WELCOME HEART: Living a Legacy Life
Religion & Spirituality:Christianity
Jillian Benfield got the news that her second child, Anderson, was Down Syndrome. This news was not her life-plan. Then just four months after his birth, he underwent open-heart surgery. Then their third child, Preston suffered medical procedures for the first two years of his life. Jillian wrote her book, The Gift of the Unexpected: Discovering Who You Were Meant to Be When Life Goes Off Plan, not as a how-to book on how to get through life's difficulties; rather she wrote her own story--the good, bad and the ugly--to offer hope. Wise beyond her years, Jillian's story has much to teach us about theology, Western thought, ableism and how if we are willing to put in the work, that God will transform us from the inside out, for our good and for His glory.
Get this book, for yourself and for a friend. She's giving one away this week. Leave on comment on blog or on social media or email me at sue@welcomeheart.com.
In her own words:
My life fell apart with a 20-second phone call. We call these moments in life, before-and-after moments. Mine came when I was 27 years old and pregnant with my second child. My life would never be the same, I would never be the same. If you would have told me years ago that my before-and-after moment would end up being one of the greatest gifts of my life, I wouldn’t have believed you. But it was. It is. The unexpected gave me my son. The unexpected ended up giving me, me. That’s what my book, The Gift of the Unexpected, and this space are about. Our unexpected moments, our unexpected lives, can end up helping us live into our God-dreamed entireties.
Some gems from Jillian:
Follow Jillian here:
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When asked, “What’s the greatest commandment?” Jesus replied simply: “Love God, love your neighbor.” I imagine He was thinking, “It’s not rocket science” or “What’s not to like?” or “It’s not complicated.”
He was right, it’s not complicated. But people are people and we make it complicated.
I need to pray daily to uncomplicate what He says is best for me and best for others. So I wrote “31 Days of Uncomplicated Prayers,” and once I pray them through, I start over again.
You can too. One short, simple prayer to help uncomplicate love sent to your inbox for 31 days. Don't worry. They are short. God doesn't mind short prayers.
Sign up HERE
Ep 222 Treasure in the Wilderness with Scott Savage
Ep 221 Can You Change the Painful Legacy of Your Past? with Kristen Hallinan
Ep 220 Throwing Out the Anchor: Encouraging Moms with Pam Fields
Ep 219 How Food and the Table Helps Defeat Loneliness with Kendall Vanderslice
Ep 218 The Value and Joy of Coming Alongside Young Adults with Dianne Beck
Ep 217 Blindspots and Birdfeeders with Bible teacher, Comedienne, Amberly Neese
Ep 216 Reframing Our Suffering with Colleen Swindoll Thompson
Ep 215 How to Live On Mission in Your Neighborhood with Twyla Franz
Ep 214 A Legacy of the Sacredness of Work: How Your Job Matters for Eternity with Jordan Raynor
Ep 213 A Legacy of Coming Alongside with Authentic Hospitality with Alyssa Evans
Ep 212 A Legacy of Recalibrating Your Life with Jenny Abel
Ep 211 A Legacy of People and Grace, Plus Mom Stories with Sue Donaldson
Ep 210 A Legacy of Simple Connecting in the Holidays with Carol Feil
Ep 209 A Legacy of Moving Mountains for the Marginalized with Kristen Welch
Ep 208 A Legacy of Normalizing Mental Health and Faith with Caris Snider
Ep 207 A Legacy of Surviving Abuse: Live Free, Be Bold with Jilliann Woods
Ep 206 A Legacy of a Full Cup of Joy, Part II
Ep 205 A Legacy to Retrain Our Minds with Mimika Cooney
Ep 204 A Legacy of a Simple Invitation, Part 2 with Sue Donaldson
Ep 203 A Legacy of Less Worry and More Peace with Keri Eichberger
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