Shiloh Rose Archive

Pillar of Prayer

May 7, 2026

What do you do to be involved in the community?

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭61‬:‭1‬ ‭ESV‬‬

I have been intentionally not blogging for a bit to rest. However, last week something truly special happened and I just had to share it! One thing that I do to be involved in my community, I am a prayer partner for You Version Bible App. I have been on the prayer team for two years now. It has been such a blessing! I have always had a God-given spirit for prayer. Some call it an intercession, watchmen, gatekeeper, etc. I have been so blessed to be witness to many answered prayers from my own friends and family. I wanted to share my faith with others because sometimes life can beat us down.

I have been in that space many times, in desperate need of prayer. Just like those that I pray for, I have sent in many prayer requests to similar organizations. It feels good to know that someone else is interceding with me to God. Sometimes discouragement can be so heavy, that I feel the need to get with a community of believers! The power of corporate prayer is not one to take lightly! Unity is a one of the greatest gifts that we can have with others.

God Moment:

Last Sunday God had me dispatched to pray for a special young woman. Honestly, it had been a tiresome week and I was debating if I even wanted to go to church. I had an early class that I was supposed to be going to, but I accidentally forgot to set the alarm for the earlier time. Well the Holy Spirit has a sense of humor and decided that he would send me a dream to wake me up! In the dream, all I remember is that I was getting on to my teen son for not being up and ready, that we had class at 9am! Ironically, as soon as I said it my eyes flew open and I grabbed my phone. I was annoyed that I only had one hour to get three kiddos up and ready and myself!

However, I just knew that God wanted me to go despite my feelings and complaints! I hurriedly got ready, then the kids and rushed to the church. We were a late by about ten minutes. I hate being late! Then of course my little daughter refused to go to her own class and I frustratedly took her with me to mine. I apologized for being late and told them my daughter refuses to go to her class. Everyone laughed and said no problem to bring her in with us. The class was good, but I had trouble focusing because I was still tired and my daughter was whiny. She made me hold her most of it and ate snacks.

The class is to join the church, everyone there is fairly new to the church. I just moved to this state and knew I needed to get back in church. As the class ended, and we were walking out I had a strong feeling to talk to the two young women behind me. After a bit of small talk, I started to share what had brought me to the church. One of the women, said she felt drawn to me as well.

She suggested that we all sit down and I just began to share things on my heart with them. Both women immediately started to encourage me and speak life into my situation. It was such an odd encounter, because it was like as I shared my story they were enthralled with it. Oddly it was like it gave them what they too needed. Maybe they were looking to let their own guard down, because one of the girls said she really struggles to talk to people and make connections. As I shared what was on my heart the girl began reading Isaiah 43 to me as encouragement. The woman that I felt the deeper connection to she told me as she listened to my story that she saw me as a “pillar.” She spoke with such conviction and faith. It was like she could see inside of me!

This season has been a really hard one for me due to the move, marital issues, trauma, abuse from childhood and long standing family issues. I couldn’t help but be moved to tears as I talked to them. I was grateful for the instant connection! It was time for the regular service to start to we all decided to sit together. The service was powerful and it felt as if the pastor was speaking directly to me. Before the service was over one of the women said she was leaving, we hugged and she left. Then they called for altar prayer with the prayer partners at the front. The woman that said she felt drawn me asked if I would go with her up there. I reluctantly told her yes, I am a bit shy in front of everyone. My nature is to be in the background.

However after she has spoken such life into me I knew I had to go with her. She stood with me and I went to the pastor that delivered the message told him I’m new there and I’m looking for God’s guidance that I’m in the right place. He was a new speaker that I hadn’t got to meet yet. He prayed for me and felt the Holy Spirit strongly. I could feel the energy radiating all around me. He looked over at my friend confused and asked who she was. I sheepishly told him that we had just met and she was my friend. Most of the time, people pray alone with a prayer partner.

For some reason, my friend did not want to talk to the pastor. After he prayed for me, she quietly asked if we could just stand there and pray “ourselves.” I saw that she had something in her hand, and she placed it on the altar for a moment. I told her yes, and I began to offer up praises. Then I felt the strong urge that she needed a mother. It was all that I kept thinking. She had told me earlier that she is raising her brothers with her father and her mother is back in Ghana. I grabbed her and began to pray and then God stepped in. I felt her collapse into my arms sobbing.

I held her firmly and hugged her tight, I prayed and cradled her. I told her I would help her if she needed. I was so moved by her comfortability with me. It was like I had known her my whole life. She did not want to let go. Our makeup was all over each other’s faces. I could feel her burdened heart, she had been through a lot. I knew there was more to her story, but she wasn’t ready to voice everything. I thought it was so odd that she wanted me to pray for her versus all the people that stood there for that very reason!

