See People…

In February of 2016 I was traveling home from Florida after a wonderful time of visiting family and friends. I had left very early in the morning and wanted to reach Nashville, Tennessee before stopping for the night. I took a break to get gas and walk around a craft store to stretch my legs. As I was coming out of the store on the way to my car, I saw an older man carrying a large, helium-filled balloon that said, “Happy Birthday!” It wasn’t your typical size balloon. It was huge…the biggest one you can buy. As our paths intersected, I made eye-contact and said, “Wow, someone is going to be happy today!” He paused. I paused. He said, “It’s for my wife…” Another pause. And then he told me his story. His wife had died and this was his first birthday without her. He was heading to the cemetery to visit her grave and celebrate her life.

In the conversation that followed, I expressed sympathy for the loss of his wife and the sweetness of his gift for her. I watched him get into his truck, maneuver the huge balloon inside, and drive off.

I spent the rest of my day reflecting on the moment, the pause, and the privilege of hearing his story. I think of our interaction often and how grateful I am for the memory of that moment of pause. If I hadn’t acknowledged him as our paths crossed, I would have missed a beautiful moment. I would have missed the opportunity see him. To enter into his story.

Hear People…

I remember another time at a Ladies Retreat when I was sitting around a campfire with a few women as the evening was winding down. One of the ladies had recently lost her Mom and was sharing details of all that had happened and the emotions she was still working through. When she took a breath, another lady said, “Well I remember when my mom…” and that was as far as she got into her story because the woman who had been sharing first, clinched her fists, hit her legs, and said with complete frustration, “This is my story, this is my Mom.”

And you know what? She was exactly right. Oh how my heart hurt for her. So many times when someone shares their story, we feel the need to share ours. We don’t! Stay in their moment. Stay with their story. Be present for them.

Be Present with People…

I went to the grocery store one morning at 6 a.m. to get in, pick up a few things, and get out. I was having company for dinner and had a busy day ahead. I was in a hurry.  The only open lane was the self-check out. I scanned my items quickly, picked up my bag, and as I turned to leave, the lady responsible for the self-check out area, began to talk. I knew her, but I was in a hurry. She started to tell me her story…I continued holding onto my bag, wanting to leave. I was listening respectfully, but was not being fully present. I was in a hurry, remember? Then I felt like God said, “Linda, put down the bag.” So I did. Twenty minutes later I left the store, praying for this beautiful woman who had entrusted me with her story of brokenness. That morning, God taught me the importance of presence over productivity.

See people. Hear people. Be present.

We lead busy lives. We have “to do” lists, jobs, responsibilities, schedules, meetings, and all sorts of distractions from technology and social media. Constant busyness. Constant pressures.

We need to pause. We need to see people. We need to listen. We need to hear their story. Most of all, we need to love.

Jesus is the Master Teacher of unconditional love. We see through His life countless times when He paused, spoke, and loved. He spoke to the Woman at the Well in John 4, he saw Zacchaeus in Luke 19, He listened to the ten lepers in Luke 17. He saw them all. He loved them all.

We need to be present. Stay in the moment. Genuinely care. Listening takes discipline. It requires intentionality. We must always be aware of how God can use us, even if we think we don’t have time.

God will always make a way for us to listen if we want to!

Do you want to?

One of my personal goals for this blog is to end with a plan of action. We hear sermons, we read books, and we attend conferences. We may comment, “that was a really good message,” or “your talk sure made me laugh,” or “that book was interesting,” but does anything in our life really change? Our behavior, our attitudes, our thoughts, our words?

I have committed to write a monthly blog for one year. Twelve thoughts. Twelve life-experiences. Twelve lessons God has taught and is continuing to teach me. Thank you for coming along on this journey with me. Will you go a step further and put love into action with me?

This month, I want us to commit to doing 3 things:

1. Be intentional in listening.
2. Let people tell their story without telling yours.
3. Be present and “put down the bag.”

Hi! I am so honored you have chosen to join me on this new blogging adventure. Speaking comes more naturally to me than writing, but I pray that God will use my words to encourage and challenge you as we begin this journey together!

