Gasping For Air

(Pictures of swimming at in indoor pool with our friends.)

Hey. Most of you probably don't read magazines for Teenage guys. Now and then I write for one that is amazing, it is, Breakaway, published by Focus on the Family. In April they ran a story I wrote about pornography. It's a topic I care deeply about because I see how the Evil One is using all types of sexual addictions to destroy lives and families.The sad part is that God has designed human sexuality to be a great blessing and even to represent the mystery of the love between Christ's and His Church.
My interest in the topic of Biblical sexuality (sex according to God's design) began when I was about 11 years old and a neighbor sexually abused me. As any child would, I knew that what happened to me wasn't right or good. I wanted to understand what God had to say on the subject! Of course my own healing took time and prayer and studying what the Bible had to say. I discovered that God's Word says a lot about sex but I didn't learn much of this in church. So, anyway, that's part of my journey.
If you are one of the many people who have suffered sexual abuse at any time in your life, please take heart that the Lord cares and hates what happened to you. He is offering you healing, and freedom and wholeness.
If you want to read my story, you can find it here.
Blessings,
Sue

Hello!
I've been home from the Colorado Christian Writer's Conference for almost a week and still haven't posted any thing about how much the Lord blessed me there. So, because I've feeling bad about being such a slacker, I'm going to post two reruns of some of my favorite stories. Hope you enjoy them. (A note about the picture.) One year, after reading the story posted here, to the ladies of our WOW Bible Study, they surprised with a 'Thank you for teaching gift,' -- A black plastic bag filled with pretty socks- Blessings, Sue

HOLEY, HOLEY, HOLEY

Not too many pounds ago I had three preschoolers. Back then our budget was tight and my jeans were loose. One morning I borrowed a car, loaded up my brood and headed for Gemco. It was the store with everything; house wares, fabric, clothes and, way in the back, the lowest priced groceries in town.

We went in for food, but took a tempting detour through the shoe department. The

cart stopped itself in front of the ladies socks. I really needed socks. I really needed

groceries. I looked down at my neglected feet then up at my three hungry children.

No contest. My feet were definitely outnumbered. The choice seemed totally obvious

and completely unfair. I knew other people with preschoolers who could afford socks

and food. I even considered some of those people to be my friends—usually.

I glanced sideways at the other shoppers. Some had new towels in their carts. Others had name brand shampoo that made your hair smell like an herbal garden. I bet they can afford socks. They probably buy the fancy kind with cute little patterns. All I want is plain, white, cotton.

I reached for the package and examined it. They sure were white. They sure were soft. They sure didn’t have holes in the heels.

“Mommy,” my two-year-old asked, “you hugging socks?”

The baby squirmed in her front snuggle/carrier.

“Mom,” Mr. Four-year-old informed me, “you’re smashing the baby. Didn’t we come to buy food?”

I looked into the eyes of my trusting children and sighed deeply. Reluctantly I hung the package on the hook. Then I squared my shoulders and pointed the cart toward the grocery section. But before I gave it a forward push, I said a quick prayer. I did not kneel. I did not wail. I did not close my eyes. I just lifted a thought to the One who always hears. “God, I need socks.”

The next day I answered an unexpected knock on the front door. I opened it to see, Shirley, a lady from church.

“Hi Sue. Say, my daughter-in-law works at a sporting goods store and has access to some clothes. I thought you might be able to use them.”

“Sure. I love hand-me-downs.”

Shirley placed four large, black, plastic trash bags near my front door. “Most of these are new. Overstocks, discontinued items or returns.”

I hugged her. “Thanks for thinking of me.”

We all waved as she backed out of our driveway, then took the bags inside. My kids gathered around as I loosened the knot on the first bag. “Isn’t it nice when people give us clothes?”

Mr. Four-year-old peered into the bag and announced, “These aren’t clothes. It’s nothing but a great big bag full of socks.”

I gathered them into my arms—the children, not the socks—and hugged them. Isn’t God good!

Readers Respond!

Hello, it’s me, long lost bloger (I almost wrote blooger which looks a bit like booger— whoops.) Can’t believe I’m going to post that, but why not? After days and days of no posting, at least it’s something.

Last time I posted was about the power of story. Today, I want to share something very precious. For the first time ever I have been contacted by readers about an article. This is amazing! It is humbling. I’ve heard from a woman named, Sherry, and I tried to respond to her by email but I don’t think she got the message. (Sherry if you read this please check your bulk folder for emails from me.) Anyway she liked the article enough to search and find my blog! Next, I got a letter, hoping that I was the Sue Cameron who wrote the article in Focus on the Family, from a dear 80 year-old brother named John. He tries to live each moment by asking Jesus for direction and then following what he hears! Wow. Also, I had a phone call from a lady here in town, and a man who lives near Atlanta. He is struggling with being too busy and carving out the time to sit at the feet of Jesus. I’ve never met any of these people face-to-face, but somehow we’ve connected. I can’t tell you how much it means to me to know that something I’ve written has touched someone’s heart. What a great and awesome privilege.

So, to all of you who check this blog from time to time and find it empty, I’m sorry. Thank you for your time and interest, I am honored by your attention and will try to be a better friend by writing more often. If you’d like to see the article you can find it HERE.