Showing posts with label From Hope Valley Devotionals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label From Hope Valley Devotionals. Show all posts
From Hope Valley Devotionals (Week 32): The Blessing of Finding Contentment in Our Present and Future
September 23, 2020
Happy Wednesday friends! As I shared several months, I am excited to re-share some of the most popular devotional posts that I wrote in 2017-2018 (if you would like to see the complete list you can find it HERE!) and am excited to share this one this week! I hope that this continues to be a beautiful blessing even several years later!
*this was originally posted in 2017*
I think that sometimes as we watch When Calls the Heart we think that Hope Valley would be a perfect place to run away to or to live in to escape the pain and the difficulties that we face here and now. The reality is that this is simply not the case. So many times in our live we are tempted to move or to run away to a new place if our circumstances are not exactly how we envisioned them to be. Maybe our expectations are not being met in the way that we wanted them to be met. Maybe the past that we hoped we could avoid keeps crawling into the future. Maybe it seems that life is holding days of darkness and difficulties that have no end.
My heart goes out to each of you who are struggling with where you are placed right now. I weep with you and wish I could give you a big hug because my heart truly understands where you are at. Over the last several years I have struggled to sometimes see the beauty in resolving to find contentment in my present and my future. It can be so hard and I so wish that I could give each of you a gentle hug of encouragement.
But over these last years I have also seen the wisdom of what Elizabeth shared in her journal. No place can shelter us from the complications of the past nor can it keep us from misfortune. But there is a beautiful gift of understanding the mercy that is found in the past and the deep knowing that it will meet us again in the future.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a pastor who was imprisoned and killed during World War II once said, "My past life is abundantly full of God's mercy, and above all sin stands the forgiving love". This quote of his has made me think deeply about this concept. Whether we long to forget the past or whether we long to run back to it, there is a grace that can be found in the past. The grace of seeing that it is full of God's mercy... the good and the bad. The times we long to forget and the times that we wish we could repeat.
I shared with my instagram community on Sunday that I had been reflecting on the summer while listening to the gentle sounds of waves. This September has been unusually warm... well hot really (*smiles*) and I have been thanking God for these extra days of "summer". This summer is one that I haven't honestly wanted to leave. It has been deeply life changing... I have learned so much about myself, other people, and most of all the tender truth of trusting God for big things. This summer has had it's share of pain, difficulties, tears, and health issues and difficult times for our family but this summer has also held tons of laughter, lots of joy, and a beautiful season of restoration for me. In many ways I haven't wanted to let it go.
But as I consider the quotes by Elizabeth and by Dietrich Bonhoeffer I am gently reminded that that there is a blessing of finding contentment in our present and future. It is a blessing of knowing that the same grace that has met us in the past will meet us in the future... no matter the season because our hope is in the ever faithful and never changing God.
"He changes times and seasons..."
-Daniel 2:21-
-Daniel 2:21-
*original post written in September 2017 prior to Lori Loughlin's departure from the show*
If you are looking to read more from Dietrich Bonhoeffer one of my favorite books of his is called "Life Together". You can find it on Amazon HERE and also find more books from Bonhoeffer and about him on Amazon too.
Looking for past From Hope Valley Devotionals? You can click HERE to find a complete listing of all of the devotionals!
I have received several emails asking me about the books by Janette Oke that the series is based on. You may remember that I mentioned in my very first From Hope Valley Devotional post that I had read Janette Oke's series back when I was a teenager. The original book series, "The Canadian West Series" was based on Elizabeth's aunt and her adventures (she also married a Mountie). Here are the listing of the books from that series (there are six) in order:
In the last several years Janette Oke released a new series entitled, "Return to the Canadian West" which you can find listed below in order:
I receive several emails a week asking where you can watch older episodes of "When Calls the Heart". If you have a Netflix account you can find seasons 1-3 there or you can purchase them on Amazon. You can purchase and watch all of the seasons and episodes by clicking on the links below:
*Please note that the quotes used in these weekly devotionals are the sole intellectual property of Hallmark Channel, WCTH, & Crown Media, LLC. These on-line posts are in no way supported, endorsed or affiliated with WCTH, Hallmark Channel, or Crown Media. They are simply encouragement inspired by Janette Oke and this precious show.*
Happy Wednesday friends! As I shared several months, I am excited to re-share some of the most popular devotional posts that I wrote in 2017-2018 (if you would like to see the complete list you can find it HERE!) and am excited to share this one this week! I hope that this continues to be a beautiful blessing even several years later!