That encounter was definitely a divine appointment, I knew it. We were so enthralled in the moment that everyone has started to leave and clean up the chairs. I couldn’t hear or see them, all that mattered in that moment was that I stood in the gap for my new friend. I was there to hold her up for at least a few minutes. She thanked me profusely and we both were very moved. I couldn’t stop thinking of it all that day. She was just what I needed and likewise for her. I came in discouraged and left empowered!

Friends that is the power of unity and prayer! When we are open to the move of God, we can see miracles happen. We can be at the right place and right time to be an answer to someone’s prayer! Do not miss your chance to be a blessing! I am honored to be a prayer partner, if you need prayer don’t hesitate to reach out!

“For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.””
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭18‬:‭20‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Happy Reading & God Bless! If you have a prayer need email me, I would love to pray for you!
Poem: One Wrong Move

May 4, 2026

One Wrong Move
Refilling My Cup

April 30, 2026

A time for rest.

Well I feel that God has asked me to step back for a bit. I’ve been feeling the weight of all my striving, busyness, and the emotional healing process. I’m taking some time to reflect deeper, heal, and process everything I’ve been feeling. I do not like to rest, I prefer to be busy or active. The past few months have been really intense and I know it’s time to reposition myself.

I miss writing and blogging, but all my activity has left me feeling worn. I’m still grieving many things. I feel sort of empty. It’s an odd feeling, I feel God’s love, peace and joy but the deep sadness too. My nights became sleepless and that’s when I knew something must shift. I’m a caregiver by nature, I enjoy encouraging and pouring into others, but I need it right now. In order to heal and come back stronger I must digress.

I’m not sure how long, I’m still actively listening for God’s ultimate plan. I ask for your prayers and kind thoughts as I navigate this time.

I must admit I don’t miss social media like I thought I would! 😂 However I miss my fellow bloggers!

I will share a few nature shots I took last week!

Spring is in full bloom! The smells are amazing!

Gorgeous

Gardens are so peaceful.

Sunshine ☀️

God bless you & Happy Reading! 💖

ShilohRose77
We Will Not Bow

April 21, 2026

Google Gemini

The world offers fame, fortune, and the easy path to success. At what cost? I can take a shot, a pill and loose the weight. If I don’t like my body, face, or dimensions I can change the with surgery. If I don’t want to study for a test I can use AI and cheat my way through. AI is so powerful, that I can create whatever and pass it off as my own thoughts and creativity. Friends these are our modern day idols. The paths that lead to our desired outcomes but are taken through a short cut.

As I sat down to write this the phrase “We will not bow,” came into my mind. I began to think of all the things that we are finding ourselves caught up in today. We have become a very superficial people. We focus on status, wealth, prosperity, and self worship. I’m not pointing any fingers because I too have my own idols. I feel the conviction of the Holy Spirit as I am writing this to you. There are things in my life that I have made a priority over what God wants.

There is a story in the Bible, of three young men that refused to bow. This golden statue that King Nebuchadnezzar raised up in Babylon. The King wanted this statue to be worshipped and bowed before every time the people heard any kind of music. This story comes from Daniel chapter 3. He decreed that whoever did not bow and worship the golden image, would be tossed into a fiery furnace! In this time many Jews lived amongst these Babylonians who are known as the Chaldean Dynasty.

King Nebuchadnezzar was the greatest king of this empire. These young men: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, were companions of Daniel. Daniel was favored by the king, despite his faith in the one true God. He was faithful in his duties and service to the king, but he kept himself righteous in the eyes of God. Daniel had his friends promoted when he was raised up into position. There were Chaldeans that were watching them and saw that they never worshipped the image. Like many people today, they couldn’t wait to go tell the king on them. The snitches were looking forward to the show!

They wanted to see these young men be tossed into the furnace. Immediately the king summons them to him and questions them. He was willing to give them one last chance to bow before the image. Here is how they responded:

“Then Nebuchadnezzar in furious rage commanded that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought. So they brought these men before the king. Nebuchadnezzar answered and said to them, “Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden image that I have set up? Now if you are ready when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, to fall down and worship the image that I have made, well and good. But if you do not worship, you shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you out of my hands?” Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.””
‭‭Daniel‬ ‭3‬:‭13‬-‭16‬, ‭18‬ ‭ESV‬‬

They had faith that if they were faithful to God that he would be faithful to them. He would deliver them or let them die with honor.

We will not bow.

What idols are you bowing to today? Are you choosing what is easy for temporary pleasures or choosing the right thing? As I ask you this I am questions and pondering my own selfish heart.

