’s Heart day retreat was one of the most amazing events I’ve ever experienced. As individual stories unfolded throughout the day I was overwhelmed to hear courageous moms share their photos and stories. You listened lovingly and shared hugs with people you didn’t know, yet seemed to understand your pain.
You, my new friends, are stronger than you know. The verse I shared in the morning session was Psalm 34:18, “God is close to the brokenhearted;and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” If that’s you right now, please know His words are true; and you don’t have to go through this unthinkable sorrow alone.
The journaling sessions I was scheduled to lead turned into something much more important- a place for you to encourage each other. I loved to see many people connect and find referrals for support groups. Our goal is not to “get over” grief by forgetting; but to get through it by remembering our precious loved ones. As Dr. Heidi Horsley, co-founder of Open to Hope says, “closure is for bank accounts, not love accounts!" I want to encourage you to find ways to keep stories fresh. Save cards, photos and other memories in a safe place until you’re ready to go through them. When you are, I hope they will bring back sweet images of happier days- memories that will always be part of you.
My amazing Heart Strings friends recommended the most magnificent book, "Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young. Spending a few moments with this book first thing in the morning will surely brighten your days.
I pray the Lord will wrap His loving arms around you today and in the season to come.
God’s peace, my friends- Beth Marshall
Last upated: by lizgmarshall
I had always loved Easter. It was all about springtime, Easter egg hunts and pastel dresses.What’s not to love? I’m not sure how I had missed the point for so long. In college most everyone I knew assumed they were Christian, so I figured I probably was, too. If the faith question ever came up, I somehow thought “Christian’ was the default answer. Several years later I realized I had missed not only the point of Easter, but what it meant to follow Jesus.
One morning at church a twenty eight day challenge was introduced. The purpose was to teach people about reading the bible, journaling and prayer. All three concepts were new to me, so I would write the scriptures in my own words. One in particular got my attention from John 3:16. I read about God loving me so much, that He gave His only Son, so I could have eternal life. The idea of giving up a son was unimaginable. Our son, Michael was three months old at the time.
As I continued to write in the journal, I got a sense someone really was listening. I had never been one to ask for help, but one morning I remember praying a simple prayer. I said, “Jesus, I’m not sure if you’re real or not, but if you are please come into my life.” It’s been almost thirty years since that early morning prayer. I have to tell you, He is real! And, God loved you so much He gave His Son, Jesus for you. What happened three days later literally split time in half when His Son, Jesus Christ rose from the grave. He is still alive today!
How about you? If you aren’t absolutely sure where you stand with the Lord, you can pray to ask Him into your life today. Don’t miss the whole point like I did!
Romans 10:9 says, “if you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart, God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
I pray blessings for you this Easter. He is Risen!
To find out more, please visit here.
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Last upated: by lizgmarshall
Every day I drive by this quaint antique shop. It might be my imagination, but it appears to be the same charming furniture outside every single day. In the morning the antique treasures are carefully placed in the front yard, and every evening they are brought back inside. A few Coca-Cola chairs may have been added since the turn of the century, but otherwise it seems the process is repeated every day.
The death of someone you care about deeply is one of life’s most difficult challenges. It’s easy to fall into a rut of doing the same things day after day, leaving you lonely and feeling stuck in the sorrow. If you’re struggling to move forward would you consider trying something different to help break through the intense sadness? Hopefully one of these ideas will help:
*Remember. Memories of your loved one’s life are treasured gifts to keep close in your heart. Take some time to record memorable stories and save photos in a notebook or journal. Remembering happier times is a beautiful way to honor the person you’re missing, and allow some light into a painful season of life.
*Get help. People who have been where you are now can be a great source of hope and encouragement. It might take a few visits to know if a support group is a good fit for you, but don’t give up. A caring group or maybe professional grief therapist can provide a safe place to process traumatic loss.
*Find hope. Regardless of your religious beliefs, deep sorrow often draws us to seek spiritual help. In my darkest season of loss I realized I was drowning in the sadness. When I finally called out for help, friends offered to pray when I couldn’t find the words. They prayed specifically for God to take some of the pain from my heart. And He did.
Psalm 34:18 says, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted, and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
Last upated: by lizgmarshall
If you know a college bound student who has experienced the death of a parent, www.lifehappens.org/ is offering terrific scholarships. Deadline March 31, 2013!
Last upated: by lizgmarshall
Every year flight attendants go through extensive training to keep you safe when you fly. You may have heard it so many times you can sleep through the safety demo, but a serious part of the pre-flight announcement addresses what to do in ‘the unlikely event of an emergency.” One of the scenarios flight crews practice over and over is bracing for an anticipated emergency landing. Should this extremely rare situation occur, which it thankfully never did in my 25 year career, I felt prepared and knew exactly what to do.
The late night call about my mom’s death came with absolutely no warning or bracing time, and the impact was devastating. It didn’t take long before the tempory anesthesia of shock began to wear off and the painful reality set in. It was impossible to imagine what life would look life without her, my #1 life cheerleader, ‘Beazy.’
I remember waking one morning with a palpable fear of forgetting about her. How would I keep memories fresh…growing up in our way less-than-perfect, but ridiculously entertaining home? Two parents, psychotic canines, five loud kids and countless strays (hungry kids) stopping by at mealtime. It was that morning I started to write.
Some surprising things happened as I wrote in my spiral journal. The Beazy stories definitely brought some tears, but gradually I began to feel my smile coming back. Writing was making my heavy heart feel a little lighter. As memories and photos, even some recipes were safely preserved on paper the fear of forgetting about my mom began to fade away. I had a comforting place to go to remember her.
So, what about you? Maybe you’ve gotten traumatic news with no time to brace. If that’s your story, I’m so very sorry for your loss. I don’t pretend to know what’s going on in your heart; but I do believe there’s something you can do, even today to help keep your memories fresh. Get a journal, and start to write. The story of a life is priceless, and much too important to be forgotten.