*this was originally posted in 2017 during the week of September 11th*
Laura and her dad had suffered immeasurable loss as they had suffered the devastating loss of her precious mama. Laura in this scene was expressing not only her sadness, but the fact that her dad believed that nothing would ever be different. Nothing would ever change in their sadness and grief. Elizabeth's simple and yet profound response, "it can if you want it to", is a catalyst for the beautiful wisdom that there is always a hope for change.
So many times in life it seems that our circumstances through difficult times and season will never change. We look at the road before us and instead of seeing a path with light at the end of the tunnel, we only see the continued road of the same thing occurring day after day. For those of you walking through a season like this- feeling that there is no hope that anything will change, my heart breaks for you and goes out to you.
I have struggled with this at different painful seasons in my life, but one of the times I struggled the most was in the Fall of 2013. At that time I had been home dealing with my health situations for about a year and to be frank wasn't doing much better than when I had arrived home. I was able to walk a bit more and there was no feeding tube, but my health was in such a precarious state that I spent days upon days in bed and struggled to walk down our hallway to go the living room. When I had decided to take some time off from teaching and move home to be with my parents for help and support I never imagined that I would be bed bound for a couple of years. I longed to live a normal life. I longed to have a job. I missed teaching more than I could have expressed. I missed my friends. I missed being healthy. I missed everything and as the days and weeks turned into months and years I started to lose hope that anything could ever change.
It was one of the most painful and loneliest seasons of life. As I look back on it now I still have tears for that season. It was messy. It was painful. It was difficult...and I felt no hope that anything could ever change. I watched the episode and felt my heart break for all who are struggling like Laura's father. I have been there and I know how hard it is to put one foot in front of the other.. to feel that you can't imagine things changing... and sometimes where words can't even express what you are feeling because the emotions are so deep.
In these times and days that stretch before you with no change my heart hopes that you can hear the gentle encouragement of Elizabeth from this episode. Change can happen and there is always the hope of change. Years ago I found this song and it was on repeat... played hundreds of times during that very desperate season...and is still played every single morning. I hope that it will be encouraging to you:
Hold on to the knowledge that change can come.
Change will come.
One of my favorite people (and author) who has an incredible influence on my life is Robin Jones Gunn. Many #hearies know her from the sweet movie, Engaging Father Christmas that premiered last year on the Hallmark Channel. Robin wrote a beautiful book called, Victim of Grace, which is highlighted, underlined, and tear stained. I have read it numerous times and can't recommend it enough if you are walking through a difficult season. One day she shared on social media the following quote that is now written in my journal and up on my wall where I see it everyday... I pray it will encourage you today...
"Have you ever counted how many of your dreams were dropped and shattered into pieces? It's not a good exercise for your spirit on most days. On some days, like today, you might wake up and discover that the broken pieces of your dreams have become something complex and beautiful. Their irregular edges had to be reshaped through the breaking in order for them to fit perfectly with other pieces in your life. You are a stained glass window in the making. And so am I. (The) mysterious handiwork of God is so beautiful and complex that when His light shines through the fragments of my many shattered wishes, I see Him. I see His glory. I am a stained glass window. And so are you. May you see the beauty today that God is crafting from your shattered dreams."
"And I will restore to you the years that were stolen..."
-Joel 2:25-
*original post written in September 2017 prior to Lori Loughlin's departure from the show*
-Joel 2:25-
*original post written in September 2017 prior to Lori Loughlin's departure from the show*
Looking for past From Hope Valley Devotionals? You can click HERE to find a complete listing of all of the devotionals!
