Your videos mean so much to me. I find them very encouraging! I was the daughter of a pastor and missionary to the far east. My parents remained in ministry even after retirement in their 70s and 80s. I don't think anyone really can understand how difficult (yet rewarding) this calling can be. I ended up being a public school teacher (another difficult yet rewarding job). I retired at 60 to help with my aging parents who have both since gone to Heaven (in their 90s). Now, finally getting the chance to truly be a home maker. I hope you can find the rest and recovery and joy after all your years of service. This RUclips channel is another field of service SO important in this day and age! Thank you for the time and effort you put in to make these videos for us! They are truly a help to me and many others. But do take it easy and don't overdo or put any stress on yourself. Take care! Much love!
Wow...thanks so much for your kind comment. I enjoyed reading it. How wonderful your parents served the Lord all their lives. You were a good daughter to them. I'm so glad, after years of dedicating yourself to teaching, that you can be a homemaker in this season of your life. Thanks for watching my videos and for being an encouragement. Love and blessings, friend. ♥️
Aw Sherry, I’m so sorry you are dealing with burnout! You know I’m a pastors daughter and my son is a pastor so I know EXACTLY what you are talking about! You are not alone with your feelings! Jesus sent you all of “US” Homespun friends to encourage you like you encourage us:) I pray for you! The devil knows his time is short and so he is trying to discourage us and make us give God up or anything that has to do with God. God is stronger and there is always hope from the healer:) He sees you, He knows you, He loves you and He understands. I love you.
@@yvonnejeanette1726 Thank you so much for this beautiful message, Yvonne. I appreciate every word. To be heard and understood is powerful. Sending love right back to you, friend. ♥
My wife asked me to watch your video and comment. I retired from a corporate management position 2+ years ago and I understand burnout and not having friends in the workplace. Based on my experience, and in speaking with other peer retirees, it will take a good year or so to have a real good perspective on things and to recover from burnout. One can get so immersed in the day to day pressures and expectations that these becomes the norm and can be all consuming. You will get through it with the Lord’s help and you will be surprised at how much better you will feel physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. I think you should consider adding a third word in 2025: Recovery. You are courageous to be so transparent with your community. You have been such an encouragement to my wife. Thank you! Our prayers and love are with you.
Thank you so much for this insightful comment that offers encouragement based in experience. It's always good to know that, with time, recovery will take place.I like your suggestion to add the 'recovery' word to my list for 2025. I am grateful to you and your wife for being supportive and for offering up prayers and love. These are gifts my heart can always use. May the Lord's blessings be abundant for you both in this new year!
Dear Sherry, thank 20:09 you for sharing and opening my eyes to the struggles of being in the ministry. How often I judged our pastor's wife of not doing enough. I was completely insensitive to her struggles and the difficulty of being the pastor 's kids too. It seems like pastors wives are often expected to be unpaid and unappreciated laborers. I doubt I will have the chance to apologize to her so I am apologizing to you and acknowledging your years of service. God bless you as you heal Pected
Hi dear Sherry. Sending my love and prayers for a blessed 2025, from my little corner of the world in Costa Rica. I also was a pastor’s wife until my husband divorced for another lady. We had served together for 19 years. It was painful but God is always great and he lead me through. I have a hard time with church now. These past years after COVID hit me in questioning, not God’s church but the church as an institution. I keep congregating but think church must return to being the family of faith where bread is shared, tears and laughter, God’s word and love. It must be a meaningful gathering where Gods name is glorified and our lives enriched so that we may also give others. I started Bible journaling yesterday. ❤ Thank you for the list of verses. Thank you for being a blessing to me even though we are so far away. God bless you and your husband and ministries. 🙏❤🇨🇷
Hi Maria! Thank you for watching my video and sharing some of your story with me. I am so sorry for what was done to you, my friend. That is upsetting. But I do thank God that he carried you through the fire and has brought you on the other side! I do understand what you are saying about corporate worship these days. I think I am struggling with this too. Thanks for being transparent and sharing your thoughts. Pray for me, that the Lord will lead me in the right way of thinking for his glory. I am so grateful you started journaling! Praise the Lord! I am asking the Lord to bless you through it and bring you much joy. Thanks for being my friend in Costa Rica. Love across the miles to you!♥️
AMEN and thank you so much. The Lord has given me the word Trust for this year. He gave it to me back in November and to be gut level honest, I cringed. "Trust is the leg I don't have." That's what I said to Him. I could sense a nod from Him and heard this in my spirit, "Well, wouldn't it be wise to work on stabilizing that side then?" I took a deep breath, and nodded myself. As a Chaplain for a Special Needs ministry here, I totally get assistive devices and the vital importance of stability. So, here we go.... One step at a time. Trust and Obey, for there's no other way.... 💖So thankful for you and your heart, Sherry. 💞 Margaret Elaine
I love this, Margaret Elaine. Thanks for sharing your experience and how God is asking you to lean on him in an area where you need him most. I pray 2025 will be a tremendous year for you...of joy and trust. Sending hugs to you, friend. ♥️
Oh my goodness. Thank you for being vulnerable and sharing your heart. Like you, I am also recovering from years of ministry (34) as a pastor's wife. My husband officially retired from pastoral ministry this past summer. Everything you said resonated with me and truly blessed me as I don't have anyone to really discuss this with. I'm weary and hesitant to even attend church again, even though I know how vital and important it is. So, my word this year is merry. As Scripture says a merry heart does good like medicine. I need to find joy and healing in the Lord this year. I am praying for you, Sherry. ❤
Hi Debbie. I wish I could give you a hug! I understand your weariness and hesitancy, and all the things. I pray that God will bless you with a merry year...and that his joy and healing will come upon you and minister to your heart. Thank you, friend, for your prayers for me. Let's continue to encourage one another as we take things one step at a time. Sending love. ♥
Thank you, Sherry! Psalm 147:3 says, "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." He loves us and is ever faithful. I know He will see us through! ❤
Thank You Lord Jesus for these 2 wonderful Faithful Sisters who have served Your children which can be a motley rebellious disobedient & loving crew…Thank You Lord Jesus that YOU carried them when they had Nothing More to Give & Your Grace was Sufficient for them…I now ask Lord Jesus that as They slowly come into YOUR REST & Let Go of the many years of Service & YOU begin to Show Them WHO They Really Are They Will See How Truly Beautiful Their Hearts ARE!! Lord Jesus Let Your True JOY be released in Each of Them!! I want to say to You Sherry I felt Your Brokenness as You spoke…I saw an egg with all the cracked lines all over it But the Membrane was what held it together…every cracked line….BUT HOLY SPIRIT Held You together! NOW Is YOUR TIME FOR YES HEALING & RESTORATION!!!! Rest In HIM.., the LOVER OF OUR SOULS..,, I want to say “THANK YOU DEAR SISTERS FOR ALL YOUR GRACIOUS SERVICE OVER ALL THE YEARS”! Blessings & Love Marcia from Australia 🇦🇺 ❤❤🙏🏻🙏🏻
Your backyard is so peaceful!!! ❤got saved in 2021 at the age of 34 and my goal for 2025 is to grow even more closer to Jesus!!! its such a journey with our lord... never a destination🫶...oh what a friend we have in Jesus🙌🙌🙌😊❤️❤️❤️may you and your husband have a wonderful blessed year!!! ❤🫶
Thank you Caroline! Praise the Lord for 2021, which was the year of your salvation. I am grateful God brought you to my channel. I pray we all can continue to grow closer to Jesus because, as you said, oh what a friend he is! Blessings to you!♥️
Thank you for sharing whats happening in your life❣️ I will be praying for you and your journey of healing 🙏. When I was praying for you the promise from Ps. 23 came into my mind: “He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.” ❤
Hi Sherry, I have been reading through the comments since I finished watching the video. Thank you for being so vulnerable. It looks to me like you have a lot of friends. Just not ones you can go to lunch. You are in my prayers as you take this time to heal. My word is trust or patience. Maybe both. God bless you!!
Hi Anita! You have a good point. I am truly blessed by this wonderful community God has placed around me. I appreciate your kindness and your prayers for me. I love both words: Trust and Patience. I think those two are just like my words, they go hand in hand. Blessings, friend!♥️
Oh friend! Now I know why God has been putting you on my heart lately! I’ve been praying for you, earnestly praying. Thank you for sharing what you’re experiencing. I just love the heart you have for others and I love you! Praying for those sniffles too! 💜🤗
Thank you so much Kathy. What a blessing you are. I always know, when I see your name, that you have prayed for me. And I appreciate your prayers more than you realize. I love you. 💜
I’ll be praying as you heal., sweet friend. Your tender heart shines through and you are a beautiful soul. My word for the year is faithful. I want to be more faithful in my prayer life, my service to the Lord and my love for Him daily.
Thank you for sharing! I can empathize in a different way. For years we attended a non denominational church that was spiritually abusive. It didn’t start out that way but when the pastor got sick, it opened the door for God ‘doing a new thing.’ We were forced to either do certain things or be seen as rebellious. We ended up moving and attending another church but my husband, who really faced the brunt of it in the previous church, attends very reservedly. All these things make me ask the question: do we really have the right model when it comes to church? Are we meant to do house church instead? Just makes me wonder. I don’t have a word for 2025. I have never really done that. I know so many do and I think it’s wonderful!
Hi friend...I'm so sorry that happened to you at your previous church. Damage done in church is some of the worst there is because it has to potential to negatively affect our relationship with Jesus. You ask a great question and it's one I'm dealing with currently. I have only ever been involved in church as it exists as an institution. It has basically been my life's work. It has positive things about it...and it's a powerful pull because of its roots in traditional. But is it effective? Is this what God intended? I am working through all of this. Thanks for praying for me as I do. I will pray for you guys too. I'm sorry what was done to your husband.
Your words for this year and the things you shared in this video really resonated with my soul. I think I may choose “healing” as my word too. I feel isolated from others because of my faith and interests at times. Watching your videos helps me realize that I’m not alone. They are going in a different direction. I’m really trying to live a life that is pleasing to God. Though none go with me I still will follow. Thankful for you Sheri.You are covered in prayer today and in this next year as you heal.🥰
Hi Anna...Thank you for sharing your feelings right now. I hope you will find less isolation by being here with our Homespun Family. I think healing would be a great word for you...as it is for me. I pray the Lord will bless us all as we make our way through 2025, resting in his care. ♥️
Burn out is very, very real...give yourself grace:) There are significant physical components to burn out similar to physical symptoms that accompany grief. Take as much time as you need to process what you need to process...oftentimes, life can get very heavy.
Thank you for your comment, Debbie. You are right. Burnout takes a toll on body, mind, and soul. Thank you for caring and for encouraging me to give myself grace. I truly am trying to give more grace all around.
Amen! God is still on the throne no matter what! To me, you spoke from the heart. God gave you the words to say in this video. You channel has been such a blessing since I found you in 2024. My word for 2025 is HOPE. I want to draw closer to Him in this new year and grow deeper in the word. I love Mornings With Jesus. I started using this devotional just before dad died. Him and my mom would do them every morning. It will be 3 years this April that he was called home to be with the Lord. Mom and I still do our Mornings With Jesus.
How wonderful that you have such a sweet connection to the Mornings with Jesus devotional book. Your word for the year, 'Hope,' is one of my favorites. That's why my recent book had that word in the title! Tell you mom I said hello! Blessings, friend. ♥
Sheri how sad to hear the situation you describe. You and your husband need much time and rest to recover. Praying that you will both know the Lords richest blessing and yes His healing and His light. Enjoy the sunshine and draw on Him in that lovely spot. With much love.
My word is Grace. It can be a noun. A verb. And an adverb. Each to guide me through the year(s) we face. Thank you for all you do. The Peace of God be with you.
