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Broken Lives Matter



I spent the last days of summer in San Diego.  My daughter sent me a plane ticket and invited me to spend the week with her while her husband traveled on business.

Besides long talks over coffee, we cooked together and enjoyed family dinners at Chili’s and Panera Bread.  We soaked up the warm sun at Coronado Beach, worked out with a walk through Balboa Park, helped with homework and Girl Scout stuff and watched Netflix. 

Nothing like family! 

The highlight of my week that warms my heart and rates a ten on my vacation happiness scale happened when my daughter and I attended midweek Women’s Bible Study together.  It testified to what God can do with a broken heart. 

Six years ago, my daughter faced single motherhood, and lived alone without family or friends close by.  Desperate for help, she joined her church’s Women’s Group.  Sensitive women ministers helped her financially, taught God’s Word and filled her with hope.  Those dark days drained me too but on visits back then, I met the ladies and witnessed solid teaching and passionate caring.  I compared her new friends to a lifeline.

The Lord restored my daughter.  She married a Christian man and has another child.  They belong to a different church now.

When I spent the last days of summer with her, I learned my girl signed up for the fall Women’s study at the former church.  We attended together.


“Gather together gals!” The Bible teacher shouted.  “Look who is with us today!”

I wondered if balloons and confetti would fall from the sky as they embraced us when we arrived.  Hugs and squeezes and catch up talk of God’s faithfulness brought a deluge of tears.   These women witnessed how God heard their prayers and restored a broken life.

I think it’s important to let people know that their investment in our lives matter.  It strengthens our faith and recharges us.  Remember when Jesus healed ten lepers and only one came back to praise God?  He was a Samaritan and Jesus spoke:  “Didn’t I heal ten lepers?  Only this one foreigner returned to give glory to God.  Where are the other nine?”


I will never forget these women.  And I will proclaim God’s goodness all the days of my life.  I am thankful!



















Comments

  1. Such a touching post-so thankful for those ladies who ministered to your daughter at such a hard time in her life. So glad for the blessings that have been poured out on her. Love all the photos. I too look forward to some day, in heaven, seeing those who ministered to me when I was a new babe in Christ.
    Sending you big hugs.
    Noreen

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  2. It is refreshing to hear they embraced your daughter and chose to love her rather than judge her and her situation. So thankful too how God worked in the whole situation too. You can definitely see she is your daughter! Lovely family!

    Betty

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  3. What a blessing that those ladies reached out and embraced your daughter! I enjoyed your photos, and so nice to see all the beautiful smiles! :)

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  4. Oh, how precious! I know you are one of the best Grandmothers/mothers around, sweet Mary. They must have been heartbroken when you had to leave to come back home. I think it is so wonderful that you and your daughter could go there to the place where those dear women have poured so much prayer and love and support into her life and let them see the fruits of their labors. That must have just meant the world to them. Thank you so much for sharing with us here. Sending you love and hugs!!

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  5. What a beautiful tribute to friendship and the human spirit! In my situation with just Mom and me, I am so thankful for my church family and ladies that are here to help and pray for me. I'm so glad that you had this experience of the retreat with your daughter and that you were able to spend a week with her. Priceless!

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  6. Hi Mary! These are true women of God and of friendship. They don't just talk the talk do they? What a testament to prayer and grace that your daughter is so happy now, and so generous to send you a plane ticket so she could spend some quality time with her Mom!
    Your daughter looks so much like you, and I love the photo of the grands. They keep us laughing and young, don't they?
    I hope you'll be able to visit again soon :)
    Ceil

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  7. It's not easy to face that kind of hurdle sister Mary. I remember those times you were quick to ask for prayers and I knew that also wasn't easy on your part to share that with some of the blogging friends because it was a private matter. But you did out of your love and concern for your daughter. Because you knew it was a battle that needed intercession. How awesome it is to see and hear about this victory and the evident faithfulness of God!!! Yes, nothing like doing things and making memories with family! But I feel it's extraordinary when God's children put down the differences and manifest love within them instead. That is a big family that only God's love can bind together!!!

    Glory be to God and I love all the pics you shared! San Diego is nice, the weather, places to see, things to do but expensive now to live in...

    May you always remain strong in the Lord's mighty power. Hugs and prayers sister...

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  8. How wonderful for your daughter and you to be able to reconnect with these women who meant so much during a trying time. And how wonderful that they were able to be that lifeline!

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  9. Oh! Wonderful!

    He sets the solitary in families and He restores the soul!

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  10. I am so happy you could spend a week with your daughter and granddaughters and just have fun. Then the icing on the cake was to attend the Bible Study and reconnect with the former church ladies. Thank you for sharing with us here at Tell me a Story.

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  11. I love (LOVE!) that picture of you with Susanna and Amy!

    How I admire your girl's bravery to reach out to those women; I suspect people really want to help, but they're just waiting for a sign to be 'let in.'

    This makes me want to sing, "Fairy tales can come true, it can happen to youuuuu ...." (lol!).

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  12. Oh Mary...thank you so much for sharing your last days of summer blessings here! How I remember those days several years back and how we prayed. God is indeed a God of miracles!!

    I loved "meeting" a couple of the ladies in the fellowship that God worked through with Carrie. They certainly have a vital ministry of helping wounded sisters.

    Your granddaughters are beautiful! I can't believe how much "little Amy" has grown! WOW. And Susanna is a beauty, too!

    Thanks so much for sharing!

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  13. Oh Mary...thank you so much for sharing your last days of summer blessings here! How I remember those days several years back and how we prayed. God is indeed a God of miracles!!

    I loved "meeting" a couple of the ladies in the fellowship that God worked through with Carrie. They certainly have a vital ministry of helping wounded sisters.

    Your granddaughters are beautiful! I can't believe how much "little Amy" has grown! WOW. And Susanna is a beauty, too!

    Thanks so much for sharing!

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  14. As usual, you did much and shared much! Grabbed a lot of attention. Bless you!!!

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  15. What a precious post, and those babies are adorable.

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  16. praise God for restoration and hope! Thanks for sharing.

    Love, Traci Michele

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  17. Oh sweet redemption from our Father. The greatest taste of all in this fallen world.

    I remember those days and prayers for your daughter.

    I love to be reminded of the answers to our prayers and the redeeming hand of our Father that makes a better life than the one we dreamed of. And we pick up a bit of wisdom along the way.

    Thanks for the awesome reminder!

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  18. Mary, I've had the Holy Bumps the whole time I have read this post! This makes my heart leap with Joy! I am currently teaching Redeemed by Angela Thomas-Pharr and I see your girl's name all over our study with your sweet testimony on how the Lord has worked in her life. REDEEMED! Yes and Yes...we should make an effort to simply take the time for those that has invested in our life in some way or another. The pictures are so dang cute and Mary....that little blonde looks like you! Pretty girls. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

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  19. What a powerful testimony of the grace of God! How wonderful that these women stood by your daughter when you couldn't be there all the time, and to support her until she was standing again! Truly this is the evidence of the Body of Christ in action! An incredible vacation for sure, and I loved all the pictures, you are all so beautiful, and the love of Jesus just shining out from the pictures!

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