Today, in the Celebrate The Savior Moment at church, we were asked to share how Jesus showed compassion on us. I will share that there was a time when I was angry with God and another when I was disappointed; He didn’t hold it against me. He had compassion on…and patience with…me. Those responses have shown me how to be with others. Over the years, those responses have made me a better person, volunteer, and leader. For that, I am grateful. Whatever your story, your past, you’ve not done anything for which He will not extend to you the same compassion and patience He extended to me and many others. If this post speaks to you, I invite you to have a chat with Him. #CelebrateTheSavior
Every Mom
To the single moms, who do the work of two parents and often go without so their children can thrive, who sometimes feel alone and forgotten, we say: You are remembered and we THANK YOU.
To the adoptive moms, whether through step children, foster children, or children left to you in a will, for your decision to love and your strength to sacrifice, we THANK YOU.
To the foster moms, who apply for the honor to raise children for both the short-term and long-term, who give time, resources, and fight for those who have sometimes been abandoned, abused, neglected, or deemed unlovable by another, we say, “THANK YOU.”
To those that did not give birth but you constantly give the type of hugs, love, and nurturing that only a mom can give, we say, “THANK YOU.”
To all “moms” everywhere, for all that you are and all that you do, we simply would like to say, “THANK YOU.”
Written for Mother’s Day 2016
©2016 by Dr. Connie R. Shipman
Broken Crayons Still Color*
Inadequacy is not your name.
It is an emotion, a feeling.
It can be overcome because broken crayons can still color.
Delayed dreams do not have to be denied.
Live Your Dream.
Be your dream.
Broken crayons can still color.
You are purpose on legs.
You are purpose in human form.
Use your brokenness to help others in their brokenness, for eventually, He rebuilds us all to become whole.
On your path to wholeness, let your light so shine among men, for
Broken crayons can still color.
Let us see you color.
© 2016 by Dr. Connie R. Shipman
*Title and inspiration for the poem taken from a sermon by Bishop Rosie S. O’neal, Koinonia Christian Center Church.
A Time of Renewal
On Sun, 4/17/16, we will begin a new series at my church on “Living the Resurrected Life.” Not sure what perspective the series will take but when I heard the title late last week, I realized that such is the phrasing I’d use for my current life. After relocating back to my home state and facing a series of emotions as a result of the move, I’m beginning to feel like I’m living a resurrected life in my forties, a time of renewal, reinstatement, rebuilding. Trying to forget about disappointments of the past and focus on goals and great moments for the future. It’s an interesting time of life, to say the least. I’m grateful to God for rekindling friendships that have stood the test of time and distance and empowering me to accept new friendships. Yep, it is an interesting time. Let’s enjoy the moments we have and the people that share them with us. Tootles!
Being Trustworthy
Before I delve into the true purpose for this post, allow me to share that for whatever reason, God has seen fit to place in my path quite a few people who are private people. Of course, I don’t mind this. Among the things that I really care about in a person, they include his or her ability to be genuine and his/her heart for love and equity of others. Because those are among the main characteristics that I look for, I have an otherwise diverse set of personalities in my life.
Last evening, I had the opportunity to catch up with a very dear person who, for the short time I’ve known her, I have come to assume is a private person. I learned last night that she is indeed a private person and I have become one of the people that she trusts. As I reflected on this during my drive home, I counted it an honor and one more thing for which to be grateful…to be of the character and personality that can be considered as trustworthy, and not be considered as gossipy and judgmental. I’m steadily growing but folks, it is important to consistently strive to be our best selves. With most of us being our own worst critic, daily, let us savor the moments when we hear that we have been some good to others. We don’t have to be arrogant or narcissistic, but we also don’t need to always minimize or brush off the compliments we receive. Well, that’s it and that’s all for now. Carry on with your day, have a good weekend, and if you wish, share what it means to you to be trustworthy. Consider what are some of your more appreciated characteristics and what changes would you like to see in yourself. Smooches and tootles! #trust #gratitude
Be Certain
“I learned that once I had what I wanted, I found I didn’t want what I had.” Lesson: Before you make the decision to have an affair, to leave the relationship, to walk off your job without notice, to make any major decision based off feelings alone, be certain of what you want. Reality: The end result may not be what you thought you were going to get.
