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What You Know Can Set Someone Free (A Guest Post By Shelly Miller)

By Anita Mathias

I first met Shelly Miller of Redemption’s Beauty through her much-needed Sisterhood of the Sabbath. She’s on my blog today with another necessary challenge. Welcome, Shelly!

(c) Shelly Miller

As I step over the threshold from my garage to the side yard, holding a full trash bag in my hand, the sound of something rustling in the leaves nearby startles me. I’m a bit jumpy this time of the year. I live in a part of the country inhabited by almost every species of snake. Walking barefoot in the summer is an extravagance I don’t allow myself.

As I look from side to side, scan the grass, inspect the flower beds and barbecue, I remember the source of the sound that reverberates. A blush-cheeked skink lives a few feet down the sidewalk, behind a drain pipe, nestled among leaf litter. Though the sight of a giant lizard isn’t less creepy than a snake, I can see his frozen stance like a picture hanging on a brick wall in the crevice. I know he is more afraid of me than I am of him.

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And I’m the only one who knows about the skink setting up residence in this secret place. I’m the gardener in our family.

It suddenly occurs to me that my son squawks in certainty about hearing a slithering snake, every time he takes the trash out. I just happen to be doing his job on this day and realize it’s not a snake threatening my son’s peace, but a harmless skink.

I wonder how many times I have done this; withheld information that seems trivial when sharing it would be a gift, like a prophetic word. When I offer prayerful, sometimes seemingly insignificant impressions with others, it is an act of the deepest kind of vulnerability and yet reveals the most profoundly courageous truth. God is asking me if I’ll risk looking foolish; if I’ll trust Him for the sake of love.

Perhaps He is asking you too.

There’s no equation where taking risks, braving uncertainty, and opening ourselves up to emotional exposure equals weakness. ~Brene Brown, Daring Greatly

The beautiful paradox: every time I dare to be vulnerable, expose my perceived weakness in sharing what I sense He is saying for someone else, faith grows strong like a shoot stretching tall toward the Son, for both of us.

Recently, I became reacquainted with a girlfriend on Facebook after a fifteen year lull in conversation. She reminded me of a time of barrenness, when she desperately wanted children and worried about not becoming pregnant. She says, “I still tell the story of how you had a prophetic dream that I was pregnant with our first child who is now 14. God is so good! Thanks for sharing that with me so long ago. It proves again the goodness of God and His ever present hand in our lives!”

She just had her sixth child.

Humanity shares a common trait: the desperation to be set free from ourselves, even when we don’t know it. Prophecy is the reminder that we aren’t alone; that your life and mine, they matter and He is listening.

Brene says, “We love seeing raw truth and openness in other people, but we’re afraid to let them see it in us.” And perhaps our sharing what we know, what seems insignificant to us, will transform someone’s perceived situation from a snake to a skink; help them breathe a bit easier when stepping into the unknown. It may even allow a person to release the trash they were holding back.

We are light bearers, holding torches we assumed were lit with the wisdom of our experience, when often we carry flames of truth from His tongue illuminating the mystery of the Kingdom. The Light you carry may set someone free. Share it.

What is worth doing even if you fail? Have you ever pushed away that inkling you perceived as coming from God for someone because of fear? Or perhaps you’ve been the recipient of someone else’s prophetic word in due season. Tell me about it in the comments.

Shelly Miller

Shelly Miller

Shelly Miller is a writer, photographer, clergy wife, mother of two teens, and a leadership coach.  She enjoys writing stories that make people think differently about life and helping women discover their calling. You can read more of her stories on her blog, Redemptions Beauty and in her column at Living the Story. Connect with her on Facebook and Twitter.

 


Read my new memoir: Rosaries, Reading, Secrets: A Catholic Childhood in India (US) or UK.
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More from my site

  • In which I am Surprised by “Prophetic Words” (from the Glasgow Prophetic Centre at David’s Tent Worship Festival) In which I am Surprised by “Prophetic Words” (from the Glasgow Prophetic Centre at David’s Tent Worship Festival) 
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  • Prayers are Prophecies: The Transcript of your Prayers becomes your Life’s ScriptPrayers are Prophecies: The Transcript of your Prayers becomes your Life’s Script
  • Listening to Isabel Allum in London. Chasing the Wild Goose of the Holy Spirit. Part IIListening to Isabel Allum in London. Chasing the Wild Goose of the Holy Spirit. Part II
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Filed Under: In which I chase the wild goose of the Holy Spirit, In which I proudly introduce my guest posters Tagged With: prophecy, prophetic words

