Real Life Healing

I have done it. I spent my most of my thirties in a fog. I was raising four children which I had no idea at the time that it is a tough job. I say often that I survived, but  really-I did. I had made this fictional idea of what life was to look like (insert Martha Stewart) and I had added my own christian twist to it.  But I was missing something. 

The late thirties hit and  I began to realize I longed for friendship -true friendship. I had people that I did things with because of the groups my kids put us in, but  I longed for a mentor. 

I began to be wrapped in this life of pain. One that I had no idea what was truly happening to me. Because of that physical pain I retreated into a year of solitude. It was a more lonely place than I had even felt before-one that lead me to a walk of light and hope. I would wrap my painful self in a blanket and read His word. I began to read the words of other women. I began to open up to a place of healing. I began to respond to those women and find friendship.

This year of healing -soul healing- lead me to discovery. I discovered places I loved to serve. The places I loved to serve became life giving which caused me to be open to relationship. Relationship taught me even more about the healing of my soul. 

Are there still places that are raw? Yes, the quick word or judgement from just the right person can send my soul bleeding and in retreat mode. But I go back to the Truth and find comfort in my chair then I am restored enough to move out again.

So my forties are a new place, a place of community where I can minister to the young mama's like I had so longed for in my younger days. It has lead me community where I serve and become involved in the areas that are life-giving. I still find comfort and restoration from my friends behind the screen, but I am becoming more open to in-real-life community.

I guard my heart from all the hurtful words and actions that might come my way, but I am learning to love in community. To find real relationship that leads me to Him. The healing found in retreat is beautiful. I manage the physical, I find comfort in the Word for the mental, and I find hope in the spirit of others that leads me deeper in my walk. 

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
    will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91:1

Maximizing My Mornings

It is that time again...today ended the Winter Challenge with the Hello Mornings group. It also began the registration for the Summer Challenge. You might be asking what is Hello Mornings and how are you maximizing your mornings.

So glad that you asked- Hello Mornings is a group of women gathering all over the world to wake up before our families and spend quiet time alone with the Lord. We don't wake up to our kids, but to our Lord. This step alone maximizes the morning. There are several women who add the next component of exercising to so that they are their best physically. Basically we are accountable to one another for our morning time. 

My group happens to be on twitter. Several groups meet privately on Facebook. Check this out http://register.hellomornings.org/ 

Join us for the Summer and have the best Summer with your kids!

Hello Morning Challenge

Mornings. I loved mornings when I was younger. (Even in college I was known to wake early & have a quiet time.) After having four sweet children & hours of sleep lost, I have gotten to the place that mornings aren't my friend. I have fibromyalgia so it is easy to have days that I can't get up. What I found in allowing that to rule my days for awhile I realized that I was missing something. See when I didn't get up early several things had to go so that I could get to the things that "must" be done.  One of those things was my Bible & prayer time.

I found a group to help me overcome the cycle that I had allowed into my morning routine. Welcome Hello Mornings! After a year or more of participating in a group via Twitter, I decided to really jump in as an Accountability Captain (AC). I lead my first group-my #HMCCT ladies- in the Fall. I have been blessed in my quiet time and study with the Lord, but also in the encouragement and support of these ladies.

It is time to begin a new session. The Winter group begins January 28. There are many groups-different time zones & countries. Check out the info about the Hello Mornings Challenge. http://www.hellomornings.org/register/  I would love to have you with the #HMCCT group on twitter. http://register.hellomornings.org/sallie-belle-howell/

We will be studying Abounding Hope written by Katie Orr &Lara Williams. I have done several studies by these ladies and have grown in my view of the word  & the message for me. It is a study that you can do in a short time each morning or take deeper if you are ready. No one is required to do the study, but it gets you in the word each day then you have a group with whom to share your insights.

Now I know what you might be thinking, if I am not a morning person how on earth would I ever magically begin. That is where the group comes in to play. We set goals, share them & offer encouragement to get each other there. Some get there easier than others, but the best part is the GRACE offered from a group of like-minded Christian women.


Won't you check out the website? See if you want to join us in Waking Up to God instead of our Routines!