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Thanks, Randy. Reading the end of the article, I was reminded of something in my life many years ago. I was returning to God after being out of fellowship with Him for many years. One day, I "saw" Him as He was the day many years earlier after the traumatic event that eventually led me to denounce Him and move into an entirely different life for many years. While I was whining about where was He, how could He allow this to happen....He was standing with His arms outstretched, wanting me to turn to Him. He would have comforted me and healed me, but I wasn't looking for Him.
Thanks, Randy. Reading the end of the article, I was reminded of something in my life many years ago. I was returning to God after being out of fellowship with Him for many years. One day, I "saw" Him as He was the day many years earlier after the traumatic event that eventually led me to denounce Him and move into an entirely different life for many years. While I was whining about where was He, how could He allow this to happen....He was standing with His arms outstretched, wanting me to turn to Him. He would have comforted me and healed me, but I wasn't looking for Him.
I read your testimony actually on Boundless Webzine.
You know, I love how the church have responded to a generation of fatherless children growing up.
But you know... here's what I'm always thinking and what I see as a new dynamic in society given the fact that more and more non-traditional families are increasing.
What about the motherless generation?
What about daughters not knowing their mother? Not having a relationship with their mother? Not knowing what it's like to have a mother?
It's a reality that quite frankly most in the church do not see.
Back in 1980 when my Mother passed away I was raised in a small town just outside of Vancouver, BC.
There were a very high percentage of children growing up in single-parent families with their mother as their primary care-taker. In my grade K class the school had mentioned that perhaps my teacher should skip father's day because most of the kids in my class didn't have a father.
That teacher saw the dynamics of all the children in her class and was moved with compassion. Then she took not of my twin brother and I. And this is what she said, "There is no way I'm going to skip father's day. These two kids are being forced to celebrate a mother they do not even have, and so when a father is all these children have there is no way I'm going to take that away from them." And so, we celebrated father's day. I'm sure it was difficult for the kids without a father but it was difficult for me to grow up without a mother.
I was moved with your testimony and seeing as my father was an alcoholic and abusive I didn't really have a father either. But having a growing relationship with my father and the ability to talk to him and also to listen to my father share with me the challenges from his perspective have greatly closed my "father-wounding" and I can see that there is a blessing that I have to be able to be in a relationship with my dad even though he's not perfect and can be stuck in his ways.
I have the most amazing opportunity to be apart of the leadership team with Living Waters Canada. Last night I shared my testimony in front of all the participants (about 50 of them) in reference to Triggers of Gender Insecurity. As I prepared over the past couple of weeks for the talk and shared last night just how much change I've experienced in my own life, change that many say is impossible... the reality of it has become more of a reality.
Last night after Living Waters I came home and checked out Boundless Webzine and found your testimony there and read it. I think I might appreciate my father a little more then I had before reading your testimony.
God Bless Randy!
Did you know that I am a trained Living Waters Coordinator? I haven't run a group since working for Exodus. I love Living Waters and am glad you got to share your story there.
I am also glad the article impacted you favorably. Thanks for the feedback.
I can be a technological idiot! But anyhow, I did my best to put a link on my blog to your blog in the only way I knew how because I mentioned your name. And I blogged a little bit of my own experiences and spoke briefly on the merging motherless generation....
But mostly have been sharing my thoughts on something else.
So if you want.... take a look at what I've blogged. The last 2 blogs are on the same subject.
And I blogged through thoughts on other Political issues... and of course, if you disagree with something say something. I view my blog as an "educational tool" more so then anything else.
I read your testimony actually on Boundless Webzine.
You know, I love how the church have responded to a generation of fatherless children growing up.
But you know... here's what I'm always thinking and what I see as a new dynamic in society given the fact that more and more non-traditional families are increasing.
What about the motherless generation?
What about daughters not knowing their mother? Not having a relationship with their mother? Not knowing what it's like to have a mother?
It's a reality that quite frankly most in the church do not see.
Back in 1980 when my Mother passed away I was raised in a small town just outside of Vancouver, BC.
There were a very high percentage of children growing up in single-parent families with their mother as their primary care-taker. In my grade K class the school had mentioned that perhaps my teacher should skip father's day because most of the kids in my class didn't have a father.
