Tag: Ferree Hardy

Weekend Wisdom

Weekend Wisdom: Ferree Hardy

Michele Kearns

Today’s wisdom comes from author and fellow blogger, Ferree Hardy. She too unexpectedly became a widow when her first husband Bruce passed away. In 2012 her wonderful book Postcards from the Widows’ Path, Gleaning Hope and Purpose from the Book of Ruth was published.

In her book, Ferree takes you through her grief journey while sharing wisdom from Ruth, Naomi, and Orpah’s stories.

Gleaning wisdom from a quote can take some thought. However, the wisdom in this quote is very straightforward. The only thought required is whether or not this applies to you.

Committed companionship, someone you can depend on when life proves to be undependable, is a sign of a true friend.

Ferree Hardy – Postcards from the Widows’ Path, Gleaning Hope, and Purpose from the Book of Ruth
(Chapter 9 – Signs of a Good Friend, pg 83)

I encourage you to check out widowschristianplace.com and order a copy of her book. It is not just for widows. There are lessons everyone can learn from Ferree’s book.

F.Y.I. Ferree found love again and is happily re-married.

God bless you with a joy-filled day.

Coming tomorrow: Project 3:16 – Ruth

Bio: Michele Kearns is the founder and HUG© (Hope Unites Globally) Award-Winner of JoyReturns. She shares her widowhood adventures hoping to inspire widows to move through grief and rebuild their lives. A graduate of Kent State University with a Bachelor’s degree in communications, she’s currently using those skills as a virtual contact center representative for a Fortune 100 company. She’s also managed call center teams, co-facilitated a grief support group, and helped small businesses with various writing assignments. Michele loves Jesus, books, history, music, chocolate, red roses, and golden retrievers. She is also the amateur photographer behind the blog OgleOhio.com.

Faith, grief, Resources

Widows: A Problem or A Calling?

Michele Kearns

 

My friend Ferree, from WidowsChristianPlace.com, posted One Widows Story: Widowhood Is Not A Mere Problem To Solve an article written by Lynda, one of Ferree’s Facebook friends.

The article tells the story about Lynda reading The Undistracted Widow, Living For God After Losing Your Husband by Carol W. Cornish. The book shed new light on being a widow – it is not a problem, but a calling. 

Wow! I understand that Joe’s timeline ended and mine did not, however I would have never used the word “calling” to describe being a widow. Calling is what happens to men and women who become pastors.

I was intrigued by the concept, and used my Amazon gift card from last Christmas to order the book. (Yes, it is mid-April and I still have an Amazon gift card from last Christmas.)

Appendix 2

Once it arrived I looked at the table of contents and was intrigued by Appendix 2 – The Local Church and Its Widows. Ms. Cornish nails the topic and opened my eyes to a different way of seeing churches (more on that later).

I’ve since started reading from the beginning and a full review of The Undistracted Widow will be published once I finish it.

A Nun Named Maria

Are you a nun named Maria?

Me neither.

Then we are not a problems to be solved.

For some reason we were called to be widows, called for such a time as this. Now how are we going to glorify God in this season of our lives?

And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?

Esther 4:14

(ESV)

 

 

 

Uncategorized

A Joyful Summer Reading List

Michele Kearns

Welcome to June!

I suggested to my friend J.T. O’Donnell that she come up with a Summer reading list for those in transition or whose career needs a boost.

Then, I decided I better take my own advice and create a joyful reading list. So here my suggestions for summer reading.

I have read all books and receive no kickbacks from anyone for putting their book on the list.

Romance Novels

Perfect Kindle reading for the beach or hammock – none were over $5.00 when this post was written on 5/31.

  • “The Second Chance Café” (A Hope Springs Novel) Alison Kent – Kaylie Flynn goes back home and buys her foster parent’s house and plans to turn it into a Café.  (I am currently reading the next installment “Beneath the Patchwork Moon.”)
  • “Penelope” (A Madcap Regency Romance) (The Fairweather Sisters) Anya Wylde – Country girl attempts to fit into London high society during the debutante season. I dare you not to fall in love with Lady Bathsheba.
  • “The Wicked Wager” (A Regency Murder Mystery & Romance) Anya Wylde – “Oh what a tangled web we weave” describes this lighthearted tale about love, deception and murder.
  • “Seeking Philbert Woodbead” (A madcap Regency Romance) (The Fairweather Sisters) Anya Wylde – A madcap tale of Penelope’s sister Celine trying to run a mansion and find her long-lost poet lover.

(I started reading Anya’s books based on the recommendation of Charissa at Joy In The Moments.)

Inspirational

Bible Study

Whether Bible study is on the beach or in your church’s yard under a big old shade tree, you can’t go wrong with these books.

  • “Postcards from the Widows’ Path, Gleaming Hope and Purpose from the Book of Ruth”, Ferree Hardy.    This book combines a study of the book of Ruth with Ferree’s first-hand account of her journey down the widow’s path.  However, it is not just for widows.  It is a great education for anyone looking to learn more about the book of Ruth and what it takes to survive widowhood.
  • “Choose Joy, Because Happiness Isn’t Enough”, Kay Warren – Happiness is not enough.  I know happy people and they are very one dimensional (more on that in another post).  This book helps you get to know Jesus both as a man of joy and sorrow.  She also teaches that the joy found in the Bible is not dependent upon circumstances – Hallelujah!

Book Club/Cooking Club

There you have it – my joyful reading list for this summer. I am in the process of reading a few more books, so you just might find a second reading list later this summer.

Enjoy!