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Comments

  1. Nancy Ruegg says

    July 11, 2013 at 6:07 pm

    Your prophetic dream of a friend having a baby reminded me of a time years ago when a friend of mine dearly wanted a second child. She and her husband had waited and waited; no child. One day I felt compelled to pray with her after church. As the words came, so did a strong, convincing tone. I based my prayer on a verse that had ministered to me: “He settles the barren woman in her home as a happy mother of children. Praise the Lord (Psalm 113:9). I must admit, I felt apprehensive. What if God had different plans for this couple? What if the conviction with which I prayed was just my own heartfelt desire for their happiness? I heard no voice saying that E. and M. would indeed have a child. But imagine the joy of all of us when she did become pregnant, not long after that prayer! E. & M. had twins!

    • Shelly Miller says

      July 13, 2013 at 12:28 pm

      Nancy, I think your thoughts are common to all of us. I give those prophetic words in fear and trembling and with a bit of begging from God to show if I’m wrong. But really, the outcome is up to Him isn’t it? If we are wrong and fail to give an accurate word to someone, it just points them back to our humanity and doesn’t change a thing about God.

      • Nancy Ruegg says

        July 13, 2013 at 6:25 pm

        Oh, yes. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever! But when I step out in faith and falter, I don’t want anybody else to falter with me. Even that outcome is up to Him, though, isn’t it.

  2. Jody Ohlsen Collins says

    July 10, 2013 at 12:30 am

    Shelly, I am so glad I ‘hopped over’ the pond (or you, did, rather and I followed you.) Anita’s voice–and yours–are like a fresh drink of water. In 1984 a singing prophet came to our church–he ministered with his guitar and God gave him words for people in the room and they were spot on. Every one of them. The words he spoke over my husband and I have been typed out and printed in my Bible all this time, but God has only been releasing the gifts he promised in me–that of prophecy–speaking a word in season over others-have only been stirred up in me in the last four years or so. I don’t always remember it’s there, but when I’m obedient to share what God has given me, there is always such joy and life given to others and a sense of confirmation in my spirit.
    Many people have also prayed over me since then and God has tenderly touched me each time. I so grateful THEY were obedient, too, to step out of their comfort zone and speak the words of the Lord to me.

    Thank you for encouraging us, reminding us to step out in faith.

    • Shelly Miller says

      July 10, 2013 at 2:12 am

      Oh wow, this is such a wonderful thing to know about you Jody. I would love to encourage you in using this gift. It could be a brand new season of exploring and deepening your faith as you step into it.

    • Anita Mathias says

      July 11, 2013 at 2:09 pm

      Wow, your singing prophet sounds amazing. I once was given a life-changing word for my daughter, Zoe, from Patricia Bootsma of Catch the Fire, Toronto, who had no idea I had daughters, but could “see” her. And she was right, and the confidence she instilled was life-changing!

  3. Pam says

    July 9, 2013 at 11:23 pm

    I am consciously trying to be more attuned to His Spirit’s urges like this too, Shelly. And sometimes it is other than words to share. Like maybe a book is continually on my mind to share with someone. Or another is on my mind to send an uplift to… Until I finally act on those thoughts and realize they just might be coming from him for some reason. Recently, I sent a drawing to someone because they were in my thoughts to do so for months, and when I did, she wrote back to tell me it came on a milestone birthday I had no idea of… His perfect timing. And, in a way, maybe a word to someone’s spirit directly from His? ~ Pam, apples of gold, http://wordglow.worpdress.com

    • Shelly Miller says

      July 10, 2013 at 2:10 am

      I love the way you own this part of who you are Pam, its so honoring and inspiring. And actually quite brave.

  4. kelli woodford says

    July 9, 2013 at 5:51 pm

    wow. what a word, Shel.
    i have benefited too many times to count from someone who was willing to step out and speak love over me. these people in my life have helped me begin to see myself as He sees me. they have been light-bearers, indeed.
    thank you for the gracious way you challenge and ignite us to do the same. i am so glad to call you ‘friend.’

    and Anita, thanks for hosting! how generous you are with your space here – always inviting others and encouraging them. thank you for being you.

    • Shelly Miller says

      July 10, 2013 at 2:09 am

      Me too Kelli, so grateful for the courageous people in my life who spoke words of life over me and held me accountable. I think that is what inspires me to carry the torch. So blessed by you Kelli, in so many ways. Truly.