That teacher saw the dynamics of all the children in her class and was moved with compassion. Then she took not of my twin brother and I. And this is what she said, "There is no way I'm going to skip father's day. These two kids are being forced to celebrate a mother they do not even have, and so when a father is all these children have there is no way I'm going to take that away from them." And so, we celebrated father's day. I'm sure it was difficult for the kids without a father but it was difficult for me to grow up without a mother.
I was moved with your testimony and seeing as my father was an alcoholic and abusive I didn't really have a father either. But having a growing relationship with my father and the ability to talk to him and also to listen to my father share with me the challenges from his perspective have greatly closed my "father-wounding" and I can see that there is a blessing that I have to be able to be in a relationship with my dad even though he's not perfect and can be stuck in his ways.
I have the most amazing opportunity to be apart of the leadership team with Living Waters Canada. Last night I shared my testimony in front of all the participants (about 50 of them) in reference to Triggers of Gender Insecurity. As I prepared over the past couple of weeks for the talk and shared last night just how much change I've experienced in my own life, change that many say is impossible... the reality of it has become more of a reality.
Last night after Living Waters I came home and checked out Boundless Webzine and found your testimony there and read it. I think I might appreciate my father a little more then I had before reading your testimony.
God Bless Randy!
Did you know that I am a trained Living Waters Coordinator? I haven't run a group since working for Exodus. I love Living Waters and am glad you got to share your story there.
I am also glad the article impacted you favorably. Thanks for the feedback.
And, Randy, by the way, I read your article too and was moved by it.
I have observed that the accompanying or singing business is particularly hard on men. There are social pressures and assumptions that men deal with that I have never had to deal with because I'm a woman. I'm so glad you are able to contribute your skill and musicality to your church and have found that a safe place to continue your art.
The classical music scene is very...seedy...and I've also pondered the same difficulties you mention with schedule. It is a brutal business! And kudos to you for being able to adjust to a M-F 8-5.
My experience has been different in the sense that the Lord has pulled me out of church music ministry and given me a ministry within the classical music scene. There's been lots of opportunities to share Him and I've been pleasantly surprised by the openess to Him so far. I fully expect to get slaughtered for my faith one of these days. But, they are an unreached people group and that is where the Lord has planted me. So, if you are inclined, I would sure covet your prayers. You know what it is like to live in that environment and the toll such a rollercoaster schedule has on a person.
May the Lord richly bless you as you play for Him and may others be drawn to Him through His glory revealed in you.
And yes, that's a good point and I think I will start blogging on that.
Thanks, :)
And yes, that's a good point and I think I will start blogging on that.
Thanks, :)
I can be a technological idiot! But anyhow, I did my best to put a link on my blog to your blog in the only way I knew how because I mentioned your name. And I blogged a little bit of my own experiences and spoke briefly on the merging motherless generation....
But mostly have been sharing my thoughts on something else.
So if you want.... take a look at what I've blogged. The last 2 blogs are on the same subject.
And I blogged through thoughts on other Political issues... and of course, if you disagree with something say something. I view my blog as an "educational tool" more so then anything else.
And, Randy, by the way, I read your article too and was moved by it.
I can relate to a lot of what you are saying. I have observed that the accompanying or singing business is particularly hard on men. There are social pressures and assumptions that men deal with that I have never had to deal with because I'm a woman. I'm so glad you are able to contribute your skill and musicality to your church and have found that a safe place to continue your art.
The classical music scene is very...seedy...and I've also pondered the same difficulties you mention with schedule. It is a brutal business! And kudos to you for being able to adjust to a M-F 8-5.
My experience has been different in the sense that the Lord has pulled me out of church music ministry and given me a ministry within the classical music scene. There's been lots of opportunities to share Him and I've been pleasantly surprised by the openess to Him so far. I fully expect to get slaughtered for my faith one of these days. But, they are an unreached people group and that is where the Lord has planted me. So, if you are inclined, I would sure covet your prayers. You know what it is like to live in that environment and the toll such a rollercoaster schedule has on a person.
May the Lord richly bless you as you play for Him and may others be drawn to Him through His glory revealed in you.