I don't generally dwell on what could have been with people who are gone but I do think about what I can be doing for people around me as we never know when their time will be up regardless of their age or health. I've known too many people who were suddenly not here anymore. Perhaps we need to just every day be about the business of loving people as if today was their last, be ready "in season and out of season" to help, pray, come alongside, be transparent. honest and caring while we have today. It's so easy for me to say, "I'll pray for you" when perhaps there is something more I could be doing that would really make a difference for them. This walk made me think about what love really looks like and I had to ask myself, "do the ways I love on people point to my relationship with Jesus and do I love sacrificially like Jesus did or is it just lip service?" If I am to be honest, I still have work to do.
Donny, I wish things could have been different with my parents as I held resentments against them on different things. I wish I would have been brave enough to have said something while they we’re alive, but I didn’t. I finally let that go and gave it to God over three years ago.
Now that my faith is much stronger and deeper I have a deeper desire to be there and encourage others according to God’s will. I trust he will put those people in my path.
I want to love people and I want to help those who need it. If there is a need and I feel God calling me to help, pray, or whatever, I will do my best to assist or share the gospel.
Thank you for the prayer walk and having us reflect. Take care and God bless! 🙏🙂❤️
Mark and I reflected together about who we have both lost in our lives. Parents, brothers, aunts and uncles. We have had those who believed strongly and I had one who didn’t believe at all. Some we could share with and some who rejected the Godspell altogether. Rarely have either not encouraged others by our on faith. I have shared Jesus with those who had ears to hear as Jesus said. What we as a couple do now is a recent action. When we hear a need we go to them, see them and above all pray. Become closer and obey Jesus about visiting the sick and dying. I did this poem the other night because now my brother has cancer and a dear friend broke both hips and has a long recovery ahead and is 86 years old.
Answering the Call
The call came in, many heard the requests. You are worth the flight of a thousand, you are not alone, now two are ten thousand and must flee. All of heaven is rushing aid.
Go to Him who is trusted all waists are standing with belts of truth. breastplates of what is right. Every foot drums of peace. Holding shields of faith.
Nothing evil can penetrate. Nothing except sounds of faith going up. so the arrows aimed as evil rebound hittimg the shooter of disasters.
With folded hands and heads bowed take the most needed above and lay them at His pierced feet and in His pierced hands.
Of course when I think of whom I have lost, my husband is the first that is in my mind. We were married for 46 years. He was also Don. I wish back then that I had been more independent. I wish I had given him more time for himself. There were things that I know he would have liked to have done. I think of this often. I am now the "aging" one. I have to fall again back on my husband. He had ALS, Lou Gehrig's Disease. There was so much that I wish we had done. He passed when he was 65 years old, almost 7 years ago. He was such an active person. There was so much that he wanted to see and do. There was always a reason that we couldn't. I share the goodness of God with people that I know are accepting. People that think the same as I do. I guess you want people to be approving maybe? So I don't share with non believers. I've learned that from my own children. Good prayer walk Donny.
Good walk Don. I lost my husband of 44 years 10 years ago. I’m a believer, he was not. Oh the discussions we had. He was career military and came home from war with many scars on his soul. His point was if there was a God, why didn’t he protect the innocents, children and the aging. He was a good man, husband and father and at the end he was asking spiritual questions and more open to listening and understanding. I guess I’m saying people must be open to hear. 44 years of prayers is a long time but it was his journey to travel. All I could do was love and support him. It’s God’s plan, not ours. Thank you for your insight and support.
My girls have each taken their own paths, Tonia and Jennifer are Christians and Stacy is Jewish. We each have our own path to travel. Their dad believed when they were old enough to fully understand it was their choice. Makes for wonderful holidays.
This walk made me cry, and I'll say why, without going into details because the story is long, but my parents divorced when I was 5 years old, I can say that I am the daughter of a single mother, since my father went to live in another country , then he returned to Brazil and went to live in another state with his new family, so my contact with him was very little.
When I was 15, at the height of my teenage years, my father and his wife tragically died.
For a long time I carried guilt for not having spoken about my love for him, and all the feelings generated in a child by the father's absence.
