What's Your Story (Part 2): Coincidence or The Holy Spirit?

One man, through the Spirit, has the gift of wise speech, while another, by the power of the same Spirit can put the deepest knowledge into words. 1 Cor. 12:8 NEB          

In Part 1 of my story, I mentioned that I’ve always loved writing, but during those years between high school writing, Sunday school and Bible school teaching, women’s exercise leading and monitoring the cradle roll, I didn’t do any Christian writing. Those were my years of raising children, writing poetry and working outside our home. 

However, in the year 2000 Lori Snyder-Sloan encouraged me to contribute a message to the first Eastridge Advent Devotional booklet. A few years later, in 2005, I was invited to contribute to the Homestead Presbytery’s Advent Booklet.

It was between those years in 2003 when I really had an opportunity to become a better writer and write for a wider audience. Were all these interesting writing opportunities just a coincidence? 

Then I received an email from a gentleman I didn’t know who said he had read several of my messages and he thought that I might like to write for the Presbyterian Church of Canada’s (PCC) website. At that time, PCC’s daily subscription count was nearing 5,000 and each of their “Dailies” (devotionals) was posted in 7 languages besides English.      

I decided to give it a try but I was quite apprehensive when it came to actually hitting that send button. Did I really have anything to say to so many readers? It took 3 days of preparing my message to send then backing away saving the message for another day. Finally, it was sent. Then the editor sent it back to me 3 times with changes that were needed. Although I admit it was a bit more frustrating with each return, I realized that I was learning a great deal - making sure each verse of scripture was accurately referenced and quoted, and affirming spelling was correct in order that all the translations worked. Then there were the differences in American English and the King’s English which is used in Canada. The result being that I’m no longer sure I can spell correctly in either version! Those “ior/iour” words like behavior (American)/behaviour (Canadian) still vex me.

For my first message, I chose to write about healing after the death of a spouse. I thought that those readers who had also lost their spouses would be among my first readers. When the feedback messages started coming, I found that men responded 2-1 to women. That really surprised me!

All those messages came from places like Africa, Brazil, Canada, the Middle East (from a gentleman who feared signing his name), and from the UK, etc. They said things like: Many Thanks; I loved your clarity of thought; I am your brother in Christ. Such uplifting messages made all my trepidations vanish. I continued to write for PCC for more than a decade, and I was no longer jolted by being addressed as “Sister” Judith from Your “Brother” in Christ from various parts of God’s earth, but it wasn’t until I took a break from writing in 2010 to have 4 eye surgeries that I realized that all those opportunities to write seemingly coming from nowhere and which led me to making Christian friends across the globe weren’t the result of any coincidence. I had just been too “blind” to see the “Hand of the Holy Spirit’s” leading me on to share my Christian faith.  

After a year’s healing time with restored vision, and at the request of the editor, I returned to writing for PCC for many more years. I received so much Christian love from so many people in so many places! I’ve found no greater joy than this on my long Christian journey of faith.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we praise You for so many things for which we often forget to say thank You, and now we ask You to open our eyes to the beautiful surprises that You send through the Holy Spirit that make our Christian journey here on earth amazing each and every day. In Jesus’ name we ask it. Amen

Judy Welch

  * What’s Your Story? 

This summer, we invited members of our Eastridge community to explore ABCs of Faith: Simple Stories for Complex Times. In this series, we will be exploring stories from the Bible that tell us about God and God’s people. But our faith is also carried through our own stories.

When someone asks, “What’s your story?” they’re asking about the moments that shaped you: the people, experiences, challenges, and turning points that made you who you are. Scripture is full of such stories—and so are we.  

Throughout the series, we’ll offer prompts connected to the themes we’re exploring. You’re invited to share a brief reflection on any prompt that resonates with you—especially a moment that changed your mind, your heart, or your life. Selected stories may be shared (with your permission) in our newsletter, devotionals, or even during worship. 

