Advent is a time of anticipation, of waiting, of hope.
Those weeks leading up to Christmas are supposed to remind us of that in-between period where we know God is going to show up, but He hasn’t done it yet. It’s the not-quite-yet time.
But what if, as we’re experiencing this waiting, our hopes get dashed?
What if, as we’re waiting for God to show up, things don’t work as we wanted?
Today on the podcast Stephanie Duncan Smith, author of Even After Everything, shares with us about her baby loss right before Christmas–and the baby she welcomed a year later. How do you deal with both joy and grief? And how do you find the courage to risk loving again?
Listen in!
Can you risk loving again?
When you’ve been hurt, it’s often easier to retreat. But can we risk love?
A great talk about love and loss–and how it fits in to the God who came in human form, meaning that He risked everything too!
I really enjoyed Stephanie’s book Even After Everything, especially as someone who did something very similar to Stephanie–I had another baby about a year after my son died. Love and loss, all tied up together.
Sex Trafficking Occurs in Pretty Much Every Neighbourhood
We were also joined by Leah Sanderson from The Wellhouse, a charity that helps girls and women escape sex trafficking, find healing, and rebuild their lives.
We often think of sex trafficking as something that happens in the streets of Bangkok, but sex trafficking happens everywhere. And people are at risk even in our own neighbourhoods.
So appreciate Leah reminding us how we can be the hands of feet of Jesus this Christmas season!
The Marriage You Want is coming in this year!
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Things Mentioned in the Podcast
Stocking Stuffers:
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THINGS MENTIONED
- Find Even After Everything
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How do you find hope again when your hope has been dashed? How do you risk? Let’s talk in the comments!
What a beautiful podcast! Thank you, Stephanie, for sharing your story with such honesty and sensitivity.
Thank you, Sheila, for having Stephanie on your show.
Leah, I’ve just had a look at the Wellhouse website. I am moved and impressed by the work being done. May it continue to grow!
I appreciated what was said during the Wellhouse portion about men gaining a vision for this work and understanding that most women doing porn have been abused as children. It reminded me of how I got free from porn (41 years ago now): I started praying that as I looked at porn, God would help me to see the hurt in these women’s eyes. Many of them were getting paid to pose, but still the hurt at being visually raped by millions of men…
Shortly after I started praying this way, I wanted nothing to do with it anymore and kicked it for good.
Deep in our hearts as men, we want to be honorable–something that Everyman’s Battle captures. (I know you have your critique of that and I agree with much of your thoughts, but also think there’s many points on which you agree with them). We want to be honorable, but often don’t know hos. We as men have been victims of a culture that trains us to focus on sex rather than relationship. I have found great freedom in my marriage (and much more satisfying sex also) through your podcasts and book. Thank you so much
I think that is so true–when men really see these women, porn becomes a turn off, not a turn on. Thank you for opening your heart.