I’m calling it Grief Backlash….

ByKathy Stephens

What does backlash mean? “a movement back from an impact”. Ebb & Flow, Pain & Peace. Yeah that pretty much sums it up.
There are things in life beyond our understanding.Things we wonder if we will recover from, move forward from and be whole again from. Only God’s peace can surpass these questions. The world seems dull somedays, things are all wrong around me and I feel alittle out of place. I wonder some days where everyone is running to and from. The pain of losing Dennis still feels like someone jabbing a knife into my chest. IT seems that my recent adventure/training to Chicago caused a lot of raw emotions to surface. The last couple of days have been a whirlwind of painful emotions rushing back in. My mind has gone over and over the events of the day when I received the phone call that Dennis was so sick.
GRIEF…….There is NO time frame, No just get over-it, no just fill the hole with someone or something, No just stay busy, No just read this scripture today. It’s so much more than that. I’ve felt like throughout these last couple of days someone has had a kitchen towel spun into an oblong shape and with their quick release POW… they pop you with it. That’s the backlash. The sting of death. The impact. It’s like standing on the cliff again wondering, “where do I go from here.”
I’m still learning that the lessons of Grief are real and they are hard but thankful to know that the beauty of God’s ability to rescue is so MUCH GREATER. He can create a space for you to allow HIS power to move, to heal, to show you HOPE. The darkness begins to fade again, the fog begins to roll out and softly HIS voice becomes louder than the sorrow, His praise music begins to sing sweetly in your ear and your tears are wiped away by caring friends and your broken heart begins to mend again.
Psalms 34:8 is a faithful reminder: “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”   What a Faithful Reminder…..

What Ya Thinking?

ByKathy Stephens

13230066_10154037442275590_5457665878247081419_nDO you remember the old children’s story of the little ENGINE that could. After trying and trying and almost giving up, what did the little Engine finally say to himself…. “I think I can, I think I can.” He changed his thinking and began to encourage himself. What do we tell ourselves every single day about our lives? What have you been telling yourself about YOUR LIFE? When is the last time you encouraged yourself?
Each decision, each challenge, each obstacle is different for each of us. We all face different roadblocks day by day BUT if we change our thinking we can continue to put one foot in front of the other and gain the courage to succeed. YOUR THINKING MATTERS.
What are you “thinking on today”. Are you confused and need clarity, are you sick and need to be well, Are you contemplating a move but are paralyzed ? What’s holding you back. Could it be your thinking??? Don’t lose the battle.
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.?” Philippians 4:8