Today’s Daily Bread ~ Meet Anne

Psalm 39:4-5 – “LORD, remind me how brief my time on earth will be.  Remind me that my days are numbered, and that my life is fleeing away.  My life is no longer than the width of my hand.  An entire lifetime is just a moment to you; human existence is but a breath.”

I would like to introduce you to my friend, Anne Shannon. 

Anne and I met in the fall of 2009, and developed a deep friendship almost immediately.  Ms. Shannon is now my partner in ministry, and has started a blog.  She is also a source of great inspiration to me.

This is a piece of her story:

In March of 2009, I began to feel God speak to me, not in words but through the most important relationships in my family. My oldest daughter suffers from severe anxiety and depression as well as other physical illnesses. She had just moved to a new school and was having difficulties with the transition. Every night was fraught with anger and frustration until her homework was done. Some nights, I just couldn’t handle it and I would simply go to bed and let my husband take care of it. I would get at least three calls a week from the nurses office at school about one ailment or another. What was I supposed to do? I was over an hour’s drive away from her. It was if God was telling me, “Your daughter needs you. If something would ever happen to her, you would never forgive yourself. You don’t get a do over.” Wow! What was I supposed to do with that? God began to show me that there was a better way, not an easier way, a better way.

God called my sweet friend to leave her job, and her family to live on a fraction of what they were used to.  And Anne has made it work.

Anne has taught me a lot about faith activation.  I’ve always had faith.  The problem is, until I met Anne, it had sat dormant for many years.

I’ve found the writings of Jesus’ half brother to be the most convicting book in the Bible.  James 2:14 says, “Dear brothers and sisters, what’s the use of saying you have faith if you don’t prove it by your actions?  That kind of faith can’t save anyone.”  This verse in particular has sparked much debate among scholars.  Does it conflict with the teachings of Paul, who says that grace and grace alone save us?  No, it doesn’t.  Jesus Himself said, “Not all people who sound religious are really godly.  They may refer to me as ‘Lord,’ but they still won’t enter the Kingdom of Heaven.  The decisive is issue is whether they obey my Father in Heaven (Matthew 7:21).”  My friends, real faith produces fruit.  And there will come a day when you are called to present your harvest. 

What kind of legacy will you leave?  Psalm 39:6 describes so many of us – We are merely moving shadows, and all our busy rushing ends in nothing.  We heap up wealth for someone else to spend.

Anne had a choice to make:  give up the comforts up a sizable second income to be present for her daughters, or continue to live bound by her possessions.  It’s a choice many are faced with.  I know a couple who, by all outside appearances are very wealthy.  However, their debt is crushing them, and they scrape by every month with scarcely a penny to spare.  Is it worth it?

When I asked Anne about her choice she told me that she’s never once looked back.  I wanted to know why, and she said something that has resonated with my soul ever since.  “I’ll never get this time back,” she said softly.  “Life doesn’t give any do-overs.”  Anne, thank you for being an outstanding example of true faith activation.  When Anne is called to present her harvest, she’ll proudly produce two beautiful daughters, and the impact that her decision made to all who are watching.  Bravo, Anne!

Dear Heavenly Father, help us to activate our faith!  What can we do for You today?  Who can we serve?  When our paths hit a fork, show us which way to go.  Convict us strongly, God.  Let us hear Your voice.  Today we pray that we might follow the example of Your servant, Anne.  Help us to make selfless decisions.  Give us generous hearts.  Bless us that we might be a blessing to others.  God, we love You with our whole hearts…grow our hearts that we might love You more!  We ask these things in the precious name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.  Amen.