Getting Older
Well, good people, I realized last night that, like the rest of the world, I am aging. Thing is, I knew it but I didn’t think much about it. However, last night I was attempting to read something with small letters. I picked up and out on a pair of old reading glasses that I keep on my nightstand. Lo and behold, the letters were clearer and larger. That’s when I accepted that my eyes were aging as well as the rest of me. No longer can I lose weight seemingly by just thinking about it, no longer can I eat what I want and not gain, no longer do I have painless knees, no longer do I have non-aching joints. Oh well. Such is life. While I’m on this side of Heaven, I’ll continue to make the most of it. Aging eyes, painful joints, protruding tummy, and all the rest of me. While we live, let us live.
Your Goal. Your Mission.
Goals for Life
Whether through advocacy against child abuse and neglect, simple exhortation or encouragement, or a sincere hug or smile, such is one of my life’s goals. What’s one of yours and how do you pursue it?
A “Too Realistic” Dream
Last night/this morning, I had a dream that was so real that I sat up and had to ensure I was in my own home and in my own bed. I dreamed I was visiting this small town in NC where poverty and kindness are prominent. I was dining somewhere with good home cooking when I heard a few teenagers at a table behind me share with a comrade that he could eat a whole ….something if he wanted to. He agreed. As is my nature, I was tuning in and out of the conversation…it wasn’t MY conversation so why use my energy to listen to it? Anyhoo, my ears perked up when I overheard something along the lines of, “…Man, I’m not going to college. I’ll probably die by the time I’m eighteen.” My heart broke. I wondered, Should I now intrude on this convo? Yep, I must. And so I did. I turned around briefly to see to whom I would be speaking. It was a teenager-looking Caucasian male with brown-reddish hair who was quite heavy for his height (he was sitting so I couldn’t be certain). He didn’t look uncomfortable but he looked like he was heading towards difficulties with movement and breathing if he continued to become obese. Our backs were to each other and I was positioned so that my chair was to the right side of his. I leaned back and began,
“Excuse me, young man. I couldn’t help but overhear a smidge of your words. Why do you think you will die by 18 years of age and not make it to college?”
“Look lady, I’m 14 and 238 pounds. I’m smart but my family is poor and so is this town. Getting out is hopeless, so I’ll continue to enjoy food until I die, which might be by 18 if I keep eating the way I do.”
“Hmmmm, well, it’s unfortunate you feel that way. If you use your smarts to do well in school, there may be resources to help you go to college. But, if you eat your way to an early grave, that’s your choice to make. Look, young man, we don’t know each other, but I beg of you to consider a future with you in it. Find a different path.”
I cannot recall the rest of the dream but I know that it ended with a look from him that said, I’m considering your words, lady, but I don’t know. I don’t know you and you don’t know my situation or my future.
Any you know what my dear reader? He would be correct – we didn’t know each other, I certainly didn’t know his family situation nor what his future would hold. He’s a teenager. How much control does he have to make the needed changes? Hmmmm, so what do I make of this dream? Encourage people even when I feel it isn’t my business to do so, listen more carefully to what others are saying, eat less myself so that I do not go from a fairly healthy plump person to obesity induced health issues, research scholarships for smart, young people in poverty!?!?!?! I don’t know. I’ll have to ponder. I do know that his plight is real. Why the situation hit my dreams, I’m still figuring that out. Just thought I’d share. Tootles!
Words From A Child
I was recently riding with my sister and 3 year old niece; my sis. sat in the back with her, to keep her company, since we had a long drive ahead of us. She turned to her mommy and said 3 simple words, “I need help.” I could not help but then reflect on how difficult it becomes to say those three words as adults. Why is that? Pride, independence, an assumption that we cannot depend on others…what?
Her mother believes that it is due, in part, to the fact that as soon as we pass the foundational years, we are taught to be self-reliant and independent, and the better we are at achieving those goals, the better off we are. Maybe she has a point. I’m still pondering. Thoughts?
My Therapy 