LORD help me not to bow to things that are outside of your WILL.

Their response outraged ole King Neb, he couldn’t believe that they were challenging him and comparing him to their GOD! He decided to have the furnace heat turned up much hotter for them smarting off to him. He had it heated 7X’s hotter! He ordered Shedrach, Meshach, and Abednego to be bound and thrown into the flames. The flames were so hot and it was heated so quickly, that it literally killed the men that took them and threw them in! Somebody call the fire department! I cannot even imagine the terror that they faced. Yet I can imagine that they were praying and encouraging themselves that they chose the best thing.

Will you choose to honor God when it costs you something?

As the king and his advisors are watching they see that something strange is happening!

“Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and rose up in haste. He declared to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?” They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.” He answered and said, “But I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.””
‭‭Daniel‬ ‭3‬:‭24‬-‭25‬ ‭ESV‬‬
The three men were unbound, WALKING around in the fire, and guess what? They were NOT alone! There was an angel of Lord with them! This moment shook the king to his core that he immediately started saying that they were servants of the MOST HIGH GOD! He literally starts worshipping their God! Their clothes, skin, and bodies were perfectly normal! They didn’t even have the smell of smoke as they came out of the roaring flames.

We can change the lives of those around us by being faithful to God. To allow them to see what his glorious power can do! They didn’t have to do this great thing, they could have just obeyed their employer.

We will not bow.

I can be the first to admit that I do not like to be in an uncomfortable situation no more than the next person. I want comfort, ease, and a practical life too. However, I also deeply long to continue to make a stand for my Lord and Savior. I want people to know of his great and wonderful deeds! I want them to hear my stories of his faithfulness. Yet, like many of us I struggle with compromise too. I admire these men so much!

Friends take it from me, compromise only leads to disappointment in the long run. We cannot outrun bad choices. We are not being threatened to be burned alive in our modern times, but we still can make a stand. We can continue to lift up our worship to our God in the midst of unbelievers. We can teach, pray, serve, and be a witness of him. We allow him to get the glory in our victories. Nothing I have came from my own strength and anything that I did earn in my own strength was given through the ability to my Lord gives of me!

The king changed his entire dynasty around and began to serve the ONE TRUE KING! He was humbled in that moment. Think of how many lives were spared by his choice? When we meet with a HOLY GOD our ways seem futile next to his. Our desires become his. We begin to little by little die to self. We struggle with our fleshly desires, but our heart is postured differently. When we encounter Jesus he gives us a new heart and mind. Sin will always come knocking because of this fallen world, but we can still honor God.

How can a sinner like me honor God?

By simply acknowledging our sinfulness, and making it clear that we understand we need a savior. We admit that we cannot love people right without him. We are able to recognize that our very nature is sinful. We often think wrong things, do wrong things and stray from the good path. Not one person walking can say they have not sinned! All have sinned and done evil in the sight to the LORD. Thoughts can be evil, intentions can be wrong, and motives are often rooted in the wrong ideals.

Let’s make the choices to honor Jesus. If he is tugging at your heart or knocking at your door, let him in.

All God wants is YES. One simple word and your life can change. If you feel the stirring in your belly it’s not the food that you ate, it’s the spirit God gave you being drawn to HIM. Choose this day whom you will serve? No other gods are like this one and that’s why he is the most controversial!

We will not miss the opportunity to bow before JESUS!

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“for it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.””
‭‭Romans‬ ‭14‬:‭11‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Happy Reading & God Bless

All rights reserved.

ShilohRose77©️
The Comeback Suite

April 20, 2026
We had some crazy clouds yesterday! The chill has come back.

Lately, I have been spending a lot of time at church and its been a blessing! I am grateful for my new friends and connections. Our church is small, but it’s really starting to grow. We joked about how things are changing as we are growing, which was cool because I had no idea! God will always bring the increase when we are faithful.

The warmer weather has been great, and the longer days makes it so much better! I really don’t know what I want to write about, I just know that I need to be present and let my thoughts flow. I am currently listening to a prayer for the nervous system. I am working so hard these days to be more attentive to what lies beneath the surface. I desire to be at peace in my soul. I want to heal from all the things that I couldn’t talk about for so long.

When I began talking about my trauma that I avoided dealing with it, all seemed to come to the surface. The flashbacks have been awful, but I am leaning on the Lord. I know that I must grieve these things and let God work in the secret places.