Thank you Sherry,for being vulnerable. I have found that at times we have to be cracked wide open so that we can be healed. Our lives seem to be a constant stream of rough and smooth sailing,highs and lows,losses and gains. It seems to me that unless we have worn the same shoes as our brother or sister,we can never fully know what “things” are like and felt by them. Sometimes standing outside looking in things seem so different than what they probably really are. I just love the perfect gift of prayer! What a treasure of a gift we were given to be able to pray for those we care for. That is what I’m doing for you now. The gift given to me I am using to extend a loving hand to you just as you do all the time for so many. I can’t do much but I CAN and do and will pray. Thank you sweet,kind friend!! I’m so glad Jesus led me to you! You have no idea how my life has changed. Please take care of yourself(I know you will)and be feeling so much better very soon. You are feeling poorly but you still made your video… your devotion astounds me. Love,prayers,hugs!! (I’m undecided for sure on my word for this new year although I am leaning towards a couple)
Hi Cathy! Thank you, sister, for this sweet word of encouragement and for sharing about the gift of prayers. It is a gift that delivers in mighty ways and I appreciate you praying to the Father for me. Sending lots of love to you ♥️
Hi Sherry, I feel like I have two words as well. Mine are "focus" and "honesty". I've felt really scattered for a while now (kinda like a kamikaze squirrel!) so "focus". Then, I seem to always be praying for others (as we should) but God whispered when will you be honest and bring Me your needs, hurts etc? So "honestly". Just keep being you, Sherry, that's what draws people to you. ❤
Hi Rhonda. Thanks for sharing about your words for this year. I appreciate what you are saying about focus and honesty. I do think those two things are important. I pray that this will be your year to put all your cares upon the Lord...to focus on worshipping him and being close to him. When my children were young and they were hurting over something, they would run into my arms and say, "Hold you, Mama. Hold you!' And what they wanted was for me to hold them...because they needed my care. That is how we can be with Jesus. We can run to him and say, "Hold you, Jesus. Hold you!" And we feel his love surround us and meet our needs. Sending hugs, Rhonda. ♥
Thank you Sherry for your vulnerability and your honesty in your video. First I know that God will completely heal you and give you a great reserve built back up in you! I want you to know that you still have a great light shinning out of you and I can’t wait each day to see if you have a new video out. You are a tremendous blessing to so many of us and hopefully God will move each of us to be a blessing to you as well. I have never chosen a “word” for the year. I don’t know exactly how to do that or what it entails to do it, but it sounds like a great thing to do. I just want you to know that you have made an impact in my life that I don’t think anyone else could have done. Praying for Gods blessings on you for every single day! I love you, Ada
Hi Ada....thank you for being so nice to me. Your understanding nature comes through in your comments. I am grateful for our prayers and love. What I do when it comes to selecting a theme word for the year, is I pray and ask God to show my a word I could focus on for 12 months...one that will stand out in my mind as I read Scripture or as I pray. One year, the word 'joy' kept coming up over and over again as the new year approached. I decided God was showing me that he wanted me to really pay attention to that word, so I made it my theme word. All year long, I noticed it in Scripture, hymns, and devotions. I experienced so much joy that year! May the Lord bless you, dear Ada! Love you!♥
I am so glad that I watched this. My grandfather was a minister and you gave me so much insight into how my grandmother probably felt. Thank you for your leadership. I purchased the One Year Bible you recommended and I am on day 2 ❤
I'm so excited for you to be reading the One Year Bible, Emily! 🎉 I pray God will bless you each day. Your grandparents sound like wonderful people. Thanks for watching!♥️
Hi Sherry, thank you for sharing your beautiful back yard!!! I do hope you are feeling better! I will be praying for you as you begin to heal from years of being in ministry. I never gave a second thought to how difficult being in ministry could be.....prayers and hugs for you.
You are quite amazing and so encouraging in your honesty. I can so understand. It came out beautifully! May His Light shine and bring you healing in the sunshine of your lovely garden.
You have a friend in us ........a fresh start of friends...... I am writing The book of John , also when you first suggested. Now I had a 2 week pause time to re start tomorrow
Yes I really enjoyed writing the names of Jesus! I also gave a journal and a list of scriptures to a friend. She was so excited. you Sherry for the idea of scripture writing. It has truly been a blessing. I write it in the evenings and it is such a good way to end the day! Blessings I had to edit to add a thank you for this video, It is a great reminder to remember to pray for our pastors wife. And to do things for her that will bless her! Let us all remember to pray for them!
I'm so excited you are enjoying Scripture Writing! I also was blessed by writing the names of Jesus in December. Thanks for watching and leaving a comment for me!♥
Thank you for adding that Roberta! Pastor's wives are often working behind the scenes. They are taking care of the pastor, standing by him when he's overwhelmed, keeping meals warm when meetings run too long, driving with him to visit hospitals, taking notes for him when others need him. Their contribution to the church's ministry is a silent jewel. Pray for her! Do something nice for her...even something small, like send a card. Tell her you love her. Tell her you appreciate her. You can make a difference in her life. ♥
Sherry, I can’t even imagine how hard it must be to be a pastor or pastors wife. Everyone expects pastors and their wives to be perfect people, but they are just like us with the problems we face every day. I often wonder how my Pastor and his wife deal with all they have to take care of at church. I get discouraged at many things and I don’t know all that goes on, it hurts when others hurt at church and people fall. It is good that you two get to slow down and rest in God’s presence and get refreshed. I will be praying for you both as you start this new season in your life and for your renewal in the Lord. Thank you for all the encouragement you give to all of us, God is still using you. God bless you both!😊
Oh Sherry, Thank you for your reply. How humbling and sweet and kind. I'm so glad God put you in my life. Did I share this before? I was listening to a Christian program and he was talking about crying..if you feel overwhelmed and you feel like crying,then cry. It won't be for hours and hours just maybe a minute. Then wash your face and go on about your day. That crying is our bodies way of releasing pressure. The only thing I would add is wash your face and get a snack,too. I so appreciate you. Have a restful night. Love you. 🥰
Thanks for sharing this, Genevieve. I absolutely believe that crying is beneficial for good health. And I love your added suggest to wash our faces and get a snack! That makes everything better! Love you friend.
Thank you for sharing… you can always be like us dear sister… because you are ♥️just stay with us I just love hearing from you … I can’t even imagine the pressure from being a pastor and a pastors wife.. long time ago a had a friend that was a pastors wife .. she told about how she strived to keep her living room always orderly because if someone came to the door at 2 in the morning you had to let them in and show hospitality… my love and prayers to you ♥️🙏🏻my word for the year is serenity .. I need the peace only God can give .. I need a lot of spiritual mental help!! I will be seeking Him everyday for his guidance for peace ….(I found the farmers market calendar like your)😊
Hi Sandy! Thank you, thank you, thank you. You are so kind and make me feel accepted. And yes, your friend had it figured out. You always have to be ready to open your door and have it looking presentable. I will pray for you right now, dear Sandy, that the Lord will bring serenity to your heart and mind. You are not alone in needing the Lord's peace. I look forward to seeing how God will work in your life in 2025. (So thankful you found the calendar!! I hung mine up today!). Love you♥
I'm so thankful for your ministry for us, your RUclips/Facebook friends. I am praying for your healing. I need healing for a different reason. At first, after my husband passed away a couple years ago, I thought I only needed healing from the loss. I recently realized I relied on my husband for everything. Now that he's gone I feel lost. Even scared! God has been showing me I need to rely fully on Him. I don't need another man to take care of me like I thought. I only need Him. My word is "trust", because I need to learn to fully trust God for EVERYTHING in my life. Our interim pastor is leading us through a book - " 21 Days of Transforming Prayer"! We started today. I'm praying this will help my prayer life, and teach me how to pray effectively. Prayer has always been difficult for me. I know God hears, and understands what I need! And He has answered many of my weak prayers! He's a good God, but I want to learn to please Him while I'm trusting Him! Again, thank you sweet Sherry!
Hi Amy. Thank you for sharing from your heart. I think most everyone could understand how difficult it is to lose not only your spouse, but the one who took care of so many of the management responsibilities. It would definitely be scary to go through that. Your word 'trust' is powerful, friend. I took note of the book you are starting to read and I am asking the Lord to use it and the practice of prayer to bring strength and reassurance into your life. I love the faith you have in Christ and I know he has great things ahead for you! Sending hugs, Amy. ♥
Greetings Sherry! Oh my goodness, my word for the new year is also healing! I want you to know how encouraging it is to hear authentic honesty about seeking healing from all kinds of issues. Sometimes I feel alone in this and your openness about your own needs is so comforting. Love and blessings ♥️🙏
Oh thank you for this comment, Jean. It's nice to know we aren't alone. Most of us are going through something, even if it's hard to talk about. I love you, friend, and pray that both of us will find healing in 2025!♥
You are a beautiful light on RUclips and I'm sure to your family and friends as well. I'm glad you are taking time to heal. It's so important in our lives and I'll be praying for you. My word of the year is acceptance. Accepting what's happened in my life and acceptance of whatever Jesus has in mind for my year.
Wow, friend...thank you for sharing this. I am just now reading your comment and it's so in step with the video I just uploaded! I speak about acceptance and peace. Thanks for watching and for your kind message!♥️
My word for the year is "trust" and the scripture is Psalm 32:7-8. Thank you for sharing your heart and I pray that the Lord will heal your heart and lead you into His light.
I am a new subscriber, and this video is so encouraging. Thank you for being so honest because it is helpful in many ways. I am praying for a young man in our church who just started school to go into ministry as a pastor. I feel that after listening to you, I know more of how to pray for and encourage him. Healing takes many forms, not just physical, and I will pray that you experience it as you study this year. My word is "devotion," specifically to Jesus. Thank you for this ministry that you do here on RUclips!
Hi Karen and welcome to the channel! I'm so glad the Lord brought you my way. Praise the Lord for this young man who has given his life to prepare for the Lord's work. And how blessed he is to have you praying for him. Prayer is powerful. It is strength to those for whom we pray. So I will pause now and pray for this young man too. You are right about healing. And I do believe that sometimes we need healing in areas of which we aren't even aware...not until we let the Great Physician look us over. So that is where I am this year. And I truly appreciate your prayers for me. I love the word devotion. When I look it up, I see that devotion entails love, loyalty, and enthusiasm for a person or thing. That sounds exciting! I pray 2025 is your best year yet!
Dear Sweet Sherry, My sister in Christ. I feel the pain you are sharing, I can see it and hear it in your voice. You have been through so much stress for so many years! Not only the ministry but with personal pain. 😢 If it's any consolation, Your reward in heaven is going to be great! You are blessing to so many, probably even more than you know!❤ I remember you saying that you really didn't want to be a pastor's wife at first. I don't think I could carry the weight and burdens of hundreds of people year after year. I genuinely care about others, as you do , even now you give a lot of yourself! I pray for the Lord to heal all of your emotions and hurts from the past, and he knows every single one of them! And the difficulty of being so exhausted ! This is something I feel like the Lord wants me to share with you. (Yes, you are rolling to get to the other side, and remember that Jesus is in your boat with you! ) I will be praying for you! 🙏🤗
Thank you very much, Connie. You are so thoughtful to share these encouraging words with me. Thank you for being compassionate, as the Lord has led you. God is so good. He helps us in many ways and one of the ways he helped me is with my sweet online friends. Thank you for prayers. May the Lord bless you as you reach out to others with your spirit of kindness.
Hi Sherry, I want you to know that you have been a blessing to me. I thank you for all of the effort that you have put forth to be an example and inspiration to so many of us who are encouraged by your loving messages. I appreciate your vulnerability - I had no idea (I feel silly now) how challenging it was for you to take on so much (you make it look easy!). The word that comes to mind is selfless - and I LOVE that you will give attention and energy this year to focus on healing and light. My word for 2025 is grace. I was struck by a sermon that reminded me that grace is undeserved - that if I am offering grace only to those who deserve it (are remorseful, have apologized) that I am missing the mark. I truly have not deserved the grace that God has shown me, and I plan to focus this year on being freely graceful to others, and accepting and appreciating the grace that I am unworthy of and am blessed by. I will pray for you to feel the love, kindness, and support from the many, many of us that you have blessed, and for you to continue to feel the joy and love from our Father. I sincerely thank you for all that you have given. I look forward to continuing this journey, blessed by your wisdom and generosity. 💕
Hi Diana! Thank you for this sweet message and for being such an uplifting person. Your word for the year is powerful! Where would we be without grace? It's free, unreserved, and undeserved. I pray that the Lord will bless your year with an overflow of his grace, both to keep and to share! Thank you for being a blessing to me and praying for me. You are extending grace already! Love to you♥️
Sherry you are such a sweet, tender hearted woman and child of God ✝️💗. I’m touched by your message today and I want to pray for you 🥹🙏🏼. Keeping yourself in the love of God and building yourself up in our most holy faith is a special verse I am thinking for you right now. I love your heart for the LORD. it is quite evident to see in you 💜✝️💜. Praying for that rest for you just like Elijah at the Brook cherith. God took care of him beautifully. He loves you sweet friend. Love Lesley ❤️❤️❤️
Hi Lesley! Thank you so much for these words of encouragement. I am grateful for your prayers and for pointing out God's faithful care of his servant, Elijah. That soothes my spirit. May the Lord bless you, friend. ♥
Dear Sherry, thank you for being so honest and open! I'm happy I found you. I love how you use your God-given talents to bring glory to Him. Your sincerity and genuineness inspire me. Before you revealed your word(s) for the year, the word "healing" had already popped into my mind for myself, so that will be my word for the year, also. I will be praying for you, my friend. May God guide you by His light, into the place you desire to be in the coming year.
Hi Lynda! Thank you for your sweet response. What a blessing! I am so happy to know that several of us have selected the same word this year. I think it will be great to share all the things God is showing us as we move over the months. I appreciate your prayers for me because I know it is praying Homespun friends who have held me up to Jesus when I have needed it most. ♥ God Bless You!
What a wonderful video. I felt like I was listening to a friend & I wanted to give you a huge hug. I’m so thankful God led me to your channel. My journey is relatively new & I’ve been exploring new ways I can grow spiritually. Thank you so much for sharing. And your yard looks so beautiful in the background. 🤗
Hi Suzanne! Thank you for visiting me and for being my friend. I'm grateful God led you my way. It's wonderful that you are growing and seeking ways to nurture your relationship with the Lord. It's exciting! Thanks for liking our yard. My husband really enjoys cutting the grass (and fertilizing it and all the things) and he's sad its winter now and the grass cutting has ended for a short time.
The word that came to my mind was trust, I believe that God gave me that word for this year for a reason, and it just came to mind while watching and listening to sharing some things on your mind. Thank oh for sharing. 🙏for you God knows what you are going through.
