One of Our Own
I got this email today. Â Cindy lives in Porter, TX, near Houston. Â This is not the same Cyndee who was recently in the hospital in Arizona. Â I had no idea about her circumstances and she only sent this because we were corresponding about her donation.
Now, all of you in TEXAS (and others), here is a woman who needs some help. Â Let’s see what we can do.
Skip
Cindy said:
Your daily emails and reading others comments are a big help. Â My life has been an onslaught for about a year now and I just keep thanking God every day for holding back the landslide. Â Of course, the bumps from the occasional rocks hitting my head are getting obvious to me. Â I’m tired but grateful for the challenges – all as it is all for good (though I don’t usually understand).
Cindy, my goodness, my heart hurts for the circumstances you have endured and are enduring, but most of all, for the loss of your husband. I cannot begin to understand that loss, and I will simply offer you prayer in lack of my words.
Our family has been walking through some very tough financial circumstances since January but God was ALWAYS so faithful in showing His provision in unexpected ways…and He blessed us tremendously with a new job for my husband that fits like best glove on a cold, winter day.
He is Good and He is Faithful and He is For me and… YOU!
A verse that Jesus has been speaking to my heart, whispering to me when I start to lose sight of Him in my circumstances…
“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation, and trials and temptations, but take courage(!); I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
Jesus in our peace through all that we face…ahhh, such a sweet presence when so much seems piled up against us.
Jesus has overcome! When defeat and despair come knocking at your door, shout this from your heart and let it absorb every fiber of your being. We may not always feel that overcoming spirit but it’s there.
I pray Jesus’ all consuming love to reach every single part of who you are, sweet Sister. And I pray that His arms, which give the bestest hugs, will wrap you up today and allow you to just rest in Him…
Much Love,
Babs
Babs, this is the first time in my life I’ve reached out for help in any community. I find it awkward to tell about my life, but on Sunday I could not sit still until I shared (even if I was thinking it was not a big deal cuz I was only writing to Skip!). This is strange to me – it feels like I’m reading comments about someone else. I am new to online connecting and I don’t belong to any online social groups. I don’t write about myself to anyone. I do respond to messages from family and friends, but never say much about myself in return. When Skip changed gears with the website I didn’t hesitate to sign up, but was quite content to remain in the background. Skip’s commentaries about community and people that stay in the background did make me uncomfortable, but not enough to change. A few trials and tribulations later, I am willing to taste new waters.
I like the hug you sent. Thank you.
Love and hugs…
Cindy/
Cindy,
I live about 40 miles south of downtown Houston and actually work around the west loop. I hope that you can maintain a clear view of God’s character through these troubling times. Know that He uses you in these times. I think I’ve heard Skip mention that those who are put through these things are stronger and more of a witness for God. Today’s Utmost for His Highest devotion may be helpful to you. http://www.rbc.org/devotionals/my-utmost-for-his-highest/08/10/devotion.aspx
I have knowledge of home improvement from working with Home Depot for 11 years. I’ve changed jobs about 3 years ago, but should have enough retained from it all for advice, etc. Let me know what kind of work you still need done. I know how storm damage feels. We had interior damage (mainly living room, roof, and fence). Here it is almost a year later and I still have repairs to do and recently started helping my neighbor repair our fences (raising a new-born and a 4 yr old over the year has made repairs challenging). Even still, through all this I’ve been able to share God’s love and truth among local neighbors.
Shawn
281-948-0469
Good on you Shawn. 🙂 Cindy, I’m in Phoenix so even if I did have home repair in my blood — which I most definitely do not…notice the “tech geek” title. 😉 — but if there’s something you think a tech geek can help with, let me know.
Patrick, I’ve heard it’s good to know a tech geek (smile) and I appreciate your offer to help. I’m a mac user, so if that doesn’t disqualify a future need, I’ll slip your email under my computer.
Love and hugs…
Cindy/
Cindy,
My husband, Anthony, is a big Mac Geek so feel free to email me @babscoppedge@yahoo.com if you have issues. He is my definite go to man for my Mac, too.
 =)
Shawn, the devotional link was very helpful. I especially like the comment at the end: “God places His saints where they will bring the most glory to Him, and we are totally incapable of judging where that may be.” Home Depot and Lowe’s have become new places for me to shop! I haven’t yet gotten over tearing up or crying at the drop of a nail – so getting help has been a challenge. Not because the male employees don’t like a teary woman, but because I’m ready to quit dealing with whatever I’m there for as soon as I start feeling like that. Although I don’t get up off the ground easily or swiftly any more, I’m not afraid of getting my hands dirty…it’s easier than asking for help.
I am praying for you and your young family. I appreciate you helping your neighbor.
Love and hugs…
Cindy/
Cindy, as I read your story I had to think of my own story. I am a way up here in canada, but distance shouldn’t matter. I went through my own devastation in 2001, lost my husband(through different circumstances and it seemed worse than his death). I lost everything including what relationships I had with my family. I could make a list as well.
