by Deborah Malone and Rita Prochazka
Questions by Rita:
Can you share some of your testimony?
I was raised by an abusive mother. After I was married, I realized she had a problem with drugs and only wanted contact to get money. I was thrilled when she decided to step out of my life when I told her I’d given her and all her wild accusations to God and she couldn’t hurt me anymore. Fifteen years later I was asked to be her caregiver. All other family and locals refused. I felt God calling me to show her honor that would glorify God. After seven challenging years, she came to know the Lord through my younger sister, and we had the opportunity to glorify God by showing her honor.
What are some things you’ve learned in your walk with God during this season of your life?
The more I’ve given God control, the more grace He gives me.
Little irritants won’t matter years from now. It is not lasting; it is not worth getting upset about or worrying about. We laugh a lot imagining how our circumstances would look to others watching a movie. (a neighbor tells me I am Lucille Ball’s twin:)
God made me to glorify Him and He expects me to show Him to others. I need to act on that and be prepared to give an answer to anyone who sincerely asks, and to listen to His Word, and follow nudges to reach out to others.
What is your favorite Bible verse and why?
Psalm 139: 7-12 – it reminds me that God is always with me – in whatever situation – He is with me!
I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there! If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me. I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night – but even in the darkness I cannot hide from you. To you the night shines as bright as day. Darkness and light are the same to you. Psalm 139:7-12
Questions by Deborah:
What would be your advice to other “seasoned” women on how to stay active in ministry?
Be a listener. Listen to your heart, and you will hear and see more opportunities than you have time for!
What are some challenges you’ve had to overcome during your winter season?
- Physical challenges for myself and my spouse.
- My spouse and I are often going two different directions as the Lord leads me to minister in caregiving, and he is led to be in prayer support.
- Co-workers face many physical, emotional and spiritual challenges.
- Frequently second guessing my calling. It helps to journal my and others’ stories of how God worked in our lives, to remind me of what God has already (consistently) done, and if He took care of those things, He will take care of the next concern.
- Financial concerns.
What seasoned woman in the Bible is an inspiration to you? Why?
Timothy’s grandmother, Lois. Her faith and daily life made a difference with generations (and continues to do so).
Deborah here: Thank you so much for being a guest on our blog Delores. Delores is one of our contributing authors to “Bloom in Your Winter Season.” I’d like to share a little story about how Delores and I met. We were both going to the same writer’s conference and needed a roommate. We got in touch with each other and decided to room together. Little did I know we’d become good friends and partners in crime. The conference was in Nashville and our hotel was located a short distance from a big mall. During one of our down times, we decided to get Uber (neither of us had ever used it before) and head over to the mall. We had a ball and probably spent way too much money, but it was so much fun, and we still have good laughs about our trip. Thank you, Delores, for being my friend and partner in crime:)
Bio: Delores Liesner’s passion, whether writing and speaking about activating faith is to be the miracle for others. She’s published hundreds of stories and teachings on line and in print including a dozen Chicken Soup books, and a devotional, Be the Miracle! You can contact her through deloresliesner.com.
Where Hope Blooms 