Serenity in Suffering

Finding Peace and Purpose in the Storms of Life

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Inspiration

dogwood blossoms in the dark, will you wait with me

Will You Wait with Me?

woman with pink knit gloves holding heart made of snow, when love takes you by surprise

When Love Takes You by Surprise

Robin on white stone next to purple flowers in garden, reclaim a heartof of lavish praise for god

Reclaim a Heart of Lavish Praise For God

American flags placed in front of a row of white headstones at Arlington cemetery, they said yes-memorial day tribute

They Said Yes-Memorial Day Tribute

water in hands i thirst

I Thirst

wooden cross, crown of thorns on purple tablecloth, were you there when they crucified my lord?

Were You There When they Crucified My Lord?

glass perfume bottle he holds all my tears

He Holds All My Tears

man looking out over a lake, when love stands tall

When Love Stands Tall

person sitting on a rock looking at orange sky, i know i am heard

I Know I Am Heard

flowers on bible, what is truth

What is Truth?

broken chains prisoner set free

Prisoner Set Free

hands in green coat with purple scarf holding sparklers

Guilty Yet Drawn- Beckoned and Beloved

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Hi I'm Donna

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Welcome to Serenity in Suffering; a safe place to be heard, known and experience personal growth and freedom in the hard places of life.

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Recent Posts

  • The Taste of Peace: Seasoning Every Table with Gentleness
  • The Quiet Seasoning-How Small Graces Change the Atmosphere
  • Eyes on the Shepherd: Walking in Step with the Spirit
  • Finding God in a Cup of Coffee
  • Turning Toward the Light When Darkness Falls

