Let There Be Peace On Earth

One of the things I love the most about being at the lake are the church steeple chimes that ring out everyday at 12:00 noon and 6:00 in the evening. I can see the beautiful steeple from my deck and thoroughly enjoy the peaceful calm that comes over me every time they ring! Following the bells of the hour, are always at least 2 hymns or songs that are so familiar! I just came in from listening to the 6:00 bells that rang out.......The hymn today was, "Let There Be Peace On Earth", you know the one I'm sure! The tune goes on to say, "and let it begin with me" , and so on! How appropriate, for all the hurt and chaos that is going on in our world today! So much sadness all around us! We ALL need God in our lives and in our hearts and soul.   ISAIAH 26:3  "You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!" Dear God, thank you for directing my path!

Last year, when I purchased this little place of mine in the mountains at Deep Creek Lake, I so wanted my sister to be a part of this adventure with me. So many things I thought we could do here together. There is a horse farm close by and my sister loved horses more than anything. I couldn't wait to get her here to see them and all the beauty that surrounds us here!

I sit alone right now and look across the table at the empty seat that I hoped so much, she would fill this year; to carry on our long conversations and much laughter that we always shared so much of, over a cup of coffee or tea and sometimes a glass of wine! Tears begin to fill my eyes once again for the hole I feel in my heart as she was taken much too soon. She never got that chance to share this time with me here, and I'm so sorry for that! I try each day to overcome the void left in my heart but it is hard, so very hard!

There is a "happy" ending to my story today, however, because life must go on and I know that I must be strong for others who also suffer her loss. Through our faith, I know and feel her "spirit" always with me because of the little "signs" she gives along the way! I talked about the church steeple chimes in the beginning of my post. Well, another sign came on the very first day I got here this past weekend. As the church bells began to play at 12:00 noon, I rushed out to my deck to take it all in once again! Sure enough, to my complete surprise, the same song began to play out from the church that I had as her ring tone on my phone! I sat there totally astonished! It was, "You Raised Me Up", the one that Josh Groban sings! There was my sign! God wanted to let me know that she IS with me here, even though I can't see her physically, I feel her presence with me always! Thank you God!

"Now, may the Lord of peace himself give you His peace of all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you."

FROM 2 THESSALONIANS 3:16

Tranquility At The Lake

So nice to be back at Deep Creek Lake once again!  It is here that I find the peace and tranquility that inspires me to continue my writing.  I have been out of touch for quite a while now, since the passing of my sister in January of this year.  The months that followed have not been easy.  It seemed   with every day, a new challenge would present itself.   Life can be that way sometimes.  The only difference for me was the fact that I no longer had my sister to call and talk to. We were always there for each other, for as long as I can remember!  I don’t believe that two sisters could ever be any closer than we were.  Birth made us sisters, but life made us “best friends”.  I am thankful for the time I did have with her and I feel blessed that through our faith, I know that her “Spirit” is always with me and we will be together again someday!  Thanks to God!

I am also thankful for the support of my daughter during the long winter months of my down time and writer’s block for her continued motivation and perseverance to carry me in our writing endeavor.  She has truly been the “wind beneath my wings”; especially these past few months.  She has not only kept our blog going, but has also  ventured out on her own as well,  to promote her first book; “Signs From God”!  We have both received many “signs” from God through the years and have made note of them.  We’ve also had many long conversations about these signs whenever they came up. It is such a comfort for both of us to talk about these spiritual events, as we understand each other’s feelings so well.  We  feel so blessed that God speaks to us in this way,  but  we realize that we’re not the only ones that God shows these signs to, if you’re open enough to look for the signs and believe.  This is where her story begins………..and it is an awesome read!   It is now in the editing and formatting stages in preparation for   publication, and we will keep you posted as the time draws closer for her book signing party.  We encourage our readers to also follow her new blog at:  www.sharonshabinaw.blogspot.com

With the long, cold, and painfully sad months now behind me, I am ready to continue with my writing and devotion to our readers. Thank you God for answered prayers and thank you for some prayers that have not been answered.  You are in control, and I know you are directing the path you want me to take according to your will, and I’m ok with that!

“For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord’, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  Jeremiah 29:11

God doesn’t always give us answers, but He always gives us assurance. He promises us a love that will never, never fail.