I remember as a little girl, looking at God with a certain distance, because in fact, our tendency is to compare it to our experience of fatherhood... I still get emotional thinking about it, but I am totally convinced that God healed me! It's so amazing, how He uses situations to treat us, I went to therapy when I was a teenager, I had follow-up from my church counselor, anyway...
But I only dealt with these feelings 10 years ago, when my Father's cousin wrote a book about the family and invited me to write the chapter about my father – it was such an incredible experience – because during the research and planning of the writing I could have a “dialogue with my father” so intense, a kind of catharsis. Of course, the line I followed in the book was another, but I recorded it in notes.
You are right, the most significant changes that happen in our lives start from a single point: Love.
Your beautiful story touched me deeply, Angela! I'm so glad Father God helped you heal and know that regrets don't change anything except perhaps to make you more aware and diligent in your relationships now. Thank you for sharing!
Donny, a good walk today. I took some time after listening to reflect...on the meditation thinking about loved ones lost and people in our lives today. My first thought was of my husband who I lost 17 years ago, he was only 59. We had a wonderful life together, I cherish all the wonderful memories we made together, loved our life together. He was a believer who showed his faith by his actions, always willing to help others. Yes, I do miss him as he had a way of keeping me on right course, was great listener, then gave insight...I believe his spirit is with me.
After the sudden passing of my husband, I realized I need to share with my family and friends how important they are in my life, I make the effort to show/share with others how they have touched my life. I try to live my life showing the love Jesus has for us, when people ask I will share my faith, that my guide is Jesus. My faith, family and friends are the most important things in my life.
Appreciated the walk today, it challenged me to reflect on my life, what’s important, and how do I share that with others. Blessings on your journey!
Donny thank you for this week prayer walk, I have to be honest it’s hard for me to explain?My spiritual strength that God gives us is founded on the wonder- working triad of faith, hope and love. Our Lord shows us how we are to behave with others by actively demonstrating these three virtues through our own unblemished behavior toward us. If we take God at his word , our ordinary day-to-day life should be a reflection or an acting - out of his promises. While I was taking care of my father in law end of life as they only given him 13 weeks to live. Not a day while helping the hospice nurse I wouldn’t weep crying behind the scene so he doesn’t see me crying. I didn’t know how to act or think or cry as I filter through. The thousands thought that cross my mind how could I stay strong for him? I tried to be energetic in front of of him and to my mother in law. When I sat next to him he would grab my hands and hold it tight and would say my boy is coming home soon? I couldn’t answer him truthfully because his youngest son my husband were in Beirut . Everyday God provides a field of hope, believe in His provision, I learned how to look at things and life from another different perspective? God understands at times it is difficult for my heart to recover from what I witnessed. I believe God rejoice that his power goes beyond anything that I’ve seen and witnessed. I do believe even though I cannot see,He was working in the unseen and always giving me hope that my father in law will not suffer long.
I lost a friend to cancer about 2 weeks ago. I had known her since our boys played ball together as kids they’re now 24, but our friendship strengthened in a single conversation around Halloween. She was just diagnosed and came to my work with hardly any money and broken hearted but she said she knew decorating her house a little would cheer her up. Donny I talked with her about scripture you had referred to me Isaiah 41:10 and told her that God had her and loved her . We talked so long that day, I gave her some decorations and my number along with the verses to refer to , she was as humbled as I was that day. GOD knew we needed each other’s assurance, she called me a week or so later and told me how much I meant to her and I told her I knew she was sent to be a blessing for me. After she passed I Lorne’s Mrs Barbara but after many hours of crying and praying I was overcome by a peace. No more pain no more scars ...our Heavenly Father has her and I know she’s alive more than ever because of her FAITH IN CHRIST... All that to say when we lose loved ones and we mourn , it’s only natural but it helps our grieving process to know that Heaven is their forever home. We just have to accept Gods plan and keep him number 1 in the world. Thank you for suggesting the reflection process 🙏 you are greatly appreciated & loved by this community!
