IC My New Life

Have you ever had one of those days when you felt like you just couldn’t wait for it to be over?  Well, I was having one of those days recently.   It literally felt like I was dragging myself to my doctor’s appointment that afternoon.   I didn’t want to do anything or go anywhere!  What I am trying to describe to you is a day that I needed a “Do-over.”

Moonbeam shined her light on me when I was feeling down and miserable.  She was my nurse at the doctor’s office.  Moonbeam was so nice to me.  Since I was having a difficult day told her that I really appreciated it.  She said she wants to be a reflection of the Lord shining through her.  I had never thought of it that way before.  

A Different Way To Look At It

Most of the time you hear about being the light…but a reflection was a new way for me to look at it.  As she was talking, I began to cry.  I felt guilty for being so focused on myself.  Moonbeam put things into perspective for me.

As I soon learned everyone in that doctor’s office was a Moonbeam in their own way.  The Doctor and the Resident were super caring.  As we talked I could tell they were Christians too.  I told Moonbeam that she has a wonderful place to work – she agreed. 

How Can You Be A Moonbeam?

Some of us work in a terrific atmosphere surrounded by fellow believers.  I also know some of us are in different situations where we may be the only Moonbeam to shine for those around us to see.  That seems like a huge responsibility!  This is when we have to rely on the Lord and He will strengthen and guide us in these settings.  There is a reason we are placed in these situations.

As we reflect on the difficult times in our lives,  we may think that we need a “Do-Over.”  We are given that opportunity every day.  We can be a Moonbeam to someone in life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How did I end up supporting a Pregnancy Center that helps those considering abortion?  I often think back to how it happened.  During the beginning of the Covid-19 Crisis, I felt the Lord tugging at my heartstrings.  I felt God was leading me and my Small Bible Study Group to support a specific cause.

An Answer to My Prayers

I felt overwhelmed by all the groups on the radio and tv requesting support.  It left me with the feeling that there was no way that I could pick just one.  After a few weeks of feeling this way, and praying about it suddenly it was clear.  During one of our meetings, my Pastor’s wife mentioned how terrible abortion is across our nation.  

There it was…that was it!  We could raise money.  And we could give to an organization that was requesting money for ultrasounds for women who are considering abortion.  The commercial stated that 80% of women who see an ultrasound decide to keep their babies.  It sounded like a great cause.  However, we decided to reach out to our local Pregnancy Center.  We even had the Director of the Center speak to our group at one of our Bible Study meetings.

Continuined Tug at My Heartstrings

Again, I thought that I had done my part, patted myself on the back, and thought that was it.  I continued to feel that tug at my heartstrings again except this time it was much stronger.  After all, I was more educated now.  Now I know that women can illegally purchase abortion pills online, but I also know that there is a reversal pill to the abortion pill!

We needed to do more.  We needed to do a fundraiser for this Center.  After talking with the director we tossed around a few ideas.  My heart seemed set on a “Babyless Shower.”  We decided on a Drive-by Babyless Shower and we would have it outside at our church.

However, after continuing to brainstorm with the Director, we finally landed on a Baby Shower for a specific “Mommy To Be.”  There just happened to be a Mommy that is due right after the date we had set for the Shower.

Before the Shower, we asked the Director to come to our church and share some of the things they do. Therefore, maybe they would be more willing to help and we would have the support of the church for the “Drive-by Shower.”

Chose Life

As the Director told the story of Oliver the tears began to flow down my checks.  I’ve heard her tell this story more than once, but when she says “This is what they were going to get rid of.”  In addition, she shows the picture of this sweet little baby boy.  It gets to me every time!

The mother had taken the Abortion Pill and immediately regretted it.  She must have felt the power of the Holy Spirit tugging at her heartstrings the same way I did.  Frantically she called Planned Parenthood and was told that there was nothing that she could do.  They lied to her.  Determined to find a solution she continued to seek help.  She was directed to Crossroads Pregnancy Center and much to her relief they gave her HOPE.  

