“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

Inspiring people to change and adopt healthier lifestyles has been my lifelong passion, both as a nutritionist and as a public school educator. As a newcomer to the Northwest, I was blessed immediately with a job as a health educator for a local community health center. Each day brought new experiences and responsibilities way beyond what was in my job description, but I embraced each new challenge the best I could with enthusiasm and focused attention.

As I learned all the ins and outs of my new job, I sensed that many of the patients and employees seemed sad or frustrated with their lives and work environments. Confidentially, many shared that they were not being treated with respect or in a caring manner. I felt the presence of Satan lurking in every corner and a deep sadness filled my heart.

What could I do to chase away Satan and bring God’s loving presence to all these people?  I did not see many smiling faces as I walked around the clinic filling up wall holders with patient education leaflets. As I interacted daily with the doctors, nurses, front desk people, lab personnel and the dental clinic, I made the decision to smile wherever I went and to offer a personalized greeting such as,  “ How are you today?” and” How may I help you?” I asked the Holy Spirit to guide me in what to say to each person so that I might celebrate him or her while they were in my presence.

Every day ended with less stress and more positive interactions. It was very gratifying to know that I was making a difference daily with my friendly attitude. I did not realize how much light I had brought to the clinic until one day, about a month after my resignation; I received a voicemail on my cell phone from one of the clinic’s dental hygienists. She said, “Priscilla, this is Teresa from The Clinic. I just wanted to let you know how much we all miss you. Today when I went upstairs to the employee’s break room for lunch, I passed by your old office and realized you were no longer there. The light was gone without your presence. Thank you for what you brought to our clinic on a daily basis.”

Tears overflowed on my cheeks as I listened to that message over and over again. God had reminded me that every smile, or act of kindness, that we extend to each other is so appreciated. It does make a difference in the small world of our daily lives. We don’t need to travel very far to make a difference in someone’s life. Let your light shine out to everyone around you.

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“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall, but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; and will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

— Isaiah 40: 29-31

Pulling out a rickety, wooden chair next to my tiny, round kitchen table, I sat down to sip my steaming cup of Constant Comment. Inhaling the spicy cinnamon aroma, I let it soothe my throat as well as my hurting heart. A comforting drink, warming my hands while I hoped it would also magically “make it all better” in my life. Where is my magic dust when I need it?

Countless changes, disappointments, and losses had led me here to this upstairs studio apartment over a garage. I had a breathtaking wintery view of endless evergreens and rustic homes, about fifteen miles north of downtown Juneau, Alaska. Arriving in The Last Frontier, I had fulfilled a bucket list item, while living with a heart overflowing with sadness. I think I had a case of situational depression.

I was grieving and alone. I needed to find my way again. I was lost on the journey of life, and not sure which path to take next. It was late December, and a chill seeped deep into my bones, as well as throughout my heart.  I did not know where to turn next, but just decided to head straight ahead –North to Alaska.

I did not pray to our Lord for several weeks as I searched for a new church family, set up a P.O. Box, found a grocery store for food and supplies, and bought studded snow tires. Satisfied I had sheltered and protected myself to the best of my ability and life experiences, I began to reflect on my new situation living here in Alaska. I doubted God was really listening to my prayers, all the prayers from my faith family in Bellingham or close friends. Wasn’t he aware of all my challenges, losses, and disappointments? Why didn’t he answer my prayers? Maybe I was not worthy. Had I failed him?

During the previous three years in Bellingham, I had worked full-time as a community health educator earning $15 per hour in order to pay my mortgage as a single woman. I had completed all the requirements for a Washington Teaching Certificate, had applied for sixty teaching positions in a fifty-mile radius from my home, and completed ten interviews. Every time the principal would call to let me know I had been their second choice, so they had offered the position to someone more qualified. They were not more qualified; they just were cheaper as brand-new teachers.

I had resigned my health educator position so I could be available for the daily substitute pool in two school districts. I was told they usually hired full-time teachers from the sub pool. I subbed continuously in K-12 classrooms for the next school year, receiving positive and encouraging comments from teachers and principals. My hard work, optimism, and perseverance let me down. This had never happened to me before in my life. I had always reached my goal.

I finally realized I was too qualified and too expensive because of my education and sixteen years of teaching experience. Through grave disappointment and buckets of tears, eventually, I was forced to sell my home during the beginning of the 2008 Recession. Before moving to Washington, I had survived a divorce after a thirty-year marriage and bankruptcy, so I had developed a steel core of inner strength and resilience. But to no avail, I could not “move the mountain, nor go around it.”

Where was God?  I cried out, “Please, God, help me. What is your will for the rest of my life?” Why wasn’t he listening to all those prayers? Sitting in my tiny studio, I decided to pray aloud for God’s mercy to heal my heart, and to give me a sign he had not left me alone. “Are you there, Lord? Are you going to help me rebuild my life now? What are your plans for me?  I am listening right now.”