Dear Sherry, ministry is so hard and not being able to have friends is difficult. The damage that can occur,from a church, has a real impact that’s difficult to shed. Sadly I know from previous experience of being a minister’s wife for many many years. Where I live in the UK there is very little church life, with very few friends and having lost my husband to the Lord you have been such an inspiration. Your channel means so much to me. I will pray for you, for healing and respite. God bless you.❤
Hi Lynn....Thank you very much for your affirming words to me. Your unique experience as a minister's wife gives you perspective into many things I'm feeling now. My heart goes out to you too, as you have experienced the passing of your dear husband. But knowing he is in the Lord's presence brings comfort...and knowing we will all be there one day together brings hope. Thank you for your prayers for me and for supporting me like you do. I appreciate it. Blessings to you, friend. ♥
Hi Sherry, thank you for your video and sharing your honest comments. I'll be praying for you and Vince. For calming time to recover. I like your yard and the bird feeder and bird bath. How pleasant to spend time watching the birds...and maybe the birds are chirping to each other saying," I love this yard and these people feeding us and providing water". Your words for the year are good ones. I'd like to choose " letting go is worship". That really spoke to me when you shared that. One example is letting go of a friendship that was just to be for a season. You're so precious to me. I'll be praying the things weighing on you would just roll off. Have a restful night. ❤️
Thank you dear Genevieve! I am so grateful for you and your prayers for me. You are one person who is always uplifting. You even go back and watch my age-old videos and give me encouraging comments. Thank you for being you. I love your theme. 'Letting go is worship.' I can't get that off my mind. I wept as I wrote it because it ministered to me. And it still does. Sending love. ♥
One of the gifts I wanted to give our older daughter for Christmas was a daily devotional book with scripture and life stories. I found one online that I thought would be good for her. While looking for that, I also saw the Mornings with Jesus for 2025. I knew instantly that I had to have it for myself, so I bought it. It’s a wonderful devotional book with thought provoking messages and I’m so glad I saw it. Thank you for sharing a bit of the experience you have lived with as a minister’s daughter and wife. It helps to give me a deeper understanding of what it must be like for others in that position. I’m watching this on January 6, and I imagine your weather has changed quite a bit since you filmed this video! Did you get snow?? We have it in central Virginia, the first snowfall of the season. God bless you as you journey through 2025 and seek to follow His will for your life. I want to contemplate a special word to guide me this year too. Thank you for this inspiring idea…🌞😊 ❤-Brenda
I'm so glad you found the books you were looking for, Brenda! I have enjoyed the Mornings With Jesus Devotional. It gets my day started in the right way. Our weather has definitely changed. It's very cold and while we didn't get snow we did have some rain and freezing rain overnight into today. We are keeping a look out on Friday and Saturday of this week for a potential winter weather event. I hope you will enjoy the beauty of your snow! Thanks for spending time with me, friend. Blessings ♥️
Sherry hang in there. God knows, he do not give us more than we can bear, yet he is always t our side helping us and guiding us on the right path. So my dear friend he is with you and helping you through these rough days. My words for this year is love and forgiveness. My heart is longing for his love and to show me how to truly love the people that hurt s me and how to forgive and forget. I love you Sherry. You have been a blessing to me and I am happy I found you.
Thank you for your positive words Dawne...and I love your words for this year. Love and forgiveness go hand in hand and I pray the Lord will guide you each step of 2025! I'm thankful you are here, friend. Blessings to you!♥
Hugs to you. Your grace and genuineness shines through despite the toll church ministry has taken. I hope this year of healing strengthens you and that you can find balance, and healing. I pray that you will experience supportive relationships in a broader sense. It seems like family, your husband and God have helped you through your ministry years and now despite needing respite you are still sharing and ministering to others. Bless you in your year of healing.
Thank you Lou. I appreciate your thoughtful comments here. Reading the kindness of fellow believers humbles me so much. It's restorative and brings me comfort. Thank you, friend.
Thank you for sharing your heart with us. I am also a pastor's wife and my dad was a pastor so I can understand what you are talking about. It has been my life. My husband recently retired after 53 years in the ministry and we're learning to shift gears and not feel like the weight of the church is on our shoulders. I also wasn't able to have close friends in the church. Thank you again for your honesty and helpful suggestions and making me feel like you are a friend. ❤
Thank you for sharing with me. Congratulations on your retirement and I pray the Lord will bring refreshing to your hearts, minds, and bodies in this season of life. My husband and I are truly enjoying the time we have...time where, as you say, we don't feel that weight on our shoulders. Thank you for watching and for being my friend. I could use one. ♥
Years ago, I read a book by Carole Mayhall called "Lord of My Rocking Boat." It talks about the storms of life. It helped me so much. I don't know if it's still in print, but I still pull it out from my bookcase and read it again. a our pastor always says, "we are about to enter a trial, or in the midst of a trial, or coming out of a trial." Prayers and blessings to you, Sherry. ❤
This is so true, Beverly. My husband has often said that same thing. Thank you for telling me about the book. I enjoy reading helpful books...and I would love to write a helpful one too. But it's going to be a while. Blessings to you in this new year, friend. ♥
Like the other subscribers have expressed I am thankful for your ministry and your transparency. My heart goes out to you, and I pray the Lord will bring healing to you this year. My life has been at a standstill for the past couple months and I don’t have a word to describe how to move forward. Perhaps I need healing as well. I’ve always been an optimistic person but suddenly I have struggled to maintain a positive spirit. I plan to stay anchored in the Word and my church and pray I will get past this time. 🙏✝️🥰
Hi Kathy...thanks for watching and for praying for me. I'm sorry to hear about this standstill period you are experiencing. I have talked to so many people who are struggling with similar things right now. I pray that the Lord will bring his peace and comfort on you, as you continue to be faithful to him. I know he is with us all and he will heal us and make us whole once more. ♥
@ Thank you for your encouraging words. It has been a spiritual battle for me and my family. My son’s girlfriend has been in and out of the hospital since April after ignoring an ulcer for three years. She has had part of pancreas and part of her intestines removed and recovery has been very very slow with many setbacks. My son’s was laid off in December so they are struggling financially as wel. My daughter is not communicating with me. She sent me a letter stating things she has held against me for more than 20 years. She has problems with depression and blames others for her problems. I shared the letter with a couple of very close friends who said it was very disresptful. I spent Christmas and New Years Day without being with her family. I am grateful I was able to spend an evening with my granddaughter and we exchanged Christmas gifts and have dinner together. We had a wonderful conversation. I didn’t say anything about my daughter to her but she shared with me that she didn’t understand why my daughter is made the decision not to be in touch with me until after the holidays. I went to our church Christmas concert with a friend and had the friend over for dinner on Christmas Day. I was determined not to let the alienation of my daughter to rob me of the joy of Christmas. It was through the conversation with a a very close Christian friend who pointed out that I am in the midst of a spiritual battle and she advised me to put on the armor shared in Ephesians 6 when my relationship with my daughter does resume. I have felt I’m under attack. My son may need to ask me for money, and I have helped him financially in the past. I told him I have to be careful of the money, as i am a widow, and don’t know how long I’ll need what money I have in my savings account. I am 80 years old and am currently independent but that can change quickly because of my age. I have some minor health issues, but am still able to be independent. I believe my words can be peace and comfort which I believe the Lord can provide so I will focus on those scriptures. Thank you again. 🙏✝️🥰
We are still in ministry and it’s difficult but rewarding too. I don’t know when we (I) will retire but U am slowing down myself- I can tell! I so understand what you are talking about!!! It is a burden that no one can understand what it’s like unless they have been through it. I pray for you friend as I understand. I have felt this so many times.
Hi Kimberly! Thank you for your kind words and your understanding spirit. I pray the Lord will strengthen you and hold you up as you serve him. What a difference you are making in the lives of his people! ♥
What a nice view! I needed this. I’ve been down with influenza since day after Christmas, high fever 103 for four days. Worst I’ve had ever and I am 66! We had to postpone our out of state Christmas today with our grandchildren. But I am still grateful. You are an encouragement to me this first glorious day of 2025❣️🌟 Thank you 🙏🏼
Oh no. I'm so sorry about your illness, friend. And Christmas is a tough time to be sick, especially if you have to miss gatherings with the grandbabies. I pray the Lord will touch you with his healing hand and that very soon, you will get the opportunity to make up for the excitement you missed with your grands. Blessings to you, Mary Ann. Feel better soon!♥
Mrs. Sherry thank you for sharing. You are right....Churches has been the same since 2020. It's like every where we turn someone is hurting. 2024 hasn't been a good year for us. Church hurt is one of the hardest. We've just recently I would mid Summer relocated to another Church. We have been attending this one for about 21 year's. Sometimes change isn't easy for everyone. I'm gonna share your video on my personal Facebook page. So many are dealing w alot that you mentioned in this video. Happy New Year to y'all !! ❤
Thanks so much for sharing with me Susan. I am praying for all those who are struggling with church...or in church. I know God is faithful and he will come where we are and help us. ♥️
Sherry, thank you for your courage in sharing what you are going through. Your use of the word "burnout" helped me label what I am feeling about my career right now. My word this year is " abide." Praying for your emotional healing and that God will give you His perspective. Kim
Hi Kim! I’m so sorry about what you’re going through. I pray 2025 will a restorative year. I love your word abide. As you abide in Christ, may he meet your every need.
Sherry I cannot imagine all you dealt with in your many years of ministry. I hope this year GOD will bring healing to you from all your years of ministering to others. I have chosen PATIENCE to focus on as I have no patience in dealing with myself and get upset so quickly with myself. Colossians 3:12 will be my guidance moving into 2025.
Hi Denise...I love your word and your verse. That's a meaningful focus for 2025. 'Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.' ♥
Hi Sherry. It takes courage to be vulnerable and when we are in seasons of needing healing, it is often the courage and self awareness of our own needs that is a first step towards healing and balance in the Christian life, especially a life dedicated to ministry. My story is a bit different. In my home, I am the Ordained minister and now hospice chaplain, as well. I’ve been serving in ministry since I was 14 years old and I’ll be turning 65 this year. I can relate to the heaviness of carrying others burdens , while carrying my own. I can most definitely relate to the weariness of overload and burnout. You are so very wise to take this year of 2025 for healing, self care, for Jesus’ care and for a new season. Your many years of service surely brought much good to all that you invested in. The ministries and programs you and your husband extended to your church and community touched many lives. You have eternal investments of sacrificial love, care and obedience to God for the sake of others and the sake of the Church. But if there is not balance and rest, it can take its toll. I find it so interesting that Jesus full time ministry lasted only three years, and yet we see many times in scripture that Jesus needed rest, and times of quiet communion with The Father. We need that too. Healing and light- I love those two words you have chosen for your focus this year. I am taking a moment right now to pray healing, peace, calm, quietness, care and restoration over you. You don’t know me, and I’ve never met you, except here on You Tube but I do believe The Lord orders our steps and puts people along our path of life for specific reasons. I am so thankful our paths have crossed in this earthly life. You give so much of yourself, now it is time to receive. Receive your healing each and every day of this new year. Receive friendship. Receive guidance, even as you guide others. Receive the love of The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit, the pure love and healing of The Triune God, who knows all that you need and all that your heart desires. Many prayers and blessings will cover you this year.
Thank you so much for this, Beverly. Wow. I became teary-eyed reading this. I can feel your gift for ministry and I appreciate that you are sharing it with me. Thank you for your many years of service to God. Thank you for sharing his love and light with me. I am grateful for your specific prayer over me, as I could feel myself letting go as I read your words. May the Lord continue to bless you in all the ways you give of yourself, friend. ♥
@@thehomespunwife You are most welcome Sherry. I have been preparing my 2025 prayer journal. It is a simple journal and it stays on the nightstand by my bed. As I begin my morning prayer time, sometimes before I even get out of bed, I hold the journal and pray over the pages. I put someone's name at the top and through the year, I may add scripture, a prayer and I have even anointed the pages with a tiny drop of oil in the corner of the page. My husband's name is on the first page, mine is on the second, followed by each of my children and grandchildren. Then extended family, friends, friends in ministry, and so on. Some mornings I go page by page and pray a prayer over each person. Some mornings, I just hold the journal and ask God to bless and care for each person represented on the pages. The Lord knows every need and every detail of those in my journal. After I listened to your video, not once but twice, I heard several words that I know have touched the heart of our Lord. So, you have a page in my journal this year. Count on my prayers - morning prayers. We are in the Central time zone, about an hour behind you, so about 7:00am your time, I will be praying. On your page, I wrote your name and your two words - healing and light. I will add scripture and thoughts on your page throughout the year. As you begin your healing journey, take time to know that your Heavenly Father loves you, He is pleased with you and He delights in you, as you look to Him for the restoration that only He can give. Again, you and I have never met but The Lord knows us both, and the most wonderful thing about being in the family of God, is that we have Christian family, sisters in Christ, everywhere, linked together by Jesus' love!
