Sunset in the Rear-view MirrorWritten by Sheryl Simons
Continued from page 1
It had been 7 years since divorce, now. Home was an 80 year old farmhouse on a beautiful country road. I was remarried, now, to a peaceful soul like myself, whom I learned I could trust. We worked together on our home, remodeling, landscaping, building. We were constructing more than a house - a new life. My family was more understanding and my kids had weathered rough years of divorce, much as our farmhouse had weathered winds of time, and they were doing very well. A big lie, I'd learned was 'staying together for sake of children'. My children had now learned that everyone deserved respect, even Mom. All was peaceful, again. I traveled through little town I live near, and headed home. Almost home. I'd learned what marriage was really all about. As head of household, a man was meant to lead, but not bully or push - not manipulate, threaten and criticize. He was to be someone who could be respected and honored; a man of character and commitment. No matter how much pain a person has endured, we have a choice to let that pain control us. Power and control meant nothing to a man who was committed to 'love as Christ loved Church'. My husband was a gentle shepherd, not a drill sergeant. Not far from home, I climbed a hill and suddenly was stirred out of my reverie. A brilliant sunset, more brilliant that any I'd ever seen shrieked at me from rear view mirror. The vibrant oranges and vivid pinks held me spellbound. I rounded a turn at top of hill and pulled to side of road. With tears streaming down my face, I witnessed God's awesome creativity at work. I also knew exactly what He was trying to tell me at that very moment. While I was going through those hard times, He knew what I didn't. He knew that one day I would look back and see brilliant master plan. He didn't put me through abuse, but he used it to create a masterpiece - one I couldn't see at time, but only when I looked back on it, after passage of time. I'd weathered storm and He was right there with me all time. I was never alone. I sat for several moments, drinking in beauty of incredible sunset that night. I eased back on road and rounded another bend. That sunset followed me all way home in rear view mirror just as God had never left me alone. How nice to be home. Sheryl Simons
Sheryl lives with her husband Richard and youngest son Andrew in Northern Michigan. She loves gardening and works part time at a women's shelter and for a local newspaper. She is writing several fiction and non-fiction books about domestic violence.
| | "Mended Heart"Written by Gail Pursell Elliott
Continued from page 1
A broken heart can be mended if it is acknowledged as a real injury and not brushed off as something that will take care of itself in time if left alone. Those of us who have mended hearts have often had to develop our own treatment protocols, some more effective than others. And afterward, like a broken bone that has healed, there is always some residual evidence of trauma. Even if what was broken ends up being stronger than it was before. Anyone who has suffered from a 'broken heart' will tell you that they would rather have a broken arm. It hurts less, heals faster and you get more help with it. Have a Great Day and be good to yourself. You deserve it! Gail RESOURCES: If you or someone you know needs to access healing power of forgiveness or help in healing from grief, here are some excellent resources. Forgiveness Workshops - "Connecting With The Healing Light of Forgiveness" Donna Kopitsy, MA, MSW, LUT http://www.unitycommunitymall.com/workshops Contact Donna today to arrange a workshop for your group! Crisis, Grief, and Healing - Tom Golden, LCSW www.webhealing.com A website packed with information, links and more! Tom Golden's wonderful book "Swallowed By A Snake: The Gift of Masculine Side of Healing" can be ordered through Innovations website click on Books and Posters www.innovations-training.com Online Audio Workshops featuring: Sam Keen - "Living With Death" Rabbi Kushner - "When Bad Things Happen To Good People" Tom Attig - "Relearning The World" Tom Golden - "Men and Grief" www.griefceu.com Sit back and listen through your computer to some of world's best presenters on topic of healing from loss.
Speaker, Author, Educator, Human Resources and Training Consultant, Gail Pursell Elliott is president and founder of Innovations "Training With A Can-Do Attitude"TM - Promoting Dignity and Respect, No Exceptions, in companies and communities nationwide. To receive Food For Thought messages via email join the website mailing list at www.innovations-training.com Contact Gail at info@innovations-training.com
|