I have received several emails asking me about the books by Janette Oke that the series is based on. You may remember that I mentioned in my very first From Hope Valley Devotional post that I had read Janette Oke's series back when I was a teenager. The original book series, "The Canadian West Series" was based on Elizabeth's aunt and her adventures (she also married a Mountie). Here are the listing of the books from that series (there are six) in order:
In the last several years Janette Oke released a new series entitled, "Return to the Canadian West" which you can find listed below in order:
I receive several emails a week asking where you can watch older episodes of "When Calls the Heart". If you have a Netflix account you can find seasons 1-3 there or you can purchase them on Amazon. You can purchase and watch all of the seasons and episodes by clicking on the links below:
*Please note that the quotes used in these weekly devotionals are the sole intellectual property of Hallmark Channel, WCTH, & Crown Media, LLC. These on-line posts are in no way supported, endorsed or affiliated with WCTH, Hallmark Channel, or Crown Media. They are simply encouragement inspired by Janette Oke and this precious show.*
Happy Wednesday friends! As I shared several months, I am excited to re-share some of the most popular devotional posts that I wrote in 2017-2018 (if you would like to see the complete list you can find it HERE!) and am excited to share this one this week! I hope that this continues to be a beautiful blessing even several years later!
*this was originally posted in 2017 during the week of September 11th*
One of the more "realistic" parts of When Calls the Heart Season 2 was watching the relationship between Jack and Elizabeth navigate and weather the "after honeymoon phase" of their relationship. As viewers it was a bit painful to see them walk through this different season in their lives, grow and learn more about each other, and also navigate some of the difficult realities of moving forward as a couple. At the end of the season though it was a precious moment to see them realize that in walking through all of these things they realized that the struggles had made them stronger as a couple and they wanted to move forward together.
There is a scene that takes place rather briefly in the mine when Elizabeth states, "it really feels like we've been given a second chance today". Jack's response is cute, flirty and adorable, but I have been thinking more and more recently about Elizabeth's comment and the beautiful truth that comes with learning what she has shared... the power of second chances to bring change to our lives.
So many times in life there are difficult things to navigate, circumstances that seem that they will overwhelm us, misunderstandings in relationships that will never get resolved, terrible tragedies that seem to have no end, and pain that seems like it will never let up.
But then... life it in all of its beautiful messiness opens a door to a different future than we expected. The circumstance that seemed to overwhelm us lessens. The misunderstanding that seems to create a wide chasm sees a bridge built. Terrible tragedies gently remind us of what is most important in life- family, loved ones, and people. And the pain that we thought would never let up starts to slowly heal.
In these beautiful moments of grace meeting us we feel that we have been given a second chance. A second chance to do things differently.
To approach the world a little differently.
To be more compassionate.
To find contentment in where we are at.
To take the time to love those around us more intentionally.
To let go of what is truly not important.
To remember the grace.
To extend the grace to others.
To embrace the joy of the moment.
To offer forgiveness quickly.
To love more deeply.
To love more sacrificially.
To be more vulnerable.
To live in hope more fully.
To speak more life giving and redeeming words to those that we encounter.
And perhaps this week ...after all of the tragedies that America has endured, that America has remembered from sixteen years ago... and the unimaginable difficulties that people around the world are enduring... there is no better time then to live in the beautiful gift of second chances.
Today dear friends, let's live fully in the beautiful gift of second chances. Let's live as if each moment of our lives is the treasured gift that it is. We don't know what the future may bring, but we know that there is a beautiful hope and promise that is found in our history. And in knowing that and in living in the beauty of second chances we can live confidently that this has the power to change everything.
"But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are never every morning; great is your faithfulness."
-Lamentations 3:21-23-
*original post written in August 2017 prior to Lori Loughlin's departure from the show*
-Lamentations 3:21-23-
*original post written in August 2017 prior to Lori Loughlin's departure from the show*
Looking for past From Hope Valley Devotionals? You can click HERE to find a complete listing of all of the devotionals!
I have received several emails asking me about the books by Janette Oke that the series is based on. You may remember that I mentioned in my very first From Hope Valley Devotional post that I had read Janette Oke's series back when I was a teenager. The original book series, "The Canadian West Series" was based on Elizabeth's aunt and her adventures (she also married a Mountie). Here are the listing of the books from that series (there are six) in order:
In the last several years Janette Oke released a new series entitled, "Return to the Canadian West" which you can find listed below in order:
I receive several emails a week asking where you can watch older episodes of "When Calls the Heart". If you have a Netflix account you can find seasons 1-3 there or you can purchase them on Amazon. You can purchase and watch all of the seasons and episodes by clicking on the links below:
*Please note that the quotes used in these weekly devotionals are the sole intellectual property of Hallmark Channel, WCTH, & Crown Media, LLC. These on-line posts are in no way supported, endorsed or affiliated with WCTH, Hallmark Channel, or Crown Media. They are simply encouragement inspired by Janette Oke and this precious show.*
Happy Wednesday friends! As I shared several months, I am excited to re-share some of the most popular devotional posts that I wrote in 2017-2018 (if you would like to see the complete list you can find it HERE!) and am excited to share this one this week! I hope that this continues to be a beautiful blessing even several years later!