    • Anita Mathias says

      July 11, 2013 at 2:16 pm

      Thank you, Kelli. You guys have immeasurably enriched my blog with your guest posts!

  5. Ahyana says

    July 9, 2013 at 2:35 pm

    Recently I was working on a new writing assignment about the idea of being all in. On a break from writing I took to reading the four verse story in the book of Luke about the widow’s mite. Certainly she is an example of someone who was “all in.”
    As I read this post I am reminded of the freedom we have to be all in for the Lord. To take the risk of seeming silly and share what it is He has put on our hearts to share with someone else. That when we allow ourselves to be all in sometimes we actually help others experience the liberty to do the same.
    Thanks for sharing.

    • Shelly Miller says

      July 9, 2013 at 5:10 pm

      Yes!! You got it Ahyana. It’s worth the risk, for the sake of someone else. I’ve found that I’m rarely, if ever, regretful about stepping out in faith. My heart beats fast but when I surrender the way I fear it might be received then the outcome is on His back. Usually, the outcome is better than what I imagined.

  6. DeanneMoore says

    July 9, 2013 at 2:01 pm

    You can’t know how hard this was for me to read. As you know I am reluctant when it comes to my gifting, especially when the “prophecy” is not what someone wants to hear. Yet those prophecies can bring great freedom and help. I have been the “weeping” prophet the last couple of days with a knot of fear keeping me from the courageous thing. I covet your prayers. I only want to “speak words that make souls stronger.” (Voskamp) But I have a “fire caught up in my bones.” If I don’t use my gifts, what will it do to me and how does that honor the One who gave these things to me?

    Thanks for giving Shelly your place today Anita. May God continue to use you and your blog in UK and all over the world 🙂

    • Shelly Miller says

      July 9, 2013 at 5:08 pm

      Yes, I do know about your reluctance. Praying for courage. He might just surprise you Dea. You’ve been on my heart this week.

    • Anita Mathias says

      July 11, 2013 at 2:21 pm

      Thank you, Deanne, and thank you for visiting!

  7. Jillie says

    July 9, 2013 at 1:44 pm

    Hi Shelly…Thanks for directing us to this ‘Blogger from Oxford’! Like you, I love all things ‘British’! She’s now on my list.
    Occasionally I have felt the urging to say a word to someone near and dear to me. I’m never really sure if it’s from God, whether it’s classified as “prophetic” or not. But these kinds of ‘urges to speak’ do feel stronger and different from others I have. I know I do have strong urges like this when it comes to the ‘Church’ as a whole. Things that I see as future danger if the Church keeps following the popular trends of our day. I also find that some people near and dear to me are more eager to hear, while others?…not so much. “Prophetic” for me…IF that’s what it is…often comes in the form of warning or chastisement.
    I’m happy for you, that you do live and breathe and move in your gifting from the Lord. We are all richer for it. Good words today.

    • Shelly Miller says

      July 9, 2013 at 5:00 pm

      I think you illustrated what I was trying to say in this piece Jillie. I think sometimes we don’t realize that those urges could be from God. And usually prophecy is something that resonates with someone when you say it, it’s a confirmation or further insight into something God is already doing in someone’s life. Grateful for you too. And glad you are adding Anita to your list, she’s a good one.

    • Anita Mathias says

      July 11, 2013 at 10:29 pm

      Welcome to my blog, Jillie, and thank you for putting me on your list!

  8. Kris Camealy says

    July 9, 2013 at 11:47 am

    What a beautiful reminder, Shelly. It’s timely for me, as I am in a season of wrestling with lots of fear and apprehension. I have seen the way God speaks to you, and through you–it’s amazing. So lovely to see you in Anita’s corner of the web. Praying for you both today.

    • Shelly Miller says

      July 9, 2013 at 4:57 pm

      So glad to see you here Kris and thankful this was a timely reminder. Fear and apprehension are not welcome guests, I’ll be praying for you my friend.

    • Anita Mathias says

      July 11, 2013 at 10:31 pm

      Kris, thank you for your prayers. I read your interviews on blogging today, and loved the way you have surrendered your writing to God!

  9. Shelly Miller says

    July 9, 2013 at 10:44 am

    Thanks for having me here Anita, what a privilege. You know, I seem to share prophetic words more easily in church but when it isn’t there, it feels more scary. God is challenging me to share with my blog followers now too. Those he puts on my heart to pray for. I am wonderstruck over the way he is speaking, about the way he is blessing those He brings to the welcome mat of my blog. It’s been a gift I didn’t expect and one I am so thankful for as well.

