Two Articles Published: “Serenity, Please” and “If I Text Him, He Will Answer…Won’t He?”
I am honored to have two articles published.
“Serenity, Please” at Mentoring Moments for Christian Women
“If I Text Him, He Will Answer…Won’t He?” at Inspired Women Magazine
I hope you will read, comment, and share.
Big hugs,
Daphne
Guest Post: Love Twisted. Love Defined.
I am honored to have my dear friend, Sara Robillard, as my guest blogger for today. Sara and I have known each other several years, and she is truly the sister I never had. She is my “Sissy.” Sara is one of the best lyricists I know. She writes recovery testimonies and recovery-related blogs. She’s also a ghost writer for a non-profit organization. Sara’s story is one of hope and healing. I’m honored to have my Sissy share her heart with you today and hope you will be blessed by her story, “Love Twisted. Love Defined.”
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“Love Twisted. Love Defined.”
by Sara Robillard
Find Sara on Twitter
Love.
Love twisted. Love Defined.
That’s been my life thus far in a nutshell.
As a victim of physical, sexual, spiritual and psychological abuses for the first 20+ years of my life, it’s safe to say I felt pretty screwed up coming out of it. I had seen despair, I had felt hopelessness, but never as profoundly as I did entering recovery. I began to understand that I was being held accountable, and I needed to trust God if I had any chance of surviving. I fought it at first. I had my own way of dealing with things, but God began to break through all my mechanisms, drawing me to Himself. At the end of a long, weary battle, I found myself on my knees, my heart absolutely crushed, and throwing myself at Christ. He finally became my source of life, of hope, of love. No more idols. No more ideals. No more disappointment.
I struggled with how to handle this love relationship I had with God. I had been told I was “loved” before, but that was the twisted sort. Taking and demanding. Using and abusing. Based on merit and emotion. I turned to His word, looking for the truth. And I found it. I found it in the example of Christ, in His action upon the cross out of love for me (1 John 4:9). I found it demonstrated through His people as they ministered to me (1 John 4:11-12). I found it as I began to understand how to express my love to Him through simple obedience (1 John 5:2-3).
He chose me. He set me apart to be His own before the world began. I know that I have never been alone. And I am constantly being romanced by Him in all that is around me. Somehow, I have found myself desperately in love, going from one extreme to another. I have no idea how it happened…it was so subtle, so profound, so beautiful.
And to think, this is what He desires for us all.
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Come alongside…Has love been twisted for you? Can you allow God to define it? Comment below.
New Article: “In the Fullness of Time…”
Awhile back, I mentioned that Mentoring Moments for Christian Women invited me to become one of their staff writers.
“In the Fullness of Time” is my most recent publication at MMCW.
I hope you will read, comment, and share.
And if you haven’t already subscribed to Mentoring Moments, I encourage you to do so.
Big hugs,
Daphne
The Story of My Life
Last week, my husband and I took a day trip over to Sarasota for the Ringling Museum. If you haven’t been, I highly recommend it. Mr. and Mrs. Ringling–yes, I’m talking about the circus folks–purchased 20 acres of waterfront property in the early 1900s and built a home there. Well, it’s really a mansion, and oh what a mansion!
The Ringlings loved art, and they built an impressive art collection over the years.
As my husband and I walked the 21-gallery art museum, we saw scenes of people’s lives.
- Biblical.
- Historical.
- Fictional.
- Everyday people.
Each painting or tapestry was distinct. But all told a story.
- A snapshot in time.
- A turning point in someone’s life.
- A story of the person’s life.
I got to wondering–as I often do… What’s the story of my life? If an artist wanted to tell others about me, what would he paint, draw, sculpt, or weave? I just couldn’t shake that thought as I took in each of the paintings throughout the day.
What is the story of your life? Think about it. What would you want an artist to portray about you?
My husband and I talked about this on our way home. I’ll share my story, and he’ll share his in the comments. But I wanted to start us off with my painting, my tapestry, my story.
I see a house–my house. The scene outside is rather dark, and as you approach the house, it is warmly lit. People–adults and kids alike–are walking up to the house worn and weary. Some are looking behind them as they run to my home. Others are leaving the house. They’re smiling, standing tall, healthy.
You can look inside the house through the front windows and see people–lots of them– sitting all around the front room. On the sofa, on the floor, on chairs. They’re huddled together, blankets over each person’s shoulders. There is some activity in and out of the other rooms, but the central focus is on the front room. All face in one direction–toward a cozy plantation chair in the corner. I am sitting on that chair reading to them from the Bible. Other books are on my lap. My eyebrows are raised, and I have smile on my face, as I lean in to tell them what appears to be good news.
The title of the painting is, “The Comfort Station.” (I actually have a sign in my house today.) The subtitle is, “Comforting others with the comfort she received from God (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).”
That’s how I would like to be remembered. That is the story of my life.
Come alongside… What is the story of your life? Share it with us. Invite your friends to share their stories.
(Remember… January is book giveaway month. The more you comment below, the more chances you have to win a copy of my new book, Women of the Secret Place.)
Resources for Leaving a Legacy
Word of the Year: 2012
For the past several years, I’ve meditated on a word for that specific year.
- One year, it was freedom.
- Another year, it was grace.
- And another year, it was trust.
For 2012, my word is GROWTH. Yep, that’s what I feel God is speaking into my spirit. The year 2012 will be a year of growth for me, my family, our business, my life. I am excited!
“Grow and experience the joy of your faith…” (Philippians 1:25).
Come alongside….What is your word for 2012?