Miss sherry, please know you are in my daily prayers, because you are so important to me. I depend on your inspiration & encouragement .thank you for being the special lady you are. GOD bless you richly! 💕❤️💕
Sherry thank u so much for being transparent and sharing your heart. I’ll be praying that God brings you the healing you need. I am on the outside looking in on a similar situation in my family. I keep them in prayer because I see burnout coming. I have discussed it with them but they don’t see what we see. So I left it to God to reveal it to them. They are in similar roles in a small church and it has consumed their lives. Many holidays spent only with church members and in charge of activities instead of spending a little time with blood family etc. All sorts of activities all the time. I told them God honors your time with HIM more than busyness. Unfortunately they see all of it as serving the Lord. There is no balance. We experienced burnout somewhat when we served at a small church. In Germany. We were not in leadership positions but we sought God and fasted 21 days and God revealed to us that what was happening was not of HIM so we ended up leaving that church. Sherry take care of your health. Praying you get well soon. Blessings. ❤
Hi Iris and thank you for sharing. I am sorry this is happening with your loved ones. Sometimes the demands on a pastor are from church members and other times he might take demands on himself, feeling overly responsible for every small thing that's happening in the church. It's a difficult boundary to get sorted out. I will pray for your loved ones right now, that the Lord will guide them. Blessings to you, friend. ♥
@@thehomespunwifethank u Sherry and you are absolutely correct. It’s a combination of both of those in my families case. Your prayers are appreciated dear friend. ❤
Happy New year Sherry & homespun friends. Thank you for your honesty. I am praying for Sherry,sweet friend to recover,rest & heal from burnout. Is there anyway you & Vince can get away & decompress? Travel? Seek a therapist you trust? Sending hugs & love ❤
HI Susie! Thank you for your sweet words and kindness. I think the one place Vince and I are happiest to be is at home. We truly love it here. It's a respite and a fortress of refuge. We might benefit from therapy though. We will see how it goes. Thank you for loving us. Blessings and love to you, my friend. ♥
My word for 2025 is Cozy. I want to try and write scripture and be so close and cozy with my Father. Sometimes I feel like it's so stiff watching sermons. I want to feel comfortable and cozy with Jesus.
Happy New year Sherry. I will pray for your intentions and trust that God will heal you in every way. I hope 2025 is a good year for you and your husband and all your family circle. Love Vera in Northern Ireland ❤❤
We were in Ministry for 30 years had to retire I know where you are coming from ! My new word this year is Release ) I am letting some things go ! Stuff that has bothered me for years ! Just going to be free in my mind ! Praise the Lord ! Happy New Year !❤️
Ahh...release! That word sounds so nice, LaJuanda. Thank you for serving the Lord in ministry for 30 years. I pray he blesses you richly, friend, and allows you to be free. Happy New Year!♥
Thank you Sheri for your honesty and being transparent that’s what we all need sometimes, it frees the soul for sure. I haven’t gotten a word yet but as always I want to draw closer to the Lord and be more of a witness. I guess maybe “real “is my word. I also wanted to mention, I can’t remember if i had mentioned here or on the FB page about an another RUclips channel At Home with Ms. Joan. She’s a sweet and funny pastor’s wife. I don’t know why but I just feel she’d a good friend to communicate with.God Bless !
Hi Patrice! Thanks so much for watching my video today. I appreciate the channel suggestion. Humor and kindness go a long way in making happy friendships! Blessings to you♥
Thank you for being so vulnerable and honest with us dear Sherry! I pray for healing of your soul after all those years in ministry. My grandpa was a lutheran pastor. After his retirement (at 65 and death at 72 years old) my grandma didn´t loose her faith but she never set a foot in a church again. Thanks to you describing the toll it took on you (the constant demands, the loneliness etc.) I understand her so much better. Sending lots of love from Germany!
I read your comment several times because I enjoyed it very much. Thank you for sharing about your grandparents. And thanks for being so kind to me. You're a blessing. Love to you♥
Hi Sherry praying you will soon be well. My word for this year is holiness/holy along with the scripture 1 Peter 1:15-16. It was also confirmed when I was given a book called The Message of Holiness; restoring God's Masterpiece by Derek Tidball. They'd given it to me because I had mentioned the bible study we were doing with you and one chapter mentioned we were God's masterpiece. He didn't know my word for the year was Holiness so it was a blessing and I've started reading it. Will continue lifting you in prayer friend ❤
Hi Jean! I love your word of the year. You probably recall from previous videos how much I mentioned that the word holy was showing up day after day in my studies at the time. I have never read the book you mentioned but I would like to look it up. Seven years ago, I did a video about being God's Masterpiece. I just went back to March of 2017 and watched it, which is a rare thing. I never rewatch my videos once they are released. As I was watching, God's Spirit began ministering to me through my own video from all those years ago! What a surprise that was. Praying 2025 will be a blessing for you, friend! Thank you for your prayers. ♥
Hey Sherry! This video really touched my heart! All these years that you have been such a shining light to me and others you were suffering! I want to give you a big hug and tell you how much I love you! Your openness and heart to serve this community are truly remarkable. My word of the year is health! I need to get more healthy in all ways! My prayer for you is for God to bring you through this season and show you the joy and peace you deserve. I will continue to support you here on your channel and keep you and Vince in my prayers for healing and light! ❤️🙏
Thank you, dear Kim. You have been with me for a long time and have always had kindness and encouragement to share. Now is no different. I appreciate you! I love your word, 'Health.' It's very similar to mine. And I, too, have been trying to focus on health, such as getting more steps, more fresh air and sunshine, more organic and fresh foods, daily vitamins, and also lots of soul-care. Due to Christmas and now my sickness, I've had to take a break from a few things. But I know I will get back to it soon! Thank you for praying for me and Vince. We are so grateful. Vince can't believe how kind you all are on my channel...and his. It's restorative on its own. Love you!♥
Thank you for sharing your situation. You are amazingly informative. I never realized the true sacrifice ministry families have to make during their years of service.
Hi Sherry what a beautiful spot for this video . I also have this book Mornings with Jesus for this year. I have a word for the year it is trust. Sherry my prayer for you this year is that our loving Heavenly Father will set you free and heal you in all the areas you desire .much love ❤️😊
Thank you so much, Cindy. I appreciate you. You have been with me a long, long time. You have often prayed for me and I am grateful. When the Lord sets us free, we are free indeed. Praying for you too, friend, as you focus on trust. Love you!♥
In 2019 out church was running over 300 and now we had to move locations from leasing to renting and now we finally found a building to buy and God is so good. However we haven’t recovered yet and are running about half of what we were in 2019. It is difficult so I understand that part of what you are talking about. We are south of Atlanta.
This is so interesting. Years ago, my dear friend who was a Pastor's wife told me this too....that it was very hard to have a friend. I always hoped I could be a trusted friend for her and we were friends for years until they moved. I love your honesty. I think many many people have come to you who are needy. Yes, I feel and it seems as if God is healing you and changing your direction...a shift as you said. I think these years will be very rewarding for you and that God will use you in a new way. I adore you. You have blessed me personally so much as I watch your videos. I am praying for your healing in every way . My word is "faith". I asked for more faith even though it seems like I have a lot, but I feel this will be granted. God bless you my sister in Christ. You are loved...so loved. xxx
Linda, your comment is such a blessing to me. I always look for your words after my videos because your spirit is so sincere. God has gifted you with insight and I am grateful he brought you my way. Thank you for your prayers for me, friend. I love your word of 2025. A growing faith is healthy faith. I pray mine is always growing. Much love, sister. ♥
@@thehomespunwife I am so touched that you would take the time to reply. Thank you. I am honored to be a friend from afar. After all , we are deeply blessed to all be sisters in Christ. What a gift! Please take a little part of your day to rest and maybe even nap. I know his deep love washes over you and I feel he will restore you in every way. His love and light shine out in you so beautifully. I am so grateful for you. xxx
Thank you for sharing your heart ❤️ I know that our Lord will provide the healing and peace that you need… in great abundance. 🙏I’m thinking my word is Focus. I know it’s not a very glamorous word but I’ve had a busy year and no matter what may happen in 2025 I need to remain focused on Jesus and let him do his thing in my life. I’m praying for you and your husband and a smooth transition into retirement. Can’t wait for your next video 😘
Hi Sonya! Focus is a wonderful word! In a world where there are so many things trying to draw us away from the Lord, having focus to stay true to him is vital. Thank you for your prayers for me! Blessings to you♥
Happy new year sister Shelly❤ My word for the year persevere. My goal for the year is read my one year bible. Last year I try doing that but got behind and overwhelmed I ended quitting.
I love the word persevere! I am here to encourage you to reach your goals, friend. I am also surrounded by amazing friends who cheer each other on...so you will find support here. ♥
I want to let you know that my deacon and his wife gave me that very book. I have been sick so she brought it to me today along with some delicious soup and cornbread. I’m already loving the book. ❤
I also want you to know I’m so sorry for what you went through in the ministry! God is going to use you during this year! Love and prayers for you and your husband and this ministry you are in! ❤
It’s kind of a catch 22, if you don’t get to share your own problems & you are just the receiver of others problems, those people probably think you are great & have no problems of your own. And then you take their problems on with your own. That would be exhausting. Thanks for sharing ❤
I think one thing that happens in ministry is that everyone around you knows lots of things about your life. Very little is hidden from view. Your income is printed for everyone to see. Your kids get in trouble at school, everyone knows. If you take vacation and your car stays in the parsonage driveway for a couple days, everyone asks you when you get back, "why did it take you two days to leave on vacation?" 😅 Unfortunately, it causes you to withdraw even more. What little you can keep to yourself, you do at all costs. It's not healthy, to be sure. But it becomes a habit. And its a type of conditioning that takes a while to undo.
@@thehomespunwife I’m a survivor of not one, but two alcoholic parents. They have both died, my dad was 42 & he died the day before I got married & my mom was 66 & she died of colon cancer. The conditioning is not an easy one to manage for sure. I have had people in my own extended family say to my face they didn’t know how with my circumstances I turned out so good! I know though, there was a lady in my neighborhood that was a prayer warrior & she prayed for me! When I was ready to turn my life over to Jesus I went to her house & her & her husband prayed with me!!
In Exodus God shows His immense love by personally taking His own hand to place Moses in a cleft in the rock to shield him from seeing His face. That would kill Moses if he looked at God’s face, makes me think like looking at the Sun. But God wanted to fulfill Moses’ request❤ God heals, His sun heals, and oh how glorious His power is!!!! Thank you for sharing Sherry. I will pray for you.
I love the word 'listen.' That is so important, Alison. Sometimes it's so much easier to talk to God than to be still and listen. I pray 2025 will be a wonderful year of hearing God's still small voice in your life. ♥️
I know how you feel about burnout. I'm a retired RN, and it was such a struggle to give good care to kids. Pediatric care is rewarding, but budget and working short in the clinic made me doubt myself. Healthcare is so challenging. Uninsured. Illegals. I don't care about that, a child needs care, and that's it. Nothing else should get in the way. But, financial burdens are real. So. Burnout. One gets sick of begging for something for a child.
I'm so sorry. How grateful I am for you and all you have done, above and beyond, to care for sick children.I pray the Lord will allow you a season of rest and recovery.♥
Your videos mean so much to me. I find them very encouraging! I was the daughter of a pastor and missionary to the far east. My parents remained in ministry even after retirement in their 70s and 80s. I don't think anyone really can understand how difficult (yet rewarding) this calling can be. I ended up being a public school teacher (another difficult yet rewarding job). I retired at 60 to help with my aging parents who have both since gone to Heaven (in their 90s). Now, finally getting the chance to truly be a home maker. I hope you can find the rest and recovery and joy after all your years of service. This RUclips channel is another field of service SO important in this day and age! Thank you for the time and effort you put in to make these videos for us! They are truly a help to me and many others. But do take it easy and don't overdo or put any stress on yourself. Take care! Much love!
Wow...thanks so much for your kind comment. I enjoyed reading it. How wonderful your parents served the Lord all their lives. You were a good daughter to them. I'm so glad, after years of dedicating yourself to teaching, that you can be a homemaker in this season of your life. Thanks for watching my videos and for being an encouragement. Love and blessings, friend. ♥️
Aw Sherry, I’m so sorry you are dealing with burnout! You know I’m a pastors daughter and my son is a pastor so I know EXACTLY what you are talking about! You are not alone with your feelings! Jesus sent you all of “US” Homespun friends to encourage you like you encourage us:) I pray for you! The devil knows his time is short and so he is trying to discourage us and make us give God up or anything that has to do with God. God is stronger and there is always hope from the healer:)
He sees you, He knows you, He loves you and He understands. I love you.
@@yvonnejeanette1726 Thank you so much for this beautiful message, Yvonne. I appreciate every word. To be heard and understood is powerful.
Sending love right back to you, friend. ♥
@ 🙏🏼
Please don’t burnout from your channel! We need you!:)🙂
My wife asked me to watch your video and comment. I retired from a corporate management position 2+ years ago and I understand burnout and not having friends in the workplace. Based on my experience, and in speaking with other peer retirees, it will take a good year or so to have a real good perspective on things and to recover from burnout. One can get so immersed in the day to day pressures and expectations that these becomes the norm and can be all consuming. You will get through it with the Lord’s help and you will be surprised at how much better you will feel physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. I think you should consider adding a third word in 2025: Recovery. You are courageous to be so transparent with your community. You have been such an encouragement to my wife. Thank you! Our prayers and love are with you.
Thank you so much for this insightful comment that offers encouragement based in experience. It's always good to know that, with time, recovery will take place.I like your suggestion to add the 'recovery' word to my list for 2025.
I am grateful to you and your wife for being supportive and for offering up prayers and love. These are gifts my heart can always use.
May the Lord's blessings be abundant for you both in this new year!
