Ever think back about who helped you when you were first learning something new? Who made you feel welcomed in a new area? Who gave you confidence to keep trying? Who left you never ever the same?
I met Kathy Collard Miller at a CLASS workshop eons ago when I was just trying to figure out if this inkling to write and speak might be a direction God was calling me. Kathy was my small group leader who led us, modeled for us, encouraged us and gave us the tools and hope to take the risk. I am a writer and speaker today because of her and am honored to host her here today as a guest blogger.
Kathy and her husband, Larry, have just released a new book, Never Ever Be the Same and I can certainly vouch for her skills and expertise in this area.
Welcome to Healthy Spirituality, Kathy!
What’s Your “Walker”?
by Kathy Collard Miller and Larry Miller
One Christmas when my ninety-year-old mother-in-law, Audrey, lived with us, our then-three-year-old grandson, Raf, was fascinated with Audrey’s walker. As he walked (or ran!) away with it, Audrey became visibly anxious calling out to him, “Don’t take away my walker. I need it. I’m dependent upon it. I’m just an old woman, so don’t hurt it.”
I felt sad to think Audrey believed we wouldn’t help her and that she was on her own. She felt she had to call after Raf and try to control him. But she didn’t have the strength to retrieve the walker or follow Raf to supervise. My husband, Larry, and I, on the other hand, could do something and we decided that Raf couldn’t play with it because it caused her too much anxiety.
We each have our own kind of “walker” that we believe we require in life to meet our needs. We demand from people or things, “Don’t take away my idol. I need it. I’m dependent upon it. I’m just an incompetent Christian, so don’t hurt it.” Our idol may be a relationship, an accomplishment, our reputation…pick which “walker” you believe you need for your security and happiness.
But our idol never satisfies. Only God can provide and protect us sufficiently.
This article is excerpted from Never Ever Be the Same (Leafwood Publishers), which offers Christians hope that they can change their ungodly reactions through identifying their self-protective strategies and trusting God instead. The authors are Kathy Collard Miller and Larry Miller and includes biblical principles, insightful stories, and helpful instruction. It has individual and group discussion questions.
Kathy Collard Miller and Larry Miller are speakers and authors. They have been married 44 years and Larry is a retired police lieutenant. The Millers live in Southern California, and have two grown children and one grandson. Visit them at www.LarryAndKathy.com. Kathy blogs at www.KathyCollardMiller.com.
Never Ever Be the Same is available at your local Christian bookstore and in both print and digital versions at:
Hi Kathy and Larry and Jean! Well, as I hobble about the house, I happen to have a walker myself. So your story has special impact for me.
I think it’s a fascinating thought to identify the things in life that I can’t do without, and see them as replacements for relying on God. Wow. That’s pretty huge. You’ve given me a lot to think about. The book sounds really great too, thank you for tackling this common issue!
Nice to meet you today 🙂
Ceil
glad to hear though you are hobbling around the house and not stuck sitting down the entire time. I did smile that you resonated with this story since you have to use a walker too. didn’t anticipate that! I too am beginning to see more and more what I rely on more than God – and have discovered many of those things are good things and even strengths – all weaknesses though when it come to God. Thanks for leaving a note for Kathy and Larry. They are terrific people.
Ceil, I’m sorry that I didn’t get back to the comments in order to reply in a timely manner. I really appreciate you stopping by and reading our post. And I’m sorry to hear about your walker. You can really relate to my mother-in-law’s angst. And thank you for being open to hearing whatever God wants you to hear. If you get our book, I hope it’ll be thought-provoking also. Nice to meet you!
Jean,
What a great book review and I love how she pointed out our self-protective strategies or idols…yes, I can relate…unfortunately…slowly learning…glad you’re writing and we met 🙂
Kathy is one special lady, Dolly. I think lives out there with you in California.. I do like her wisdom too. I always learn something from her.
Thanks for stopping by and comment here, Dolly. I’m grateful our post was meaningful and I relate to you! I’m slowly learning too! Always a journey so that we will continue to depend upon the Lord. If we arrived, we wouldn’t need Him!!!! Thanks again for commenting here. God bless you!
Oh, Jean, thanks so much for your encouraging words. I’m so tickled that God would use me to encourage you! And I’m sure glad you responded to God’s prompting because now the rest of us can benefit from the wisdom you share on your blog.
And thank you for featuring our book. We are very excited about it. We trust the Lord will use it to encourage many in trusting God more and acting out that trust in obedience and godly living.
Keep up the great work! And thanks again for everything.
You are so sweet, Kathy. I am blessed that our friendship has endured. Thanks for being here today