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WRITE 2 THE HEART
Stories that are aimed "Write 2 the Heart"
October 21, 2004
Cheryl Speir, Editor, moderator @ write2theheart.com
Welcome to your latest issue of "Write 2 the Heart." All new
subscribers will receive a free downloadable copy of the e-
cookbook, "Write 2 the Heart of the Chocolate Lover." To join,
send an e-mail with subscribe written in the subject line to:
subscribe-me @ write2theheart.com.
Take a moment to browse our new bookstore at:
http://www.write2theheart.com/html/book_store.html
You will find books written by, or that include stories by many of
our talented writers. You will also find books that aide the budding
writer. I highly recommend “Sally Stuart’s Christian Writers’
Guide,” It is a must have for all serious Christian writers. It’s a
great tool to find that perfect market for your writing. It would
make a great gift for the writer in your life.
Today we welcome a new writer to Write 2 the Heart, Jan
Eckles. As a Florida resident, she has just gone through the horror
of the hurricanes that just pounded that state. Through it all, she
was able to call upon hope to sustain her.
What Jeanne Left Behind
By Jan Eckles
Good morning everyone…" began the TV announcer. "Let me
correct that, there is nothing "good" about this morning Sept.26,
2004."
He was right. We encountered once again, an unwelcome visit
from another member of the destructive and malicious gang:
Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne. They engaged in a vicious
game of out-doing each other in merciless destruction.
"We are emotionally, physically and financially drained,"
commented an announcer. He was expressing the sentiments of
most of the residents in the Florida area. The reporters showed
visible signs of their weary spirits as they provided details of
devastation, familiar warnings of severe danger and activity of
storms which pleased no one.
This one was similar and perhaps more powerful than the
others. Jeanne's attack came not only to add to destruction left by
her other counterparts, but it wiped out any re-construction efforts
taking place from previous storms.
The news spread all over the country and the world. As usual,
our family back in St. Louis, knowing the situation, called with
concern. "Well, the winds are howling furiously non-stop and our
windows and doors are shaking. It’s raining heavily," I reported.
"Actually it’s raining and we’re getting wet." I continued.
"Why don’t you go inside," my friend suggested with a logical
tone.
"I am inside!" I replied with a chuckle.
We had used all the buckets, trashcans, and even pots from the
kitchen to place them under the numerous water leaks. The steady
dripping of water inside our home along with the roar of the
furious storm and the pounding rain created a strange and
unpleasant symphony of sounds.
What we heard outside and what was displayed on the TV
screen painted a frightening picture. Like a preview of a movie, it
gave us the tacit message of what we could expect. We waited and
prayed. After more than 24 hours of heavy destruction from its
continuous lashing of howling winds and non-stop rain, the storm
and her fury moved on. And now the next step was to call the
insurance company.
The dictionary has this definition for "insurance": coverage by
contract whereby one party undertakes to guarantee another against
loss by specific damages…"
Unfortunately, the coverage all insurance policies provide
include physical but not emotional damages. They don’t provide
coverage for low spirits, effects from the stress, discouragement or
for emotional fatigue.
So I resorted to a different type of policy, one which was
already paid for, it had full coverage, no deductible was required
and was effective immediately. I pulled it out from the drawer of
my heart. I was the owner and it could be extended to those loved
ones around me. It was called "Hope…hope in the Lord"
"We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and
our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his
holy name." (Psalm 33:20)
Hope and trust in the Lord became the generator providing the
energy needed to keep going forward. Since it was plugged to a
limitless source, I was confident it would not run out. Hope
became the power-saw which cut the trunks of self-pity,
discouragement, stress and anxiety.
Hope removed the plywood of gloom and sadness. It allowed
the sunshine to come in once again, the sunshine of His promises
bringing to light the splendor of the rainbow of His everlasting
love.
This love is even more evident when setbacks out of our control
touch our lives. hey often happen unexpectedly, causing confusion
and pain. But genuine hope in Him brings clarity and motivation to
follow the path to healing. It is the determining factor, which makes
us either victims or victors.
I’ve become convinced that life is not about what we cannot do
in circumstances out of our control. Success comes when we
recognize what we can do with what God has given us. No
comprehensive insurance can provide the Hope God offers to all;
or can any amount of damage take it away.
When our heart is unsettled, hope becomes the only anchor
calming the effects of raging storms. Jeanne and the rest might
have taken valuables from our world. But it left behind priceless
hope, the unlimited amount of hope in the Lord which, in every
circumstance, is certain to turn trials to triumph.
Jan Eckles
jeckles @ cfl.rr.com
Janet, her husband, Gene and family live in Orlando, FL. Jan
Eckles is a Sunday school teacher, inspirational speaker, writer and
the author of “Trials of Today, Treasures for Tomorrow:
Overcoming Adversities in Life.” Although Jan has no physical
sight, she has a vision: To proclaim God’s faithfulness as He leads
one beyond adversity to success and excellence. For excerpts of
her book, please visit: www.janeckles.com
You are encouraged to write to the authors to let them know
what you think of their story. Have a comment on today's story?
Send it to: moderator @ write2theheart.com
Write 2 the Heart now has an affiliate program with Cognigen.
They have several long distance plans to chose from. I personally
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Letters From Our Readers
Not knowing where your child is is such a sinking feeling. Your
imagination can create so many scenarios, and none of them good.
I’m so glad that things worked out.
Kimberly
Military Prayer Reminder
As you read over this list of names, please take a moment to
pray for these young people and their families:
Chris Speir
Tim Speir
Alan
Todd Holland
Graham
William
Julie Sagel
Jessie
Marshal Thompson
Jason
Eric Hernandez
Kristin Danielson
Ryan
Larry Miele
Daniel
Amy
John
Joanne
Gary Boardwine
Josh
Hadassah
Chanz Wackerly
Robert Henderson
David Habighurst
Tonia
Melissa Bair
Matthew Nutter
Please continue to pray for our country, our leaders, and
our troops at this time. If you have loved ones in the military,
or who are being called to go overseas, send their names
(first and last or first only) to be included in our prayer
reminder.
Cheryl’s Corner
Whenever we go anywhere in David’s van or truck, he drives.
When we go in my car, I drive. There are two potholes in our town
that I manage to hit every time I go near them. David complains
each time I hit one. One day he decided to try reverse psychology
on me over the issue, so he said, “You didn’t miss that time, you
got it.”
I just smiled and said, “Good, I don’t want to miss anything in
life.” Now he doesn’t mention it anymore.
God bless,
Cheryl
www.write2theheart.com
Copyright © 2004, Write 2 the Heart
Nothing may be reproduced or published without
the written permission of the individual author or
copyright owner. All rights belong to the authors.
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