by Tiffany | Nov 18, 2024 | Blog
When a child is abducted by a parent, the left-behind parent faces unimaginable emotional challenges. This guide explores how creating healing spaces can help maintain mental wellness during the fight for reunification.
The Hidden Toll of Parental Abduction
Few life experiences test a parent’s heart and spirit like the separation from their child. In cases of parental child abduction, this involuntary separation creates overwhelming stress that can have both immediate and long-lasting consequences. Parents and family members navigating this challenging journey need a strong set of coping strategies, especially when emotions begin to feel unmanageable.
Understanding the Need for Healing Spaces
While trauma often triggers withdrawal, this self-isolation can lead to loneliness and heightened anxiety. A “happy place” offers a healing alternative: a space where positive emotions like joy, hope, and peace can thrive. This intentionally crafted sanctuary reduces stress-related thoughts and provides comfort without disconnecting from the world around.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), true health is “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” By spending time in a happy place, parents can maintain this holistic sense of health, an essential component in the fight to reunite.
A Father’s Garden of Hope
One parent’s story highlights how personal spaces can become powerful tools for healing. After the abduction of his children, Emma and Nathan, Matthew transformed his backyard into a meditative sanctuary. The garden’s winding pathway, lined with carefully chosen stones, tells his ongoing story of hope and strength.
“Each element in this garden holds meaning,” Matthew explains. “From the placement of every rock to the selection of resilient cacti —everything marks a milestone in my journey.” The garden’s thoughtful design reveals purpose and honors Matthew’s most difficult days, when moving forward required incredible courage. Hope is also woven into this space of natural beauty, as flowering plants greet each turn, offering fresh perspectives much like the unexpected ways healing can emerge over time.
Finding Peace in Familiar Places
For others, favorite cafés may serve as havens of self-care and normalcy. Kelly, a mother advocating for the return of her two boys, finds comfort in the familiar rhythm and predictability of her local coffee shop. “All the baristas know my name,” she says. “In a situation where so much feels out of my control, knowing I can count on my favorite cup of coffee helps keep me grounded.”
Creating Space for Both Grief and Beauty
These spaces aren’t meant to mask the pain—rather, they provide supportive ways to process grief while maintaining a connection to life’s continuing beauty. The fight to reunite is a most difficult season, and sometimes the simplest comforts become a grounding force. Tending to a garden, savoring a cup of tea, or enjoying the familiar warmth of a local bakery can offer a small but powerful sense of peace. These moments of connection with the world help restore balance to a situation that feels so unsteady.
Nurturing Hope Through Self-Reflection
To nurture this balance, reflect on these questions regularly, using your answers to find your own happy place, rekindle hope, and improve overall well-being:
- Why do I get up in the morning?
- In what unique ways do I contribute to the world?
- What am I most passionate about?
One steady moment at a time, resilience and renewed purpose will take root. While the path to reunion may be long, creating and maintaining these healing spaces provides essential support for the journey ahead.
“From Broken Steps: A Guide to Healing After Parental Abduction” offers practical journaling prompts and exercises designed specifically for left-behind parents. For additional support, connect with Shine the Light for Abducted Children, Inc.
Details
by Tiffany | May 17, 2024 | Recipes
Ingredients
1/2 cup dried lentils
1 cup water
8 oz. mushrooms of choice
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup water or vegetable broth
2 Tbsp soy sauce
2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp oregano
1/2 cup chickpea flour (see note)
Olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, combine the lentils and 1 cup of water. Bring to a boil and simmer on low heat for about 8-10 minutes, leaving the lentils slightly underdone.
- While the lentils are cooking, finely chop the mushrooms and garlic.
- Heat a few tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet or sauce pan. Next, add the mushrooms and garlic, stirring over medium heat for about 3 minutes.
- Add to the mushrooms the balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, Worcestershire, and oregano. Salt and pepper to taste. Cook for about 5 minutes.
- Next, add the lentils to the mushroom mixture with 1/2 cup of water or vegetable broth. Cook until the lentils have softened, stirring often. Make sure to leave a bit of liquid in the pan.
- Remove the pan from the heat and stir in chickpea flour. Cool the mixture until safe to touch.
- Preheat the oven to 350 °F.
- Line a baking sheet with unbleached parchment and form meatballs that are about 1-2 inches in diameter. Spray or brush olive oil over the top. Alternatively, line a muffin tin and add the meatballs. This method helps to hold the shape better.
- Bake until the top is browned. Serve over pasta or as an appetizer!
* Lentils are high in plant-based protein, making them an excellent option for vegans and vegetarians. The fiber and protein in lentil and mushroom meatballs may help slow the absorption of sugar and regulate blood sugar levels.
* Versatile and convenient, these vegan meatballs can be made in advance, frozen, and used in a variety of dishes.
* To substitute chickpea flour, use oat flour. A quick and easy way to make this is by pulsing oats in a food processor or blender. Other types of flour or breadcrumbs may work. However, depending on their absorption, adjust the amount of water in the recipe.
by Tiffany | Oct 22, 2023 | Blog
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The Word of God Says in Jesus Christ:
I am God’s child
Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.
John 1:12
I am not alone
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10
I am God’s workmanship
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Ephesians 2:10
I lack nothing
And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19
I am Christ’s friend
I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.
John 15:15
I am a member of Christ’s Body
Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.
