Post by MIRIAM JACOB on Aug 2, 2007 11:28:36 GMT -5
December 14, 2006
A merry heart does good, like medicine,
but a broken spirit dries the bones (Prov. 17:22).
Today I have the privilege of honoring a lady who has been through more trials and heartache than most of the rest of us can even begin to imagine, and yet she has continually chosen to use her words to bring laughter and cheer, encouragement and blessing. That lady is Barbara Johnson, founder of Spatula Ministries and author of countless books, including “Where Does a Mother Go to Resign?” (Can anybody out there relate?)
I, like so many of you, have been blessed over the years by Barbara’s writing and speaking ministries, but now this dear lady is in an assisted living home and celebrating her 79th birthday. Several of us are using this occasion as an excuse to gather together with a lady we admire and respect to pay tribute to the faithful way she has carried out the ministry God gave her—and to acknowledge the price she paid for that to happen.
When I spoke with Barbara a few days ago she told me she is confident this will be her last birthday here on earth. The doctors, it seems, agree with her. But Barbara doesn’t see that as a negative diagnosis. In fact, she is rejoicing to know that by this time next year she will be celebrating with the beloved Savior she has known and loved and served for so many years.
What an attitude! I pray God grants us all the grace to serve as Barbara Johnson has served—with humility and humor—and to use our words to bless others, as she has done. When the tragedies of life hit like a steamroller—and they will—may we cling to His mercy and allow him to turn those tragedies into triumphs. And may we use our telling of those tragedies to bring a little laughter into the lives of others who are struggling with their own heartaches.
Pray for Barbara, will you? And pray for all of us who have the choice to use our words wisely and for His glory—or not.
(C) KATHI MACIAS
www.kathimacias.com
A merry heart does good, like medicine,
but a broken spirit dries the bones (Prov. 17:22).
Today I have the privilege of honoring a lady who has been through more trials and heartache than most of the rest of us can even begin to imagine, and yet she has continually chosen to use her words to bring laughter and cheer, encouragement and blessing. That lady is Barbara Johnson, founder of Spatula Ministries and author of countless books, including “Where Does a Mother Go to Resign?” (Can anybody out there relate?)
I, like so many of you, have been blessed over the years by Barbara’s writing and speaking ministries, but now this dear lady is in an assisted living home and celebrating her 79th birthday. Several of us are using this occasion as an excuse to gather together with a lady we admire and respect to pay tribute to the faithful way she has carried out the ministry God gave her—and to acknowledge the price she paid for that to happen.
When I spoke with Barbara a few days ago she told me she is confident this will be her last birthday here on earth. The doctors, it seems, agree with her. But Barbara doesn’t see that as a negative diagnosis. In fact, she is rejoicing to know that by this time next year she will be celebrating with the beloved Savior she has known and loved and served for so many years.
What an attitude! I pray God grants us all the grace to serve as Barbara Johnson has served—with humility and humor—and to use our words to bless others, as she has done. When the tragedies of life hit like a steamroller—and they will—may we cling to His mercy and allow him to turn those tragedies into triumphs. And may we use our telling of those tragedies to bring a little laughter into the lives of others who are struggling with their own heartaches.
Pray for Barbara, will you? And pray for all of us who have the choice to use our words wisely and for His glory—or not.
(C) KATHI MACIAS
www.kathimacias.com