Here is the podcast I mentioned and want to share with you from Andy Stanley. It was sent by one of my former table participants in DC. (As you will discover, we continue to “touch” each others’ lives even after Divorce Care ends!) I listened to it on a fluke while cleaning the kitchen and couldn’t stop listening! It is compelling and I believe will inspire you and give you a huge infusion of hope and optimism!
The title is, “Starting Over” (certainly appropriate!!!) and whether it is due to divorce, job loss, death of a loved one or, perhaps moving to a new geography, this series is for you! We all navigate new starts at least once (and for most of us, several times—-LOL!) in our life, so the content is extremely applicablet. As Cori mentioned in our table time last week, a quote that resonated from the video last week was, ” It’s not the beginning of the end; rather, it is the beginning of the beginning!”
This great new life does not happen automatically, however. We all have work which needs to be done, personal and spiritual growth that must happen and healing which will ultimately occur over time.
As I mentioned, there is a part (I believe in the second segment) about forgiveness and the fact that to finally “let go”, we must “own” our part of the issue (as Sara so aptly articulated last week!).
It is strongly suggested that we write down the sins/shortcomings/mistakes that we made in our marriage….even if our responsibility is only 1%!!!! This could even consist of something such as, “I stayed too long in an unhealthy relationship.”. I think you’ll find that once you start, if you are honest with yourself, your list will grow. No one has to see it or hear it except you and God. It was a very cathartic exercise for me and made me put into perspective my contribution to the demise of my marriage.
I will really look forward to your comments on this, if there were any “aha! moments” and whether these podcasts helped you move forward in your healing process. I promise that you will not regret taking the time to listen. It may even change your life….
“Every one of us is called upon, probably many times, to start a new life. A frightening diagnosis, a marriage, a move, loss of a job… And onward full tilt we go, pitched and wrecked and absurdly resolute, driven in spite of everything to make good on a new shore. To be hopeful, to embrace one possibility after another…that is surely the basic instinct… Crying out: High tide! Time to move out into the glorious debris. Time to take this life for what it is.”
(Barbara Kingsolver)
“Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31
You can download this to your smart phone and listen in the car or while you workout, lay by the pool (Lol!), clean your house… or whatever.
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/aca4rccsouzy2uv/AAAbtZ3fcMib0a-ia_XNwPETa
Wishing you Blessings, Grace and much Wisdom,
Have a wonderful week..and look for the blessings!
Diane