Take a close look.
See the BOOTS? A little girl named Molly lent me her cowgirl boots for my speech for the Renew Therapeutic Riding Center’s fundraiser in Holland, Michigan last week. Wearing Molly’s boots did something deep within my soul. Her little pair of boots taught me:
What missing piece is glaring at you today? God has big plans for using that very missing piece to bless you and others. Join me. Borrow someone’s walkin’ boots and let’s bring a smile and an Alleluia for the God who fills our missing pieces with Himself.
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I love this photo of granddaughter Brianna affirming me with a hug. No matter that her Granny can’t walk. No matter her Granny doesn’t have toes for This Little Piggy Went to Market. For me Brianna’s spontaneous gesture shouts, “No worries Granny, I love you just the way you are.” To me, whose been known to cringe because I can’t do what other Grannies do, Brianna’s unconditional love carries a hug from heaven and God’s promise that this Granny, like all Grannies, is fearfully and wonderfully made. Can you say it to yourself? I am fearfully and wonderfully made. And can you take the next step and thank your Creator God for whatever it is about you that brings you down? Know that it’s not a fluke but holy design. Holy because that’s where He wants to meet you and give you His heavenly hug. When I was making my website, my friend Ethel insisted that we put a particular video on it. So after some searching through our VHS tapes and researching how to get it online, David got it up on the web to share with all of you! So here is the story behind it: in 1991 I was one of three disabled Americans honored in Washington DC by the Family Research Council and Focus on the Family. This video was played at the awards banquet, at which I received a fifteen pound bronze statue that reads: The Marian Pfister Anschutz Award presented to Judy Squier in recognition of her dedication to protecting, encouraging and strengthening the American Family. Though a dozen of my family members sat amongst the 300 guests, for me two people were sorely missed: my deceased father who had cheered me on every step of the way and the delivery roon doctor who had announced to Dad: Your daughter’s going to live, I’m sorry to say. Being chosen for this national honor is a forever reminder to me that I extend to you: Don’t quit before the happy ending. God’s plan for good may be invisible to you right now; Heaven’s applause may be inaudible. But keep walking, (crawl if you must). We walk by faith not by sight! So without further ado – please watch my story! For years, actually decades, I searched for it – the poem that my Dad often used at the end of a New Year’s sermon. I shouted Alleluia when I finally found it. Reading it brought joy to my now-old-soul: A New Leaf He came to my desk with a quivering lip – The lesson was done – “Dear teacher, I want a new leaf,” he said, “I have spoiled this one.” In place of the leaf so stained and blotted, I gave him a new one all unspotted, And into his sad eyes smiled – “Do better now, my child.” I went to the throne with a quivering soul – The old year was done – “Dear Father, hast Thou a new leaf for me? I have spoiled this one.” He took the old leaf stained and blotted, And gave me a new one all unspotted, And into my sad heart smiled – “Do better now, my child.” -Anonymous I love it still, but decades wiser recognize that our Heavenly Father’s gift of a new leaf is not just yearly, but daily. And as He hands it to us, hopefully we take the nail-scarred hand of His only begotten Son so that we can journey on together. Jesus and me, Jesus and you – dialoguing, collaborating, laughing, loving, sharing a hankie, forgiving. That’s what I want to do more of in the new year. How about you?
Writing my book His Majesty in Brokenness was lots of work. Now for the fun part: hearing feedback from readers. I love this Facebook note from Bonnie Phillips:
Peering into our souls can be oh, so scary, but oh, so necessary. More and more I think to myself, I expected to be further along than I am! Why? I still find it unnatural to put others before myself, I’ve yet to be thankful when the freeway’s fast lane comes to a screaming halt and I have far to go with Jesus’ command:Be anxious for nothing. Peering into my soul makes me thankful I have a Savior. He grows bigger as I grow smaller. And to think He’s not disappointed in what He sees because He sees His finished work in me.
His unconditional love gives me courage to pray Psalm 139:23-24 (TLB) Search me, O God, and know my heart; test my thoughts. Point out anything you find in me that makes you sad and lead me along the path of everlasting life. I love the feedback from people reading “His Majesty in Brokenness.”
Here’s a few samples of how readers are using my book:
And I will be using it as a model in November for teaching others to write their own story. I believe in miracles. Even more so now that my first book is published.
This dream could have died a quiet death each time an editor rejected my book proposal. Yes, I’d crawl home after writing conferences in California, New Mexico and Oregon wondering why I paid for such torture. I remember early on waiting expectantly for certain praise as someone read my manuscript. Their response devastated me: “I suggest you take some writing classes.” UGH! But I followed their advice and 20 years later I’m a published author. Hugging my finished work proves to me that miracles happen. Husband David, daughter Elizabeth and I shouted for JOY when we unwrapped the proof from Amazon’s Createspace self-publishing. Then 18 month old GRANDbaby, Brianna, sensing something monumental had happened, threw up her little arms and gave her own Alleluia for her granny. Truly a glory-filled moment. My book proves to me there are no hopeless cases. And I have enough hope to pass on to you too. |
AuthorJUDY SQUIER has authored His Majesty in Brokenness, Living in the Names of God and the Living in the Names Bible Study. Husband David and she have three adult daughters, three sons-in-law and seven grandchildren. Never did Mr. and Mrs. Squier dream that their long-awaited golden wedding anniversary would coincide with David’s memorial service. Judy resides in southern Oregon, alone, yet not alone. Thanks to the Good Shepherd! Categories
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