Linda (Visscher) Roorda and husband, Edward, live in Spencer, NY, both former members of the Christian Reformed Church. She is a mother and grandmother, a medical/radiology transcriptionist, an empty-nest author, and past speaker at a multi-faith women’s retreat. She published some of her ancestral genealogy research in the “New York Genealogical and Biographical Record” in 2004, 2005 and 2008, writing personal-interest interview articles and a genealogy column in a local newspaper. An online blogger for several years, Linda enjoys sharing her faith in poetry and reflections at her new blog, “Poetic Devotions by Linda,” and genealogy research tutorials at “Homespun Ancestors.” She also wrote several articles for both the CRC/RCA Disability Concerns newsletter and The Network. Her hobbies include gardening, sewing/quilting, cake decorating, silk floral arrangements for church, and singing in the praise team at North Spencer Baptist Church.
Do we share our love easily with someone different from us? We pride ourselves on maintaining a status quo of acceptable friends, but what about others in various difficult situations?
Sometimes we’re at a loss for words and don’t know what to say to the grieving. We want to say the right words to bring comfort. Yet, often the less said the better.
Growing up in the CRC, I found the lengthy reading prior to Communion a bit too formal. Now, missing a CRC nearby, I appreciate the brevity of Communion. Out of these thoughts, came this blog and poem.
Typically, those who trust others have a heart of empathy, are naively innocent (without “street smarts”), and are more easily taken advantage of. Predators know this and zero in on their target like a hunter on its prey.
My husband, Ed, and I have traveled a long road with his disabilities. We’ve been told to pray and fast for healing, and trust that he will be healed. It sounds so easy, but a cure has not come.
As a family, we learned to put something back in its original place so he could find it again, and not to move the furniture without telling him. Yes, we learned the hard way to make those issues priorities.
Thank you so much for your kind words, Angela.
There are so many great contemporary praises listed above! I use many from among your list in video form (no pianist/band) for our contemporary Praise time, along with "Greater" (Mercy Me), "Word...
Thank you, Angie. One other thought that came to mind this morning was when our daughter was dying, I had asked God, "Why? I don't understand." Not out of anger, but simply at a loss, at a place...
You said this so well, Angie! I am so sorry about the loss of your precious baby. No, nothing can ever replace any child you lose. We understand from our own losses - losing a 6-month pregnancy of...
Thank you so much for sharing your experience here, too, Jill. I really like Paul's example of praying for his "thorn" to be removed; tho God told him no, yet Paul could share with the rest of us...
Thank you for your kind words, Angela! and thanks for sharing how God has used you to reach others, and may He continue to bless you richly, too!
Thank you so much for your comment. I'm so sorry about your husband's illness, Cindy. Yes, that's exactly the element within our small rural community that has affected us, too. But I'm glad to...
Thank you for your comments, Michele - well said.
Thank you for your kind words, Staci! I appreciate hearing this was encouraging to you, too.
I'm so sorry about your mom's losses, but also about her friend's difficult situation. Praying for them.