The Search for Hoppyness
I received this beautiful testimony from blog reader, Shannon, today. It touched my heart. To give you a little background, Shannon is a part of the 7-Week Home Business Course I am teaching and one of the first assignments was for each participant to share their testiony of how the Lord has led them thus far and why they are a part of the course. Shannon graciously gave me permission to post this here. I am praising the Lord along with her for the work He has done in her heart. I feel unworthy to be a little part of that work.
"....all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."-Romans 8:28
At the age of 17, I thought I knew it all. Where I was going, what I wanted to do, and my understanding of life. I had been through some major losses. The death of my grandparents-who were two of my best friends. As well as many family problems, weighed heavily on my shoulders. I wanted an outlet, a refuge. I believed in God, but I didn't let Him lead the way. I graduated from High School in 1996, and enrolled in community college. I excelled academically. Making the Dean's List, and continued to do so when I moved on (or should I say ran to) University and art school. I did little to nurture my soul. I attended church a few times, but never really got serious about my spiritual health. I buried myself in my studies, without ever asking God where I needed to be at. It was all about where I thought "I" needed to be. As time went on, I developed severe depression and ran to a Doctor on campus who prescribed a cocktail of pills, and diagnosed me with a mood disorder. The side effects of the medicine, and the demands of schoolwork were too much for me and I simply bottomed out.
I ended up moving back home with my mother and eventually ended up on a medical disability. I felt so much shame, from having to be on Social Security as well as dealing with continued family problems and medical challenges. I wanted to give up. Why was "God" doing this to me? Why was my family messed up? Why did I lose my grandparents so soon? I felt so robbed of joy, that I began to blame others around me. There was one thing, throughout the whole ordeal (much of it self-inflicted) that kept me going. My art. Which, of course was given to me by God. I had always loved to draw. One of my favorite designs was my frogs, and I did a brief collection of them back in 1997. However, I started listening to the wrong voice and instead ran off to Liberal University. Then one day in March 2004, a voice beckoned me to go to my computer and start writing. I was like, "What!?" I had wanted to write a book featuring my cartoons for quite some time, and the moment had come. In less than a few hours I had wrote my first christian book-The Search for Hoppyness. I shared it with my mother, a strong christian who cried tears of joy when I read it to her. She has been a very strong supporter of this book! I spend the remainder of 2004 illustrating it and editing the text.
It was around this time that I had stumbled upon the courtship story of Jesse and Crystal Paine. Having come from a liberal background, I was rather surprised. Wasn't courtship extinct!!??" But as time went on God opened my heart to the truth about relationships and particularly, the wonderful plan He has for us women! I was able to get out of a relationship that was potentially unhealthy for me, and follow the path God has laid out. I continued to follow the Paines wonderful website and read about Crystal's blossoming role as a wife, mother and homemaker. I saw how happy and fulfilled she is! (Not trying to covet!) and I started to understand why I had been brought to the place I am at. God had been using this time on disability to develop a home-centered approach and prepare to be a future homemaker. I don't have to hold a fancy degree or lucrative outside career to be loved or provided for by Him.
Sometimes it is hard to live by myself, but I know that time will change and more doors will open for me. I currently have an apartment and love to keep it decorated and tidy. I am also learning to be a better cook (move over Chef Boyardee!!) and hope to take sewing lessons in the future. My depression is slowly improving as I work with my hands and learn ways to please God to build treasures for eternity! I pray to one day be independent of government assistance and be more self-reliant. It is by God's grace and love that he provides for all of his children, aside from any impressive college or federal paycheck.
It is my goal to start a business promoting and selling my art/writing. I truly desire to publish my "Hoppy" book and sell related merchandise such as decals, mugs, shirts through ebay and other avenues. I also want to sell my baby art that features sculptures, drawings and inspirational poetry to promote the Pro-Life message.
In my frog book, there is a final line that resonates with where I'm at. It reads, "The Search for Hoppyness, is a Leap of Faith!" We are all doing that in this course. Stepping out of our ponds (at times swamps!!) and taking that magnificent jump for joy in knowing that God made us to be better, and do better than what we even consider as "good." That all is not lost, and we don't have to succumb to financial struggles. God provides!
Thank you, Jesse and Crystal, for reaching out a helping hand in this big Hop I'm about to embark on!