Dear Sherry, thank 20:09 you for sharing and opening my eyes to the struggles of being in the ministry. How often I judged our pastor's wife of not doing enough. I was completely insensitive to her struggles and the difficulty of being the pastor 's kids too. It seems like pastors wives are often expected to be unpaid and unappreciated laborers. I doubt I will have the chance to apologize to her so I am apologizing to you and acknowledging your years of service. God bless you as you heal
Pected
Hi dear Sherry. Sending my love and prayers for a blessed 2025, from my little corner of the world in Costa Rica.
I also was a pastor’s wife until my husband divorced for another lady. We had served together for 19 years. It was painful but God is always great and he lead me through.
I have a hard time with church now. These past years after COVID hit me in questioning, not God’s church but the church as an institution. I keep congregating but think church must return to being the family of faith where bread is shared, tears and laughter, God’s word and love. It must be a meaningful gathering where Gods name is glorified and our lives enriched so that we may also give others.
I started Bible journaling yesterday. ❤ Thank you for the list of verses.
Thank you for being a blessing to me even though we are so far away.
God bless you and your husband and ministries.
🙏❤🇨🇷
Hi Maria! Thank you for watching my video and sharing some of your story with me. I am so sorry for what was done to you, my friend. That is upsetting. But I do thank God that he carried you through the fire and has brought you on the other side!
I do understand what you are saying about corporate worship these days. I think I am struggling with this too. Thanks for being transparent and sharing your thoughts. Pray for me, that the Lord will lead me in the right way of thinking for his glory.
I am so grateful you started journaling! Praise the Lord! I am asking the Lord to bless you through it and bring you much joy. Thanks for being my friend in Costa Rica. Love across the miles to you!♥️
I subscribe to "Mornings With Jesus" too. I love them and really look forward to it.
♥️
AMEN and thank you so much. The Lord has given me the word Trust for this year. He gave it to me back in November and to be gut level honest, I cringed. "Trust is the leg I don't have." That's what I said to Him. I could sense a nod from Him and heard this in my spirit, "Well, wouldn't it be wise to work on stabilizing that side then?" I took a deep breath, and nodded myself. As a Chaplain for a Special Needs ministry here, I totally get assistive devices and the vital importance of stability. So, here we go.... One step at a time. Trust and Obey, for there's no other way.... 💖So thankful for you and your heart, Sherry. 💞 Margaret Elaine
I love this, Margaret Elaine. Thanks for sharing your experience and how God is asking you to lean on him in an area where you need him most. I pray 2025 will be a tremendous year for you...of joy and trust. Sending hugs to you, friend. ♥️
Oh my goodness. Thank you for being vulnerable and sharing your heart. Like you, I am also recovering from years of ministry (34) as a pastor's wife. My husband officially retired from pastoral ministry this past summer. Everything you said resonated with me and truly blessed me as I don't have anyone to really discuss this with. I'm weary and hesitant to even attend church again, even though I know how vital and important it is. So, my word this year is merry. As Scripture says a merry heart does good like medicine. I need to find joy and healing in the Lord this year. I am praying for you, Sherry. ❤
Hi Debbie. I wish I could give you a hug! I understand your weariness and hesitancy, and all the things. I pray that God will bless you with a merry year...and that his joy and healing will come upon you and minister to your heart. Thank you, friend, for your prayers for me. Let's continue to encourage one another as we take things one step at a time. Sending love. ♥
Thank you, Sherry! Psalm 147:3 says, "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." He loves us and is ever faithful. I know He will see us through! ❤
Thank You Lord Jesus for these 2 wonderful Faithful Sisters who have served Your children which can be a motley rebellious disobedient & loving crew…Thank You Lord Jesus that YOU carried them when they had Nothing More to Give & Your Grace was Sufficient for them…I now ask Lord Jesus that as They slowly come into YOUR REST & Let Go of the many years of Service & YOU begin to Show Them WHO They Really Are They Will See How Truly Beautiful Their Hearts ARE!! Lord Jesus Let Your True JOY be released in Each of Them!! I want to say to You Sherry I felt Your Brokenness as You spoke…I saw an egg with all the cracked lines all over it But the Membrane was what held it together…every cracked line….BUT HOLY SPIRIT Held You together! NOW Is YOUR TIME FOR YES HEALING & RESTORATION!!!!
Rest In HIM.., the LOVER OF OUR SOULS..,, I want to say “THANK YOU DEAR SISTERS FOR ALL YOUR GRACIOUS SERVICE OVER ALL THE YEARS”!
Blessings & Love Marcia from Australia 🇦🇺 ❤❤🙏🏻🙏🏻
@@marclayton3537 You are precious, Marcia. Thank you so much for this beautiful prayer. It has blessed me!
Blessings and love, friend!♥
I’ve been reading mornings with Jesus for several years and do enjoy it.
It's been great to start again with it this year!
Your backyard is so peaceful!!! ❤got saved in 2021 at the age of 34 and my goal for 2025 is to grow even more closer to Jesus!!! its such a journey with our lord... never a destination🫶...oh what a friend we have in Jesus🙌🙌🙌😊❤️❤️❤️may you and your husband have a wonderful blessed year!!! ❤🫶
Thank you Caroline! Praise the Lord for 2021, which was the year of your salvation. I am grateful God brought you to my channel. I pray we all can continue to grow closer to Jesus because, as you said, oh what a friend he is!
Blessings to you!♥️
Thank you for sharing whats happening in your life❣️ I will be praying for you and your journey of healing 🙏. When I was praying for you the promise from Ps. 23 came into my mind: “He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.” ❤
Thank you so much for this thoughtful prayer, Hannele. I love the fact our Shepherd restores our souls. ♥️
I loved this video. Oh, how I wish I had a friend like you!!!!!!!!! You are an amazing encourager.
Oh thank you! And we definitely are friends! Blessings to you♥️
Hi Sherry, I have been reading through the comments since I finished watching the video. Thank you for being so vulnerable. It looks to me like you have a lot of friends. Just not ones you can go to lunch. You are in my prayers as you take this time to heal. My word is trust or patience. Maybe both. God bless you!!
Hi Anita! You have a good point. I am truly blessed by this wonderful community God has placed around me. I appreciate your kindness and your prayers for me.
I love both words: Trust and Patience. I think those two are just like my words, they go hand in hand. Blessings, friend!♥️
I love Mornings with Jesus! Each devotion inspires me to serve others while growing in my faith. A great devotional. Thank you for sharing.
I am loving it too! I appreciate you watching!
Oh friend! Now I know why God has been putting you on my heart lately! I’ve been praying for you, earnestly praying. Thank you for sharing what you’re experiencing. I just love the heart you have for others and I love you! Praying for those sniffles too! 💜🤗
Thank you so much Kathy. What a blessing you are. I always know, when I see your name, that you have prayed for me. And I appreciate your prayers more than you realize. I love you. 💜
I’ll be praying as you heal., sweet friend.
Your tender heart shines through and you are a beautiful soul.
My word for the year is faithful. I want to be more faithful in my prayer life, my service to the Lord and my love for Him daily.
Hi Cassy! Thanks so much for your prayers for me.
I love the word faithful. May 2025 bring blessings in the area of your faith!♥️
Thank you for your transparency. I do believe that when we share our struggles, it will bless others and bring God glory.❤
Thank you Donna.
Thank you for sharing! I can empathize in a different way. For years we attended a non denominational church that was spiritually abusive. It didn’t start out that way but when the pastor got sick, it opened the door for God ‘doing a new thing.’ We were forced to either do certain things or be seen as rebellious. We ended up moving and attending another church but my husband, who really faced the brunt of it in the previous church, attends very reservedly.
All these things make me ask the question: do we really have the right model when it comes to church? Are we meant to do house church instead? Just makes me wonder.
I don’t have a word for 2025. I have never really done that. I know so many do and I think it’s wonderful!
Hi friend...I'm so sorry that happened to you at your previous church. Damage done in church is some of the worst there is because it has to potential to negatively affect our relationship with Jesus.
You ask a great question and it's one I'm dealing with currently. I have only ever been involved in church as it exists as an institution. It has basically been my life's work. It has positive things about it...and it's a powerful pull because of its roots in traditional. But is it effective? Is this what God intended?
I am working through all of this. Thanks for praying for me as I do. I will pray for you guys too. I'm sorry what was done to your husband.
Your words for this year and the things you shared in this video really resonated with my soul. I think I may choose “healing” as my word too. I feel isolated from others because of my faith and interests at times. Watching your videos helps me realize that I’m
not alone. They are going in a different direction. I’m really trying to live a life that is pleasing to God. Though none go with me I still will follow. Thankful for you Sheri.You are covered in prayer today and in this next year as you heal.🥰
Hi Anna...Thank you for sharing your feelings right now. I hope you will find less isolation by being here with our Homespun Family. I think healing would be a great word for you...as it is for me. I pray the Lord will bless us all as we make our way through 2025, resting in his care. ♥️
Burn out is very, very real...give yourself grace:) There are significant physical components to burn out similar to physical symptoms that accompany grief. Take as much time as you need to process what you need to process...oftentimes, life can get very heavy.
Just remembered...there is a time to every season under heaven...a time to...and a time to......
Thank you for your comment, Debbie. You are right. Burnout takes a toll on body, mind, and soul. Thank you for caring and for encouraging me to give myself grace. I truly am trying to give more grace all around.
Amen! God is still on the throne no matter what! To me, you spoke from the heart. God gave you the words to say in this video. You channel has been such a blessing since I found you in 2024. My word for 2025 is HOPE. I want to draw closer to Him in this new year and grow deeper in the word. I love Mornings With Jesus. I started using this devotional just before dad died. Him and my mom would do them every morning. It will be 3 years this April that he was called home to be with the Lord. Mom and I still do our Mornings With Jesus.
How wonderful that you have such a sweet connection to the Mornings with Jesus devotional book. Your word for the year, 'Hope,' is one of my favorites. That's why my recent book had that word in the title!
Tell you mom I said hello! Blessings, friend. ♥
God is so faithful. Healing is in His hands. So thankful that He knows our every need!
Amen!
Thank you for sharing your heart Ms. Sherry!! I will definitely be praying for you and your healing.
Thank you Hope!
Sheri how sad to hear the situation you describe. You and your husband need much time and rest to recover. Praying that you will both know the Lords richest blessing and yes His healing and His light. Enjoy the sunshine and draw on Him in that lovely spot. With much love.
Thank you for your compassionate heart, Carol. What a blessing to me. Love you!♥
My word is Grace. It can be a noun. A verb. And an adverb. Each to guide me through the year(s) we face. Thank you for all you do. The Peace of God be with you.
Grace is a lovely word, Gloria. I am so grateful for it! Blessings to you, friend. ♥️
Thank you Sherry,for being vulnerable. I have found that at times we have to be cracked wide open so that we can be healed. Our lives seem to be a constant stream of rough and smooth sailing,highs and lows,losses and gains. It seems to me that unless we have worn the same shoes as our brother or sister,we can never fully know what “things” are like and felt by them. Sometimes standing outside looking in things seem so different than what they probably really are. I just love the perfect gift of prayer! What a treasure of a gift we were given to be able to pray for those we care for. That is what I’m doing for you now. The gift given to me I am using to extend a loving hand to you just as you do all the time for so many. I can’t do much but I CAN and do and will pray. Thank you sweet,kind friend!! I’m so glad Jesus led me to you! You have no idea how my life has changed. Please take care of yourself(I know you will)and be feeling so much better very soon. You are feeling poorly but you still made your video… your devotion astounds me. Love,prayers,hugs!!
(I’m undecided for sure on my word for this new year although I am leaning towards a couple)
Hi Cathy! Thank you, sister, for this sweet word of encouragement and for sharing about the gift of prayers. It is a gift that delivers in mighty ways and I appreciate you praying to the Father for me. Sending lots of love to you ♥️
Hi Sherry,
I feel like I have two words as well. Mine are "focus" and "honesty". I've felt really scattered for a while now (kinda like a kamikaze squirrel!) so "focus". Then, I seem to always be praying for others (as we should) but God whispered when will you be honest and bring Me your needs, hurts etc? So "honestly".
Just keep being you, Sherry, that's what draws people to you. ❤
Hi Rhonda. Thanks for sharing about your words for this year. I appreciate what you are saying about focus and honesty. I do think those two things are important. I pray that this will be your year to put all your cares upon the Lord...to focus on worshipping him and being close to him. When my children were young and they were hurting over something, they would run into my arms and say, "Hold you, Mama. Hold you!' And what they wanted was for me to hold them...because they needed my care. That is how we can be with Jesus. We can run to him and say, "Hold you, Jesus. Hold you!" And we feel his love surround us and meet our needs.
Sending hugs, Rhonda. ♥
Thank you Sherry for your vulnerability and your honesty in your video. First I know that God will completely heal you and give you a great reserve built back up in you! I want you to know that you still have a great light shinning out of you and I can’t wait each day to see if you have a new video out. You are a tremendous blessing to so many of us and hopefully God will move each of us to be a blessing to you as well. I have never chosen a “word” for the year. I don’t know exactly how to do that or what it entails to do it, but it sounds like a great thing to do. I just want you to know that you have made an impact in my life that I don’t think anyone else could have done. Praying for Gods blessings on you for every single day! I love you, Ada
Hi Ada....thank you for being so nice to me. Your understanding nature comes through in your comments. I am grateful for our prayers and love.