 

Venturing Out On My Own

Not to worry, I'm not going very far!  I'm very excited though to share with everyone a new Blogsite www.sharonshabinaw.blogspot.com I created that will enable me to step out on my own in preparation of publishing my first book, "Signs from God". 

Ever since I was a child, I wanted to write a book.  I remember, hiding from my brother in my closet where I would spend hours writing by the light of my Lite-Brite.  Throughout the years, I dabbled in it; but it was God this time, who pushed me on this spiritual journey to actually step out of my comfort zone.  He practically demanded, "Just Do It!"  This journey has truly been driven by God himself.  He has led me every step of the way to where I needed to be, and has given me the courage to 'Just Do It!'

The book is complete and in the beginning stages of editing.  It is my hope that the stories compiled within "Signs from God" will give my readers the same peace it gave me; knowing that God speaks to all of us in different ways, and in ways that only He can do!  We just have to be open to recognizing the signs.

Like I said though, I'm not going far and what's coming next is our ultimate journey of completing mom's miraculous story, "A Mountain to Climb".  We have decided we are going to make it a sequel.  The first as an autobiography, and the second, from the eyes of her daughter.  Continue to "follow" us on our journey together through both of our Blogs, and my Facebook Page www.facebook.com/SharonShabinaw and stay tuned for more to come!!

 

Happy Birthday to My Muse - The Woman Behind the Story!

Happy Birthday to my Muse!  A special woman for whom this Blog, our Website, our Pages, our Twitter accounts, and ALL of our future books would not be possible!  It is her strength that has been my inspiration throughout my life. I have learned so much from her and am still learning.  She continually prepares me for what is to come, and I am grateful for her knowledge! 
It has taken us this long to prepare and actually be in a place where we can start this journey together.  This last year we have both been pushed by God to get our acts in gear so we can accomplish His Will for us!  We have accomplished alot so far despite the many challenges and heartaches God has thrown in our paths.  We know these bumps in the road only make us stronger and more determined, and we look forward to truly focusing on our writing this summer.  We will meet our goal together, and when we do, we will be so happy to share with you each of you and celebrate at our book signing party!!!   But today is Mom's day to celebrate her life, and what a life it has been!!  She is a strong woman and I am truly blessed to call her Mom! 

Here's a recent picture of us together with my Brother at his Wedding Celebration! 

Do You Know Your Purpose and God Driven Job?

I just got home from Bible Study and the message tonight was we all have a job to do here on Earth and in our community.  Whether your community is your Church, with your job or colleagues, your neighborhood, your friends, etc.  We need to find our purpose.  Do you know yours?  Ask God to lead you to a clear understanding of what your purpose and job is.    We know ours, and God keeps pushing us closer and closer every day.  He is not giving up on us, nor us on Him!  Today he led me to a self-publishing web site and a site that will guide me towards getting my book cover created for my first book, "Signs From God".  I am so excited to be on this journey gaining the experience we will need for Mom and I to continue to climb towards our ultimate God driven journey and the priviledge of publishing our first book together, "A Mountain to Climb".  We still have plenty of writing and editing to get through on this book, and lots of emotions, and even more mountains to climb, until we reach our goal.  So far though, the journey has been amazing.  With summer quickly approaching and knowing we will have quality time together to dedicate to our writing, the excitement is overwhelming.  We truly hope you follow us along the way! 

One Set of Footprints in the Sand

I was sitting here this morning wondering what I could write about.  What has touched my heart this past week?  What has impacted my life to the point I would want to write about it?  Then it hit me.  I’m sure everyone has experienced a situation or time in your life when you think, is it really that bad?  Or how could this person possibly believe this?  How could they think this?  How could they act this way?

You’ve heard the saying, ‘walk a day in my shoes’?  The next time you are wondering how someone could do or say such a thing….stop and ask yourself how they must be feeling.  Try to imagine what they are going through.  Everyone is struggling with something or fighting their own battles.  While what we see on the outside, may be something totally different on the inside.