*This particular post is from September of 2017. It is such a beautiful thing to look back and see how far that I have come in my health and the all of the healing that has taken place!*
Back in June I shared that one of my favorite moments in the 1st episode of Season 2, is when Molly Sullivan states, "We've been through hard times before and we will weather them again". I shared, using this quote about the beautiful hope that is found in history. Over the course of the last several months I have continued to be gently reminded of this, but in a deep and profound way I have been learning about the Promise in Remembering History.
This summer has been one of the most fun filled summers with delightful adventures and living life fully in ways I never thought would be possible again since getting sick. It has been wonderful. It has been freeing. It has been life-giving... and yet there have been difficult moments behind the scenes and deep physical pain and sickness. This summer, perhaps more than any other feels like a juxtaposition of living freely while still fighting for my health. In these days of good and bad... I have needed the reminder and promise in remembering history.
The remembering of the way that God has worked in the past and will work again.
The reminder that despite pain and heartache nothing is by chance or at a whim.
The reminder that grace and mercy will still be new each morning to meet the new needs that I have.
The reminder that just like the bad times in the past have been met with beautiful grace these new difficulties will also be met.
The reminder that we are not alone.
A couple of weeks ago I shared in a recent personal health update that I decided to go back through and read all of the posts on this blog of my personal health updates. They went back four years and it took me a couple of hours to read through all of them because I was overwhelmed at the way that I saw that God had worked in the past. I wept as I read details and situations that I had pushed from my mind. I was humbled to re-read things that had been taken care of that seemed insurmountable to me at the time, but now was a simple blip in my story. It gently reminded me in this new season of some difficult and painful days that God will work again.
Sweet friends, if you are struggling today at the pain and circumstances of your story...I am so so sorry. I wish that I could sit across from you and we could chat over tea and that I could give you a big hug. Life in all of its beauty is sometimes so hard and painful and my heart hurts for those of you that are in the midst of a difficult season. My hope and prayer is that today you will take a few moments to be encouraged, as you consider the promise in remembering history... the hope and the faithful love of the Lord that is found there.
"But then I recall all you have done, O Lord; I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago."
-Psalm 77:11-
*original post written in August 2017 prior to Lori Loughlin's departure from the show*
-Psalm 77:11-
*original post written in August 2017 prior to Lori Loughlin's departure from the show*
Looking for past From Hope Valley Devotionals? You can click HERE to find a complete listing of all of the devotionals!
I have received several emails asking me about the books by Janette Oke that the series is based on. You may remember that I mentioned in my very first From Hope Valley Devotional post that I had read Janette Oke's series back when I was a teenager. The original book series, "The Canadian West Series" was based on Elizabeth's aunt and her adventures (she also married a Mountie). Here are the listing of the books from that series (there are six) in order:
In the last several years Janette Oke released a new series entitled, "Return to the Canadian West" which you can find listed below in order:
I receive several emails a week asking where you can watch older episodes of "When Calls the Heart". If you have a Netflix account you can find seasons 1-3 there or you can purchase them on Amazon. You can purchase and watch all of the seasons and episodes by clicking on the links below:
*Please note that the quotes used in these weekly devotionals are the sole intellectual property of Hallmark Channel, WCTH, & Crown Media, LLC. These on-line posts are in no way supported, endorsed or affiliated with WCTH, Hallmark Channel, or Crown Media. They are simply encouragement inspired by Janette Oke and this precious show.*
Happy Wednesday friends! As I shared several months, I am excited to re-share some of the most popular devotional posts that I wrote in 2017-2018 (if you would like to see the complete list you can find it HERE!) and am excited to share this one this week! I hope that this continues to be a beautiful blessing even several years later!