The things that have been really helping lately:
1. Building community outside of my abusers
2. Listening to music
3. Lots of nature walks
4. Sitting quietly
5. Deep Breathing
6. Listening to uplifting sermons & prayers
7. Asking for help
8. Trying new things
9. Listening to my inner voice
10. Allowing myself to feel again
11. Not punishing myself for moments of weakness
12. Praying more often
13. Laying on a heating pad
14. Slowing down
15. Taking breaks more often
16. Affirmations with God’s word
17. Setting boundaries
18. Speaking out about things
19. Exercising
20. Talking to my inner child
This process has been really hard because it’s something that I avoided for a long time. I was expected to just deal with it and be strong. I heard a message yesterday, from Nazanin Mandi whom I really admire. She talked about how women are often commended for their resilience. Strength and endurance have been the measuring factor of our worth.

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She said the body remembers what the mind tries to erase. “What is this costing you to keep holding?” “Resilience allows you to move through something and remain intact, toxicity asks you to slowly disappear for you to sustain it.” Then we betray our own truth. “Resilience isn’t about proving how much you can endure, it’s about having the self trust to know when holding on is no longer strength; and letting go is.”

It’s time for women to be able to speak up about their struggles without fear or judgement! WE are allowed to take up space in a world that has denied us basic human rights for too long! I am not a hater of men by any means, but I see so many women overworked, burnout, depressed, full of jealously and hate. They have been ignored for so long and it’s really affecting our relationships. We see all the self help, fitness routines, schedules, etc., but when you are expected to regulate the emotions of your entire household. When is there any time for a woman to heal, grow, and figure herself out?

I see many women that are standing up and reclaiming their voice and speaking out. We will not be silenced, and we deserve to be more than what we produce. Our world will start to heal when we realize that we are created to be a help mate to our husbands NOT their mother, counselor, maid, or sperm factory! Healing from childbirth alone would be a great start! To not be rushed back into working and caring for everyone. To take time and rest. Our world cannot be sustained the way that it is going.

I understand that men too are feeling the pressures too. Friends we have to start communicating better with our spouses. We must be willing to get to the root of the family break down that we are seeing in our world. Anywho that’s my soap box for the day. I will continue to work on my own healing and be a light in a dark world. I pray that you will join in on the fight to create a place of love, acceptance, and growth in your own homes and communities!

Happy Reading & God Bless!

All Rights Reserved. ShilohRose77©️

Sailing to Freedom

April 13, 2026

The wind and the waves cannot overtake me
Pain, hurt, and betrayal continue to shape me
Who I was,and Who I am
A graceful tug of war
I take what I need from the past 
As I releases my grip on that door
A new day ahead
My heart longing for more

Sharing in the power to create
I draft something new
This sacred space between dreams to reality
Here I bring the new me to you
My life like a flask full of wisdom
Awaiting to be poured out 
Here, take a swig I saved some just for you

Life is meant to be shared
Allow me to impart lessons learned in the storm
May your travels bring us tales from old
Wise words for our children to behold
Hindsight our greatest teacher 

We are always full of regrets 
Why not realize our sails are meant to be torn
This great journey abroad 
No other way to learn other than experience 
Let the wind carry you on 

Look how far you’ve come no use quitting now
Over the horizon the rising sun 
A new dawn far better than what is behind
Raise your sails and allow the Ruach of the Lord 
The Holy Wind that that steers you forward

Press on, yield to the tide
Almighty seas drift me through the waves
Faith in my journey, hope in my heart 
Leaning into my truth, light and love 
Realizing I was on the right path from the start

Image: Pexels Free Library

Tethered to Grace: Finding Beauty in the Bands

April 12, 2026

I was born different, I have Amniotic Band Syndrome.

Lately I have felt God pushing me into sharing my story about my life with Amniotic Band Syndrome. I am a storyteller by nature but I have always been uncomfortable with this part of the story. However, God wants me to be the light of the world and come out of hiding. I was abused as a child and I felt so weird and flawed. In spite of being born with deformities, I have always had a deep set joy. I am naturally a joyous person, but the world has often tried to steal that joy. The shame that I felt came from mocking, cruelty and abuse.

When my mom had my little sister, eight years after I was born everything changed. She had finally gotten the “perfect child” that she longed to have. I understand her pain because her first two children were born different. My older brother has intellectual disabilities, he cannot talk normally or learn as others. Then I have ABS, and it caused her to show favoritism to my sister. It really hurt me when my mom told me that to my face. I felt a sense of not being good enough. My parents were abusive in different ways.

Μy mom would hit me, give my sister extravagant presents and attention, and she always seemed to be angry. I love my mom, and I forgive her because I know she loves me in her own way. She apologized to me about the things she has done. Our relationship has always been very complicated and hard. My daddy was abusive to my mom and emotionally unavailable for his children. I grew up feeling like I was a burden. Then having ABS made things hard in the outside world. My mom tried to protect me the best that she could when I stared going to school.

