Welcome Author Shanna Groves to
Friday with Friends!
Check out her latest book!
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| ~at CrossRiver |
Sit, Wait, Trust: A
Writer-Mom’s Journey
By Shanna Groves
After two days of being holed up with a badly injured foot,
I lost it.
My husband had been taking care of our three young children
and household duties—things I should’ve
been doing. My heart pounded as my one-year-old son screamed when I yanked my
crutches away from him. “No,” I told him. “Hurt.” I felt lightheaded as my
eight-year-old son attempted to carry his baby brother up the stairs to their
bedroom. “Careful!” I pleaded with them. Then there was the stinky odor that
wouldn’t go away. I hobbled to the washing machine, and there they were—my
bathroom rug and toilet seat cover that sat in mildewed water for 48 hours.
My life pre-foot injury could have been summed up as “God is
in control—but only when I’m not.” As a micro-managing momma, I felt empowered
knowing that I had mine, my three kids’ and my husband’s lives under perfect
control. My husband was well-fed and encouraged. My children never had to worry
about hot breakfasts, clean underwear or how to get to school, because I was on
top of things. I even had my friends’ lives under control. Whenever they needed
me, I was there, doling out endless advice, prayers and relentless reassurances
of “You know I’m here for you.” People could depend on me for anything.
After tripping off a porch step and badly injuring my left
foot, I couldn’t walk. Neighbors and church friends fed my family; I couldn’t
maneuver well around the kitchen in crutches. My parents, who had driven from
out of state to help, made sure my older two children wore clean underwear and
socks to school. Friends took turns babysitting my one-year-old son because I
wasn’t able to carry him. My husband took a week off from work to do grocery
shopping, run errands and make sure all of us had a hot breakfast.
All the while, I sat on the sofa and wondered how I would
ever get back on top of things. I felt like I was riding a rollercoaster
without a seatbelt on; not being able to control things around my house. I knew
I had to give up my need to control things, but it was hard. I had to learn how
to be still, wait for things, depend on others, and earnestly pray for healing.
One day, my cell phone rang.
“What are you doing?” asked my very busy mom friend.
“Just hanging out,” I mumbled.
“How’s the foot?” Her voice competed with toddler squeals.
“Hey kids,” she called out. “Quit putting rocks on the dog’s head.”
“The foot’s still sore,” I said, “and I don’t know what to
do.”
“So, how are you?”
she asked. “Is your husband home now?”
“Yep, he’s here.”
“Well, that’s good.”
“It is?” I answered, smugly.
My friend giggled. Then I started giggling. The tension and
guilt rose from the pit of my stomach, to my chest, up my throat, and out my
mouth. I busted out laughing; I just lost it.
“You okay?” she asked me.
I continued laughing but attempted to answer. “I’m a
one-footed momma. I can’t do anything without
my husband right now!”
My insatiable need to do things without help—it had to stop.
I had to start trusting God as the Divine CEO of my home, family and life.
“Is there anything too hard for the Lord?” Moses wrote in
Genesis 18:14. Without God and the
helpers he provided during my recovery, there was no way me or my family
could’ve managed. I believe that is exactly what I needed to learn. To just sit
on that couch, give up my crazy need to control, and learn how to depend on him
completely.
After faithful prayers from family and church friends, my
foot healed and I was able to walk again less than a month after the injury.
But I will never forget the lesson God taught me—slow down and trust him.
~
How about you? Is this a lesson you've had to learn? Having chronic Lyme's disease, I can definitely empathize with Shanna on this issue. What lesson has God taught you recently? Leave a comment with your email if you'd like to be entered for a free e-book of Confessions of a Lip Reading Mom.
*To be entered into the drawing, please leave your email address in a comment which must be left before Monday. Please leave a space on each side of @ in your email address in order to help avoid spammers. Winner will be notified via email. Thank you! :D
*To be entered into the drawing, please leave your email address in a comment which must be left before Monday. Please leave a space on each side of @ in your email address in order to help avoid spammers. Winner will be notified via email. Thank you! :D
~
Shanna Groves now walks, not runs, to the next appointment.