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serenityinsuffering

If you live in the United States, as soon as the c If you live in the United States, as soon as the calendar flips to November, thoughts turn to Thanksgiving preparations. ⁣
⁣
But with Christmas right on the heels, even those living around the world anticipate a busy holiday season. ⁣
⁣
In rapid succession these thoughts turn to family gatherings. ⁣
⁣
But for some, the thought of family gatherings conjures feelings of anxiety or dread as we anticipate the inevitable friction and tension which leave a bad taste in our mouths for family festivities. ⁣
⁣
But what if we chose seasoning every table with gentleness instead?⁣
⁣
This holiday season, not every table will feel peaceful. But what if our calling is not about fixing the conversation, but only to flavor it with grace?⁣
⁣
Head over to the blog for my new post, "The Taste of Peace: Seasoning Every Table with Gentleness", and discover how gentleness, patience, and a non-anxious presence can turn into a testimony. Link in bio!⁣
#serenityinsuffering #serenity #suffering #gentleness #peace #thanksgiving #familygathering #hope #faith
Ever wonder what the New Earth will be like?⁣ ⁣ I Ever wonder what the New Earth will be like?⁣
⁣
I got a glimpse recently of God's idea of beauty and abundance in the New Earth. ⁣
Quite by surprise I stumbled upon this tree in my neighborhood on my afternoon walk. (Slide 2)⁣
⁣
While I have enjoyed the stunning colors of autumn in crimson, orange, russet, gold, and yellows, this tree had 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 color! ⁣
⁣
Perhaps it's not such a unique phenomenon, but it was the first time I saw it in my neighborhood. ⁣
⁣
I stopped with my dog, Shalom, and we took it in. As I marveled at the leaves of every color, the scripture, Revelation 22:2, which I recorded on the second slide, came into my mind. ⁣
⁣
I have always loved that verse, thinking about a tree bearing a different fruit each of the 12 months of the year! And even more remarkable, its leaves will be for the healing of the nations. And better yet? ⁣
⁣
The chapter goes on to tell us the beauty of Eden will be restored, this tree will not be one of forbidden fruit and death, but one of life and healing of all that came before. ⁣
⁣
Jesus Christ will be on the Throne, and we will see Him face to face, His name upon our foreheads. ⁣
⁣
There will be no more night, and no need of the sun for Christ will be the Light. ⁣
⁣
As Shalom and I bathed ourselves in the beauty of this tree with leaves holding every color, and the glory of the afternoon sun, I found hope. ⁣
⁣
Hope in knowing that though we live in a broken and dark world, one day, God will wipe away every tear as we are ushered into a world where death, suffering and darkness are no more. ⁣
⁣
Even so come quickly Lord Jesus. ⁣
⁣
Where are you finding Hope today? ⁣
Which slide is your favorite?
Can I share something with you?⁣ ⁣ Something tende Can I share something with you?⁣
⁣
Something tender has been stirring behind the scenes these past few months…⁣
⁣
And I finally took a small, brave step:⁣
I clicked “publish.” ✨⁣
⁣
It's not quite ready yet, but here’s what I can share—⁣
⁣
It’s a project woven out of prayer, Scripture,⁣
and the quiet, transformative grace God keeps pouring into ordinary days.⁣
⁣
A gentle invitation is coming soon…⁣
and I can’t wait to share more with you.
Can I share a secret with you?⁣ ⁣ 🙏Something tende Can I share a secret with you?⁣
⁣
🙏Something tender has been stirring behind the scenes these past few months…⁣
and today, I finally took a small, brave step:⁣
I clicked “publish.”⁣
⁣
I’m keeping the details tucked close for just a little longer, but here’s what I can share—⁣
⁣
👉It’s a project woven out of prayer, Scripture,⁣
and the quiet, transformative grace God keeps pouring into ordinary days.⁣
⁣
♥A gentle invitation is coming soon…⁣
and I can’t wait to share more with you.
Ever wonder what the New Earth will be like?⁣ ⁣ I Ever wonder what the New Earth will be like?⁣
⁣
I got a glimpse recently of God's idea of beauty and abundance in the New Earth.⁣
⁣
Quite by surprise I stumbled upon this tree in my neighborhood on my afternoon walk.⁣
⁣
While I have enjoyed the stunning colors of autumn in crimson, orange, russet, gold, and yellows, this tree had 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 color!⁣
⁣
Perhaps it's not such a unique phenomenon, but it was the first time I saw it in my neighborhood.⁣
⁣
I stopped with my dog, Shalom, and we took it in. As I marveled at the leaves of every color, the scripture, Revelation 22:2, which I recorded on the second slide, came into my mind.⁣
⁣
I have always loved that verse, thinking about a tree bearing a different fruit each of the 12 months of the year!⁣
And even more remarkable, its leaves will be for the healing of the nations.⁣
⁣
And better yet? The chapter goes on to tell us the beauty of Eden will be restored, this tree will not be one of forbidden fruit and death, but one of life and healing of all that came before.⁣
⁣
Jesus Christ will be on the Throne, and we will see Him face to face, His name upon our foreheads. There will be no more night, and no need of the sun for Christ will be the Light.⁣
⁣