I was blessed that I really didn’t go through too much teasing. I had some bullies, but it was bearable. I learned to hide my hands and some people didn’t notice or pretended not to for my sake. My mom taught me to work hard and not give up too easily. She taught me to adapt and be resilient. I never received any disability money and I worked in many different jobs. I have had some discrimination with jobs, but I kept pushing. I often have been frustrated about why I had to go through so many bad things growing up.

When I began to learn about Jesus and grow in relationship with him, I found purpose. I realized that God uses people like me for his purpose!

“But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty;”
‭‭I Corinthians‬ ‭1‬:‭27‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

What my mother saw as a curse, was actually a blessing! I have seen God’s miracles, provisions, and love in a deeper way than most people. The things I endured have taught me to pray, forgive, love, and serve others. I love to encourage people. I listen to people who feel unseen and ignored. I have a heart that is tender towards those that are broken.

One day about eleven years ago, I met a guy on social media that was born different like me! He encouraged me to write an article about my life with ABS. I always loved to write but was shy about sharing it with the world. I would share my stories in high school with a few people, but many never knew I had this talent. The article and a photo of me was posted. I told what it was like and the ways you have to encourage yourself, be resilient and determined. I talked about my faith, struggles, and the feelings that come from being so different. Little did Geoff know what a blessing that article was for me! I added my email address and shortly after, I began to receive emails.

The emails came from various people with ABS and they were inspired by my article and honesty. One mother reached out to me and asked me to meet her daughter with ABS! I was scared of that and I felt bad, but I felt unworthy at that time. I still see her posts on Facebook and her daughter is thriving! I am always so amazed to see those like me because growing up it was so rare. This disease only affects like 1 out of every 10,000-15,000 pregnancies. I was born in 1988, so it was less known about and before social media.

The beauty of social media, has bridged a gap for all of us affected by limb differences. We now can connect with people all over the world! I remember when I was in kindergarten, my teacher Mrs. Jones, found a lady like me to come and have lunch with me. It was so inspiring for her to show me her hands that were oddly similar to mine. She talked about her job as a journalist and how she still leads a full life. Then as a young woman, I met a lady that worked in a library and she had limb differences too. I introduced myself to her and we spoke about our differences. Everyone is different with ABS, its affects many different body parts. For me it’s my hands, left foot, and scalp.

If I am honest, I sort of felt like an outcast with the ABS community on Facebook. However, I think I was still living in my shame. They were bold and free and I was still finding ways to hide my hands. I was always good looking, so it was easy to let people focus on other parts of me. My parents never showed me the importance of being bold and not hiding. They didn’t know what to do with my deformity. I think they just pushed it out of their minds. They saw I was capable and they let it be. Now as God is calling me out about hiding. I feel that I must share.

I am very thankful for God touching my life, despite all of the pain and struggles. I still cling to hope, faith, belief in myself and it keeps me going. I pray that now I can truly be set free from the feelings of inadequacy and shame. I do not have to carry the guilt of my parents or their toxicity. I can move beyond that and be who I truly am! Everyday we are faced with choices, we must learn to lean into God’s leading. It’s in him that we have true freedom. Jesus changed my life and I will always tell of his goodness.

I am a walking miracle, not a curse! I am fearfully and wonderfully made! I have been talking to the little version of me a lot, apologizing to her and comforting her. She deserved better but Jesus has redeemed her life! She will use her voice and life to help others! I hope that you can take something from my story. I hope you learn to love yourself a little bit more, I hope you trust yourself. I hope you make living in the light a priority in the midst of a dark world. It is a pleasure to share my life and journey with the world. I have been blogging on WordPress for two years now! It has blessed me so much, I love reading your poems, stories and thoughts as well.

My sister and me, I remember the photographer told me to hide my hands out of the photo. My granny said no.

“But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.” (Genesis 50:20 NKJV)

The little girl that used to look up to the moon and pray, before she even knew a God truly existed! I love you little girl, you are a blessing!

All rights reserved. ShilohRose77©️
“I Wanna Dance With Somebody!”

April 9, 2026

What’s the most fun way to exercise?

I think dancing is the most fun! I love a good dance party session! Music is my lifeblood, so anytime I can crank up some loud music, I’m probably gonna dance! I love to sing as well. Dancing has a way of touching your soul and lighting up your day and mood. I like all types of music it depends on the vibe that I want to go for.