Words from First Corinthians

Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13 

Talking About Others

A gadabout gossip can’t be trusted with a secret, but someone of integrity won’t violate a confidence. Proverbs 11:12 

The loose tongue of the godless spreads destruction, the common sense of the godly preserves them. Rash language cuts and maims, but there is healing in the words of the wise. Proverbs 12:18

The more talk, the less truth, the wise measure their words. Proverbs 10:19

Think about when you were with a person that continues to tell other people’s secrets. You can feel yourself wanting to get away from them. But when people talk well about others, you enjoy their company. These Bible verses are pretty clear about gossip and loose tongues. Our family is blessed to have parents that have taught us to tell the truth but there are times we experience people who have not been taught the same.

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. Proverbs 25:11 

The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning. Proverbs 16:21

I am a pretty lucky person as over the years I have found friends that speak well of others using sweetness of lips.

However, we need to be careful about even boasting too! Paul writes in 11 Corinthians 12:7b: "This gives me confidence they will tell the truth and good things about me." Paul writes, "Therefore, to keep me from being too elated, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, to keep me from being too elated."

So the tongue is a little member and boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire! And the tongue is a fire. (James 3:5-6a)

The Bible speaks to us as it says it is good to be aware of how your speaking affects others around you. In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise. Proverbs 10:19. These are good words for me to adhere to before I speak.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for my wonderful parents and help me to learn from your word. I know I have failed at times but see clearly what these verses say to me. Lead me as I go forward. Thanks for teaching me in Proverbs, Corinthians, and James about how my words affect others. Amen. 

Sandra Hilsabeck                                                                                                                                            

My Story

From the time I can remember, my family was involved in church. I had perfect attendance in Sunday School, sang in the choir, attended youth group, and was confirmed. By the time I was a young adult, I thought of myself as a Christian, although I don’t remember sharing that with others. Until I met a woman at work whose husband was planning to join the staff of an evangelical youth organization, and we had conversations about church-related topics.

Debbie invited me to lunch at her apartment, and I accepted, thinking that several of our co-workers were also invited. However, when we left work to walk to her apartment, it was just the two of us. We had a pleasant lunch, and when we were finished, she handed me a small pamphlet and asked me to read through it with her. I don’t remember all of it, but it was about Christianity.  At the end of the pamphlet, there was a statement, part of which said, “I accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior.” Debbie asked me to repeat it. Even all these years later, I’m not sure why, but I chose not to repeat the phrase at that time. She asked me to let her know if I ever did say it.

That experience had a great impact on me. It made me question my own Christianity and feel that I needed to repeat the “magic words” in order to be a Christian. Debbie had had a “lightning bolt” experience where she suddenly accepted Jesus Christ and believed in Him, and it made me wonder whether I could be a Christian if I hadn’t had that kind of experience. 

I’m not sure how long I felt like that, but I eventually realized that everyone is on their own spiritual journey, and the experiences along the way shape us. Along the way, I’ve met and worked with people who are strong Christians, but they demonstrate it through their actions without expecting others to say the “magic words.” There is no one way to become a Christian and no timeline that we must follow.     

Prayer: Dear God, thank you for being with us throughout our journey to come to you. We understand that the journey is ongoing. Help us to share our faith with others without judgment. Amen. 

Robin Hadfield

 * What’s Your Story? 

This summer, we invited members of our Eastridge community to explore ABCs of Faith: Simple Stories for Complex Times. In this series, we will be exploring stories from the Bible that tell us about God and God’s people. But our faith is also carried through our own stories.

When someone asks, “What’s your story?” they’re asking about the moments that shaped you: the people, experiences, challenges, and turning points that made you who you are. Scripture is full of such stories—and so are we.  

Throughout the series, we’ll offer prompts connected to the themes we’re exploring. You’re invited to share a brief reflection on any prompt that resonates with you—especially a moment that changed your mind, your heart, or your life. Selected stories may be shared (with your permission) in our newsletter, devotionals, or even during worship. 

Happy Independence Day!

Unexpected Insights

Trust in the the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6  

The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand. Psalm 37:23-24  

 

Call to me and I will answer you and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known. Jeremiah 33:3  

Recently my car situation has been in limbo. This has changed everything about my ability to run errands, get to work, and feel independent. Facing this has made me reconsider how much I can "make do" with what I have. This reminds me how creative my brain can be, and I rejoice at its wonders. 

At the end of the summer, one of my cars became disabled, and I was trying to donate it; but I could not find the title in all my moving boxes. It was amazing to me to see how much I had accumulated, and how difficult it was to organize. I saw how debilitating this can become. I also found a lot of forgotten treasures which are so much more valuable than a certified document. 

