One of the most profound places we leave our mark is in the family. Christmas is a time we are spending concentrated amounts of time with those we love, and with those who are hard to love.
Rhoda Shultz is the queen of Christmas and the queen of family. But it hasn’t always been easy. She wrote a book about their difficult experience with their son, his prodigal journey, and what it looks like to reflect the love of Christ to our children and spouse in the midst of deep struggle.
In this interview Rhoda speaks of God’s work and purposes in seasons of uncertainty. She encourages all parents to pitch a tent in God’s faithfulness, allowing Him to complete the good work He began in us and our children.
Let’s listen in today and be inspired as we strive to love those right in front of us and make a mark that will live far beyond us.
Ruth and Patrick Schwenk were living a busy life of faithful service, planting a church, raising their four children, when 43-year old Pat was diagnosed with a blood cancer. Their faith became paramount as they navigated questions of mortality, certainty, and God's character. Could they trust that God was with them in the middle of this storm?
A tender, honest conversation about what it means to have faith tested. There were doubts, fears, support, love, pain, and trust. Ruth and Patrick talk about how they had to receive care from their congregation, how the illness helped create a culture of honesty within their church, and how they both had to learn to trust God's goodness like they never had before.
Obedience and faithfulness in the midst of unexpected suffering and stress change us and leave an impression on those around us. As we consider what it means to be faithful, we must consider where God is and who he is when life is uncertain and difficult.
Do you truly believe that God wants to use ALL of who you are for His purposes? Your natural gifts, abilities, and strengths, but also your pain, sadness, and failures?
When we are continually trying to live someone else’s life, we will never find purpose or satisfaction in our own. Jamie Ivey talks with The Sisterhood today about what it looks like lean into your unique self and integrate all of who you are in order to live out your unique calling in the world for the glory of God.
When we look at how to leave our mark in the world, beginning with accepting ourselves and our unique story is vital. Join us in this important conversation.
Katherine Wolf was just 26-years old when her life changed forever. She suffered a significant stroke that left her disabled. In a wheelchair, deaf in one ear, blind in one eye, and one hand that doesn't work, she spent years learning to eat and stand up. In this first episode on our new series of Leaving Your Mark, Katherine inspires us with her resilience and faith despite her continued challenges.
Katherine wants us to know her spirits are good now, but there were many dark days. Days when she wondered if God had forgotten about her or simply if it would be better if he'd let her die. She now knows that suffering is always a season. That it won't always be as bad as it is today and that God refines us in the dark places. Katherine's words of encouragement speak directly to our core as she reminds us that everyone suffers as part of life and when we hear God's voice in the midst of suffering we step into a new kind of identity and beauty.
If you don't listen to anything else this Advent season, we encourage you to listen to this conversation with Katherine Wolf. She reminds us that God comes in the darkness. This is exactly what we celebrate at Christmas. You will feel less alone after listening to this episode.