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Rosaries, Reading, Secrets: A Catholic Childhood in India

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Wandering Between Two Worlds: Essays on Faith and Art

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Francesco, Artist of Florence: The Man Who Gave Too Much

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The Story of Dirk Willems

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Premier Digital Awards 2015 - Finalist - Blogger of the year
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Recent Posts

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  • An Infallible Secret of Joy
  • Thoughts on Writing my Just-published Memoir, & the Prologue to “Rosaries, Reading, Secrets”
  • Rosaries, Reading, Secrets: A Catholic Childhood in India. My new memoir
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If you'll forgive me for adding to the noise of th If you'll forgive me for adding to the noise of the world on Black Friday, my memoir ,Rosaries, Reading, Secrets: A Catholic Childhood in India, is on sale on Kindle all over the world for a few days. 
Carolyn Weber (who has written "Surprised by Oxford," an amazing memoir about coming to faith in Oxford https://amzn.to/3XyIftO )  has written a lovely endorsement of my memoir:
"Joining intelligent winsomeness with an engaging style, Anita Mathias writes with keen observation, lively insight and hard earned wisdom about navigating the life of thoughtful faith in a world of cultural complexities. Her story bears witness to how God wastes nothing and redeems all. Her words sing of a spirit strong in courage, compassion and a pervasive dedication to the adventure of life. As a reader, I have been challenged and changed by her beautifully told and powerful story - so will you."
The memoir is available on sale on Amazon.co.uk at https://amzn.to/3u0Ib8o and on Amazon.com at https://amzn.to/3u0IBvu and is reduced on the other Amazon sites too.
Thank you, and please let me know if you read and enjoy it!! #memoir #indianchildhood #india
Second birthday party. Determinedly escaping! So i Second birthday party. Determinedly escaping!
So it’s a beautiful November here in Oxford, and the trees are blazing. We will soon be celebrating our 33rd wedding anniversary…and are hoping for at least 33 more!! 
And here’s a chapter from my memoir of growing up Catholic in India… rosaries at the grotto, potlucks, the Catholic Family Movement, American missionary Jesuits, Mangaloreans, Goans, and food, food food…
https://anitamathias.com/2022/11/07/rosaries-at-the-grotto-a-chapter-from-my-newly-published-memoir-rosaries-reading-steel-a-catholic-childhood-in-india/
Available on Amazon.co.uk https://amzn.to/3Apjt5r and on Amazon.com https://amzn.to/3gcVboa and wherever Amazon sells books, as well as at most online retailers.
#birthdayparty #memoir #jamshedpur #India #rosariesreadingsecrets
Friends, it’s been a while since I blogged, but Friends, it’s been a while since I blogged, but it’s time to resume, and so I have. Here’s a blog on an absolutely infallible secret of joy, https://anitamathias.com/2022/10/28/an-infallible-secret-of-joy/
Jenny Lewis, whose Gilgamesh Retold https://amzn.to/3zsYfCX is an amazing new translation of the epic, has kindly endorsed my memoir. She writes, “With Rosaries, Reading and Secrets, Anita Mathias invites us into a totally absorbing world of past and present marvels. She is a natural and gifted storyteller who weaves history and biography together in a magical mix. Erudite and literary, generously laced with poetic and literary references and Dickensian levels of observation and detail, Rosaries is alive with glowing, vivid details, bringing to life an era and culture that is unforgettable. A beautifully written, important and addictive book.”
I would, of course, be delighted if you read it. Amazon.co.uk https://amzn.to/3gThsr4 and Amazon.com https://amzn.to/3WdCBwk #joy #amwriting #amblogging #icecreamjoy
Wandering around Oxford with my camera, photograph Wandering around Oxford with my camera, photographing ancient colleges! Enjoy.
And just a note that Amazon is offering a temporary discount on my memoir, Rosaries, Reading, Steel https://amzn.to/3UQN28z . It’s £7.41.
Here’s an endorsement from my friend, Francesca Kay, author of the beautiful novel, “An Equal Stillness.” This is a beautifully written account of a childhood, so evocative, so vivid. The textures, colours and, above all, the tastes of a particular world are lyrically but also precisely evoked and there was much in it that brought back very clear memories of my own. Northern India in the 60s, as well as Bandra of course – dust and mercurochrome, Marie biscuits, the chatter of adult voices, the prayers, the fruit trees, dogs…. But, although you rightly celebrate the richness of that world, you weave through this magical remembrance of things past a skein of sadness that makes it haunting too. It’s lovely!” #oxford #beauty