Back when I was in college my university would hold an annual "missions week" every spring. All throughout the week we would be introduced to a couple hundred different missionaries who were spending their lives near and far from around the world making a difference in communities. These missionaries and their families consistently gave sacrificially of their time, their money, and most of all their lives. All throughout the week we heard amazing and miraculous stories of "big scale" things that were happening and stories of heroic tales of seeing entire villages come to know Christ. It was inspiring. It was moving. It was incredibly inspirational.
In my fourth year of university, shortly before I was to graduate, the missions week was held again. This year, I and other students, continued to hear about a "special missionary couple" that were coming to speak. I was excited and thrilled as I assumed that like many of the speakers in the past this couple would have an amazing story. As the week approached I continued to hear how the president of my college was so excited as this couple were guest speakers whom he had been asking for years to come.
The week arrived and all throughout the week we heard incredible stories of what was happening around the world, yet we all were curious about this special couple that so many people mentioned. The stories continued and by the time that this man and his wife got up to speak I and so many others had placed them as a "miracle couple" and were convinced that they had most likely seen hundreds of thousands of people committing their lives to God and were incredibly "successful".
Imagine our shock and silence when we saw the couple who instead of proudly announcing their achievements, couldn't stop shaking out of nervousness. In the first five seconds the man tripped on his way to the podium and the wife accidentally knocked over the water glasses that had been set for them on the podium.
Our first impressions continued to be skeptical as they began to tell their story, including naming a jungle village that 99% of us in the room had never heard of. And then they shared in the first few minutes that their greatest dream and prayer for their life had come true. After spending nearly their entire lives in that jungle village and more than four decades they had seen one person come to know Christ.
The building of nearly 5000 people went completely silent. Gone were our visions of grandeur and success. Gone was the idea and concept of what made a life truly worthwhile. Confused and skeptical faces and eyes darted back and forth between our college president, the missionaries that had spoken highly of this couple, and the couple before us on stage.
But as they continued to speak and share countless stories of circumstances that included flooding, sickness, the loss of a child, and more discouragement than I could ever have imagined in my young life I, along with the rest of the student body felt less confused and more amazed.
In a day and age where most people would have thrown in the towel or used any number of these circumstances mentioned as justification to abandon their calling, this couple had quietly and sacrificially given their lives for love. Despite the heartache they faced and the discouragement that encouraged them to quit, they pressed on, day after day, imperfectly loving those around them and believing with a kind of childlike stubborn faith that their lives would not be in vain. By the end of their time there was not a dry eye in the auditorium, and even writing this now I have tears running down my cheeks.
"I realized how little I knew of what makes a true missionary statesman; of a faith that never staggers at the promise of God, no matter how incredible to the natural man its fulfillment seems; of a trust in the Unchanging One, Who keeps the heart at rest and unperturbed in a changing world; of a burning love that counts not life dear until itself, but is expendable for God; and of a vision that is never dimmed."
You see my college president gave us the best gift he could have ever given a group of college students... the beautiful lesson of the legacy of sacrificial love.
What if at the end of our lives our greatest achievement is having loved one person? What if at the end of our lives our greatest success and dream coming true was seeing one person come to know Christ? Would it be enough for us? Would we see the way that an entire world can be changed by the legacy of sacrificial love? Would we risk everything for committing our hearts to sacrificial love no matter the cost to ourselves?
At the end of their session we gave a standing ovation to this couple and I knew that my life had been changed forever. There is a beauty that can't be described as you witness greatness and courage of sacrificial love. There is a knowing that the sacrifice of loving someone deeply comes at a great cost. A cost to our time, sometimes our financial resources, often times our physical capabilities, and most of all our emotional well. Loving someone day in and day out isn't always pretty and won't bring the fame that the world often tells us is so important. Sometimes loving people does become an amazing powerful display, and yet other times loving someone is done quietly, in the dark, over the course of a lifetime... where there is no applause..no standing ovation...and no one to cheer you on.