I was in a Church meeting this past weekend and this kind soul was expressing some very deep feelings, and while what he felt about himself, was something so very different from what others felt about him.  He was struggling with self-doubt and feeling guilty about being in a certain situation or circumstance.  His totally humbling attitude really made me stop and think about how different everyone is and how everyone has a story to tell.  We all need to stop judging from the outside without giving a second thought to what someone may be struggling with on the inside.  We are all broken in some way and until we come to terms with that and God, we will continue to struggle.  Trust in God and know that he has died for our sins.  Once we believe that and trust in him, he will show us the way!  For when we are even at our lowest point, he will not fail us.  He is always there, but at times he has to carry us ...leaving only one set of footprints in the sand.

We all have a story to tell.  Take time to think about yours and how God has played a part in your story!  Look back and I’m sure even those unanswered prayers brought you to be what you are today......STRONGER!

Happy Easter - Happy Spring - Happy Writing

You know that feeling when your mind wants to, but your body won't let you?  Well, Mom and I both were struggling with some health issues and just an overall bad start to a new year personally.  We are now looking forward to putting the winter blues behind us, and are getting our ducks in a row so that we can concentrate and get back on track with our writing.  It is amazing how God works and gives us what we need, when we need it.  Apparently, we both needed time to heal and concentrate on ourselves.  Throughout this winter and 'our' time of need, HE has been speaking and leading us every step of the way!  He led us to a new Church family and Bible Study groups where we both feel that HE is speaking directly to us through our studies and new friends.  It is such an amazing feeling to recognize HIS love in our hearts and soul. 

We pray that everyone following our journey is as excited as we are for Spring to come.  And as we watch the grass start to turn green and everything come to life, remember what God has given us all and what Jesus gave up for us on the cross! 

Happy Easter everyone!!!

Believe that HE will bring us through it!

Even when you are struggling through difficult times, we must always have faith in the fact that God is in control.  If it is meant to be, then it will be.  Whether we like the end result or not, we have to find a way to trust in Him and believe that He will bring us through it.  This last month I have been struggling with health issues and it seems that one thing after another just keeps popping up.  The entire time, I continue to pray for His healing, patience, and strength to deal with whatever will be.  I have been through so many tests and am still waiting on answers.  Throughout this experience, He continues to lead me in my writing and lifting my spirits.  There are days when I am just not up to it, but He is still pushing me forward.  He is putting people in my path that are inspiring me even when I don’t feel up to it.  He and the help of some family have also led me to Acupuncture, and with only one treatment complete, I have been able to let go of something from my past that has lifted my spirit.  I am so excited to start feeling better so I can truly give it my all.  With spring on our door step, and impending answers to health issues, I am anxious for the winter blues to be gone so we can begin smelling the roses again!    

My Epiphany

Yesterday was an amazing day!  I'm not sure where to start because the past week has been nothing short of amazing for me, and everything has been leading up to this point.  I believe, that the passing of my Aunt this month has played a large role in how connected I have been with God lately.  She was such a strong believer, and I feel that she too is guiding me now on this path!  This past week has been like floating through the day in awe.  But yesterday, was a true epiphany for me that I just had to share! 

Before I started work, I was having my quiet time, when He put in my head to reach out to the Sykesville Online Community (SOC) for support in following His lead.  A while back, He gave me the idea to put together a book of 'Signs' from God.  I have been receiving signs for a while, as many of you know, and have recently been trying to gather signs from my contacts in hopes of building a compilation of stories to put into a book.  About a month ago, I had the idea to put the post on the SOC, but I brushed it off since normally its my nature, believe it or not, to be more reserved. Until yesterday morning when I realized, 'that idea' was His voice in my head telling me to put my post out on the SOC.   So I listened and took his lead, and the outcome was breathe-taking!  The outpouring of love and support I received has me so overwhelmed that it was pretty hard to concentrate on my job with the flood of pings and notifications I was receiving, and they still keep coming.  I couldn't sleep last night I was so excited to start gathering all of the feedback before I stood a chance of losing it.  So I've been sitting at the computer since 3am disecting all of the messages and feeling so blessed for the new contacts I have made and how this will impact and boost our following for our Miracle story!

This has been a day that I will treasure forever and dedicate to the town of Sykesville for answering my prayer and allowing me to follow His lead yet again!  I have lots of work to do, and I know I will have a pretty productive weekend catching up with all these supporters!  God continues to lead us by providing us with our own signs pushing us further and further down His path to reach His dream for us!  This will all tie together in the end.  Glory be to God!