She is learning patience at this very minute as she waits for the laundry load
to finish so she can throw it in the dryer. When the kids are in school, she
works as a writer. One of her books, Confessions of a Lip Reading Mom, will be
published any day now. Visit her at www.ShannaGroves.com.
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| Find out more at CrossRiverMedia.com! |
I'm already reading my copy of this great book, so don't enter me in the drawing! But I wanted to tell Shanna this is an issue I still fight. I frequently find myself telling God how He could better manage the world! I hope to learn the lesson before I have to break a leg or something :)
ReplyDeleteKathy - Thank you so much for all your support. I can't wait to read your book once it is published!
DeleteKathy - Thank you for all your support. I can't wait to read your book once it is published!
DeleteWe are learning these very lessons, too, as the Lord leads our family out into full-time global missions. What, surrender the salary and trust the Lord to provide for the vision He's given? What, ask for help to conquer the launch to-do list? Great thoughts, Shanna. Looking forward to reading your work. thegoodnewsfamilyblog @ gmail.com
ReplyDelete@thegoodnewsfamily - That is so exciting about how God is working in your family to help others through global missions. God bless you as you trust Him with everything.
DeleteShanna, I've been going through this for twenty years. :) As I'm sure you experience with you hearing loss, chronic Lyme disease leaves me constantly being tested in this way. It's hard to let go of our wife/mommy things/duties. Very hard to let go of the reins. Thanks for sharing your story!
ReplyDeleteLinnette - You are such an encouragement to me. Thank you for sharing your life and talents in unique ways.
DeleteShanna, you know you're welcome! I wish we could have ridden the road together a little more closely the past few years, but we're here now, girlie! I'm so glad to team up with you in this way! :D
DeleteFor sure, I can relate. My 83-year-old mother just fell a few days ago and broke her clavoid bone in her hand, and perhaps severed her vein. She is going through what Shanna went through. She still directs me in doing things but is having to learn patience. I am having to learn to wait on her and if that isn't a hoot with limited vision--whew! It's a challenge! We are so thankful to my sister-in-law for her help when she can give it. God's lessons come in many forms and I think letting go of control is one of the most difficult one to learn! Thank you for your honesty, and thank you Linette, for sharing your struggle with Lyme disease! God bless you both.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Amy! Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing your story, as well! :)
DeleteAmy - I am so sorry about your mom's accident. May she find peace and healing during this season of waiting.
DeleteI think your comment came across as SPAM.
ReplyDeleteMy suggestion is for you to visit several blogs that you like and then figure out exactly what you want to do. Focus on your purpose. Your niche. Try to not stray too far from it. Make sure they're not long and rambling. Pictures. People like pictures, but you have to be careful about copyrights. Feel free to look into the posts at PCWN@blogspot.com. There are a few helpful posts there. There are also links to my writers' blogs.
I'm glad you enjoyed the post. Thanks for stopping by! :D
PS - What is this Video Keyword Suggestions? If you're going to leave a link in the comments, I would prefer to see the actual url. That's probably why your previous comment was eaten.
ReplyDeleteHi Shanna! I really enjoy reading your blog posts, they give me a little insight into what is to come down the road in my life. I was born with hearing loss which never bothered or limited me in anyway until I became a mom. Then my hearing loss limitations along with such a major life change were such a slap in the face I ended up with some pretty significant PPD. I am finally feeling much more confident in myself as a person, audiologist and most importantly as a mama and I look forward to the opportunity to teach my son compassion and patience towards people with hearing difficulties. Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteSorry Couldn't figure out how to post other than as anonymous. I am Kristen Kramer, would love the chance to win a copy of your book =)
DeleteKristen - I think your story sounds very similar to mine. Fingers crossed and praying that you win the book!
