So, I was excited about leaving town and getting away to our beach place for a few days after Christmas and I told my mother I had nothing to read. She and I always swap books back and forth and I was actually searching for something that I had my eye on when she said, "Have you read Shirley's book?" If I'm being honest then I must tell you that because I know Shirley and she is such a dear friend of my mom's I truly didn't think of this book as something that would truly captivate me! Boy, was I wrong! When I tell you that I have not put this book down since Friday night…I am not exaggerating in the least! It is by far the most wonderful thing I have read in a VERY long time! And I am ashamed to say that just because I know the author…I didn't take it as seriously as I should have! Shirley is a fabulous writer and should be writing a series….I cannot remember reading a book that totally captured my heart like this one has since reading 'The Hiding Place' by Corrie Ten Boom.
Birth Cry: A Personal Story of the Life of Hannah D. Mitchell, Nurse Midwife
From the back cover: "Birth Cry documents the journey of an obscure woman from a poor, hard-working Christian family in Missouri who achieves advanced education, acclaim and esteem in adulthood. With insight and humor, her story reveals how, through adversity, her life and character develop - into a life surrendered to God."
I will back up just a bit…mainly to tell you why my heart is so captured! Last Sunday in Sunday School we sat as usual in class but also had Miller, Holly and Brad with us. Wales Goebel is teaching our class, which that in and of itself is the best thing ever! However, that day it was if the Lord Himself was speaking through Wales…we sat on the edges of our seats as he challenged all of us of any age to stand in the gap…we have so many gaps in our society these days and he covered all of them beautifully! My heart was truly touched and I could tell my kid's were touched as well. They talked about that Sunday School class for days and still refer to it. I even remember thinking, "What if this lesson is meant for one of my children?" When in reality, I knew in my heart that after hearing all that Wales taught us it was my heart that needed touching and I was the one that needed to step up to the plate in my every day life and no, maybe I wasn't the one to fill the shoes of Dr. Billy Graham but I could indeed do what I was intended to do in the lives of my children and grandchildren!
It is so very important to remember exactly why Christ died for us and exactly why we are here on earth! It is for the eternal things….the temporary things are just so…temporary!
It is so very important to remember exactly why Christ died for us and exactly why we are here on earth! It is for the eternal things….the temporary things are just so…temporary!
Then on Christmas Day Night…I got VERY sick…I am not elaborating on that because I don't want that to be the focus but let's just say it got my attention! I remember in some fever related stupor praying to God and saying if you will use this in my life I will be what You want me to be! I can honestly say that I hope I never forget that feeling or that prayer. Then, many hours later…I began to muster up the energy to live and begin thinking ahead about our trip to the beach. That is when I asked my mom for a book and she loaned me her copy of Shirley's biography of Hannah Mitchell's life…my life will never be the same after reading this incredible story of one woman's desire to serve the Lord in whatever capacity she could.
If you want to be totally captivated and motivated all at the same time then you need to read this book!
I love Shirley and love her family! She is the real deal and I am one grateful woman to be able to call her my friend! I can also tell you that she can sing a mean rendition of Patsy Cline's "I Go Walkin' After Midnight…" (you can see the legendary Patsy Cline HERE!) My sweet Holly will testify to this because she saw it and heard it for herself! She said Shirley sounded exactly like Patsy!
Happy New Year to all of you from the very chilly beach in Destin, Florida!
May God bless you beyond measure in 2013!
No matter if she can sing or not…she can most definitely write and this book is the most energizing book I've ever read! I'm so grateful that she has taken the time to share the story of this incredible woman, Hannah Mitchell. A missionary in her own rite…this is a testimony to God's faithfulness if I've ever seen one. I am blessed beyond measure by Shirley's book. I hope and pray that each and every one of you have a blessed New Year and I pray that the year 2013 leads us to where God would have us. That we would each fill the "gaps" that are in desperate need to be filled. That we would take the time to remember all that God has done for us and be grateful.
Happy New Year to all of you from the very chilly beach in Destin, Florida!
May God bless you beyond measure in 2013!
