The book that inspired this blog...the novel that tells the story of one woman moving toward healing by fighting through the pain to share small acts of kindness with others...
My author copy of Stepping Into Sunlight arrived in the mail!
It's shiny, smells of fresh ink, and is such a miracle. When I think of the two years of heart, soul, and labor that went into this - not just from myself, but from editors, test readers, designers, type-setters, artists, marketing folk, critique buddies - I'm overwhelmed with gratitude.
Here's a "kindness idea" as I celebrate this arrival...
Think of a friend who could use a reminder that they are not forgotten - that you care about them, and God does, too. Order a copy of Stepping Into Sunlight, and give it to them.
It's not a "how to" book. It's not full of suggestions or advice. It's just a story.
Sometimes a story is exactly what we need.
Blessings!
Sharon Hinck
Friday, August 29, 2008
Saturday, August 23, 2008
One Minute Video
For those of you who want a glimpse of the upcoming Stepping Into Sunlight novel (which inspired "Penny's Project"), you can view this brief book trailer. Enjoy!
Thursday, August 21, 2008
I'm Praying For You
Sometimes we use the words as a fall-back when we feel helpless . . . as a last resort way to offer comfort. But it can be a powerful act of kindness, especially if we follow through.
"I'm praying for you."
Recently, I blogged about a woman who emailed out of the blue to tell me that God has suddenly placed me on her heart and she was praying for me, although she didn't know why. I suspect she worried she would sound a bit silly - especially if there were no special needs in my life.
But what she didn't realize at the time was that she emailed me on a very crucial morning. You can read the whole story here.
Have you ever been praying and felt the Holy Spirit bring a specific person to mind with special emphasis? Have you called or emailed to tell that friend, "I'm praying for you."?
Let's add that idea to our arsenal of kind acts.
We can wait for someone to share a problem and then offer to pray.
But we can ALSO actively ask God to bring to mind someone He wants us to support through our prayers. With or without their knowing, we can do kingdom work through that kind act.
Please share your comments about times when the prayers of others supported you, or ways that you've prayed for friends!
Blessings,
Sharon
"I'm praying for you."
Recently, I blogged about a woman who emailed out of the blue to tell me that God has suddenly placed me on her heart and she was praying for me, although she didn't know why. I suspect she worried she would sound a bit silly - especially if there were no special needs in my life.
But what she didn't realize at the time was that she emailed me on a very crucial morning. You can read the whole story here.
Have you ever been praying and felt the Holy Spirit bring a specific person to mind with special emphasis? Have you called or emailed to tell that friend, "I'm praying for you."?
Let's add that idea to our arsenal of kind acts.
We can wait for someone to share a problem and then offer to pray.
But we can ALSO actively ask God to bring to mind someone He wants us to support through our prayers. With or without their knowing, we can do kingdom work through that kind act.
Please share your comments about times when the prayers of others supported you, or ways that you've prayed for friends!
Blessings,
Sharon
Friday, August 15, 2008
How Can I Help?
What precious words!
Lately I've had the gift of that question offered to me by several friends.
I was talking about some discouragement . . . okay, I'll be honest, more of a feeling of hopelessness about some things that matter deeply to me.
Several friends, via email, phone, or in person, listened, cared, and said those precious words. How can I help?
Today, when someone across from us is angry, hurt, hopeless, or weary, let's offer a shoulder, a hand, a hug. And before giving suggestions, let's first meet their eyes and ask, "How can I help?"
Sometimes a person is too lost in the dark valley to KNOW what to ask for, or what they need. They may not be able to answer that question. Then we can get creative and offer a few ideas.
Sixteen years ago, I was seriously ill for several months. I was so sick that when people asked how they could help, I was too muddle-headed to think of an answer. So friends came up with their own ideas and shared love in a zillion ways.
One of the most unique was a woman from church that I didn't know too well at the time. She called up and said, "Can I please come over and clean your bathroom for you? I'm good at cleaning, and I want to help, and that's something I could do for you."
What a wonderful, specific, humble, beautiful offer!
I still remember how great it felt, after so many weeks of not being able to keep up on housework, to have a sparkling clean bathroom.
Has anyone asked you this wonderful question lately?
And have you had an opportunity to ask it of anyone?
Leave a comment and you'll be entered in my next drawing for a Penny's Project notebook (beautifully hand-crafted by a friend of mine...another of those women who ask, "How can I help?".)
Blessings!
Sharon Hinck
Lately I've had the gift of that question offered to me by several friends.
I was talking about some discouragement . . . okay, I'll be honest, more of a feeling of hopelessness about some things that matter deeply to me.
Several friends, via email, phone, or in person, listened, cared, and said those precious words. How can I help?
Today, when someone across from us is angry, hurt, hopeless, or weary, let's offer a shoulder, a hand, a hug. And before giving suggestions, let's first meet their eyes and ask, "How can I help?"
Sometimes a person is too lost in the dark valley to KNOW what to ask for, or what they need. They may not be able to answer that question. Then we can get creative and offer a few ideas.
Sixteen years ago, I was seriously ill for several months. I was so sick that when people asked how they could help, I was too muddle-headed to think of an answer. So friends came up with their own ideas and shared love in a zillion ways.
One of the most unique was a woman from church that I didn't know too well at the time. She called up and said, "Can I please come over and clean your bathroom for you? I'm good at cleaning, and I want to help, and that's something I could do for you."
What a wonderful, specific, humble, beautiful offer!
I still remember how great it felt, after so many weeks of not being able to keep up on housework, to have a sparkling clean bathroom.
Has anyone asked you this wonderful question lately?
And have you had an opportunity to ask it of anyone?
Leave a comment and you'll be entered in my next drawing for a Penny's Project notebook (beautifully hand-crafted by a friend of mine...another of those women who ask, "How can I help?".)
Blessings!
Sharon Hinck
Sunday, August 10, 2008
First Notebook Winner
I drew names from those who've commented and
Mimi is the first winner of a Penny's Project notebook (inspired by the one that Penny uses in the story Stepping Into Sunlight) where she can jot down her ideas for small steps of kindness.
Keep posting your ideas, because I'll be doing drawings for other prizes later in the month. :-)
Mimi is the first winner of a Penny's Project notebook (inspired by the one that Penny uses in the story Stepping Into Sunlight) where she can jot down her ideas for small steps of kindness.
Keep posting your ideas, because I'll be doing drawings for other prizes later in the month. :-)
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