DeleteNo problem, Kristen. Welcome and thank you for stopping by. You'll find a very loving, compassionate ally in Shanna! :)
DeleteI was also going to say (when I accidentally hit the wrong key) that I can't imagine what its like to not hear, but I do know what its like to have an "invisible" health issue. It's challenging to say the least! God Bless!
DeleteAlso just realized I forgot my email, bretzk @ sbcglobal . net -Kristen
DeleteWoot! Shanna, you threw me over the 4K mark for blog visitors! *Doing the Snoopy Happy Dance* Way to go, girlfriend! :D
ReplyDeleteYea, Linnette! :)
ReplyDeleteWow! That hit home on so many levels for me! I have always been a person with a lot of faith, but still had trouble with letting things go. When I found out I had lung cancer in 2006 during pre-op testing for my first Cochlear Implant, that was my first "leave it to God" moment. I didn't cry when I found out, I was just like whatever God wants to happen, that's the way it will be. I was abnormally calm. THe only time I cried was when I was being wheeled to the OR. During the course of surgery and recovery, my faith grew even more. I KNEW God was taking care of me, I FELT him with me in the hospital. I had no chemo, no radiation, and everything has been great for 6.5 years. Even with all that, I still had some trouble letting go. When I filed for disability 2 years ago, I went into panic mode because it was a huge drop in income when I had to stop working abruptly. I was convinced we would have to sell our house, find a small one or move into an appt. I prayed extra hard over those 2 years, and once again, was saying, Ok, leave it to God, it will turn out the way he wants it to. I recently found out I was approved, and we didn't have to move out of our house! It was tough, but we made it every month, and I know that was because of the faith I had and knowing things were going to be how He wanted them to be. During these 2 huge ordeals, I have learned to "let go" of so much. I still struggle with it sometimes, but not no where near as often because I know God would say "I've got this."
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteThanks, Kathy! Your name is in the hat! :D
Deletepthompson @ brightok.net
ReplyDeletePraise God for His introduction to you, Shanna. You are an inspiration for conquering difficulties for the glory of our Lord.
Each time I read the portion of your book I cry. It hits SO close to heart. This part of "Confessions..." I truly understand. I was married to an OTR truck driver for over 20 yrs. Because he was rarely home it was necessary to become self-reliant and resourceful. In 2007 I was suddenly left on my own. My survival instinct kicked into high gear.
You know the Sparks, Ok community. When I moved here I met many wonderful people. They were anxious to help but stubborn self-sufficient me didn't know how to accept this. My heart was broken for being alone. Overwhelmed, I prayed to God that if this was His will for me, would He please give me peace about this solitude. He answered my prayer and then some! He is always with me so I'm never lonely. All those trying to help me were sent by God. I no longer felt compelled to "do it all by myself".
In the last few years I've faced many medical hurdles. The latest being problems with my ears. Thus God's introduction to you. For this I am thankful. Your inspiration and His "one set of footprints" will carry me through this process. Thank you, Shanna & thank you, God.
I would love to read this book. scox1212 @ sbcglobal.net Thanks for entering me in the drawing.
ReplyDelete@PThompson - I am thankful God allowed our paths to cross online and, hopefully, one day in person, too. :)
ReplyDeleteMy email address is sugarsweetphoto @ gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI recently have learned that I need to slow down and allow others to help me as well. I am a mother to five little ones (9,7,6,4,and 2). Three of them are deaf/hoh and I often take on everything myself. I have a lot of family and friends who are willing to help, but need to be asked, or told what I need, before I always thought they didn't want to help, when really they just didn't know how to help me. Having others to rely on has made my life a lot less stressful!
Amy - So glad you have found the support you need!
Delete"I left a comment with my email addy last night, but it's not showing up. Keep on writing/blogging, both of you. ~Joyce Edmiston"
ReplyDeleteThanks so much to everyone who spent time with us at Friday with Friends. Congratulations goes to Joyce Edmiston for winning the e-book from Shanna! :D
ReplyDeleteHope to see you again on Friday with Friends!