Sometimes I just feel overwhelmed . . . with my responsibilities, with my personal struggles, with the heartache in the world and the difficulties faced by others. It is in those moments that the Lord gently reminds me that I was never meant to face my battles alone . . . that He is there […]
Tag Archives | trials
Nothing is Impossible with God!
Eighteen years ago, doctors told us our son Patrick was autistic, mentally retarded, and might not ever speak. A few weeks ago, Patrick graduated magna cum laude from Pfeiffer University. He sang “Corner of the Sky” at commencement, which is all about finding your place in this world. Those in attendance gave him a standing […]
Standing on the Rock
Doctors amputated Sam’s leg two weeks ago. One of my heroes of the faith, Sam has been the subject of my blog before. See http://susanjaneking.com/abundant-life/when-things-go-from-bad-to-worse/ My husband David and I went to visit Sam at the rehabilitation center this week. Sam is the one with the enormous smile in the middle of the photo. That […]
Lessons from the Blueberry Patch
It’s blueberry season, and we are harvesting blueberries from the blueberry patch at our home. As I have spent time plucking these blue jewels off my bushes the past several weeks, I have been reflecting on the many spiritual lessons found in my little blueberry patch: Fruit comes from the root. The reason our blueberry […]
Reflections from a New Grandmother
My first grandchild was born on May 29, and he made quite an entrance into the world! Landon Wallace Morgan was born to my daughter Katie and her husband Curt. I’m so in love with that little boy already. I felt extremely blessed when Katie and Curt invited me to join them at the hospital […]
Choosing to Love
The Kinsley Bear I received the bear pictured at the top of this blogpost a couple weeks ago. It means a great deal to me because it was given from a place of great pain . . . and tremendous love. The bear is called the “Kinsley Bear,” named after a local couple’s beautiful newborn […]
Responding to the ‘Bump-ups’ in Life
Last week, I was backing out of a parking space at a local mall when . . . wham! I felt the impact of hitting another parked car. My heart started racing as I realized I had misjudged the distance and had hit another vehicle. I pulled my van into another parking space and jotted […]
When Things Go from Bad to Worse
When we first met Sam, we had no idea how much he would teach us about living out your faith when things seem to go from bad to worse. My husband David started taking guitar lessons from Sam many years ago. Sam plays guitar professionally. He is a gifted guitarist and guitar teacher. Through their […]
Handling Disappointment
Patrick on deck at the Pfeiffer University pool A few days ago, the athletic director at my son’s college called Patrick and the other members of the varsity swim team together and told them the university had decided to stop having a swim team. In one fell swoop, hopes and dreams were slashed; great sorrow […]
Life out of Death
My friend’s daughter-in-law went for her routine prenatal exam . . . and there was no heartbeat. After praying for, celebrating, and naming their little boy, this young couple—and all of us who loved them—were confronted with a new and very different outcome than planned. Yet, in the days that followed, I watched as that […]