Donny, this is a poem I wrote last October remembering my husband on our wedding anniversary, thought it fit with the prayer walk this week. (I might have shared it previously)
This walk was a tough one! I am living daily with the weight of losing both of my parents. I loved them and depended on them all my life, and eventually was able to do a lot to help them. But their loss is an enormous void that hasn’t been filled. I pray for the strength to get on with my life, but it seems that God doesn’t answer me, and I continue to be stuck. There must be more to life, but each day I get older and seem ever more alone. Thank you for this walk and for talking about things that hit so close to home. I continue to pray and live my life with hope, but it’s getting harder and harder to continue on this desolate path.
Many thanks and you know, the past few days it's like a cloud has been lifted. The power of prayer, my friend! Blessings and wonderful days ahead for you!
He is with you, even if you don't see or feel his presence, He is by your side, God knows your weaknesses, fears and needs, know that He is guiding you along the best paths, Trust and Pray!
Wow, thanks so much Angela! Your message is such comfort during a very dark and difficult time in my life. I will also pray for you and hope that you receive God's choicest blessings. Keeping the faith and continuing to walk the path the Lord has set out for me. I believe, Lord, help thou my unbelief.
How do you do that!?? Aha it's Holy Spirit. Each prayer walk goes deeper and more powerful. It is like reading The Word of God. Always more. Always deeper. Thank you.
The Lord is sifting me as my desire to 'want' to share gets stronger
I know my outward attitudes and life need to come more inline. All around it seems each week someone else I know of passes or received a bad prognosis.
What is important?
We know not the day or hour He will return or when we or others breathe our last.
Sadly, because I believe in eternity, but can't see it, I can also live like it isn't close.
I really only want to be in step with Him.
I know my soul and spirit soar when I go and sing a new song to Him.
The here and now is what we live in but eternity for all, is what we should be thinking of.
Thank you for this powerful reminder and challenge.
Dear Débora, thank you for opening your heart so genuinely!
I was happy to know “that the Lord is sifting you...”
I like to think of the “heroes of the Faith” and how God worked in each one's life individually: For Israel God prepared a way in the sea and in the desert; for Joseph, son of Jacob, God prepared a way in the pit, in the prison; for Daniel it was the way of the lions' den; Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, the way of the fiery furnace heated seven times hotter.
And they all followed the path that God traced!
I pray for you and me, that we know how to follow the path that God has prepared for us!
Donny, what a pleasant prayer walk this week.. I lost my mom five years ago and I think of her every day. She was strict Catholic Italian woman which she taught my sister and I every day faith will bring you to happiness, and what you want to become in life, follow your heart, and God will show you the rest of the way. my dad is still with us. He is a captain in the navy.
I thank you for this prayer for Donny this one was very touching🙏🏻
It makes you think beyond your comfort zone. Life is a series of hellos and goodbyes. To everything there is a season, reason, purpose. You get wiser as you pass through countless doorways of God's many plans.
Sorry I think I was his best friend also cause I was always helping him and I was there for him the whole time before he died 🙏🙏🙏 I miss him so so much
Donny as usual I loved this prayer walk and again it hit home with me my main person I think about is my adopted dad and all the pain and problems I caused him when I was addicted to pain pills 🙏🙏 I wish I never put him though that well what he meant to me was my best friend and my life saver on so much of my life and I think i
I don't generally dwell on what could have been with people who are gone but I do think about what I can be doing for people around me as we never know when their time will be up regardless of their age or health. I've known too many people who were suddenly not here anymore. Perhaps we need to just every day be about the business of loving people as if today was their last, be ready "in season and out of season" to help, pray, come alongside, be transparent. honest and caring while we have today. It's so easy for me to say, "I'll pray for you" when perhaps there is something more I could be doing that would really make a difference for them. This walk made me think about what love really looks like and I had to ask myself, "do the ways I love on people point to my relationship with Jesus and do I love sacrificially like Jesus did or is it just lip service?" If I am to be honest, I still have work to do.
Tomorrow is not promised.
I know that all too well!
Donny, I wish things could have been different with my parents as I held resentments against them on different things. I wish I would have been brave enough to have said something while they we’re alive, but I didn’t. I finally let that go and gave it to God over three years ago.
Now that my faith is much stronger and deeper I have a deeper desire to be there and encourage others according to God’s will. I trust he will put those people in my path.