"....all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."-Romans 8:28
At the age of 17, I thought I knew it all. Where I was going, what I wanted to do, and my understanding of life. I had been through some major losses. The death of my grandparents-who were two of my best friends. As well as many family problems, weighed heavily on my shoulders. I wanted an outlet, a refuge. I believed in God, but I didn't let Him lead the way. I graduated from High School in 1996, and enrolled in community college. I excelled academically. Making the Dean's List, and continued to do so when I moved on (or should I say ran to) University and art school. I did little to nurture my soul. I attended church a few times, but never really got serious about my spiritual health. I buried myself in my studies, without ever asking God where I needed to be at. It was all about where I thought "I" needed to be. As time went on, I developed severe depression and ran to a Doctor on campus who prescribed a cocktail of pills, and diagnosed me with a mood disorder. The side effects of the medicine, and the demands of schoolwork were too much for me and I simply bottomed out.
I ended up moving back home with my mother and eventually ended up on a medical disability. I felt so much shame, from having to be on Social Security as well as dealing with continued family problems and medical challenges. I wanted to give up. Why was "God" doing this to me? Why was my family messed up? Why did I lose my grandparents so soon? I felt so robbed of joy, that I began to blame others around me. There was one thing, throughout the whole ordeal (much of it self-inflicted) that kept me going. My art. Which, of course was given to me by God. I had always loved to draw. One of my favorite designs was my frogs, and I did a brief collection of them back in 1997. However, I started listening to the wrong voice and instead ran off to Liberal University. Then one day in March 2004, a voice beckoned me to go to my computer and start writing. I was like, "What!?" I had wanted to write a book featuring my cartoons for quite some time, and the moment had come. In less than a few hours I had wrote my first christian book-The Search for Hoppyness. I shared it with my mother, a strong christian who cried tears of joy when I read it to her. She has been a very strong supporter of this book! I spend the remainder of 2004 illustrating it and editing the text.
It was around this time that I had stumbled upon the courtship story of Jesse and Crystal Paine. Having come from a liberal background, I was rather surprised. Wasn't courtship extinct!!??" But as time went on God opened my heart to the truth about relationships and particularly, the wonderful plan He has for us women! I was able to get out of a relationship that was potentially unhealthy for me, and follow the path God has laid out. I continued to follow the Paines wonderful website and read about Crystal's blossoming role as a wife, mother and homemaker. I saw how happy and fulfilled she is! (Not trying to covet!) and I started to understand why I had been brought to the place I am at. God had been using this time on disability to develop a home-centered approach and prepare to be a future homemaker. I don't have to hold a fancy degree or lucrative outside career to be loved or provided for by Him.
Sometimes it is hard to live by myself, but I know that time will change and more doors will open for me. I currently have an apartment and love to keep it decorated and tidy. I am also learning to be a better cook (move over Chef Boyardee!!) and hope to take sewing lessons in the future. My depression is slowly improving as I work with my hands and learn ways to please God to build treasures for eternity! I pray to one day be independent of government assistance and be more self-reliant. It is by God's grace and love that he provides for all of his children, aside from any impressive college or federal paycheck.
It is my goal to start a business promoting and selling my art/writing. I truly desire to publish my "Hoppy" book and sell related merchandise such as decals, mugs, shirts through ebay and other avenues. I also want to sell my baby art that features sculptures, drawings and inspirational poetry to promote the Pro-Life message.
In my frog book, there is a final line that resonates with where I'm at. It reads, "The Search for Hoppyness, is a Leap of Faith!" We are all doing that in this course. Stepping out of our ponds (at times swamps!!) and taking that magnificent jump for joy in knowing that God made us to be better, and do better than what we even consider as "good." That all is not lost, and we don't have to succumb to financial struggles. God provides!
Thank you, Jesse and Crystal, for reaching out a helping hand in this big Hop I'm about to embark on!
posted by Crystal Paine at 6:56 PM
3 Comments:
Is there a place to see Sharon's work?? I'd love to see it!
Hi there!
I hope to have an online gallery in the near future, You can see one of my pieces on Ebay. Type in search key Babies On Board, polymer clay.
Thanks so much for the encouragement,
Shannon Sinclair
This post has been removed by a blog administrator.
Post a Comment
<< Home