Erica McNeal - Latest Comments

Re: Operation Christmas Child

Erica McNeal — Thu, 24 Sep 2015 14:06:55 -0000

Just seeing this now Marla. I am so sorry. I just sent you an email! Would love to connect!

Re: Operation Christmas Child

Marla Tolley Cain — Tue, 17 Mar 2015 10:31:15 -0000

Hello! My name is Marla Cain and I am the Birmingham Area Coordinator for Operation Christmas Child. I would love to meet with you guys! My email is contentinallthings (at) yahoo (dot) com. I hope to hear from you!

Re: A Biblical Look at Old Testament “Oil”

PreciousOils — Tue, 29 Jul 2014 14:09:05 -0000

I always enjoy how others are writing about the plants of the Bible. Please look into your Strong's Concordance to find the proper meaning of "Holy" in which you write "sacred" of Exodus 30.

Strong's Word H6944

קדשׁ

qôdesh ko'-desh

From H6942; a sacred place or thing; rarely abstractly sanctity: - consecrated (thing), dedicated (thing), hallowed (thing), holiness, (X most) holy (X day, portion, thing), saint, sanctuary.

With Love,
Apothecary Cynthia Hillson
www.TheFragrantBride.com
www.ApothecaryMama.WordPres...

Re: Can People in Heaven See Us?

Mark B — Thu, 26 Jun 2014 19:37:39 -0000

I take comfort in believing my mom, my dad, my sisters are "aware" that I'm OK. But I'd feel funny thinking of them watching me every minute, just as I would be uncomfortable with that idea were they alive. Yes, even a bit creepy. But I believe if I speak to them, be it in my kitchen or at their grave, that they are aware of my words. I agree that I'd rather think of them enjoying the glory of Heaven then watching me like a boring reality show.

Re: The Un-Happy Mother’s Day

Erica McNeal — Mon, 12 May 2014 10:47:03 -0000

Jennifer, thank you for your comment. Personally, I would never call a woman who is not a mom selfish. I know a quite few different women who have either made a conscious decision not to have children, or becoming a mother has simply not happened for them due to a variety of reasons. I absolutely believe it takes a village to of women to raise children well. In fact, my own life was molded by many different women, including mentors, coaches, teachers, bible-study leaders, camp counselors, team mom's, aunts, girl scout leaders, etc that all helped me to be the woman I am today. I would absolutely LOVE to see us celebrate ALL women on Mother's Day!

Re: The Un-Happy Mother’s Day

Erica McNeal — Mon, 12 May 2014 10:37:17 -0000

Quita, I love your comment. Thank you for sharing. Our Pastor did an AWESOME job yesterday of sharing how bittersweet Mother's Day is for a lot of people, including those with infertility. In fact, he had all women stand in honor of all mom's who have had an influence in their lives - be it a birth/bio mom, an aunt, a grandmother, a friend, a soccer mom, an adoptive mom, a foster mom, and the list goes on and on... I loved it.

Re: The Un-Happy Mother’s Day

Quita Clark — Mon, 12 May 2014 09:20:58 -0000

Mother's Day was rough because this was yet another year that I wasn't a mother due to infertility. But, I feel like I could celebrate Mother's Day because I am an aunt of 8, and those kids have always felt like my kids, too. So, this Mother's Day, please remember the aunts who haven't missed games, plays recitals, graduations, etc. Please remember the aunts who can be a shoulder to cry on, a voice of reason, a calming effect (or a destructive one, depending on how much sugar we had that day!) and have been just as involved in your child's life.

Re: The Un-Happy Mother’s Day

Jennifer Hoyle — Sun, 11 May 2014 23:17:30 -0000

What about those of us it just didn't happen for? We're not less womanly - and we have more time and heart remaining to pour into your children as aunts, mentors and big sisters. I don't expect anyone to suddenly start celebrating us, but don't call us "selfish" - you have no idea what's going on in us.

Re: The Un-Happy Mother’s Day

Erica McNeal — Sun, 11 May 2014 15:32:16 -0000

Thank you for sharing Beverly. Loss is so difficult, at every stage. And, I agree with you - the thought of no more pain, suffering, or LOSSES in Heaven is definitely something to look forward to!

Re: The Un-Happy Mother’s Day

Beverly Steedley Turner — Sun, 11 May 2014 15:18:33 -0000

I felt as if I suffered a 'permanent miscarriage' when told I would not be able to conceive a child. My adopted children---whom I never refer to as adopted---are now living with my ex, their dad. But, as I think of my mother, my losses seem so small. She lost my sister at 11 days, 54 yrs ago, and my brother at 21 yrs of age, 27 yrs ago. I am so thankful for my children, even when I do not see them every day. And, I can't wait to reach Heaven and reunite with my siblings! God bless all who have ever mothered or nurtured one of His little ones!

Re: The Un-Happy Mother’s Day

Erica McNeal — Sat, 10 May 2014 09:48:45 -0000

Thank you Sue for your sharing what is going in your family. That is SO, SO tough. My prayers will be with you and your family tomorrow as you love your brother and SIL!