So, I am not going to become a book-bore, I promis So, I am not going to become a book-bore, I promise, but just to let you know that my memoir "Rosaries, Reading, Secrets: A Catholic Childhood in India," is now available in India in paperback. https://www.amazon.in/s?k=rosaries+reading+secrets&crid=3TLDQASCY0WTH&sprefix=rosaries+r%2Caps%2C72&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_1_10My endorsements say it is evocative, well-written, magical, haunting, and funny, so I'd be thrilled if you bought a copy on any of the Amazon sites. 
Endorsements 
A beautifully written account. Woven through this magical remembrance of things past is a skein of sadness that makes it haunting. Francesca Kay, An Equal Stillness. 
A dazzling vibrant tale of childhood in post-colonial India. Mathias conjures 1960s India and her family in uproarious and heart-breaking detail. Erin Hart, Haunted Ground 
Mathias invites us into a wonderfully absorbing and thrilling world of past and present marvels… generously laced with poetic and literary references and Dickensian levels of observation and detail. A beautifully written, important, and addictive book. Jenny Lewis, Gilgamesh Retold 
Tormented, passionate and often sad, Mathias’s beautiful childhood memoir is immensely readable. Trevor Mostyn, Coming of Age in The Middle East.
A beautifully told and powerful story. Joining intelligent winsomeness with an engaging style, Mathias writes with keen observation, lively insight and hard-earned wisdom. Carolyn Weber, Surprised by Oxford 
A remarkable account. A treasure chest…full of food (always food), books (always books), a family with all its alliances and divisions. A feat of memory and remembrance. Philip Gooden, The Story of English
Anita’s pluck and charm shine through every page of this beautifully crafted, comprehensive and erudite memoir. 
Ray Foulk, Picasso’s Revenge
Mathias’s prose is lively and evocative. An enjoyable and accessible book. Sylvia Vetta, Sculpting the Elephant
Anita Mathias is an is an accomplished writer. Merryn Williams, Six Women Novelists
Writing a memoir awakens fierce memories of the pa Writing a memoir awakens fierce memories of the past. For the past is not dead; it’s not even past, as William Faulkner observed. So what does one do with this undead past? Forgive. Forgive, huh? Forgive. Let it go. Again and again.
Some thoughts on writing a memoir, and the prologue to my memoir
https://anitamathias.com/2022/09/08/thoughts-on-writing-a-memoir-the-prologue-to-rosaries-reading-secrets/ 
#memoir #amwriting #forgiveness https://amzn.to/3B82CDo
Six months ago, Roy and I decided that finishing t Six months ago, Roy and I decided that finishing the memoir was to be like “the treasure in the field,” that Jesus talks about in the Gospels, which you sacrifice everything to buy. (Though of course, he talks about an intimate relationship with God, not finishing a book!!) Anyway, I’ve stayed off social media for months… but I’ve always greatly enjoyed social media (in great moderation) and it’s lovely to be back with the book now done  https://amzn.to/3eoRMRN  So, our family news: Our daughter Zoe is training for ministry as a priest in the Church of England, at Ridley Hall, Cambridge. She is “an ordinand.” In her second year. However, she has recently been one of the 30 ordinands accepted to work on an M.Phil programme (fully funded by the Church of England.) She will be comparing churches which are involved in community organizing with churches which are not, and will trace the impact of community organizing on the faith of congregants.  She’ll be ordained in ’24, God willing.
Irene is in her final year of Medicine at Oxford University; she will be going to Toronto for her elective clinical work experience, and will graduate as a doctor in June ‘23, God willing.
And we had a wonderful family holiday in Ireland in July, though that already feels like a long time ago!
https://anitamathias.com/2022/09/01/rosaries-readi https://anitamathias.com/2022/09/01/rosaries-reading-secrets-a-catholic-childhood-in-india-my-new-memoir/
Friends, some stellar reviews from distinguished writers, and a detailed description here!!
https://amzn.to/3wMiSJ3 Friends, I’ve written a https://amzn.to/3wMiSJ3  Friends, I’ve written a memoir of my turbulent Catholic childhood in India. I would be grateful for your support!
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