I want to love people and I want to help those who need it. If there is a need and I feel God calling me to help, pray, or whatever, I will do my best to assist or share the gospel.
Thank you for the prayer walk and having us reflect. Take care and God bless! 🙏🙂❤️
Mark and I reflected together about who we have both lost in our lives. Parents, brothers, aunts and uncles. We have had those who believed strongly and I had one who didn’t believe at all. Some we could share with and some who rejected the Godspell altogether. Rarely have either not encouraged others by our on faith. I have shared Jesus with those who had ears to hear as Jesus said. What we as a couple do now is a recent action. When we hear a need we go to them, see them and above all pray. Become closer and obey Jesus about visiting the sick and dying. I did this poem the other night because now my brother has cancer and a dear friend broke both hips and has a long recovery ahead and is 86 years old.
Answering the Call
The call came in, many heard the requests. You are worth the flight of a thousand, you are not alone, now two are ten thousand and must flee. All of heaven is rushing aid.
Go to Him who is trusted all waists are standing with belts of truth. breastplates of what is right. Every foot drums of peace. Holding shields of faith.
Nothing evil can penetrate. Nothing except sounds of faith going up. so the arrows aimed as evil rebound hittimg the shooter of disasters.
With folded hands and heads bowed take the most needed above and lay them at His pierced feet and in His pierced hands.
Thank you our friend.
Of course when I think of whom I have lost, my husband is the first that is in my mind. We were married for 46 years. He was also Don. I wish back then that I had been more independent. I wish I had given him more time for himself. There were things that I know he would have liked to have done. I think of this often. I am now the "aging" one. I have to fall again back on my husband. He had ALS, Lou Gehrig's Disease. There was so much that I wish we had done. He passed when he was 65 years old, almost 7 years ago. He was such an active person. There was so much that he wanted to see and do. There was always a reason that we couldn't. I share the goodness of God with people that I know are accepting. People that think the same as I do. I guess you want people to be approving maybe? So I don't share with non believers. I've learned that from my own children. Good prayer walk Donny.
Good walk Don. I lost my husband of 44 years 10 years ago. I’m a believer, he was not. Oh the discussions we had. He was career military and came home from war with many scars on his soul. His point was if there was a God, why didn’t he protect the innocents, children and the aging. He was a good man, husband and father and at the end he was asking spiritual questions and more open to listening and understanding. I guess I’m saying people must be open to hear. 44 years of prayers is a long time but it was his journey to travel. All I could do was love and support him. It’s God’s plan, not ours. Thank you for your insight and support.
Cathy mine wasn't either. Total atheist. My youngest son is as well
My girls have each taken their own paths, Tonia and Jennifer are Christians and Stacy is Jewish. We each have our own path to travel. Their dad believed when they were old enough to fully understand it was their choice. Makes for wonderful holidays.
well I guess you can have several different holidays. Its a tough one for sure
This walk made me cry, and I'll say why, without going into details because the story is long, but my parents divorced when I was 5 years old, I can say that I am the daughter of a single mother, since my father went to live in another country , then he returned to Brazil and went to live in another state with his new family, so my contact with him was very little.
When I was 15, at the height of my teenage years, my father and his wife tragically died.
For a long time I carried guilt for not having spoken about my love for him, and all the feelings generated in a child by the father's absence.
I remember as a little girl, looking at God with a certain distance, because in fact, our tendency is to compare it to our experience of fatherhood... I still get emotional thinking about it, but I am totally convinced that God healed me! It's so amazing, how He uses situations to treat us, I went to therapy when I was a teenager, I had follow-up from my church counselor, anyway...
But I only dealt with these feelings 10 years ago, when my Father's cousin wrote a book about the family and invited me to write the chapter about my father – it was such an incredible experience – because during the research and planning of the writing I could have a “dialogue with my father” so intense, a kind of catharsis. Of course, the line I followed in the book was another, but I recorded it in notes.
You are right, the most significant changes that happen in our lives start from a single point: Love.
Thank and God bless you!
Your beautiful story touched me deeply, Angela! I'm so glad Father God helped you heal and know that regrets don't change anything except perhaps to make you more aware and diligent in your relationships now. Thank you for sharing!