BELIEVE! THE "SPIRIT" LIVES ON

This last month has truly been a challenge for me and my family.  Since  the passing of my sister, IRIS,  on January 6th nothing has really been the same for us.  I miss her so very much!  The long conversations we would have at her kitchen table and the phone calls from her every day that are now non-existent.  I have found myself even going to the phone to call her, simply forgetting that  she is no longer here, and then the reality begins to set in and once again I am overwhelmed with tears.  I begin to question, “Will this heartache and pain ever go away?”  I have been a caregiver and Hospice volunteer to help others going through  a  grieving process for many years, but yet having such a hard time helping myself get through this!  I thank God for my  “ faith”  and to know that she is now with God and  her loved ones who have gone before her .  Though it hurts all of us here to not have her physically  by our side, I know that she is no longer in pain and suffering and that makes me happy (John 5:24) (1 Corinthians 6:14, 17).

Now, I believe that every story should have a “happy” ending.  It just leaves you feeling good inside, and the following  short  story  is no different!  What I experienced the other night  gave me the inspiration and incentive I needed to go on, just like my sister would want for  me and all of her loved ones here.  She was a woman of  “faith”  and she knew her time was limited here on earth,  so all of us promised her that we would be ok.  We wanted the hurting to be over for her. I must admit that it has been very hard at times trying to keep that promise, but the other night, as I tossed and turned trying to fall asleep, I cried out for my sister to just give me a sign!  You won’t believe what happened after that!

WAIT FOR IT ……… The “happy ending” is coming!

Earlier on  that particular day, my iPhone began to act up so I decided to make the trip to the mall and see what the problem was.  The techs there tell me that it couldn’t be fixed BUT I was eligible for an upgrade and they could backup my new iPhone right there from the information on my old phone.  Sounded good to me and there would be no extra charge for the new phone.  Sooooo, I had previously downloaded a song by Elvis Presley called  “An Evening Prayer”….I loved the words to this song and I often play it before going to sleep.  So when I could not fall asleep and kept tossing and turning, I decided to turn my new iPhone on and listen to this song.  Well, I turned the light on still sobbing and when I looked on my song albums,  what I saw just made chills go all through me!  Somehow, someway, an album was on my new phone that I had never heard of before and the song was titled, " IRIS, (HOLD ME CLOSE)"!  Well, just the title alone is what got to me first, and those sobs now became tears of “Joy”!  There was my “sign”!!  I played the song that was unfamiliar to me.  I  listened in awe to the words that were delivering a message to me  that I could feel within my entire body, mind and soul was coming directly from her "Spirit"  to me.  Her "Spirit" is now united with the Lord (1 Corinthians 6:17).......... It was like she was comforting me in my worst moment of grieving for her.  Through my tears of grief, while listening to  the words I needed to hear, (“My light is in your heart, IRIS, hold me close” ).  She was telling me that her light is in my heart and she will hold me close!  WOW…….this was supposed to be a happy ending but yet I sit here crying just thinking of that moment when God and my sister  heard my prayer!  The "happy ending" to this story is that  I am so inspired by these kind of signs and experiences that it never fails to overwhelm me with love and happy thoughts!  God is everywhere and our loved ones who are not here physically, are everywhere too!  We just need to BELIEVE and keep looking for the signs!   I pray the same for all of my family and friends who are trying to process the grief of losing someone close to them!  In Jesus name I pray,  Amen!

ONE DAY AT A TIME

It has been 3 weeks now since I lost my sister to cancer.  The pain of losing her has been devastating not only to me but to our whole family as well.  It was so unexpected news to hear.  We never even got a chance to get use to the "C" word before it took her life..... We will forever feel that void in our lives but we know she will live on in our hearts and souls always. I know I'm not alone when I say  I feel as though a vacuum has just sucked the joy and energy right out of me.  Some  days are harder than others, as certain events and thoughts will trigger my mind to bring on the tears once again.  When that happens, I'm back to square one again and it is so hard to get back on track......... We had a wonderful relationship and were as close as any two sisters could possibly be.