Sometimes when I think of hitting my home gym, I roll my eyes. I love it once I’m in the moment, but getting the motivation to go down to my basement is another story! Music is a must when doing any type of exercise for me. If I’m not listening to music then I am following along with a workout video, and they usually include music too! Even in those videos, dancing is recommended throughout.

Dance can be a form of worship and praise, sometime we have to shake off the negativity. Right now, I’m listening to Elevation Worship. I had a dance party this morning with my son, because it’s his sixth birthday! He said it was the best day ever! That is reason enough to dance for me!

Then as I was doing my hair today, I was dancing! I am always trying to stay moving and active. It helps with all the stagnant energy. So in the words of Lee Ann Womack, “I hope you dance!” Choose to dance through all of it!

Soon your mourning will be turned into joy! 💖

Bubbles Dance Party! Happy Birthday to my baby boy!!

All rights reserved. ShilohRose77©️
Trash Bag of Dreams

April 6, 2026

“Come to me all who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28 ESV)

Yesterday was meant to be a joyous celebration but it felt heavy. Holidays like Easter, are supposed to be time with family and everyone is dressed up in their Sunday’s best. I was feeling tired but I pushed through and got to church. We were a few minutes late, and I felt myself getting frustrated. The church was packed because Easter and Christmas as these are the days that most people go to church, that don’t normally attend. First I took my five year old to class. Then I tried to get my three year old daughter to go to her class, but she had a meltdown. She screamed and cried so I took her into the sanctuary with my teen son and I.

We squeezed in next to a couple just as the first song was ending. I was sore and achy and just feeling sad because this is our first Easter in a new town, new church and we are away from family. Not to mention the separation from my husband and step children weighing heavily on my heart. I kept trying to find joy, sing and worship through my sadness. The service was great and afterwards we spoke to a few people we have met recently. My daughter was still feeling very fussy and I was already not feeling well myself so we left. I really wanted a photo but I knew it was a long shot trying to get the kids to cooperate.

We get to the photo setup and I asked the lady behind me to take the photo. My daughter starts crying again and refuses. I was embarrassed and frustrated. Little did I know the lady took the photo anyway, if I am honest I was annoyed by that. Why would you take a photo that was so terrible? Then it hit me, this was another test. I wanted the picture perfect, while God wanted the reality. He wants my truth, my realness, because suffering produces things that change you!

“The most beautiful people we have know are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths.” -Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

It was all I could do not to break down in tears as we got into the car. I was angry like why couldn’t the day just have been joyous and smooth? I took the kids home, made them lunch and I went to my room. I really didn’t want to be around anyone, the weather was just as dreary as I felt. I had made God a promise that I would go to meet with him anyway. I did and it wasn’t anything special I prayed, and listened. I felt somewhat better afterwards. I knew I needed to grab something for dinner. I was kind of cruising around trying to decide what to eat. Then I saw a man that for some reason I was drawn to him.

This man was carrying a gigantic, black trash bag on his back. He was looking down only looking up to cross the street. His seemed so sad it was like I could feel his sadness. I drove by although I knew I had to turn around. I thought but what if he’s not actually homeless, rather just having a bad day? I don’t want to embarrass him God, I prayed as I turned back to find him.

I found him just at the entrance of a shopping center. I pulled in and pulled up next to him. I called out to him like three times, he didn’t even want to look at me. Finally, he did and I told him, “Keep your head up brother, it’s not over yet!” I handed him five bucks and drove away. I don’t even know why I chose those words. It was the only thing I could think to say, I was feeling sort of shy. I saw that he wore a beautiful platinum wedding band. Which was not something you normally see on a homeless person. So I began thinking maybe he’s just having a hard day.

As I drove away, I couldn’t stop the tears I was moved to so much compassion for this stranger. I prayed for him, not knowing his story and too scared to ask him. I knew I was to encounter that Middle Eastern man on that corner yesterday. God has a sense of humor for sure, I was feeling like him! I felt sad, unseen, shame, lonely, and all the above. I might have been in my nice car, nice clothes, but I was just as broken. I cannot judge his story for mine is still being written! I’m in a chapter I would rather skip right over!

I too have been carrying some heavy weights, on my back. Things that I really can’t even begin to explain. I felt like he was a mirror image of my own pain, but in a physical image. I could see me in his shoes. It was such a strange encounter I brushed it aside and went on. Then it began burning in my heart, I knew I had to share it. As I sat down wanting to articulate the experience I had another special encounter.

This time the encounter was much more personal. I was worshipping the other day downstairs in our office. I was looking at the books on the shelves thinking I need to read more of them. I saw one book in particular jump out at me. It was about grief and grieving. I said that I would read a few pages since this situation I am in feels like death. Death of a life I spent ten years building!