What I do when it comes to selecting a theme word for the year, is I pray and ask God to show my a word I could focus on for 12 months...one that will stand out in my mind as I read Scripture or as I pray. One year, the word 'joy' kept coming up over and over again as the new year approached. I decided God was showing me that he wanted me to really pay attention to that word, so I made it my theme word. All year long, I noticed it in Scripture, hymns, and devotions. I experienced so much joy that year!
May the Lord bless you, dear Ada! Love you!♥
I am so glad that I watched this. My grandfather was a minister and you gave me so much insight into how my grandmother probably felt. Thank you for your leadership. I purchased the One Year Bible you recommended and I am on day 2 ❤
I'm so excited for you to be reading the One Year Bible, Emily! 🎉
I pray God will bless you each day.
Your grandparents sound like wonderful people. Thanks for watching!♥️
Hi Sherry, thank you for sharing your beautiful back yard!!! I do hope you are feeling better! I will be praying for you as you begin to heal from years of being in ministry. I never gave a second thought to how difficult being in ministry could be.....prayers and hugs for you.
Thank you, friend. I appreciate your prayers.♥️
You are quite amazing and so encouraging in your honesty. I can so understand. It came out beautifully! May His Light shine and bring you healing in the sunshine of your lovely garden.
Thank you, dear Alison!♥️
You have a friend in us ........a fresh start of friends...... I am writing The book of John , also when you first suggested. Now I had a 2 week pause time to re start tomorrow
Thank you friend! I appreciate you. It's great to know I'm not alone in writing out John. We can do it!♥
Yes I really enjoyed writing the names of Jesus! I also gave a journal and a list of scriptures to a friend. She was so excited. you Sherry for the idea of scripture writing. It has truly been a blessing. I write it in the evenings and it is such a good way to end the day! Blessings
I had to edit to add a thank you for this video, It is a great reminder to remember to pray for our pastors wife. And to do things for her that will bless her! Let us all remember to pray for them!
I'm so excited you are enjoying Scripture Writing! I also was blessed by writing the names of Jesus in December.
Thanks for watching and leaving a comment for me!♥
Thank you for adding that Roberta! Pastor's wives are often working behind the scenes. They are taking care of the pastor, standing by him when he's overwhelmed, keeping meals warm when meetings run too long, driving with him to visit hospitals, taking notes for him when others need him. Their contribution to the church's ministry is a silent jewel. Pray for her! Do something nice for her...even something small, like send a card. Tell her you love her. Tell her you appreciate her. You can make a difference in her life. ♥
Sherry, I can’t even imagine how hard it must be to be a pastor or pastors wife. Everyone expects pastors and their wives to be perfect people, but they are just like us with the problems we face every day. I often wonder how my Pastor and his wife deal with all they have to take care of at church. I get discouraged at many things and I don’t know all that goes on, it hurts when others hurt at church and people fall. It is good that you two get to slow down and rest in God’s presence and get refreshed. I will be praying for you both as you start this new season in your life and for your renewal in the Lord. Thank you for all the encouragement you give to all of us, God is still using you. God bless you both!😊
Thank you very much for this comment, Robyn. Your compassion shows and it blesses me. Your prayers are a sweet gift, friend. ♥️
Oh Sherry,
Thank you for your reply.
How humbling and sweet and kind.
I'm so glad God put you in my life.
Did I share this before? I was listening to a Christian program and he was talking about crying..if you feel overwhelmed and you feel like crying,then cry. It won't be for hours and hours just maybe a minute. Then wash your face and go on about your day. That crying is our bodies way of releasing pressure.
The only thing I would add is wash your face and get a snack,too.
I so appreciate you.
Have a restful night. Love you. 🥰
Thanks for sharing this, Genevieve. I absolutely believe that crying is beneficial for good health. And I love your added suggest to wash our faces and get a snack! That makes everything better! Love you friend.
Thank you for sharing… you can always be like us dear sister… because you are ♥️just stay with us I just love hearing from you … I can’t even imagine the pressure from being a pastor and a pastors wife.. long time ago a had a friend that was a pastors wife .. she told about how she strived to keep her living room always orderly because if someone came to the door at 2 in the morning you had to let them in and show hospitality… my love and prayers to you ♥️🙏🏻my word for the year is serenity .. I need the peace only God can give .. I need a lot of spiritual mental help!! I will be seeking Him everyday for his guidance for peace ….(I found the farmers market calendar like your)😊
Hi Sandy! Thank you, thank you, thank you. You are so kind and make me feel accepted. And yes, your friend had it figured out. You always have to be ready to open your door and have it looking presentable.
I will pray for you right now, dear Sandy, that the Lord will bring serenity to your heart and mind. You are not alone in needing the Lord's peace. I look forward to seeing how God will work in your life in 2025.
(So thankful you found the calendar!! I hung mine up today!). Love you♥
I'm so thankful for your ministry for us, your RUclips/Facebook friends. I am praying for your healing.
I need healing for a different reason. At first, after my husband passed away a couple years ago, I thought I only needed healing from the loss. I recently realized I relied on my husband for everything. Now that he's gone I feel lost. Even scared! God has been showing me I need to rely fully on Him. I don't need another man to take care of me like I thought. I only need Him. My word is "trust", because I need to learn to fully trust God for EVERYTHING in my life. Our interim pastor is leading us through a book - " 21 Days of Transforming Prayer"! We started today. I'm praying this will help my prayer life, and teach me how to pray effectively. Prayer has always been difficult for me. I know God hears, and understands what I need! And He has answered many of my weak prayers! He's a good God, but I want to learn to please Him while I'm trusting Him!
Again, thank you sweet Sherry!
Hi Amy. Thank you for sharing from your heart. I think most everyone could understand how difficult it is to lose not only your spouse, but the one who took care of so many of the management responsibilities. It would definitely be scary to go through that.
Your word 'trust' is powerful, friend. I took note of the book you are starting to read and I am asking the Lord to use it and the practice of prayer to bring strength and reassurance into your life. I love the faith you have in Christ and I know he has great things ahead for you!
Sending hugs, Amy. ♥
Greetings Sherry! Oh my goodness, my word for the new year is also healing! I want you to know how encouraging it is to hear authentic honesty about seeking healing from all kinds of issues. Sometimes I feel alone in this and your openness about your own needs is so comforting. Love and blessings ♥️🙏
Oh thank you for this comment, Jean. It's nice to know we aren't alone. Most of us are going through something, even if it's hard to talk about. I love you, friend, and pray that both of us will find healing in 2025!♥
You are a beautiful light on RUclips and I'm sure to your family and friends as well. I'm glad you are taking time to heal. It's so important in our lives and I'll be praying for you. My word of the year is acceptance. Accepting what's happened in my life and acceptance of whatever Jesus has in mind for my year.
Wow, friend...thank you for sharing this. I am just now reading your comment and it's so in step with the video I just uploaded! I speak about acceptance and peace.
Thanks for watching and for your kind message!♥️
My word for the year is "trust" and the scripture is Psalm 32:7-8. Thank you for sharing your heart and I pray that the Lord will heal your heart and lead you into His light.
Hi Anna! I love the word trust! "You are my hiding place..." Amen!♥
I am a new subscriber, and this video is so encouraging. Thank you for being so honest because it is helpful in many ways. I am praying for a young man in our church who just started school to go into ministry as a pastor. I feel that after listening to you, I know more of how to pray for and encourage him. Healing takes many forms, not just physical, and I will pray that you experience it as you study this year. My word is "devotion," specifically to Jesus. Thank you for this ministry that you do here on RUclips!
Hi Karen and welcome to the channel! I'm so glad the Lord brought you my way. Praise the Lord for this young man who has given his life to prepare for the Lord's work. And how blessed he is to have you praying for him. Prayer is powerful. It is strength to those for whom we pray. So I will pause now and pray for this young man too.
You are right about healing. And I do believe that sometimes we need healing in areas of which we aren't even aware...not until we let the Great Physician look us over. So that is where I am this year. And I truly appreciate your prayers for me.
I love the word devotion. When I look it up, I see that devotion entails love, loyalty, and enthusiasm for a person or thing. That sounds exciting! I pray 2025 is your best year yet!
Dear Sweet Sherry, My sister in Christ.
I feel the pain you are sharing, I can see it and hear it in your voice. You have been through so much stress for so many years! Not only the ministry but with personal pain. 😢
If it's any consolation,
Your reward in heaven is going to be great! You are blessing to so many, probably even more than you know!❤
I remember you saying that you really didn't want to be a pastor's wife at first. I don't think I could carry the weight and burdens of hundreds of people year after year.
I genuinely care about others, as you do , even now you give a lot of yourself!
I pray for the Lord to heal all of your emotions and hurts from the past, and he knows every single one of them! And the difficulty of being so exhausted !
This is something I feel like the Lord wants me to share with you. (Yes, you are rolling to get to the other side, and remember that Jesus is in your boat with you! ) I will be praying for you! 🙏🤗
Thank you very much, Connie. You are so thoughtful to share these encouraging words with me. Thank you for being compassionate, as the Lord has led you. God is so good. He helps us in many ways and one of the ways he helped me is with my sweet online friends. Thank you for prayers. May the Lord bless you as you reach out to others with your spirit of kindness.
Hi Sherry, I want you to know that you have been a blessing to me. I thank you for all of the effort that you have put forth to be an example and inspiration to so many of us who are encouraged by your loving messages. I appreciate your vulnerability - I had no idea (I feel silly now) how challenging it was for you to take on so much (you make it look easy!). The word that comes to mind is selfless - and I LOVE that you will give attention and energy this year to focus on healing and light. My word for 2025 is grace. I was struck by a sermon that reminded me that grace is undeserved - that if I am offering grace only to those who deserve it (are remorseful, have apologized) that I am missing the mark. I truly have not deserved the grace that God has shown me, and I plan to focus this year on being freely graceful to others, and accepting and appreciating the grace that I am unworthy of and am blessed by. I will pray for you to feel the love, kindness, and support from the many, many of us that you have blessed, and for you to continue to feel the joy and love from our Father. I sincerely thank you for all that you have given. I look forward to continuing this journey, blessed by your wisdom and generosity. 💕
Hi Diana! Thank you for this sweet message and for being such an uplifting person. Your word for the year is powerful! Where would we be without grace? It's free, unreserved, and undeserved. I pray that the Lord will bless your year with an overflow of his grace, both to keep and to share!
Thank you for being a blessing to me and praying for me. You are extending grace already! Love to you♥️
Sherry you are such a sweet, tender hearted woman and child of God ✝️💗. I’m touched by your message today and I want to pray for you 🥹🙏🏼. Keeping yourself in the love of God and building yourself up in our most holy faith is a special verse I am thinking for you right now. I love your heart for the LORD. it is quite evident to see in you 💜✝️💜. Praying for that rest for you just like Elijah at the Brook cherith. God took care of him beautifully. He loves you sweet friend. Love Lesley ❤️❤️❤️
Hi Lesley! Thank you so much for these words of encouragement. I am grateful for your prayers and for pointing out God's faithful care of his servant, Elijah. That soothes my spirit.
May the Lord bless you, friend. ♥
Dear Sherry, thank you for being so honest and open! I'm happy I found you. I love how you use your God-given talents to bring glory to Him. Your sincerity and genuineness inspire me. Before you revealed your word(s) for the year, the word "healing" had already popped into my mind for myself, so that will be my word for the year, also. I will be praying for you, my friend. May God guide you by His light, into the place you desire to be in the coming year.
Hi Lynda! Thank you for your sweet response. What a blessing! I am so happy to know that several of us have selected the same word this year. I think it will be great to share all the things God is showing us as we move over the months.
I appreciate your prayers for me because I know it is praying Homespun friends who have held me up to Jesus when I have needed it most. ♥ God Bless You!
What a wonderful video. I felt like I was listening to a friend & I wanted to give you a huge hug. I’m so thankful God led me to your channel. My journey is relatively new & I’ve been exploring new ways I can grow spiritually. Thank you so much for sharing. And your yard looks so beautiful in the background. 🤗
Hi Suzanne! Thank you for visiting me and for being my friend. I'm grateful God led you my way. It's wonderful that you are growing and seeking ways to nurture your relationship with the Lord. It's exciting! Thanks for liking our yard. My husband really enjoys cutting the grass (and fertilizing it and all the things) and he's sad its winter now and the grass cutting has ended for a short time.
The word that came to my mind was trust, I believe that God gave me that word for this year for a reason, and it just came to mind while watching and listening to sharing some things on your mind. Thank oh for sharing. 🙏for you God knows what you are going through.
I love the word trust, Ursula!
Sherry you and Vince are so wonderful and deserve rest. I am so grateful for you. I love you and I’m praying for you both.❤
Thank you, dear friend. Vince and I appreciate your prayers and your love for us. You're a blessing. ♥
Dear Sherry, ministry is so hard and not being able to have friends is difficult. The damage that can occur,from a church, has a real impact that’s difficult to shed. Sadly I know from previous experience of being a minister’s wife for many many years. Where I live in the UK there is very little church life, with very few friends and having lost my husband to the Lord you have been such an inspiration. Your channel means so much to me. I will pray for you, for healing and respite. God bless you.❤
Hi Lynn....Thank you very much for your affirming words to me. Your unique experience as a minister's wife gives you perspective into many things I'm feeling now. My heart goes out to you too, as you have experienced the passing of your dear husband. But knowing he is in the Lord's presence brings comfort...and knowing we will all be there one day together brings hope. Thank you for your prayers for me and for supporting me like you do. I appreciate it. Blessings to you, friend. ♥
Hi Sherry, thank you for your video and sharing your honest comments.