It is done in the messy day-to-day lives that we live. It is the young mama changing a countless diaper, practically loving her little one despite the fact that she is incredibly sleep deprived and probably would just like a nice hot bath. It is the father who works tirelessly to lovingly provide for his family, despite the fact that it is at a great cost to himself. It is the teacher who spends her last bit of energy loving the kiddos in the classroom before her, despite the hundreds of complaints that file in about what she is doing wrong. It is the co-worker taking the time to listen to the same story, the same issues, the same problems day after day, knowing that listening is a gift. It is the young and the old sacrificially spending hours upon hours in prayer for another when there seems to be no change.
It is a single -hearted devotion to understanding that there is a legacy of sacrificial love that is incomparable.
"...Honestly, this is the first moment in my adult life that I have stood in the spotlight. Truth be told it will probably be the last. Why? Because I am one of those people who works in the dark. I know what you are thinking... In this world of relentless self-promotion, we have all been raised to think that the limelight is the only light worth seeking. That isn't the case, and if I can impart one thing today... a small simple truth to carry with you... it's this... achievement is often anonymous. Some of the greatest things have been done by people you have never heard of. Quietly dedicating their lives to improving your own..."
So today dear friends let us be challenged to live "in the dark", consistently and quietly behind the scenes continuing to love those before us deeply and without reserve. Let us commit our hearts, throw open wide the well of love and invest in another. We may never get to tell our stories before a crowd of 5000 college students who will give us a standing ovation, but we can rest in the knowledge that nothing we do in love is ever wasted... knowing that there is a legacy we are leaving of sacrificial love.
"Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn't want what it doesn't have.
Love doesn't strut, Doesn't have a swelled head, Doesn't force itself on others,
Isn't always 'me first'...
It takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back, But keeps going to the end.
Love never dies."
-I Corinthians 13, The Message-
*original post written in August 2017 prior to Lori Loughlin's departure from the show*
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn't want what it doesn't have.
Love doesn't strut, Doesn't have a swelled head, Doesn't force itself on others,
Isn't always 'me first'...
It takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back, But keeps going to the end.
Love never dies."
-I Corinthians 13, The Message-
*The first quote that I referenced is by Darlene Diebler Rose who was a prisoner of war in a Japanese internment camp in World War II. She shared her story in her book, "Evidence Not Seen" which can be found on Amazon HERE.
*The second quote is taken from the television show, Madam Secretary, season 2, the final episode. You can find the episode HERE.
Looking for past From Hope Valley Devotionals? You can click HERE to find a complete listing of all of the devotionals!
I have received several emails asking me about the books by Janette Oke that the series is based on. You may remember that I mentioned in my very first From Hope Valley Devotional post that I had read Janette Oke's series back when I was a teenager. The original book series, "The Canadian West Series" was based on Elizabeth's aunt and her adventures (she also married a Mountie). Here are the listing of the books from that series (there are six) in order:
In the last several years Janette Oke released a new series entitled, "Return to the Canadian West" which you can find listed below in order:
I receive several emails a week asking where you can watch older episodes of "When Calls the Heart". If you have a Netflix account you can find seasons 1-3 there or you can purchase them on Amazon. You can purchase and watch all of the seasons and episodes by clicking on the links below:
*Please note that the quotes used in these weekly devotionals are the sole intellectual property of Hallmark Channel, WCTH, & Crown Media, LLC. These on-line posts are in no way supported, endorsed or affiliated with WCTH, Hallmark Channel, or Crown Media. They are simply encouragement inspired by Janette Oke and this precious show.*
Happy Wednesday friends! As I shared several months, I am excited to re-share some of the most popular devotional posts that I wrote in 2017-2018 (if you would like to see the complete list you can find it HERE!) and am excited to share this one this week! I hope that this continues to be a beautiful blessing even several years later!
I mentioned back at the end of July in a post that one of the most lovely and fun aspects of When Calls the Heart Season 2 was watching the relationship between Lee and Rosemary begin to grow. The humor and the quick banter between the two of them drew so many #hearties into their story (including myself) and I have loved watching the relationship between them deepen and grow throughout the last several seasons.
At the beginning though, there were several funny exchanges about their relationship, including the one I mentioned in my post at the end of July between Lee and Jack. There was also this humorous statement above from Rosemary to Abigail in the 7th episode of Season 2, which beyond the humor highlighted a powerful truth for us all to consider... the blessing that comes with vulnerability.