I sat down two days ago and read a few pages. I was pretty bummed by the book honestly. It was sad, and it felt heavy. I decided to try to keep going a little more. I found a quote that I like in the book. “If your writing doesn’t keep you up at night, it will never keep anyone else up either.” Then it talked about the silent grief we carry that we don’t often share with anyone. I got restless and couldn’t take the sadness, so I put it away.

I was so annoyed I even wrote in my journal that I didn’t want grief to have the final say over my story! I was feeling upbeat and I didn’t want to be blogged down by this lady who wrote this book and had it published with a friend, post- humorously. Little did I know, she is well known for her books on grief and death. Somehow I was meant to write this post, meet that man, and read her book! I love a good quote. As I was writing about the messy Easter photo, I wanted a quote to go with the picture.

I googled quotes about messiness of life and guess whose name comes up? Elisabeth Kubler-Ross! I didn’t think anything about it at that moment, I just prepared to write the quote down. However on the sight I was on it seemed part of the quote was cut off. So I clicked a link to see the full quote. In that moment her name popped out at me as familiar. I saw her picture at the link and didn’t think much. I decided to go ahead and just leave the quote as I found it. Then I glanced over to my left and I see her name on that stupid book!

OH MY GOD it cannot be! At first glance because the book is so old the cover didn’t show clearly her names so I brushed it off. Then something said look again. I looked and it was her indeed! Now I am freaking out! God I don’t know what you are saying, but I am listening. I am typing fast as I can to share this story! No one can tell me God does not exist and that angels are not present with us all the time! I’ve been embarrassed sharing personal details about me and my story but God keeps weighing on me to share.

Sometimes in the very dark places we have a hard time seeing the light but it’s always there. If you cannot see the light sometimes you have to TURN THE LIGHT ON and BE THE LIGHT! You can bring joy by illuminating someone else’s life! The man I saw yesterday, I hope I made him feel seen and encouraged. I will forever be a noticer of people and things its my gift. I love people and desire to know them and their stories.

My ability to see came from the place of constantly being unseen and ignored. I have a different level of empathy due to the trauma and suffering that I have endured throughout my life. Talk about beauty for ashes! Jesus shared this same ability. He saw the hurting, broken, and isolated. He healed them, loved them, and never turned them away. He sought them out! Thank you Lord for being “El Roi, “The God who sees.”

Thank you to Elisabeth, for her works that are still speaking far beyond her death! She died in 2004, at the age of 78.

This book doesn’t even belong to me it was a book from my husband’s ex that she left when she moved out! I kept her books because of my own love of books!

Happy Reading & God Bless!

All rights reserved. ShilohRose77©️
The Faith of Children

April 3, 2026

“Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” And He laid His hands on them and departed from there.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭19‬:‭13‬-‭15‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

If you know anything about children, they have a spirit that’s so inspiring. They are full of ideas, passions, creativity, questions, energy, and joy! Many times we discredit children, and don’t realize how much they pay attention. They are little wells of knowledge! My children have floored me many times with their questions that stop me in my tracks. Jesus’s desire for all of us that we would be like children in our faith. Not immature but rather full of expectancy, wonder, trust, and dependency upon God. This kind of faith is what moves the hand of God.

When we begin to trust God in a deeper way it changes the way that we worry. We see problems as being smaller and realize that our God is much bigger. We love deeper because we don’t fear rejection, criticisms, or being vulnerable. When we take our kids to the park, they may start out sort of shy, but eventually they go up and begin joining in playing with the other kids. Or there are times they go right into it as if they have known the other children their whole lives!

I can say that the times when I trusted in this manner, I received way more than I expected! What are you believing God for? Have you asked him or are you too blogged down with fear, shame, regret, or doubts? As Jesus would say, “ Oh you of little faith!” If only we would just believe that we can have what we ask for in prayer as long as we believe! As long as it coincides with God’s eternal will and purpose; then friend it can be yours! Will you join me in asking today?

There is something so beautiful about seeing a child come into faith for themselves. When its no longer mom or dad’s faith, but they take ownership and it comes to life for them. That’s exactly what I am witnessing in the life of my children! I am so inspired by it and honestly in a hard season like this one, it feels like kisses from heaven! The seeds we plant take root when we continue in the good work. When we keep sharing our faith stories, the word of God, and our worship; we are cultivating faith to grow.

The other day, my five year old son was sad, so I sang him so worship songs and later he came back and said, “Mom I’m crying happy tears.” I asked him why and he said very plainly. “Because of Jesus.” It warmed my heart to hear. Lately I have been praying with him a lot more and teaching him how to pray for others. He wakes us each day making up his own worship songs! My heart is bursting with pride! The seed of faith planted way before I ever held him in my arms, God did that. My part was to cultivate that faith and help it to grow deeper.