I'll be praying for you and Vince. For calming time to recover.
I like your yard and the bird feeder and bird bath. How pleasant to spend time watching the birds...and maybe the birds are chirping to each other saying," I love this yard and these people feeding us and providing water".
Your words for the year are good ones.
I'd like to choose " letting go is worship". That really spoke to me when you shared that.
One example is letting go of a friendship that was just to be for a season.
You're so precious to me. I'll be praying the things weighing on you would just roll off.
Have a restful night. ❤️
Thank you dear Genevieve! I am so grateful for you and your prayers for me. You are one person who is always uplifting. You even go back and watch my age-old videos and give me encouraging comments. Thank you for being you.
I love your theme. 'Letting go is worship.' I can't get that off my mind. I wept as I wrote it because it ministered to me. And it still does.
Sending love. ♥
My word is glory, and I also get morning with Jesus book my uncle sends it to me every year.
What a thoughtful uncle you have! I love the word glory and I look forward to how God uses that word in your life in 2025. Blessings to you, Morgan. 💕
One of the gifts I wanted to give our older daughter for Christmas was a daily devotional book with scripture and life stories. I found one online that I thought would be good for her. While looking for that, I also saw the Mornings with Jesus for 2025. I knew instantly that I had to have it for myself, so I bought it. It’s a wonderful devotional book with thought provoking messages and I’m so glad I saw it.
Thank you for sharing a bit of the experience you have lived with as a minister’s daughter and wife. It helps to give me a deeper understanding of what it must be like for others in that position.
I’m watching this on January 6, and I imagine your weather has changed quite a bit since you filmed this video! Did you get snow?? We have it in central Virginia, the first snowfall of the season.
God bless you as you journey through 2025 and seek to follow His will for your life. I want to contemplate a special word to guide me this year too. Thank you for this inspiring idea…🌞😊
❤-Brenda
I'm so glad you found the books you were looking for, Brenda! I have enjoyed the Mornings With Jesus Devotional. It gets my day started in the right way.
Our weather has definitely changed. It's very cold and while we didn't get snow we did have some rain and freezing rain overnight into today. We are keeping a look out on Friday and Saturday of this week for a potential winter weather event.
I hope you will enjoy the beauty of your snow! Thanks for spending time with me, friend. Blessings ♥️
Thank you for sharing your heart and for being such a testimony of our Lord. My word of the year is GREATER (John 3:30 & 1 John 4:4)
Thank you for watching and sharing your word of the year! I love your word! "He must become greater, I must become less."
Amen and Amen!
Sherry hang in there. God knows, he do not give us more than we can bear, yet he is always t our side helping us and guiding us on the right path. So my dear friend he is with you and helping you through these rough days. My words for this year is love and forgiveness. My heart is longing for his love and to show me how to truly love the people that hurt s me and how to forgive and forget. I love you Sherry. You have been a blessing to me and I am happy I found you.
Thank you for your positive words Dawne...and I love your words for this year. Love and forgiveness go hand in hand and I pray the Lord will guide you each step of 2025! I'm thankful you are here, friend. Blessings to you!♥
This is my fourth year of Mornings With Jesus books… love it!
Yay!! So far, both my devotions this year have been phenomenal!
Hugs to you. Your grace and genuineness shines through despite the toll church ministry has taken. I hope this year of healing strengthens you and that you can find balance, and healing. I pray that you will experience supportive relationships in a broader sense. It seems like family, your husband and God have helped you through your ministry years and now despite needing respite you are still sharing and ministering to others. Bless you in your year of healing.
Thank you Lou. I appreciate your thoughtful comments here. Reading the kindness of fellow believers humbles me so much. It's restorative and brings me comfort. Thank you, friend.
Thank you for sharing your heart with us. I am also a pastor's wife and my dad was a pastor so I can understand what you are talking about. It has been my life. My husband recently retired after 53 years in the ministry and we're learning to shift gears and not feel like the weight of the church is on our shoulders. I also wasn't able to have close friends in the church. Thank you again for your honesty and helpful suggestions and making me feel like you are a friend. ❤
Thank you for sharing with me. Congratulations on your retirement and I pray the Lord will bring refreshing to your hearts, minds, and bodies in this season of life. My husband and I are truly enjoying the time we have...time where, as you say, we don't feel that weight on our shoulders.
Thank you for watching and for being my friend. I could use one. ♥
Years ago, I read a book by Carole Mayhall called "Lord of My Rocking Boat." It talks about the storms of life. It helped me so much. I don't know if it's still in print, but I still pull it out from my bookcase and read it again. a our pastor always says, "we are about to enter a trial, or in the midst of a trial, or coming out of a trial." Prayers and blessings to you, Sherry. ❤
This is so true, Beverly. My husband has often said that same thing. Thank you for telling me about the book. I enjoy reading helpful books...and I would love to write a helpful one too. But it's going to be a while.
Blessings to you in this new year, friend. ♥
Like the other subscribers have expressed I am thankful for your ministry and your transparency. My heart goes out to you, and I pray the Lord will bring healing to you this year. My life has been at a standstill for the past couple months and I don’t have a word to describe how to move forward. Perhaps I need healing as well. I’ve always been an optimistic person but suddenly I have struggled to maintain a positive spirit. I plan to stay anchored in the Word and my church and pray I will get past this time. 🙏✝️🥰
Hi Kathy...thanks for watching and for praying for me.
I'm sorry to hear about this standstill period you are experiencing. I have talked to so many people who are struggling with similar things right now. I pray that the Lord will bring his peace and comfort on you, as you continue to be faithful to him. I know he is with us all and he will heal us and make us whole once more. ♥
@ Thank you for your encouraging words. It has been a spiritual battle for me and my family. My son’s girlfriend has been in and out of the hospital since April after ignoring an ulcer for three years. She has had part of pancreas and part of her intestines removed and recovery has been very very slow with many setbacks. My son’s was laid off in December so they are struggling financially as wel. My daughter is not communicating with me. She sent me a letter stating things she has held against me for more than 20 years. She has problems with depression and blames others for her problems. I shared the letter with a couple of very close friends who said it was very disresptful. I spent Christmas and New Years Day without being with her family. I am grateful I was able to spend an evening with my granddaughter and we exchanged Christmas gifts and have dinner together. We had a wonderful conversation. I didn’t say anything about my daughter to her but she shared with me that she didn’t understand why my daughter is made the decision not to be in touch with me until after the holidays. I went to our church Christmas concert with a friend and had the friend over for dinner on Christmas Day. I was determined not to let the alienation of my daughter to rob me of the joy of Christmas. It was through the conversation with a a very close Christian friend who pointed out that I am in the midst of a spiritual battle and she advised me to put on the armor shared in Ephesians 6 when my relationship with my daughter does resume. I have felt I’m under attack. My son may need to ask me for money, and I have helped him financially in the past. I told him I have to be careful of the money, as i am a widow, and don’t know how long I’ll need what money I have in my savings account. I am 80 years old and am currently independent but that can change quickly because of my age. I have some minor health issues, but am still able to be independent. I believe my words can be peace and comfort which I believe the Lord can provide so I will focus on those scriptures. Thank you again. 🙏✝️🥰
We are still in ministry and it’s difficult but rewarding too. I don’t know when we (I) will retire but U am slowing down myself- I can tell! I so understand what you are talking about!!! It is a burden that no one can understand what it’s like unless they have been through it. I pray for you friend as I understand. I have felt this so many times.
Hi Kimberly! Thank you for your kind words and your understanding spirit. I pray the Lord will strengthen you and hold you up as you serve him. What a difference you are making in the lives of his people! ♥
What a nice view! I needed this. I’ve been down with influenza since day after Christmas, high fever 103 for four days. Worst I’ve had ever and I am 66! We had to postpone our out of state Christmas today with our grandchildren. But I am still grateful. You are an encouragement to me this first glorious day of 2025❣️🌟 Thank you 🙏🏼
Oh no. I'm so sorry about your illness, friend. And Christmas is a tough time to be sick, especially if you have to miss gatherings with the grandbabies. I pray the Lord will touch you with his healing hand and that very soon, you will get the opportunity to make up for the excitement you missed with your grands.
Blessings to you, Mary Ann. Feel better soon!♥
Mrs. Sherry thank you for sharing. You are right....Churches has been the same since 2020. It's like every where we turn someone is hurting. 2024 hasn't been a good year for us. Church hurt is one of the hardest. We've just recently I would mid Summer relocated to another Church. We have been attending this one for about 21 year's. Sometimes change isn't easy for everyone. I'm gonna share your video on my personal Facebook page. So many are dealing w alot that you mentioned in this video. Happy New Year to y'all !! ❤
Thanks so much for sharing with me Susan. I am praying for all those who are struggling with church...or in church. I know God is faithful and he will come where we are and help us. ♥️
Sherry, thank you for your courage in sharing what you are going through. Your use of the word "burnout" helped me label what I am feeling about my career right now. My word this year is " abide." Praying for your emotional healing and that God will give you His perspective. Kim
Hi Kim! I’m so sorry about what you’re going through. I pray 2025 will a restorative year. I love your word abide. As you abide in Christ, may he meet your every need.
Sherry I cannot imagine all you dealt with in your many years of ministry. I hope this year GOD will bring healing to you from all your years of ministering to others.
I have chosen PATIENCE to focus on as I have no patience in dealing with myself and get upset so quickly with myself. Colossians 3:12 will be my guidance moving into 2025.
Hi Denise...I love your word and your verse. That's a meaningful focus for 2025.
'Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.' ♥
Hi Sherry. It takes courage to be vulnerable and when we are in seasons of needing healing, it is often the courage and self awareness of our own needs that is a first step towards healing and balance in the Christian life, especially a life dedicated to ministry. My story is a bit different. In my home, I am the Ordained minister and now hospice chaplain, as well. I’ve been serving in ministry since I was 14 years old and I’ll be turning 65 this year. I can relate to the heaviness of carrying others burdens , while carrying my own. I can most definitely relate to the weariness of overload and burnout. You are so very wise to take this year of 2025 for healing, self care, for Jesus’ care and for a new season. Your many years of service surely brought much good to all that you invested in. The ministries and programs you and your husband extended to your church and community touched many lives. You have eternal investments of sacrificial love, care and obedience to God for the sake of others and the sake of the Church. But if there is not balance and rest, it can take its toll. I find it so interesting that Jesus full time ministry lasted only three years, and yet we see many times in scripture that Jesus needed rest, and times of quiet communion with The Father. We need that too. Healing and light- I love those two words you have chosen for your focus this year. I am taking a moment right now to pray healing, peace, calm, quietness, care and restoration over you. You don’t know me, and I’ve never met you, except here on You Tube but I do believe The Lord orders our steps and puts people along our path of life for specific reasons. I am so thankful our paths have crossed in this earthly life. You give so much of yourself, now it is time to receive. Receive your healing each and every day of this new year. Receive friendship. Receive guidance, even as you guide others. Receive the love of The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit, the pure love and healing of The Triune God, who knows all that you need and all that your heart desires. Many prayers and blessings will cover you this year.
Thank you so much for this, Beverly. Wow. I became teary-eyed reading this. I can feel your gift for ministry and I appreciate that you are sharing it with me. Thank you for your many years of service to God. Thank you for sharing his love and light with me. I am grateful for your specific prayer over me, as I could feel myself letting go as I read your words. May the Lord continue to bless you in all the ways you give of yourself, friend. ♥
@@thehomespunwife You are most welcome Sherry. I have been preparing my 2025 prayer journal. It is a simple journal and it stays on the nightstand by my bed. As I begin my morning prayer time, sometimes before I even get out of bed, I hold the journal and pray over the pages. I put someone's name at the top and through the year, I may add scripture, a prayer and I have even anointed the pages with a tiny drop of oil in the corner of the page. My husband's name is on the first page, mine is on the second, followed by each of my children and grandchildren. Then extended family, friends, friends in ministry, and so on. Some mornings I go page by page and pray a prayer over each person. Some mornings, I just hold the journal and ask God to bless and care for each person represented on the pages. The Lord knows every need and every detail of those in my journal. After I listened to your video, not once but twice, I heard several words that I know have touched the heart of our Lord. So, you have a page in my journal this year. Count on my prayers - morning prayers. We are in the Central time zone, about an hour behind you, so about 7:00am your time, I will be praying. On your page, I wrote your name and your two words - healing and light. I will add scripture and thoughts on your page throughout the year. As you begin your healing journey, take time to know that your Heavenly Father loves you, He is pleased with you and He delights in you, as you look to Him for the restoration that only He can give. Again, you and I have never met but The Lord knows us both, and the most wonderful thing about being in the family of God, is that we have Christian family, sisters in Christ, everywhere, linked together by Jesus' love!