 Dear Lord, I pray that the heartache and pain will begin to get less each day that passes because I know my sister would not want for any of us to be sad.  She would want us to go on with our lives and live it to the very fullest. We had many one-on-one talks and I know my sister worried so much about everyone and everything.  She was just that kind of person!  The last few days of my sister's life was the hardest, but  I promised my sister that we would be ok because I knew she was tired of the pain and suffering she was going through. Father, I now pray for  you to help us be ok if it is your will, so that I can keep the promise I made to my sister, "One Day at a Time!"

 In Jesus name, I pray!

MY SISTER, IRIS

MY  SISTER,  IRIS

There is so much to say about my sister – Where does one start?????

 My sister, Iris, was the first sibling born in our family.  She was eleven years older than me.  Then came my brother, Jack,  2 years later.  I believe I was the “surprise” that came 9 years later , and that made me the baby of the family.  Times were really hard then, with the breakout of World War II.  My Father was drafted in the Army, and my Mother was forced to work in order for all of us to survive.  Unfortunately, this pushed my sister into the role that no eleven year old should have to assume,  but she did!  She willingly took on the role of being not only my sister but now my mother as well and “big” sister to my brother!  A lot of responsibility for a pre-teen and she did it well!

I feel my sister was robbed from a lot of her childhood and I always felt bad about that but I do remember some wonderful,  happy  and  funny  times we later shared together!  One very early memory I have was when I was only around 5 years old.  My sister loved animals, especially dogs and horses!  Well, of course horses to definitely be her favorite, but she seemed to always be bringing home a stray dog or cat that needed a home when I was growing up.  One of our favorite and smartest dogs she rescued was a white spitz, named Trixie……This dog loved  Iris so much that one time I remember him doing a mess on Mom’s hardwood floor and I knew there would be TROUBLE,  so I yelled upstairs for Iris.  I will never forget – Trixie looked at me as if to say, “Tattletale” and  by the time my sister got halfway down the stairs, the mess was gone!  Yep, that’s how much Trixie didn’t want to make my sister mad at him!  I couldn’t believe it…………Iris looked at me and said, “Are you sure???”  Then we shook our heads and laughed so hard!

Later, when we were both married and had children of our own we were able to share many stories together of our childhood .  So many things we didn’t understand and so many questions we still have  to this day.  But we learned to come to terms with it all and both of us took good care of our parents until it was time for them to go home to the Lord.

Iris and I were as close as two sisters could ever be!  It was like we were joined by the hip!  We both had the same interests and sang in the Junior and Senior Choirs together, were confirmed at the same church and loved going to the Christmas and Easter cantata’s. We loved doing everything together!  We had so many belly laughs that only her and I could share – cause we knew each other so well!  Many times we were like a scene from I Love Lucy, and all we could do is look at each other and burst into that laugh that only her and I truly understood! All in the genes, you know!

The trips we shared together especially  to  Ocean City when we took all the kids, Mom and  Dad, we would  always opt to get the hot doughnuts in the early morning!  That’s when we discovered that close by, next to the laundry mat,  was an  ice cream parlor! We loved ice cream! What a find, we thought, and gave a big chuckle to each other!  You guessed it……..from then on, we couldn’t wait to do the laundry together!  There were many trips like this one – How ‘bout the trip to the Pocono Mountains and my brother, Jack, didn’t want to go!  When the rest of us got there, we found  there was absolutely nothing to do there – so since my brother was always the “clown” of our family and NEVER failed to make us laugh even in the worst of situations, Iris and I got all the kids to start laughing and act like they were really having fun – we called my brother on the phone and he said, “What is all that laughter and carrying on about?”  We laughed and said, “Oh Jack, we are having so much fun here, you have to come too!”  Well, naturally he did – and the rest of the trip was priceless!  We had such a great time!  Mom and Dad had all three of their children together and all the grandchildren.  The cousins all loved being together too!  If only we could turn the clocks back at times......

Well, yes!  I could go on and on but I just wanted everyone to know that my sister, as we all know and love her, will truly be missed!  I thank God for the time we did have with her.  I know she is in a better place and her "Spirit" will live on in our hearts and souls forever!  Those  happy times  will always be a part of me and I thank God for those “Rocking Chair” memories we made together!