They told her about the Abortion Reversal Pill.  If the Reversal pill is taken within the first 24 hours it has a 62% chance of working. She chose life! Now she has a beautiful baby boy.  Now she has Oliver.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/grwc5aNX3mgT9f6z7 Click on the link to see a picture of Oliver

Peace in My Heartstrings

This Center has this and many more amazing stories that God has blessed them with recently.  In other words, since we are getting more involved and have been hearing them it has confirmed in my heart that we are helping the right people.

In conclusion, I consider it an honor to be a small part of what such a wonderful ministry in our community.  I haven’t even told you about the Shower yet.  Hopefully, that will be my next post…

https://www.crossroadspregnancycenter.org/ Click on the link to visit Crossroads Pregnancy Center.

https://americanpregnancy.org/unplanned-pregnancy/options-for-unplanned-pregnancy Click on the link to visit American Pregnancy Association

https://icmynewlife.com/what-is-going-on/ Click on the link to visit another COVID-19 related blog

Twenty-eight years is a long time. Then add five years of dating. I have been with this man for most of my life. And if you add in the fact that we were in the third grade together, then we have been together since we were about nine years old.

We wanted to do something for our wedding anniversary, but the budget is tight right now. We both came up with the same idea. A day trip to the beach. That is absolutely one of my most favorite things to do in the world. Alan enjoys it too. We have been going to the beach together since I was seventeen years old.

I had checked the forecast and knew there was a chance of rain on the day we planned to go. I thought it would be fine just as long as we are together. I enjoyed spending time with and talking to Alan on our way there, but I was disappointed that the sun had decided not to even make an appearance…okay, I was actually silently pouting about it. This was our celebration time together and I didn’t want it to be cloudy or for us not to have maximum enjoyment from this trip.

Since it was bothering me, I began to pray that if it was God’s will that the sun would come out for a while. Sure enough as we were traveling down the road God’s beautiful sunshine was all around us.

As we made our way down the trail to the beach I could see more of God’s beauty all around me. The trees, many, many birds and…the ocean! God had poured His blessings out on me. We immediately took a walk down the beach. Then we both settled down in our chairs to read our books under our beach umbrella.

Sunrise at the Isle of Palms….Beautiful!

After we settled in our chairs again after the second walk, I said “Was that a rain drop?” We both ignored it and went back to reading. A few minutes later there were more drops and then we saw groups of people scamper from the beach shores. While some of us decided to try to wait it out under our umbrellas.

But the wind was blowing making me cold in the rain. And there was that tiny little thing called thunder that really encouraged us to pack it up and head to the car. Even though I would have loved to stay out on the beach, getting soaked in the rain made me happy. It took me back to my childhood, because I never want to go outside when it is raining now. It makes my hair frizzy even with an umbrella!(I am such a girly girl!)

We hurried to the car where there was dry towels, water to rinse off with and shelter from the rain. There was so much traffic that we decided to wait out the rain. Then when the rain stopped Alan said “Do you want to take another walk out on the beach?” Do I??!! Of course I do!! This man really knows my heart. I never want to leave the beach when it is time to go and I am always ready for one more walk on the beach!

After we left, we stopped at a restaurant to eat. And of course I had to go to the little girls room. While I was in there I looked in the mirror and immediately thought…beach bum. I looked like a beach bum. My hair was flat from the towel I put over my head in the rain. But it looked okay for the beach. That is another dream job of mine…Beach Bum. I think it would be great to live at the beach. Of course I would want to live in a house and just be a Beach Bum during the day! Lol

This whole trip reminded me of water….the beach, the rain and God pouring out His blessings on us. Jesus wants us to come to Him to satisfy our inner thirst or our desire for a deeper understanding of Him and His word. As this verse points out a person who believes in Jesus not only receives blessings, but they become a blessing to others. To receive these blessings we need to live out the Word of God in our daily lives. We need to read God’s Holy Word, study His Word and share His Word with others.

I definitely felt God pouring his blessings out on me that day. I just hope and pray that I am a blessing to others!