As Shalom and I bathed ourselves in the beauty of this tree with leaves holding every color, and the glory of the afternoon sun, I found hope.⁣
⁣
Hope in knowing that though we live in a broken and dark world, one day, God will wipe away every tear as we are ushered into a world where death, suffering and darkness are no more.⁣
⁣
Even so come quickly Lord Jesus.⁣
⁣
Where are you finding Hope today?
What type of influencer are you?⁣ ⁣ Mesmerized by What type of influencer are you?⁣
⁣
Mesmerized by the myriad choices of sea salt at a local gourmet shop, I had an epiphany. ⁣
⁣
Maybe it was fueled by my morning reading in Matthew 5, but my mind went to Christians as the salt of the earth. (Matthew 5:13-14) ⁣
⁣
The visual before me of so many unique salts came alive as I pondered those verses. ⁣
⁣
The metaphor used by Jesus became a powerful message of our opportunity to be the quiet seasoning of influence in our world. ⁣
⁣
An influence able to change the atmosphere of the culture around us. ⁣
⁣
Especially in a culture of brokenness and suffering, even the salt of our own hard stories can bring hope to the hopeless.⁣
⁣
Join me on the blog as I considered what Jesus' directive might look like practically in our current culture, in my new post, "The Quiet Seasoning-How Small Graces Change the Atmosphere", link in bio!
What type of influencer are you?⁣ ⁣ Mesmerized by What type of influencer are you?⁣
⁣
Mesmerized by the myriad choices of sea salt at a local gourmet shop, I had an epiphany. ⁣
⁣
Maybe it was fueled by my morning reading in Matthew 5, but my mind went to Christians as the salt of the earth. (Matthew 5:13-14) ⁣
⁣
The visual before me of so many unique salts came alive as I pondered those verses. ⁣
⁣
The metaphor used by Jesus became a powerful message of our opportunity to be the quiet seasoning of influence in our world. ⁣
⁣
An influence able to change the atmosphere of the culture around us. ⁣
⁣
Especially in a culture of brokenness and suffering, even the salt of our own hard stories can bring hope to the hopeless.⁣
⁣
Join me on the blog as I considered what Jesus' directive might look like practically in our current culture, in my new post, "The Quiet Seasoning-How Small Graces Change the Atmosphere", link in bio!
I suppose I will never get used to finding my pati I suppose I will never get used to finding my patient's bed empty when I arrive for my shift at the hospice inpatient center.⁣
⁣
While I know many patients will pass away at the center, many more will return home for their final days after acute symptoms are under control.⁣
⁣
But sometimes we have a patient who has nowhere else to go, and they remain with us until end of life.⁣
⁣
One such patient, Mr. K, was with us for about a month. He was younger than I am and had no family or friends which visited.⁣
⁣
I cared for him during his last week on earth, and one day as I fed him his lunch, the conversation turned to life choices.⁣
⁣
Mr. K admitted he made some bad choices, which led to his hospice diagnosis in addition to alienating his family and friends.⁣
⁣
But at the same time, He found Christ. Our conversations then turned towards his favorite bible passages (anything in Romans, Amen?) and his determination to avoid feeling sorry for himself, but to live for Christ "even here".⁣
⁣
My times with Mr. K were precious, so when I came in and found his bed empty, and his room cleaned out, I felt a heavy sadness. Nothing about his conversation, or symptoms indicated he was near death, but he slipped away quietly one night in his sleep.⁣
⁣
I was especially sad not to have had the chance to say good-bye, but as I stood in the doorway of his now empty room, the memory of our last day together brought tears to my eyes.⁣
⁣
The last thing I said to him after I prayed for him was, "Mr. K, I'm so glad you know Christ and that you are looking forward to meeting Him soon. I will look for you when I get there."⁣
⁣
And he smiled and said, "And I know I will be looking for you."⁣
⁣
Perhaps we didn't need to say "good-bye", because we know we'll meet again in the place where there are no more good-byes.
Who isn't looking for peace these days?⁣ ⁣ From wh Who isn't looking for peace these days?⁣
⁣
From what I hear most days from people I interact with, it feels like the Holy Grail.⁣
⁣
Do you ever feel like Peace is the most elusive thing you pursue?⁣
⁣
Reading Proverbs 16:9 for the umpteenth time, ⁣
"We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps."⁣
⁣
God spoke this truth to me:⁣
 "𝙋𝙚𝙖𝙘𝙚 𝙞𝙨𝙣'𝙩 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙨𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙨, 𝙞𝙩'𝙨 𝙩𝙧𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙂𝙤𝙙 𝙞𝙨 𝙜𝙪𝙞𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙥𝙨."⁣
⁣
In my tenacious self-sufficiency I think I can plan my way into peace by covering all the bases, making sure I've thought of every eventuality.⁣
⁣
But I fail to obtain the peace I desperately desire.⁣
⁣
Today, as God spoke this truth to me, I finally realized the freedom in not having all the answers—because HE does, and HE is the one guiding my steps.⁣
⁣
Does this meet you in a place of need today? How does this truth change your perspective on peace?⁣
⁣
#serenityinsuffering #serenity #godslove #suffering #godspresence #faith #hope #peace #peaceofgod
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