1 Corinthians 12:27
I have God on my side
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28
I am courageous
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
2 Timothy 1:7
I have refuge
He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings, you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
Psalm 91:4
I am a citizen of heaven
But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ
Philippians 3:20
I am hidden with Christ in God
For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.
Colossians 3:3
I am set free
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
John 8:36
I am chosen
In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will
Ephesians 1:11
I am holy and blameless
For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.
Ephesians 1:4
I am a recipient of God’s wisdom
He made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ.
Ephesians 1:9
I have a royal family
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!
1 John 3:1
I have confidence
We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.
Hebrews 6:19
I have an eternal hope
Because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.
Romans 8:2
I am victorious
The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love, he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17
I am redeemed
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us.
Ephesians 1:7-8
I am a new creation
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
2 Corinthians 5:17
I am an ambassador for Christ
Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us.
2 Corinthians 5:20
I am chosen and dearly loved
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Colossians 3:12
I am a co-heir with Christ
So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.
Galatians 4:7
I have peace
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.
Isaiah 26:3
by Tiffany | Sep 4, 2023 | Recipes
Ingredients
An almost empty honey jar
Half of a shallot, finely chopped
2 Generous tbs of grainy or dijon mustard
Salt and pepper to taste
Balsamic vinegar
Olive oil
Instructions
- Add the shallot, mustard, salt, and pepper to the honey jar.
- Fill the jar halfway with balsamic vinegar.
- Fill the rest of the jar with olive oil.
- Cap jar and shake! If honey is stuck on the bottom, use a spoon to incorporate.
- Taste and adjust flavor.
- Keep refrigerated and enjoy!
* I like to use whole-grain mustard such as Maille Old Style Mustard.
*This dressing is a quick, fuss-free way to to make a positive impact on your plate and the planet! Olive oil is rich in heart-healthy monounsaturated fats and antioxidants. Balsamic vinegar may aid digestion and help control blood sugar levels. Shallots add a savory depth of flavor and are loaded with vitamins and minerals. Additionally, Dijon mustard doesn’t contain added sugars, which can be beneficial for those looking to reduce sugar intake.
by Tiffany | Sep 1, 2023 | Blog
What Does God’s Word Tell Us?
- 1 Peter 4:10 (NKJV): As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
- Galatians 4:7 (NIV): So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.
- Ephesians 2:10 (NKJV): For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
- 1 Peter 2:9 (NIV): But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
- Romans 8:17 (NIV): Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
- Titus 3:7 (NIV): So that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
- 1 Corinthians 4:1-2 (NIV): This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed. Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.
- 2 Corinthians 6:18 (NIV): And I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.
- Luke 12:48 (NIV): From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.
- Matthew 25:21 (NIV): His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!
In our journey through life, we often encounter challenges and struggles that can leave us feeling lost, alone, and burdened. But as believers, we have a Heavenly Father who loves us unconditionally, forgives us, and accepts us into His family.
Understanding the importance of God’s fatherhood is key to developing healthy relationships and becoming effective managers of the blessings He has supplied us with.
In this study, we will explore three different outlooks or tendencies individuals may fall into, along with relevant Bible verses that offer encouragement.
The Orphan Spirit
The first tendency we may fall into is the orphan spirit. Stemming from past experiences or a lack of a strong paternal figure, this perspective leaves us feeling alone and disconnected from God’s fatherhood. We constantly rely on ourselves, lack trust, and struggle with receiving help or guidance from others. This perspective leads to exhaustion, anxiety, and a constant fear of rejection and failure.
- Romans 8:15 (ESV): For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’
- 1 John 3:1 (ESV): See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.
The Child of God
The second perspective is that of being a child of God. In this perspective, we recognize that we have a loving Father who cares for us and owns everything in the universe. Trust and security replace fear and doubt as we do our part while relying on God’s provision and guidance. This perspective allows us to take accountability for our actions, knowing that God is faithful and will bring about the results we desire.
- Galatians 4:4-7 (NIV): But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, ‘Abba, Father.’ So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.
- Isaiah 41:10 (NKJV): Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
The Blessing Manager
As we delve deeper into our understanding of God’s fatherhood, we aspire to become effective blessing managers. This perspective aligns with the truth that we are beloved children of God, heirs to His promises. Our focus shifts from self-reliance to stewardship, recognizing that all we have is a gift from our Father. We cultivate an attitude of gratitude and responsibility, using our blessings to bless others and bring glory to God. When God blesses us, our top priority should be managing those blessings as He wants. To do this, we must spend time in prayer listening to His Spirit speaking to our hearts.
- 1 Peter 4:10 (NKJV): As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
- Proverbs 11:24-25 (NIV): One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.
Recognizing and embracing God’s fatherhood is crucial in our journey toward becoming effective blessing managers. By acknowledging the orphan spirit and transitioning into the role of a child of God, we can experience a transformation that allows us to fully rely on God and His provision. As we grow in our understanding, we can become faithful stewards, managing our blessings with gratitude and responsibility. Let us remember that we have a living hope in Jesus, who offers us a seat at our Father’s table and an eternal inheritance. We hope this resource has provided you with insights into the three tendencies individuals may fall into and the importance of embracing God’s fatherhood in our lives. May you find encouragement and guidance through your relationship with Jesus as you strive to become effective blessing managers, rooted in His love and grace.
To download this study, please click the link below.
