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 84 A Legacy of Wisdom with Steve Burgason
Ep 83 A Legacy of Good Time Management From an Imperfect Time Manager
Ep 82 Leaving a Trail to Jesus with Jennifer Dukes Lee
Ep 81 Our Daily Mission From Jesus: An Expert With Bottom Lines
Ep 80 What Makes a Strong Woman Strong? with Marva Smith
Ep 79 Is Ziplining Part of Your Mission Statement?
Ep 78 Legacy of a Re-Purposed Life, with Michelle Rayburn
Ep 77 Are You a Creative Person? For This You Were Born
Ep 76 A Long Obedience in the Same Direction with Lauren Sparks
Ep 75 Facing the Unexpected: Trust is a Decision with Maree Dee
Ep 74 Legacy of Rest: Take Yourself on Sabbatical
Ep 73 Learning to Thrive in Every Season, with Aimee Walker
Ep 72 Surprised by Joy with Michele Morin
Ep 71 Is Hospitality Your Legacy? God is the Ultimate Host So When We Invite We Are More Like Him
Ep 70 Six Legacy Words to Live By, with Susan Anderson
Ep 69 Seven Prayers For Quarantine—How's Your Prayer Life These Days?
Ep 68 A Legacy of Being Peacefully Imperfect, with Mitzi Neely
Ep 67 Doubting Christianity: Dare We Talk About It?
Ep 66 Silver Living in Suffering: Resilience, with Kathy Vick, Run Like a Girl.org
Ep 65 Did You Choose a Word for the Year? Make Sure It Inspires You!
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