The search process had been lengthy and fruitless, and eventually I had to procure a duplicate title. Cleaning out the car was a burdensome chore, because there were still vestiges of a trip to Rochester, Minnesota last year when my daughter and I stayed for two months (during which she received her fourth liver transplant). But I realized as I was lugging bags of pillows and umbrellas and scrapers and a shovel and all sorts of human necessities that I need to challenge myself in order to be more resilient. I patted myself on the back as I rested after that chore and looked forward to the next bit of discomfort that would help me grow. 

On the appointed day for pick up the tow truck did not show. So I still had to plan for uncertainties. And that can be rather freeing. How much does it really matter? Why should I invest too much dependence on things going as planned?

The back-up car needed work in order to be drivable after the first one tanked. The AAA tow truck driver delivered it to a repair place that was different from the one where I had made an appointment. At the end of the day, I called the repair shop only to be told that my car wasn't there. So AAA and I had to call and search a number of nearby places to see if my car had ended up there, since the tow truck driver couldn't be reached. These things can happen, and it makes for more work but it also makes for a good story.  Also, the place where my car ended up did a good job of fixing it, and I had it back in no time. I was glad to find a reliable repair place that was within my budget.

 

In the ensuing month, the back-up car developed more issues. One of them involved taillights staying on, and the battery drained. AAA gave me a battery boost and told me to drive directly to the repair place; I managed to find a place open on Sunday, so I felt pretty lucky. But they couldn't actually work on the car until Monday. I hadn't really accomplished what I felt I had needed to do. But the right things happened, only a day later than I had hoped.

 

During this time I was relying on my daughter for trips to and from work. It was nice to have time to talk with her, and I enjoyed looking out the window at the sights I often miss while focusing on driving. I was able to sip coffee and nibble on snacks.

 

Then more issues arose with the car, and because there was a risk of the engine overheating, I was told I shouldn't drive it. At this point, I realized that my '92 Geo Prizm might not be worth the $600 it would probably cost to fix it. I have had to restructure my thinking about continuing to maintain something that doesn't really serve its purpose. The car has no airbags, and doesn't travel well over 45 mph. It doesn't really need my allegiance, even though it reminds me of my mother, from whom I inherited it. 

 

So now I am looking into buying a reliable car. My recently retired friend has been chauffeuring me, and we have had jolly drives reconnecting. When we were in high school, she used to come pick me up and drive me to school. I am reminded of how much I enjoy starting the day with her. She is such a light in my life, and I love being cared for by someone so generous and fun. We always have lots of chances to laugh on the drive, and it is an uplifting way to start and end my day. 

 

Even something as mundane as our transport away from home and back again can reveal something as great as God's presence. I look forward to more road trips with surprises. 

Prayer: Thank you for creating my hands and continuing to hold them. Thank you for giving me eyes, and fresh sights to amaze them. Thank you for interrupting my steps to show me something new about your world and the life you have given me. Learning new things keeps me alive and present, and newly aware of your grace. Let my inconveniences move me closer to you. Amen.

 

Mollie Manner (reprinted from 2017)

Expectations

In our lives, we expect certain things of others. We hope for kindness, we hope they will treat others fairly and live peacefully. Our expectations can excite us sometimes; they can lead us forward eagerly and give us hope.

But then, the unexpected can happen. When I left home in December, my Christmas cactus looked barren. It was green but showed no signs of buds. Soon after I left, my neighbor told me that it began to bloom and still had buds and flowers when I returned in March. 

This was a small thing but totally unexpected. I am reminded of the disciples. Do you think they expected Jesus to die? To be hung on a cross to die?  They had seen all that he could do - the healing, the feeding, the preaching, and the love that others showed him. Did they expect all of this to turn on him? I think not. But he was hung on a cross and he did die. This was unexpected but then three days later another thing happened that was totally unexpected. HE ROSE FROM THE DEAD!

Now my Christmas Cactus blooming was unexpected. But it was a very small thing.  For Jesus Christ blooms inside of all of us every day. Not just on one season of the year but to be with us all every season of our lives.

Carolyn Olsen