Miss sherry, please know you are in my daily prayers, because you are so important to me. I depend on your inspiration & encouragement .thank you for being the special lady you are. GOD bless you richly! 💕❤️💕
Oh thank you Judy. You always have something nice to say. I appreciate you, friend. ♥
Sherry thank u so much for being transparent and sharing your heart. I’ll be praying that God brings you the healing you need. I am on the outside looking in on a similar situation in my family. I keep them in prayer because I see burnout coming. I have discussed it with them but they don’t see what we see. So I left it to God to reveal it to them. They are in similar roles in a small church and it has consumed their lives. Many holidays spent only with church members and in charge of activities instead of spending a little time with blood family etc. All sorts of activities all the time. I told them God honors your time with HIM more than busyness. Unfortunately they see all of it as serving the Lord. There is no balance. We experienced burnout somewhat when we served at a small church. In Germany. We were not in leadership positions but we sought God and fasted 21 days and God revealed to us that what was happening was not of HIM so we ended up leaving that church. Sherry take care of your health. Praying you get well soon. Blessings. ❤
Hi Iris and thank you for sharing. I am sorry this is happening with your loved ones. Sometimes the demands on a pastor are from church members and other times he might take demands on himself, feeling overly responsible for every small thing that's happening in the church. It's a difficult boundary to get sorted out. I will pray for your loved ones right now, that the Lord will guide them.
Blessings to you, friend. ♥
@@thehomespunwifethank u Sherry and you are absolutely correct. It’s a combination of both of those in my families case. Your prayers are appreciated dear friend. ❤
Praying for speedy recovery Sherri
Thank you so much, Jeanne!
Amen! We made it through another year! My year was up and down but I'm thankful to God for the ups and downs and my growth.❤
Amen, Zelda! God is faithful!♥️
Happy New year Sherry & homespun friends.
Thank you for your honesty.
I am praying for Sherry,sweet friend to recover,rest & heal from burnout.
Is there anyway you & Vince can get away & decompress? Travel?
Seek a therapist you trust?
Sending hugs & love ❤
HI Susie! Thank you for your sweet words and kindness. I think the one place Vince and I are happiest to be is at home. We truly love it here. It's a respite and a fortress of refuge. We might benefit from therapy though. We will see how it goes. Thank you for loving us. Blessings and love to you, my friend. ♥
My word for 2025 is Cozy. I want to try and write scripture and be so close and cozy with my Father. Sometimes I feel like it's so stiff watching sermons. I want to feel comfortable and cozy with Jesus.
Wonderful!
Happy New year Sherry. I will pray for your intentions and trust that God will heal you in every way. I hope 2025 is a good year for you and your husband and all your family circle. Love Vera in Northern Ireland ❤❤
Happy New Year, Vera! Thank you for your support and encouragement, friend. Love and blessings to you!♥️
Happy New Year Sherry, hope you recover fully very soon. I look forward to another year of your videos and inspiration love from uk ❤xx
Thank you very much, Jan! Happy New Year!♥️
I love this.
Hi Jenni! I hope your first day on the job went well! May the Lord bless you!
We were in Ministry for 30 years had to retire I know where you are coming from ! My new word this year is Release ) I am letting some things go ! Stuff that has bothered me for years ! Just going to be free in my mind ! Praise the Lord ! Happy New Year !❤️
Ahh...release! That word sounds so nice, LaJuanda. Thank you for serving the Lord in ministry for 30 years. I pray he blesses you richly, friend, and allows you to be free. Happy New Year!♥
Thank you Sheri for your honesty and being transparent that’s what we all need sometimes, it frees the soul for sure. I haven’t gotten a word yet but as always I want to draw closer to the Lord and be more of a witness. I guess maybe “real “is my word. I also wanted to mention, I can’t remember if i had mentioned here or on the FB page about an another RUclips channel At Home with Ms. Joan. She’s a sweet and funny pastor’s wife. I don’t know why but I just feel she’d a good friend to communicate with.God Bless !
Hi Patrice! Thanks so much for watching my video today. I appreciate the channel suggestion. Humor and kindness go a long way in making happy friendships! Blessings to you♥
Thank you for being so vulnerable and honest with us dear Sherry! I pray for healing of your soul after all those years in ministry. My grandpa was a lutheran pastor. After his retirement (at 65 and death at 72 years old) my grandma didn´t loose her faith but she never set a foot in a church again. Thanks to you describing the toll it took on you (the constant demands, the loneliness etc.) I understand her so much better. Sending lots of love from Germany!
I read your comment several times because I enjoyed it very much. Thank you for sharing about your grandparents. And thanks for being so kind to me. You're a blessing. Love to you♥
Thank you for being honest. I respect and admire you so much. I will be praying for you. ❤😊
Thank you Becky! I appreciate this. ♥
Hi Sherry praying you will soon be well. My word for this year is holiness/holy along with the scripture 1 Peter 1:15-16. It was also confirmed when I was given a book called The Message of Holiness; restoring God's Masterpiece by Derek Tidball. They'd given it to me because I had mentioned the bible study we were doing with you and one chapter mentioned we were God's masterpiece. He didn't know my word for the year was Holiness so it was a blessing and I've started reading it. Will continue lifting you in prayer friend ❤
Hi Jean! I love your word of the year. You probably recall from previous videos how much I mentioned that the word holy was showing up day after day in my studies at the time. I have never read the book you mentioned but I would like to look it up.
Seven years ago, I did a video about being God's Masterpiece. I just went back to March of 2017 and watched it, which is a rare thing. I never rewatch my videos once they are released. As I was watching, God's Spirit began ministering to me through my own video from all those years ago! What a surprise that was.
Praying 2025 will be a blessing for you, friend! Thank you for your prayers. ♥
Thank you for sharing.
♥️
Hey Sherry! This video really touched my heart! All these years that you have been such a shining light to me and others you were suffering! I want to give you a big hug and tell you how much I love you! Your openness and heart to serve this community are truly remarkable. My word of the year is health! I need to get more healthy in all ways! My prayer for you is for God to bring you through this season and show you the joy and peace you deserve. I will continue to support you here on your channel and keep you and Vince in my prayers for healing and light! ❤️🙏
Thank you, dear Kim. You have been with me for a long time and have always had kindness and encouragement to share. Now is no different. I appreciate you! I love your word, 'Health.' It's very similar to mine. And I, too, have been trying to focus on health, such as getting more steps, more fresh air and sunshine, more organic and fresh foods, daily vitamins, and also lots of soul-care. Due to Christmas and now my sickness, I've had to take a break from a few things. But I know I will get back to it soon!
Thank you for praying for me and Vince. We are so grateful. Vince can't believe how kind you all are on my channel...and his. It's restorative on its own.
Love you!♥
Holding you up in prayer Sherry.
Thank you very much, Faith.♥
Thank you for sharing your situation. You are amazingly informative. I never realized the true sacrifice ministry families have to make during their years of service.
Thank you for listening, Stephanie, and for being understanding. ♥
Hi Sherry what a beautiful spot for this video . I also have this book Mornings with Jesus for this year. I have a word for the year it is trust. Sherry my prayer for you this year is that our loving Heavenly Father will set you free and heal you in all the areas you desire .much love ❤️😊
Thank you so much, Cindy. I appreciate you. You have been with me a long, long time. You have often prayed for me and I am grateful.
When the Lord sets us free, we are free indeed. Praying for you too, friend, as you focus on trust. Love you!♥
Thank you so much Sherry appreciate you, 🤗
Glory
In 2019 out church was running over 300 and now we had to move locations from leasing to renting and now we finally found a building to buy and God is so good. However we haven’t recovered yet and are running about half of what we were in 2019. It is difficult so I understand that part of what you are talking about. We are south of Atlanta.
The shutdown in 2020 changed church life forever, it seems.
My word is JOY!
♥
This is so interesting. Years ago, my dear friend who was a Pastor's wife told me this too....that it was very hard to have a friend. I always hoped I could be a trusted friend for her and we were friends for years until they moved. I love your honesty. I think many many people have come to you who are needy. Yes, I feel and it seems as if God is healing you and changing your direction...a shift as you said. I think these years will be very rewarding for you and that God will use you in a new way. I adore you. You have blessed me personally so much as I watch your videos. I am praying for your healing in every way . My word is "faith". I asked for more faith even though it seems like I have a lot, but I feel this will be granted. God bless you my sister in Christ. You are loved...so loved. xxx
Linda, your comment is such a blessing to me. I always look for your words after my videos because your spirit is so sincere. God has gifted you with insight and I am grateful he brought you my way. Thank you for your prayers for me, friend.
I love your word of 2025. A growing faith is healthy faith. I pray mine is always growing.
Much love, sister. ♥
@@thehomespunwife I am so touched that you would take the time to reply. Thank you. I am honored to be a friend from afar. After all , we are deeply blessed to all be sisters in Christ. What a gift! Please take a little part of your day to rest and maybe even nap. I know his deep love washes over you and I feel he will restore you in every way. His love and light shine out in you so beautifully. I am so grateful for you. xxx
Thank you for sharing your heart ❤️ I know that our Lord will provide the healing and peace that you need… in great abundance. 🙏I’m thinking my word is Focus. I know it’s not a very glamorous word but I’ve had a busy year and no matter what may happen in 2025 I need to remain focused on Jesus and let him do his thing in my life. I’m praying for you and your husband and a smooth transition into retirement. Can’t wait for your next video 😘
Hi Sonya! Focus is a wonderful word! In a world where there are so many things trying to draw us away from the Lord, having focus to stay true to him is vital. Thank you for your prayers for me! Blessings to you♥
Happy New Year to you and Vince. God bless you both in the new year 2025 🎉 love y’all 🥰
Thank you Kathy! Happy New Year! Sending love♥
I am so happy that I found your channel and find it so encouraging. I pray you have a wonderful healing year in 2025.
Thank you very much, Deborah! I'm happy to have you here!♥
Happy new year sister Shelly❤ My word for the year persevere. My goal for the year is read my one year bible. Last year I try doing that but got behind and overwhelmed I ended quitting.
I love the word persevere! I am here to encourage you to reach your goals, friend. I am also surrounded by amazing friends who cheer each other on...so you will find support here. ♥
❤ my word for this year needs to be forgive.
Amen, Cindy. I am so thankful for God's forgiveness. I pray he will help me to also share it to others.♥️
Thanks!
Thank you so much for your sweet generosity, Angelica! This is a blessing. ♥
I want to let you know that my deacon and his wife gave me that very book. I have been sick so she brought it to me today along with some delicious soup and cornbread. I’m already loving the book. ❤
I also want you to know I’m so sorry for what you went through in the ministry! God is going to use you during this year! Love and prayers for you and your husband and this ministry you are in! ❤
That's wonderful, Eloise! I'm so glad you have caring friends in your church. Praying you feel better soon. Sending hugs to you.♥️
Thank you for your kindness and encouragement, Eloise. It means so much. ♥️
@ thank you, Sherry! ❤️
It’s kind of a catch 22, if you don’t get to share your own problems & you are just the receiver of others problems, those people probably think you are great & have no problems of your own. And then you take their problems on with your own. That would be exhausting. Thanks for sharing ❤
I think one thing that happens in ministry is that everyone around you knows lots of things about your life. Very little is hidden from view. Your income is printed for everyone to see. Your kids get in trouble at school, everyone knows. If you take vacation and your car stays in the parsonage driveway for a couple days, everyone asks you when you get back, "why did it take you two days to leave on vacation?" 😅
Unfortunately, it causes you to withdraw even more. What little you can keep to yourself, you do at all costs.
It's not healthy, to be sure. But it becomes a habit. And its a type of conditioning that takes a while to undo.
@@thehomespunwife I’m a survivor of not one, but two alcoholic parents. They have both died, my dad was 42 & he died the day before I got married & my mom was 66 & she died of colon cancer. The conditioning is not an easy one to manage for sure. I have had people in my own extended family say to my face they didn’t know how with my circumstances I turned out so good! I know though, there was a lady in my neighborhood that was a prayer warrior & she prayed for me! When I was ready to turn my life over to Jesus I went to her house & her & her husband prayed with me!!
You will be in my prayers ❤❤❤
Thank you Paula!♥
My word this year is create. I feel that I have not been using my God given talent.
This is a great word, Yvonne! I look forward to seeing how God is going to open doors for you to use your gifts and talents.
My word is discipline.
Wonderful, Judie!
In Exodus God shows His immense love by personally taking His own hand to place Moses in a cleft in the rock to shield him from seeing His face. That would kill Moses if he looked at God’s face, makes me think like looking at the Sun. But God wanted to fulfill Moses’ request❤ God heals, His sun heals, and oh how glorious His power is!!!! Thank you for sharing Sherry. I will pray for you.
Amen! Thank you for sharing and for your prayers for me. ♥️
My word is listen. Take time to listen to others and listen to God. You do need time to be quite touched by God. ❤ we are your friends.
I love the word 'listen.' That is so important, Alison. Sometimes it's so much easier to talk to God than to be still and listen. I pray 2025 will be a wonderful year of hearing God's still small voice in your life. ♥️
I know how you feel about burnout. I'm a retired RN, and it was such a struggle to give good care to kids. Pediatric care is rewarding, but budget and working short in the clinic made me doubt myself. Healthcare is so challenging. Uninsured. Illegals. I don't care about that, a child needs care, and that's it. Nothing else should get in the way. But, financial burdens are real. So. Burnout. One gets sick of begging for something for a child.
I'm so sorry. How grateful I am for you and all you have done, above and beyond, to care for sick children.I pray the Lord will allow you a season of rest and recovery.♥