Suddenly, as I drained the last drop of tea, I heard the whoosh of flapping wings right before me outside the window. A huge bald eagle spread his enormous wings as he flew slowly past, almost touching the windowpane.

At that moment I realized God was reminding me of his greatness and power. He is omnipresent-in all places and all times. He covered me with the shadow of those wings in one instant to remind me to trust, obey, and to rest in His arms of refuge. I just needed to pray, listen, and follow the urgings of the Holy Spirit. And I did.

The post Lord, I Seek You. Are You There? appeared first on Priscilla Sharrow.

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.”

—James 1:17-18

He scurries quickly around the damp grass, gathering seeds and rotting plums stuffing quickly each morsel in his bulging mouth. Papa Squirrel is getting ready for the coming winter. Instinctively, he knows his responsibilities for survival today–food, water, shelter, and evade predators. Preparing for cold weather, and the scarcity of food drive his “disaster preparation” biological time clock. As I watch from the breakfast nook window, Jacques, in one powerful bang, forces the screen door open, charging into action. Papa Squirrel scampers to the safety of the backyard fence. Life can be so scary and challenging at times!

I wonder if we pause often enough to assess our own life situation, determining our preparedness if we were to lose our job, home, spouse, a child, or good health. Unexpected circumstances can pop up at any time and anywhere. Are you ready?

In the past few months, all the horrible shootings, horrendous weather disasters, and wildfires have so overwhelmed my mind and heart. Attempting to be an informed citizen, I watch the evening local and world news. In the past, horrific wildfires in Eastern Washington have caused ruin, destruction, and homelessness in the Methow Valley and the Lake Chelan area. Seeing the TV images, flashing in my living room, of burned-out neighborhoods in Santa Rosa and Paradise, due to California wildfires, left me with painful flashbacks.

There I am. A fourteen-year-old freshman watching our two-story ranch home burn to the ground, while the local firemen helplessly stand by. A 100-year-old tinderbox of shooting flames, fanned by the October winds slowly dies away. An unexpected and hopeless situation is my new reality. I am devastated, shocked, and I feel so vulnerable as our homelessness is obvious. I hold back my tears because in my family we don’t show or talk about our feelings. As the sun sets, I wonder where we will eat and sleep tonight. Will I have a place to do my homework and study for my biology test? I have no clean underwear for tomorrow. My family of six watched in horror as all our worldly possessions went up in smoke.

• We all were in shock and disbelief. We did not talk. We just watched.
• We lost everything but our livestock and farm equipment.
• I lost my precious, coveted fourteen-doll collection.
• We lost all our family photos and important documents, but no family member.
• I carry within me the chilling screams of my mother shouting at the firemen. “Larry is in there! Oh no!” My father drives up and she faints in his arms.

At the time we lived and ranched in rural Surprise Valley, in the northeastern corner of California. Our town, Cedarville, had a population of 600. Yep, a town with a “party line”, hitching posts in front of the post office, the general store, and the grocery store. My high school topped out at 100 students. Our neighbors and townspeople immediately found us an empty bunkhouse and cookhouse, rent-free for the next eight months, while the general store gifted each of us with pajamas and another change of clothing. God provided by using his people as his hands with open hearts and open minds.

Today, I see the same emotions across the faces of the newly uprooted hurricane, earthquake, and wildfire survivors. I see fear, hopelessness, and suffering on the faces of the detained and separated immigrant families. These are our fellow human beings, children of the same glorious God who created each one of us. My troubled heart repeats in silence, “There, but for the Grace of God, go I.”

I want to reach out to every one of them to offer a helping hand up out of the ashes, rubble, and shambles of their lives. Have I done what I am able to do for God’s people, without pausing to look at skin color, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, immigration status, or financial stability? What more can I do?

• I can pray. I can write encouraging cards via snail mail.
• I can donate my time and money.
• I can donate food, household items, and new clothing.
• I can donate new toys and stuffed animals for the affected children and teens.
• I can rally my family, friends, and church members to participate in fundraisers for victims.

I realize I cannot heal all their wounds or provide for all their basic needs. But at the same time, I am grateful for God’s Grace in my life and the opportunity and resources to ease the suffering of my fellow man caught in unexpected, life-threating experiences.

A “Harvest Prayer” from me to you. Blessings and prayers. God is good.

H: Hope comes from the mouth of one man to another.

A: Ask what you can do to help in the “harvest” in order to provide for the needs of others—spiritual, physical, and emotional.

R: Reach out and ask permission to hug someone.

V: Victory over the constant work of the devil by asking the Holy Spirit into your life.

E: Each of us is a gift to each other by how we listen, what we say, and what we do.

S: Sing out with praises to the Lord for all the blessings bestowed upon you and your family.

T: Teach your children about God, take them to church for worship, and end the day with prayer and gratefulness.

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