Like you I don’t understand everything except that God is and was in the midst of everything. I am recently going through something more and have been exhausted like you to the point I was useless for anything and have been resting.
Rest in the Lord is extremely important. My heart does go out to you because I know exactly how you feel and all the stages of grief you are going through.
The comment about…these things bringing strength is right on, if you allow it, it will bring incredible strength and character to you. This is what God would do in each of us.
I found alot of what I needed when I worshipped Him.
I am in the midst (as I said) with sorting out my life…again, but I do just want to encourage you to keep seeking Him and the truth. He has something very special in mind for you or He would not think you could handle all of this.
I’m sorry for your loss.
love and blessings to you in Yeshua
Hi Janet, thank you for sharing. I have had several do-overs in life and each one has become something special in Christ – a story to help someone else know God. I trust in a God who has something very special in mind for you, too. I will pray for you.
Love and hugs…
Cindy/
Cindy,
My heart goes out to you. In my line of work, I hear these unfortunate tales quite a bit. I work for a Christian financial counselor who is pretty well known on TV, radio, and books. He has a class that a great number of churches in the greater Houston area offer. I want to help you in making sure you know what the right financial decisions for your household should be in the future. It will walk you through every area that money touches in our lives. I want to give you a scholarship to go through this class. It’s 13 weeks long, and it will help you regain hope again in your life. It did for me and my wife 5 years ago when we took the class.
I’ll pay for you to go through, I just need you to call me, so I can send you the material to go through the class at a nearby church. Here is a link that have churches in the area offering the class: http://www.daveramsey.com/fpu/classfinder/index.cfm?fuseAction=actfindclass&ictid=sml
You can call me anytime if you have any questions, and you are in my prayers Cindy! Thanks Skip for bringing this to the communities attention!!!
Grace and Peace,
Jonathan Flippen
931-246-0370
Jonathan, I appreciate your prayers and your offer for the class. I will review the link you sent and call you.
Love and hugs…
Cindy/
Dear Cindy. Hello from Indiana. I wish I were there to give you a big hug. I am so sorry for all the painful things you have gone through in the last year, but I am so glad that we have a God bigger than any circumstance. When we can’t understand His plan, we can trust His heart. I don’t say that lightly, I have had to learn that by walking through some dark valleys recently too.
I will be praying for you Psalm 20: 1-5 (New Living Translation)
In times of trouble, may the Lord answer your cry.
May the name of the God of Jacob keep you safe from all harm.
May He send you help from His sanctuary and strengthen you from Jerusalem.
May He remember all your gifts and look favorably on your burnt offerings.
May He grant your heart’s desires and make all your plans succeed.
May we shout for joy when we hear of your victory
and raise a victory banner in the name of our God.
May the Lord answer all your prayers.
I am always up late (at least midnight) so if evenings are a difficult time, and you would like someone to listen and to pray with you, call me anytime (317-578-9861). Your sister in Christ, Kathy
Kathy, thank you for this psalm. Before I finished reading it again this morning, I thought of a friend to share this with that is struggling with her 9th grader. I rejoice to know a God big enough to help all of us find a path to Him. Don’t jump if your phone rings in the night…it might be me (smile).
Love and hugs…
Cindy/
Hi Cindy. Late night calls are fine anytime. We have a God who never sleeps, and sometimes His children are night owls too! Just remember you are not alone, you have brothers and sisters praying for you and just an e-mail or phone call away. Since I can’t be there in person, I am praying for God to put people in your life each day to encourage you, to provide help with those little repairs that can be so aggravating, and just show you daily how much God loves you.
Psalm 31:7-8 (NLT)
I will be glad and rejoice in your unfailing love, for you have seen my troubles,
and you care about the anguish of my soul.
You have not handed me over to my enemies but have set me in a safe place.
Love and peace in Christ, Kathy
Cindy,
My heart goes out to you, sister.
What do you need?
Pat (a brother in Christ)
Hi Pat! I smiled when I read (a brother in Christ). When a freshman in high school, I rode the bus with a senior named Pat that became the big brother had I always wanted. Although we lost touch when our parents were transferred to different military bases, I have always fondly remembered him when prompted…as I was by your note.
Prayer is such a differentiator, so I respectfully request prayer: to make wise decisions and only those decisions that must be made, for the courage to always show God’s light, to resist temptation (unhealthy foods), and to sleep.
Love and hugs…
Cindy/
Cindy,
I will pray as you have requested.
I hope you will follow Skip’s advice to allow us to be of help in other ways too.
Grace and peace,
Pat
PS: That other Pat was a nice senior. When I was a freshman the seniors wouldn’t have been caught dead near one of us!
The greatest gift you can give another is to accept what they wish to give to you. It is the blessing of receiving that allows each of us to feel the joy of giving. So, sister Cindy, be a blessing to us and let us help you.
Skip
Cindy – and everyone else who has helped and offered. One of our group just sent me $150 for you, which I will send to you by check tomorrow. It’s more than words, isn’t it? Be blessed.
Now, Janet, way up there in Canada, how can I help you?