When I watched this scene the first time I giggled a bit, along with lots of viewers I am sure, but as I sat down to write this chapter I started to think about the depth of what is conveyed here. There are times in life when it seems easier to hide behind an excuse then it is to be truly vulnerable and show our hearts. We may give the appearance of having "everything together" (in person or on the highlight reel of social media *smiles*) but in reality we may fear risking our hearts. In doing so we sadly miss out on the blessing that comes with vulnerability.
I can be just as guilty of this as anyone - it is sometimes easier to hide behind something else (even claiming concern over indigestion) then to have the courage to face being vulnerable. I think that there are a lot of reasons that we hide but the main reason I think is that we don't want to lose that "allure" of what first draws another human being to us and maybe we don't want to be seen as just another flawed human being.
But here is the thing. There is a certain blessing that can only come from being vulnerable. I love how Brene' Brown says, "Vulnerability, is at the core, the center of meaningful experience."
This is so true isn't it? I am challenged to really think about the times in my own life where I have felt the most alive, the most connected to others, and the most free in who God created me to be, and it all revolves around vulnerability. Vulnerability to understand that there is a courage that can only come when we risk our hearts, and vulnerability to to take a chance on showing who we really are to another person. As I am challenged I am reminded that someone once said, "Vulnerability is the only bridge to build connection."
Most people think that when you are vulnerable you lose something. Some think that you lose your control or your power, but in reality there is a unique courage that can only come from being vulnerable. Brene' Brown also said, "Vulnerability sounds like truth and feels like courage. Truth and courage aren't always comfortable, but they are never weakness."
Vulnerability at the beginning is tough. Being vulnerable is a constant act of courage. It's the courage to face and risk rejection. It's the courage to face fear. It's the courage to face truth. It's the courage to face another human being fully and honestly open... and maybe most of all it's the courage to face ourselves.
It's the courage to realize in facing ourselves that we need a reliance on God completely. Being vulnerable reminds us that we really can't do life alone. Vulnerability strips off my mask of being able to handle everything and lay forth the honest truth about who I am and who God is.
Today dear friends, let's face our vulnerabilities with courage. Let's step out, let's risk our hearts and let's invest the vulnerability to love others freely and openly. Let's ask the deep questions that require risk. Let's courageously share own stories to help another person face the dark corners of their own, knowing that listening and love can restore a lost voice. Let us cheer each other on as we see someone live vulnerably. Let us courageously be vulnerable, knowing that there is a beautiful blessing that comes with vulnerability... the blessing of living a meaningful, full, and courageous life.
"I was unsure of how to go about this, and felt totally inadequate- I was scared to death, if you the truth of it- and so nothing I said could have impressed you or anyone else. But the message came through anyway. God's spirit and God's power did it, which made it clear that your life of faith is a response to God's power, not to some fancy mental or emotional footwork by me or anyone else."
-I Corinthians 2:3-5, The Message-
*original post written in August 2017 prior to Lori Loughlin's departure from the show*
*original post written in August 2017 prior to Lori Loughlin's departure from the show*
If you want to see a sweet scene showing the beautiful vulnerability that Rosemary later does display to Lee and how he lovingly responds make sure to watch the end of Episode 7, Season 2. It truly highlights this point that we are looking at today.
Looking for past From Hope Valley Devotionals? You can click HERE to find a complete listing of all of the devotionals!
I have received several emails asking me about the books by Janette Oke that the series is based on. You may remember that I mentioned in my very first From Hope Valley Devotional post that I had read Janette Oke's series back when I was a teenager. The original book series, "The Canadian West Series" was based on Elizabeth's aunt and her adventures (she also married a Mountie). Here are the listing of the books from that series (there are six) in order:
In the last several years Janette Oke released a new series entitled, "Return to the Canadian West" which you can find listed below in order:
I receive several emails a week asking where you can watch older episodes of "When Calls the Heart". If you have a Netflix account you can find seasons 1-3 there or you can purchase them on Amazon. You can purchase and watch all of the seasons and episodes by clicking on the links below:
*Please note that the quotes used in these weekly devotionals are the sole intellectual property of Hallmark Channel, WCTH, & Crown Media, LLC. These on-line posts are in no way supported, endorsed or affiliated with WCTH, Hallmark Channel, or Crown Media. They are simply encouragement inspired by Janette Oke and this precious show.*
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