SHINE - May 2008

SHINE - May 2008 =

Okay so it isn’t May…June kind of snuck in here on me so let’s all pretend it is still May because this is the May newsletter! Thanks for pretending with me!

Once again we are trying to get a SHINE blog up and running…so if you want= to try it out please use this link http://ww= w.ministrymine.com/blog.php?user=3DMarlaGraham

SHINE 2008=

Legacy

I hope you = have marked your calendar for October 4, 2008 and that you are telling all your friends! We would love to com= e to your church or Bible study and talk about SHINE so let us know if you are interested! You can email me = at shinewomensministry@yahoo.co= m Register with a friend and get a discounted rate! Be watching = your mailbox for this year’s registration form!

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Words of Wisdom

Endings

&= nbsp; The end of some things are great! For example, the end of a school y= ear (especially if you teach!), the end of an illness, or the end of potty training, these are all great things. On the other hand, the end of other things are not so great… t= he end of your favorite quart of ice cream, the end of a great book or movie, = or the end of a treasured friendship.

&= nbsp; Well, here at the Graham household we have had an “end.” Jeremiah has ended his Jr. High ca= reer and is preparing to embark on his high school journey. So is it a good end or a bad end?<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> Well, I suppose it is a matter of opinion. He, of course, think= s it is a wonderful end, and though his dad and I are happy (relieved) that he graduated, there is a sadness that grips my heart as I think of his future = and the four short years he has still here with us. It was just a month or so ago that= we brought this precious bundle home from the hospital, and just last week he = was learning to talk…ride a bike, and going off to kindergarten, so how d= id he get to high school? But, I= hear the Lord whispering that I need to see past my sadness and celebrate Jeremiah’s potential. <= o:p>

&= nbsp; I wonder if Mary (Jesus’ mother) felt this way as she watched her little boy grow in “wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” (Luke 2:52) Did she celebrate= his milestones? His first steps?<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> His first spelled word? The first book He read all by himself? = His first woodworking project? His baptism? 1^st sermon? Were these bittersweet moments for her as she watched him slipping through here fingers?

&= nbsp; And goodness what she must have been feeling as he tread the road to Calvary? Could she see past her sadness to understand the purpose of this “graduation?” When Jesus uttered the bone chilling and heart warming words, “It is finished” (John 19:30)= the “end” was ushered in. Mary’s heart was certainly heavy with her loss but the world h= ad just received the gift of true freedom and reconciliation for the first time since the separation back in the garden.&n= bsp;

&= nbsp; This end was hard for Mary and those who loved Jesus but God’s plan for Je= sus was higher than Mary’s understanding. She had to let go of her “baby” boy in order for God’s plans to be carried out. Reluctantly, I have to admit that = the same is true of my “baby” boy…God’s plans will be carried out and I will just have to let go!

&= nbsp; May all of us who reach an end-whether graduation from Jr. High, High School or college, or separation in some other form such as death, or even the death = of a dream (perfect marriage, prized job, or treasured friendship)- may we see i= t as part of God’s plan or at the least remember that we are in His hands. Oh sweet, Jeremiah, God knows the plans He has for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future….when you go off to college, just don’t forget to call y= our mom! (Jeremiah 29:11)

&= nbsp; &nbs= p; ~Marla Graham