Now since I have teenagers too, it can be hard to get them to open up. Sometimes they are struggling to find themselves and where they fit into the world. Teens often can be a bit rebellious because they are proving their independence. Well despite my teen son’s push back, I have started having him read the Bible to me daily. It’s my favorite part of the morning. I love hearing him, learn and connect with God’s word.

Jayce has a love for football, he has always dreamed to be in the NFL. However as I parent I always tell him to keep an open mind and let God lead him to what’s best. He started playing flag football when he was five and moved on to tackle when he was seven. These past two seasons he had to sit out because of schedule conflicts with his sister’s gymnastics and we also moved out of state. He was depressed, but I told him that you have to be patient. This year he asked if he could play, I said yes. Jayce is homeschooled and he’s often complained that he hasn’t gotten to play for a school team.

About a month ago, he asked me to email one of the coaches from the local high school. I did and we never heard anything back. He kept searching and seeking. He met some boys that play for that team and they told him that off-season workouts are currently being held. He kept getting online, calling the school trying his best to get in touch with someone. Finally after sending a email to another resource he got a response. The special moment, he immediately called me, I could hear the excitement in his voice, but I wasn’t sure if it was good or bad. He wanted to read it to me while on the phone. I had been out in nature praying and thinking. It was such a beautiful moment, I quickly got off the phone because I was crying. He didn’t know, but I was so happy it was just another kiss from heaven.

The night before, we had just watched Facing The Giants, a faith-based football movie. It’s about facing adversity in hard times with courage and faith. Everything in this life is full of synchronicities if we will only pay attention. I find that we are much more aware in the hard seasons because we are seeking answers to the hard questions. Why is this happening to me? Did I do something wrong? Will this battle ever end? Can God really hear me? On and on our questions piling up in our mind. In that special moment, I was so proud of my son, he was learning to fight for things he wants on his own. He’s learning to pray and have faith!

I really wanted to finish this blog last night, but I suppose today it is flowing out much better. I was anxious about seeing my husband last night. The encounters though are brief they are very hard. The kids don’t understand all that has transpired and I am still so disappointed and hurt. My hurt and grief, quickly turn to anger; the longer I am in his presence. We left both frustrated, our love still lingering, but neither having the energy to fight for it anymore. I was able to show him that I taught our little son The Lord’s Prayer, and that alone was worth it!

“and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭18‬:‭3‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

This season feels somehow sacred, I am in tune with myself in ways I haven’t been in years! I hear my voice and I hear God’s much more clearly. I know that I am being shaped and molded by what feels like tragedy. I sometimes still in frustration question, why God hasn’t just fixed this marriage for me, like so many other miracles and answered prayers! However each day I learn to surrender my will to his. I have cried day after day, each time it feels different. Sometimes it feels like release, others like violence in my stomach, then a quiet resolve. These tears are sacred!

In this season, I am deepening my faith. I am becoming like a child reaching out for God to pick me up into his arms and kiss my wounds. His great love and care showering on me and in return I offer him praise and adoration. And like a child, I am learning to depend on his guidance in a new way. How can you today lean into that child-like faith? Maybe it looks like chasing those talents God has given you with blind surrender. Or maybe it looks like going back again and looking for the answer in prayer.

Children are persistent, my son asked for candy a few minutes ago. I told him to wait, he lingered as if waiting for me to do it right then. Then he came back and asked again! I finally stopped my typing and went downstairs to get the candy. His pleading eyes looking into mine. That’s how I want Jesus to see me in the moment. Time and time again he leans in to my cries and answers. My son got his candy and all is right in his little world. What sweet treat will you ask the Lord of all for today? In all our questions and concerns we can sometimes forget to just be with God.

I have been challenged to sit before the Lord, day after day. I say my spill as if he hasn’t heard it all before! Then I sit there, fidgety and restless under the weight of silence. The longer I sit the more sacred the silence becomes. Then very quietly I hear him. Usually it’s a simple phrase and then back to silence. God isn’t in the loud, chaotic or noisy. He speaks in a still, small, voice. Can you hear him? Have you paused today, to just be held by a loving Father?

This Holy Week has been unlike any other for me. I feel the weight of his pain on the cross, I can taste the saltiness of his tears in that garden on that lonely night, and I can hear the cries of his agony on the cross. It’s as if I am right there, I’ve heard this story all my life! Now I get it, what it truly means.

Spring is in bloom!

“But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭53‬:‭5‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
All rights reserved. Happy Reading & God Bless! ShilohRose77©️