I originally posted this in March of 2009 on my previous blog site, but it has become one of the most popular and top read so far. Laughter is good medicine. Since my husband and I celebrated our 14th anniversary not long ago, and I have another gift card for dinner in my purse, I […]
Author: Shannon Gallatin
Though merely a trophy of God's infinite grace, I am blessed to be the wife of my favorite pastor. I'm also the mother of a miracle with at least 6 treasures in heaven being raised by my heavenly Father. The Lord has used my past jobs of working with families affected by addictions, abuse, and other life tragedies, to help oversee the women's ministry at Calvary Chapel of the Finger Lakes. I couldn't be more thankful for His entrustment to wear multiple hats of various sizes, though they might fit a bit awkward on my noggin'. Praying that each of these things are being used to make me more like my Jesus and bring Him great glory.
Though I love all of the Word of God, Philippians 3:10 has become my life verse and Acts 20:24 my ministry pursuit.
Sing With Me?
The normal “get-ready-for-bed” routine, commenced at the normal “time-to-brush-your-teeth” hour, which turned into the predictable “why-are-you-taking-so-long” follow-up. The customary “you-can’t-wear-that-to-bed” triggered the anticipated “yes-I’ll-get-your-Kermit-and-Skipper” until I finally found a little lump beneath a cozy quilt on my little girl’s bed. Breathe. “Can I lithen to that piano muthic tonight? It helpth me thleep” the lump […]
If Pain Was A Person
I finished the dishes from lunch, wiped down the table, scratched off a foreign substance from a chair and had a glorious thought, “I feel well enough to organize my spice cabinet.” Organizing is never a curse or punishment to me. There’s some sort of warped satisfaction I get by putting things in alphabetical, numerical, […]
How Much Service Pleases the Lord?
I laid down my book after reading the same paragraph half a dozen times and decided to try and get to the restroom without help. My twenty-three-year old spine revolted and shot pain down both legs and refused to cooperate. Humiliation came as quick as my tears and I called my best friend to bring […]
Who’s In Control?
I’ve come a long way from the slightly obsessive, “need-to-feel-in-control” person I used to be. Years ago, the Lord put an older woman in my life that was a walking scalpel to my character. Despite the tears she brought to my prayer closet, the Lord knew exactly where my flesh needed to die, where sensitivities […]
5 Ways the Father Loves
“Maddie, get your book bag,” my husband said in his let’s-get-moving-because-we’re-late voice. “Time to pray.” I grabbed two familiar hands, squeezed them both and bowed my head. As my husband began to pray, Maddie let go of my hand, entwined her arm around mine, leaned into me hard and began to squirm. I opened one […]
God’s Seashell Collection
If you’ll forgive me for not boring you with the how’s and why’s that my husband, daughter and I are in Florida, I’ll get right to one of the most precious revelations the Lord has ever blessed me with. Though it was such a tender and personal exchange, I share it in hopes it will […]
Autumn’s True Colors and God’s Sugar Coatings
Mesmerized. The word that seems to fit me best when the leaves begin to change color. My husband’s voice broke through my enchantment as he tried to get a word in to our “barely-breathe-when-talking daughter.” “In the fall” he began, “the leaves show their true colors Madigan. They can’t be hidden behind all the green […]
When God Labels You “Fireproof”
“Everything that can endure fire, you shall put through the fire, and it shall be clean; and it shall be purified with the water of purification. But all that cannot endure fire you shall put through water.” ~ Numbers 31:23 As I slithered my way back to bed, there was not a single position that […]
The Right Camera App for Life
As I leaned hard over the iron railing from our third floor balcony, I tapped my phone at least two dozen times trying to get the right exposure and focus for the sunrise. I was thankful no one was outside to see the strange contortions I was going through just to get the right angle. […]