Please welcome Guest Author, Jackie Freeman. Jackie's goal as an author is to encourage women to walk confidently in the center of God's will, no matter the season of their lives. She holds fast to God's promises to complete the good works He began long ago--and her aim is to help others do the same.
Jackie's Devotional, Keep a Song in Your Heart, shares the wisdom embedded in the gospel songs she performed with her mother. She has graciously agreed to share one of her devotionals with us, and as a special thank you to the readers of InspirationalLee, you will be given a chance to win a copy of her book in a drawing.
IT IS NO SECRET WHAT GOD CAN DO
by Stuart Hamblen
Grandparents can be the sugar and spice and everything nice in a child’s life. Mine certainly were. A grandparent’s presence-or absence-is crucial, especially these days, when we see more and more grandparents raising grandchildren. How would you describe your relationship with your grandparents?
One of my earliest recollections is sitting with my grandmother on her front porch swing, in the days before we had screens to swipe or video games to entertain us. Grandma would say, “Climb on up here. Let’s sit awhile.” We waved at neighbors or watched the kids on the block play across the street. And we invented games.
Playing “I spy with my little eyes,” rhyming games, and perhaps a little “storytelling make-believe” filled lazy afternoons. On that swing, I learned my left hand from my right hand. I learned that pumping my legs would make the swing go higher. And I learned to count, thanks to the links on the chain holding that swing in the air. Grandma made learning a pleasure. Always.
And we always sang. I stood by her side and belted out a chorus of whatever song we chose. In those moments, life was a stage, and I was the star of the show. The next-door neighbor, Mrs. Dean, would always get a chuckle out of my crescendo. No one slept while I sang.
Stuart Hamblen wrote It is No Secret What God Can Do, the first song I remember hearing Grandma sing. Her head tilted upward as if she were singing to the angels, and her soft-spoken voice invited me to linger on each word and note. Then the chorus rang out her message:
“It is no secret what God can do. What He’s done for others He’ll do for you. With arms wide open, He’ll pardon you. It is no secret what God can do.”
Grandma wanted me—and you—to know her Jesus and His promises. She held Proverbs 22:6 (MSG), to be true, “Point your kids [grandkids] in the right direction – when they’re old they won’t be lost.”
Do you have role models in your life like my Grandma, who joyfully showed a love for Jesus and passed that legacy down to you? Do you see yourself as a role model to others who need to know what God has done for you?
Heavenly Father, help us be an encouragement to someone today. Show us ways that we can sing out the Good News of Your love. Amen.
*Click here to listen to It is No Secret What God Can Do on spotify.
More about Jackie: Jackie Freeman is an educator, speaker, Bible teacher, and vocalist. Jackie has long touched the lives of seekers and believers. After losing her husband and parents, she added writing to her repertoire to deal with her losses, grief, and unexpected new life.
Besides Keep a Song in Your Heart, Jackie has written two other books. Her children’s book I’m Okay, Momma! showcases the ways her mother modeled the fruit of the spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). An avid pickleball enthusiast, Jackie wrote Bend Your Knees, Louise! as a multi-age introduction to America’s fastest-growing sport.
Warmed by the author’s wisdom, kindness, and scriptural knowledge, her blog, newsletter, website, and Facebook posts address topics ranging from grief and loss to caregiving, family values, antics on an old Michigan farm, and contemporary women’s concerns.
Enter to win a copy of Keep a Song in Your Heart: If you are a faithful reader of this blog, you will be automatically entered in the drawing, but no worries, new readers can enter up by signing up for my email list at the end of this page or messaging me from the contact page. Drawing will be held on July 22, 2023, and the winner will be notified by email. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours, another winner will be drawn.
Connect with Jackie on her website, Finding Joy along the Journey.
*Background photo by Silke Lemcke from Pixabay.