Many thanks to Linda Shriver-Buckner of Hickory Valley Senior Living Community for inviting BrightStar Care Chattanooga to join her table at the 12th Annual Scenic City Women's Praise Breakfast! I was inspired by Eleonore Williams, 93 years YOUNG, recipient of the Lydia Impact Award Honoree and Carol Kent.
Carol Kent, bestselling author and international speaker shared the story of her only son being charged with murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole. Her faith and perseverance carried her through her darkest days and continue to lead her as she inspires audiences, like ours, throughout the world. I want to share some of what she spoke because I was truly led by her words. I feel that each and every single one of us can relate to her story because we have all experienced pain at some point. In the midst of your life, when things go awry, you stop and ask, 'this is not the way things are supposed to be. Why is this happening?' She referred to Proverbs 3: 5-6 'Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.' At one point, Carol asked the audience a few questions, one of which was, 'who in this room can say that life is better than they had ever imagined it would be?' Very few in the room raised their hands; however, when she asked the question, 'who is this room can say that life has been harder than they could have ever imagined?' A majority of the room raised their hands. When it seems that God is the most absent, he is the MOST present. At our lowest lows, we persevere with prayer and guidance. She quoted Romans 9:33. 'Choose trust,' she directed. 'We live in a poison of our own making because we are so worried what others will think of us.' John 10:10 'The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.' And, last but not least, 'choose life, a merry heart is good medicine.' You know the saying, 'you have to laugh to keep from crying' and 'laughter is the best medicine'? It is so true. Whatever trial you are facing or have faced, whether you are a caregiver and have caregiver stress, grieving the loss of a loved one to an Alzheimer's diagnosis or faced with an illness that has transformed your life, I hope this message from Carol, as shared by me, inspired you as much as it inspired me. http://www.carolkent.org/ http://carolkent.org/comment/16366
Carol Kent, bestselling author and international speaker shared the story of her only son being charged with murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole. Her faith and perseverance carried her through her darkest days and continue to lead her as she inspires audiences, like ours, throughout the world. I want to share some of what she spoke because I was truly led by her words. I feel that each and every single one of us can relate to her story because we have all experienced pain at some point. In the midst of your life, when things go awry, you stop and ask, 'this is not the way things are supposed to be. Why is this happening?' She referred to Proverbs 3: 5-6 'Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.' At one point, Carol asked the audience a few questions, one of which was, 'who in this room can say that life is better than they had ever imagined it would be?' Very few in the room raised their hands; however, when she asked the question, 'who is this room can say that life has been harder than they could have ever imagined?' A majority of the room raised their hands. When it seems that God is the most absent, he is the MOST present. At our lowest lows, we persevere with prayer and guidance. She quoted Romans 9:33. 'Choose trust,' she directed. 'We live in a poison of our own making because we are so worried what others will think of us.' John 10:10 'The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.' And, last but not least, 'choose life, a merry heart is good medicine.' You know the saying, 'you have to laugh to keep from crying' and 'laughter is the best medicine'? It is so true. Whatever trial you are facing or have faced, whether you are a caregiver and have caregiver stress, grieving the loss of a loved one to an Alzheimer's diagnosis or faced with an illness that has transformed your life, I hope this message from Carol, as shared by me, inspired you as much as it inspired me. http://www.carolkent.org/ http://carolkent.org/comment/16366