Before starting my monthly reflections, I wanted to introduce myself and give you a glimpse into who I am and how God has led and shaped my life to this point. My walk with God has and continues to be a journey, shaped by the Holy Spirit, decisions I’ve made, and the people He has brought into my life. I am forever grateful for His grace.

Let’s Start from the Beginning…

I was born and raised in the small town of Conneautville, Pennsylvania located in the Northwest corner of the state. As one of six kids, I grew up alongside my two older brothers, older sister, and younger brother and sister. My Dad operated a Mobile Gas Station in Conneaut Lake. My Mom worked in the office and raised us six kids. Needless to say, my Mom is awesome!

When I was in 6^th grade, a new preacher, Gerald Comp, and his family came to town to serve at Conneautville Church of Christ. Their daughter, Jackie became my best friend and invited me to go to church with her. On June 6, 1965 I walked down the aisle of the church and made the decision to walk with God. It was the best decision I have ever made because Jesus changes everything.

My Journey in Ministry…

I graduated from Conneaut Valley High School in 1970 and that fall became a student at Cincinnati Bible College or CBC (now Cincinnati Christian University). My parents drove me down to Cincinnati and before they left, my Dad gave me $5 and said, “Good Luck, kid.” That day, having nothing but those five-dollars in my pocket, I got a job at Roy Rogers Roast Beef Restaurant and worked for the kindest manager. I majored in Christian Education and learned so much from my wonderful professors and friends.

In the summer of 1972, I began my first role in ministry at the First Christian Church in Evansville, IN, working in the office and leading the youth. During that summer, I made lifelong relationships and fell in love with vocational ministry. It was there I also met Lefty and Mary Schwind, who I affectionately called Mom and Dad for over 40 years. Having no children of their own, they embraced and loved me and my family as their own. Their love and influence was and continues to be a blessing in my life, even though their home is in Heaven now.

In 1974, I graduated from CBC with no prospects of a job. I lived with Mom and Dad Schwind during that season and was blessed by their generosity, wisdom, and love. I miss them so much.

As I sought God’s wisdom, I was led to Markle Church of Christ in Markle, IN. I met with the elders of the church and was hired as their Youth Director. I was young and dumb, but was led with grace and wisdom by the church leadership and learned so much about ministry and humility. The kids were incredible. We all just loved Jesus together! My memories of Markle are wonderful and the lifelong friendships I made there are irreplaceable.

In 1978, alongside my husband, Paul, we purchased a small bookstore in Wabash, Indiana we renamed as JOY Christian Bookstore. We operated and served in that ministry for 16 years.

In 1994, I began serving at our home church, Bachelor Creek Church and had the privilege of serving in a variety of roles over the next 22 years, including being the Director of Women’s Ministry. Encouraging, empowering, and sharing wisdom with the women was such a joy and honor. For 39 years I have been a part of a Ladies Bible Study. These women have not just become friends, but family. Their wisdom and friendship is a treasure and has helped shape me into the person I am today.

After 50 years in the workforce, 25 of which were in ministry, I retired and began investing more time into speaking and writing. I have had the absolute joy and privilege of meeting and speaking to women across the country about how God changed my life and the grace, hope, and love He offers each of us. I am passionate about “Celebrating Changed Hearts” because of the power of Jesus Christ!

My life verse is Micah 6:8. In everything that I do, I aim to “be kind, be fair, and walk humbly with God.”

My Family…

My husband Paul and I have been married for 41 years and have three amazing children: Darin Lee (39), Page Marie (37), and Stephen Paul (35). I love being a Mom and had two goals in raising our kids: to love God more than anyone or anything and to be kind as they walk through life.

After praying for their future spouses for years, the children found the love of their lives and have given Paul and I eight wonderful grandchildren. I love being their Nana!

Celebrating Changed Hearts…

My prayer for this blog is that you would be encouraged, affirmed, and challenged. I pray God would meet you where you are and would use my simple words and life-experience to share truth. Finally, I pray that we would all be changed by the love and grace of Jesus Christ and live lives that glorify Him.

At the end of each blog post will be an opportunity to reflect on what God has taught us and to put love in action. I invite you to join me in these monthly “challenges” and would love to hear how God moves in and through your life!

Thank you for beginning this journey with me. Together, may we celebrate changed hearts and live loved. To God be the glory, forever and ever! Amen.(Galatians 1:5)