Thanks for your words of love and encouragement, Cathey! ❤️
Angela, what an incredible blessing to be invited to write about your father. God is so tender and compassionate.
Thank you for sharing your story with us.
Hi, Deborah, sorry to reply only today.
Yes, God is wonderful and He cares for me so tenderly, You used the right phrase "God is so tender"!
He is "tender" to me even when I make a mistake and He corrects me, He does it with care and love - He knows my limitations...
Thank you for always commenting and leaving words of love and encouragement, this is so cool!
God bless you! A hug with affection straight from Brazil
Donny, a good walk today. I took some time after listening to reflect...on the meditation thinking about loved ones lost and people in our lives today. My first thought was of my husband who I lost 17 years ago, he was only 59. We had a wonderful life together, I cherish all the wonderful memories we made together, loved our life together. He was a believer who showed his faith by his actions, always willing to help others. Yes, I do miss him as he had a way of keeping me on right course, was great listener, then gave insight...I believe his spirit is with me.
After the sudden passing of my husband, I realized I need to share with my family and friends how important they are in my life, I make the effort to show/share with others how they have touched my life. I try to live my life showing the love Jesus has for us, when people ask I will share my faith, that my guide is Jesus. My faith, family and friends are the most important things in my life.
Appreciated the walk today, it challenged me to reflect on my life, what’s important, and how do I share that with others. Blessings on your journey!
Donny thank you for this week prayer walk, I have to be honest it’s hard for me to explain?My spiritual strength that God gives us is founded on the wonder- working triad of faith, hope and love. Our Lord shows us how we are to behave with others by actively demonstrating these three virtues through our own unblemished behavior toward us. If we take God at his word , our ordinary day-to-day life should be a reflection or an acting - out of his promises. While I was taking care of my father in law end of life as they only given him 13 weeks to live. Not a day while helping the hospice nurse I wouldn’t weep crying behind the scene so he doesn’t see me crying. I didn’t know how to act or think or cry as I filter through. The thousands thought that cross my mind how could I stay strong for him? I tried to be energetic in front of of him and to my mother in law. When I sat next to him he would grab my hands and hold it tight and would say my boy is coming home soon? I couldn’t answer him truthfully because his youngest son my husband were in Beirut . Everyday God provides a field of hope, believe in His provision, I learned how to look at things and life from another different perspective? God understands at times it is difficult for my heart to recover from what I witnessed. I believe God rejoice that his power goes beyond anything that I’ve seen and witnessed. I do believe even though I cannot see,He was working in the unseen and always giving me hope that my father in law will not suffer long.
I lost a friend to cancer about 2 weeks ago. I had known her since our boys played ball together as kids they’re now 24, but our friendship strengthened in a single conversation around Halloween. She was just diagnosed and came to my work with hardly any money and broken hearted but she said she knew decorating her house a little would cheer her up. Donny I talked with her about scripture you had referred to me Isaiah 41:10 and told her that God had her and loved her . We talked so long that day, I gave her some decorations and my number along with the verses to refer to , she was as humbled as I was that day. GOD knew we needed each other’s assurance, she called me a week or so later and told me how much I meant to her and I told her I knew she was sent to be a blessing for me. After she passed I Lorne’s Mrs Barbara but after many hours of crying and praying I was overcome by a peace. No more pain no more scars ...our Heavenly Father has her and I know she’s alive more than ever because of her FAITH IN CHRIST... All that to say when we lose loved ones and we mourn , it’s only natural but it helps our grieving process to know that Heaven is their forever home. We just have to accept Gods plan and keep him number 1 in the world. Thank you for suggesting the reflection process 🙏 you are greatly appreciated & loved by this community!
Donny, this is a poem I wrote last October remembering my husband on our wedding anniversary, thought it fit with the prayer walk this week. (I might have shared it previously)
Watching From Above
Are you watching?
How your spirit lives
Carried in our hearts.
Are you watching?
As your son throws a line in the water
To remember fishing together.
Are you watching?
Your daughter when she listens
To your favorite music.
Are you watching?
Grandkids you never knew
See photos and say “ it’s Grampie!”
I believe you are watching.
