As I journey through life, I am surprised that pain takes me so off guard. Pain is inevitable in a fallen world, stemming from Adams decision so long ago, and still reeking havoc in our lives today. The question is not if pain will happen, but when. Then the choice lies, how will we respond […]

My journey with God began before I could say “mama”, and today as a woman I have let Jesus into my heart. I am Shannon, a mom, wife, cook, maid, coffee barista, friend, daughter, sister, and child of God’s Kingdom. Below is my walk in faith, and a heartfelt testimony that God is real! He stands by you through thick and thin.

Have you ever prayed and pleaded with God over a personal matter and still had the answer be no? Have you ever laid your heart bare and thought surely God will have mercy on me? Yet, what if God’s mercy didn’t look exactly like the manuscript you sent up to Him? What if God’s mercy came through hardship, as your tears fall to the ground? Our faithful and just Creator looking beyond our desires and reaching our needs.

You were so young, still forming in my womb, as anticipation of motherhood filled my heart. Everyone around us was so thrilled to hear the announcement that you were on the way. Each passing day I grew more and more excited, longing to hold you, to meet you.

A strong willed child? A rough marriage? Financial problems? What will cause our knees to bend? We all have trials and tribulations that force us to question the purpose of our troubles in the big scheme of things. We wonder why we couldn’t be stronger and overcome this adversity in our own strength.

Why God? Why me? Why do hardships come and trials rage around us? We question. We grow discouraged. Yet, aren’t we supposed to be thankful in all things? How is this possible when we can barely keep our head above water?

If only life was always filled with roses, where no pain could penetrate our heart; or our clocks would stop long enough for us to revel in the moment and be thankful. Then, it would always be easy to maintain our joy. But what happens when life isn’t going smoothly, when it takes all your effort to stay above water? What then? I have felt pain, and I have felt joy. Here are some ways I am able to keep my joy a little longer.

We all desire peace. The inner contentment that leaves us feeling free from burden and worries. Christ offers us this peace, through times of trials and times of joy. However, more often than not, we do not receive this wonderful attribute of Christ. We are left feeling as defeated as everybody else. When we have a personal relationship with Christ, there should be a peace that others desire and seek out. Why is that not always the case? I’d like to propose some suggestions.

How often do we feel like we take one step forward and two steps back? Why is that? What can we do to have victory in Christ on a continuous basis? Life throws some whirlwinds. We live in a battlefield. Life is not easy, and sometimes it seems like we are never given a chance to reach up for a breath of fresh air. We start to get weak in the knees, and bingo! Satan is right their prepared to attack.