Re: The Un-Happy Mother’s Day

Sue — Sat, 10 May 2014 09:39:21 -0000

Thank you so much for posting this. We lost a great gift that God gave us in January of this year, my nephew was only 16 months old. I miss him every single day and this helps me to know what to say and do for my brother and sister-in-law as we grieve tomorrow.

Re: Open Letter to Christians Everywhere

Erica McNeal — Fri, 09 May 2014 22:13:25 -0000

Thank you Lindsay for sharing your story. And YES... until we are on the receiving end of platitudes, cliches, and bad theology, we don't know how much those words hurt. LOVE how you shared what people have done to help you through this time. Please don't hesitate to reach out to me on FB if you want to chat more!!

Re: Open Letter to Christians Everywhere

Lindsay — Fri, 09 May 2014 17:15:31 -0000

I love this!!! We just gave birth our daughter at 18 weeks and had to say goodbye to her. It has been so hard and even though I know people mean well and have their hearts in the right place I keep telling my husband we need to write a book on how to talk to hurting people and what to NOT say! So glad you already have- I will have to find it! The people who have been the most comforting are the ones that just tell us they love us and they don't understand and don't know what to say but they are praying and are there for us!

Re: The Un-Happy Mother’s Day

Erica McNeal — Wed, 07 May 2014 16:18:20 -0000

I love this Jenn!! ALL women are worth celebrating! Thanks for sharing!

Re: The Un-Happy Mother’s Day

jenn — Wed, 07 May 2014 15:07:38 -0000

At the church I attend, we have "Women's Day". We celebrate all women in the church and each receive a small gift. Several women in the church are not biological moms and some women don't have children. We want to celebrate all women because they all play mother roles to our youth. God blessed our church with wonderful ladies and we want to celebrate all of them!!

Re: The Un-Happy Mother’s Day

Erica McNeal — Wed, 07 May 2014 13:35:19 -0000

Absolutely Kristin! I will add that to the list right now! Thank you for your comment.

Re: The Un-Happy Mother’s Day

Kristin Marie — Wed, 07 May 2014 12:54:17 -0000

There are many who didn't wake up to find their child lifeless but experienced that loss in tragedy as well. It seems important to me to distinguish between a crib death and tragic accident that affects an older child.

Re: Open Letter to Christians Everywhere

Erica McNeal — Wed, 07 May 2014 12:27:35 -0000

Love this!! And SO true!! Thank you for posting your thoughts!

Re: Open Letter to Christians Everywhere

Shane Bekker — Wed, 07 May 2014 10:14:19 -0000

Everything we have and live in life is designed to glorify God, whether good or bad. "God works all things for good, for those who love God and are called according to his purpose." How many people take this one out of context. Now read Philippians 2:13 in the NIV and see that there is a caution to everything God works out for good in the previous verse, being verse 12. We must do our part and God does his part. It's called teamwork.

Re: Open Letter to Christians Everywhere

Erica McNeal — Tue, 06 May 2014 09:56:54 -0000

Thank you Kelly! There is definitely a transition of the mind when we go from "Wow, look at how much God trusts me to think I can handle all of this." to "I'm totally incapable of handling this and must rely on God to get me through." One is very self-focused (and where I was at with my first bout of cancer) - the other is God-focused - where it should be. Thanks for your comment and for your encouragement. I appreciate it!

Re: Open Letter to Christians Everywhere

Kelly Marie Johnson — Tue, 06 May 2014 09:34:52 -0000

I love this, Erica. It has only been recently that I figured out God WILL give me more than *I* can handle. And if I try to figure things out or solve my problems without Him, it probably won't seem like anything is getting better - at least not for very long. Success without God is an illusion - it's not real.
I alone cannot succeed in this thing called life. I need Him. Asking God for help, relying on God for help will not take away my struggles, and it may not even make the fight any easier. Sadly, some battles are lost which is another reason why what you've said here is so helpful. Thank you for giving us this list of what to say. There have been many times when I have known what NOT to say, but I didn't know what I could/ should say, thus resulting in some awkward silences where I really just wanted to show love.

I have read Erica's book, Good Grief. I highly recommend it.

Re: Open Letter to Christians Everywhere

Erica McNeal — Mon, 05 May 2014 13:03:43 -0000

Thank you Anne for sharing your story and for your sweet encouragement.

Re: Open Letter to Christians Everywhere

Anne Elizabeth Denny — Mon, 05 May 2014 12:48:04 -0000

Beautifully written. What a powerful reminder to focus on loving and caring for someone instead of trying make ourselves feel better by uttering some phrase with good intentions. When my twin brother died at 2 months old from SIDS, people said to my parents "at least you still have a healthy baby." Just awful! Thank you for this message, Erica!

Re: Open Letter to Christians Everywhere

Erica McNeal — Mon, 05 May 2014 11:22:47 -0000

Very well said Jess!! We heard the same thing with the death of our daughter and you are so right, this is not biblical- at all! Thank you for sharing your story!