Always missed, always remembered!
This walk was a tough one! I am living daily with the weight of losing both of my parents. I loved them and depended on them all my life, and eventually was able to do a lot to help them. But their loss is an enormous void that hasn’t been filled. I pray for the strength to get on with my life, but it seems that God doesn’t answer me, and I continue to be stuck. There must be more to life, but each day I get older and seem ever more alone. Thank you for this walk and for talking about things that hit so close to home. I continue to pray and live my life with hope, but it’s getting harder and harder to continue on this desolate path.
Praying for you right now.
Many thanks and you know, the past few days it's like a cloud has been lifted. The power of prayer, my friend! Blessings and wonderful days ahead for you!
Praise the LORD! 🙂
Amen, my brother, amen! 🙂
Hello Philip
You are not alone, God dwells in you!
He is with you, even if you don't see or feel his presence, He is by your side, God knows your weaknesses, fears and needs, know that He is guiding you along the best paths, Trust and Pray!
I'm praying for you!
Wow, thanks so much Angela! Your message is such comfort during a very dark and difficult time in my life. I will also pray for you and hope that you receive God's choicest blessings. Keeping the faith and continuing to walk the path the Lord has set out for me. I believe, Lord, help thou my unbelief.
How do you do that!?? Aha it's Holy Spirit. Each prayer walk goes deeper and more powerful. It is like reading The Word of God. Always more. Always deeper. Thank you.
The Lord is sifting me as my desire to 'want' to share gets stronger
I know my outward attitudes and life need to come more inline. All around it seems each week someone else I know of passes or received a bad prognosis.
What is important?
We know not the day or hour He will return or when we or others breathe our last.
Sadly, because I believe in eternity, but can't see it, I can also live like it isn't close.
I really only want to be in step with Him.
I know my soul and spirit soar when I go and sing a new song to Him.
The here and now is what we live in but eternity for all, is what we should be thinking of.
Thank you for this powerful reminder and challenge.
Dear Débora, thank you for opening your heart so genuinely!
I was happy to know “that the Lord is sifting you...”
I like to think of the “heroes of the Faith” and how God worked in each one's life individually: For Israel God prepared a way in the sea and in the desert; for Joseph, son of Jacob, God prepared a way in the pit, in the prison; for Daniel it was the way of the lions' den; Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, the way of the fiery furnace heated seven times hotter.
And they all followed the path that God traced!
I pray for you and me, that we know how to follow the path that God has prepared for us!
God bless you!
Angela,
Thank you. I love the stories you have brought to mind. Such a reminder of different trials, different siftings.
Oh the things He has prepared for us! We can only imagine.
Yet, if we knew some ahead of time we likely would try to avoid.
Given current circumstances in the world, my prayer is, we the Bride of Christ are found faithful with our oil lamps full and ready.
The Lord pour out His Glory upon you and through you.
Amen and Amen!
Donny, what a pleasant prayer walk this week.. I lost my mom five years ago and I think of her every day. She was strict Catholic Italian woman which she taught my sister and I every day faith will bring you to happiness, and what you want to become in life, follow your heart, and God will show you the rest of the way. my dad is still with us. He is a captain in the navy.
I thank you for this prayer for Donny this one was very touching🙏🏻
One of the best inspirational and thought provoking walks I've ever experienced. Thank you, Donnie as this sets the tone of my day. God bless you.
I'm happy to hear you were inspired. May I ask how it inspired you?
It makes you think beyond your comfort zone. Life is a series of hellos and goodbyes. To everything there is a season, reason, purpose. You get wiser as you pass through countless doorways of God's many plans.
well said
Amen my friend!
Sorry I think I was his best friend also cause I was always helping him and I was there for him the whole time before he died 🙏🙏🙏 I miss him so so much
Donny as usual I loved this prayer walk and again it hit home with me my main person I think about is my adopted dad and all the pain and problems I caused him when I was addicted to pain pills 🙏🙏 I wish I never put him though that well what he meant to me was my best friend and my life saver on so much of my life and I think i
Please know that when you confess your sins and ask God to be forgiven. YOU ARE FORGIVEN and deeply loved. 🙂🙏🏼
Yes I do