October 31, 2023 • 26 mins
Have you experienced one of those dark nights when you can’t see anything around you, but you look up and see one star that sparkles and gives light? It shines brighter surrounded by the darkest night.
During hard seasons, sometimes we need help to navigate the future, a life preserver thrown to us to survive, or maybe a friend to sit with us as we process. And then other times we get to throw the life preserver to others— which might look like a shining star—where you shine the little light of hope you have to those in darkness.
Listen and absorb wisdom as Caroline Schuler, Cru City Staff, shares her personal journey of walking through the unknown in a health challenge. Her story showcases the profound impact of empathy, hope, and the power of the smallest gestures of love from those around us. A kind word, a surprise treat, or a comforting presence speaks volumes-- saying that we are not alone.
You don’t have much capacity right now? Even showing up and giving the gift of your presence is one of the most important parts of being a light in the darkness.
Who is God nudging you to shine toward this season?
SOCIAL MEDIA: @called_toshine Instagram.
Follow us on Instagram and enjoy the community as we spur each other on through inspiration, encouragement, and equipping.
And always you can find resources to help you connect to the people around you at NBS2GO! (nbs2go.com)
— A ministry of NBS2GO: Neighbor Bible Studies to Go and Cru
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Jesslyn Adams (00:06):
Hello.
Pam McCune (00:06):
Jesslyn here and Pam welcome to the community where
we explore how Jesus is ourlight.
Jesslyn Adams (00:13):
And we are here to spur each other on to love
God and others, right where welive.
We are called to shine.
Pam McCune (00:20):
Not only do stars shine brightest when they are
closest, but stars shinebrightest when it's darkest.
Have you experienced one ofthose nights where it is truly
dark?
There are no city lights, nomoon and all you see is darkness
.
But you look up and shiningbright is one star that sparkles
and gives light.
(00:40):
It shines brighter surroundedby the darkest night.
An African proverb says it wellthe darker the night, the
brighter the star.
Jesslyn Adams (00:49):
When we are in hard seasons, it can feel like
darkness all around.
Even making the next step canbe a challenge when you can't
see ahead of you.
We all experience hard seasons,from sickness, physically and
mentally, to taking care ofsomeone who's going through
sickness.
Watching your own childstruggle can be harder than if
it was happening to you, fromgrieving loss of a job, of a
dream, a friendship or even theloss of life here on earth.
(01:13):
As we head into the holidays,we might experience challenges
and triggers of what has changedand who is missing this holiday
season, and we might encounterthe question do I even want to
celebrate?
Pam McCune (01:24):
or participate.
Jesus encouraged us, saying Ihave come to give you peace In
this world.
You will have trouble, but takeheart.
I have overcome the world.
He didn't say you're going tohave trouble, so get on over it,
move past it.
He said take heart, which meansto have courage.
(01:45):
How do we take heart and how dowe help others take heart in
dark times?
As we lean into seasons ofdarkness, we realize that many
of you are in your own darkseason right now.
We hope we can encourage you toknow you are not alone and that
God can use something in thispodcast to speak directly to you
(02:06):
, saying I see you and I care.
Jesslyn Adams (02:10):
I am so glad you said that, Pam.
There have been seasons whereseeing the needs of others was
challenging for me because Ipersonally was battling my own
depression and darkness and inthose seasons I felt like I was
drowning.
I was desperate for someone tothrow me a life preserver, as I
was discouraged and overwhelmedmyself.
Pam McCune (02:27):
Just when I look forward to hearing what life
preservers were thrown to youand what that looked like.
Sometimes we need the lifepreserver and sometimes we get
to throw the life preserver toothers, which might look like a
shining star where you shineyour light of hope to those in
darkness.
Jesslyn Adams (02:45):
Brené Brown, known for her research in Wisdom
on Empathy, says Empathy isconnecting with people so we
know we're not alone when we'rein struggle.
Empathy is a way to connect tothe emotion another person is
experiencing.
It doesn't require that we havethe experience, the same
situation they are going through.
Empathy has no script.
There is no right way or wrongway to do it.
(03:06):
It's simply listening, holdingspace, withholding judgment,
emotionally connecting andcommunicating that incredibly
healing message of you're notalone.
Pam McCune (03:17):
As we journey in dark seasons.
There is a time to just focuson keeping the oxygen mask on
our own face, hanging on to thelife preserver and surviving,
and sometimes God encourages usas we help others take courage
and give the gift of ourpresence by just showing up.
There have been times when Godhas called me to shine the
(03:38):
little light I had for someoneelse I didn't give advice or
share knowledge I might haveeven actually admitted I didn't
know what to say or do whichgenerated connection and brought
us closer together.
It is amazing how much joy andpeace I've experienced when I
had a reprieve from mycircumstances and entered
(03:58):
someone else's challenges.
Today we have a guest that isgoing to bring you joy as you
step into her circumstances andhear her heart.
Caroline Shuler is a light in mylife.
She is a member of the NeighborBible Studies to Go team with
Crew City.
Caroline entered this world 28years ago, the same year that my
(04:20):
son was born, and she has beenmy encourager, my kindred spirit
, as I've struggled with healthissues.
Caroline and I first bonded ina car right through the North
Georgia and North Carolinamountains.
She makes me laugh.
She's excelled in giving mecourage through her listening,
connecting and reminding me I amnot alone.
(04:41):
And the amazing thing is shehas done it while struggling in
her own health journey as well.
The month before she was born,doctors explained to her parents
that she had a 25% chance ofsurviving delivery.
She wouldn't be born breathingand likely had a heart defect.
Caroline was born withrespiratory issues and smaller
(05:02):
in stature than expected.
She was a little person.
Her first two months she spenton life support, as she was born
on February 10th 2010.
Her family claimed Ephesians2:10 for her life, for we are
God's handiwork, created inChrist Jesus to do good works.
(05:23):
They knew God created Carolinefor a purpose and they believed
he would sustain her.
And He has.
Caroline.
Thank you for joining us onCalled to Shine.
Thank you, Pam and Jesslyn.
Caroline Schuler (05:35):
it's a joy to be with you.
Jesslyn Adams (05:36):
So glad you're here.
I wish our listeners could seeyour face right now and your
wonderful, striking red hair.
Caroline, it's been a joy toget to know you and I would love
for you to tell us a little bitabout your health journey in
life.
Caroline Schuler (05:49):
Yeah, so, as Pam said, I being born a little
person I stand just at three anda half feet tall and so that's
presented different challenges,of course, through different
seasons of life, mostly in termsof different bone and joint
difficulties that have requiredcountless hours of physical
therapy over the years, numeroussurgeries to correct different
things.
Yeah, it's been a journey ofjust trusting God with the
(06:09):
handiwork he made, even thoughI've not always understood it,
maybe not always desired theways it's materialized, but
trusting him and, most recently,a different level of that,
seeing him at work, providingthrough great medical care.
Jesslyn Adams (06:20):
Wow, Caroline, it sounds like you had to trust
God immensely.
So where have you seen God showup?
Caroline Schuler (06:26):
I've seen God show up one way in particular is
just through the people he'sprovided in my life.
I come from such godly parentswho have just been heroes in my
story, caring for me and helpingnavigate a medical system
that's often tricky, not tomention the people in my life
who have discipled me and justbeen present in a number of
different ways.
I think of God's people and hisword that have kept me going.
Pam McCune (06:49):
I love that, His people and His word.
He showed up to be with you.
Caroline, help us dive a littledeeper into the last two years.
What that journey has lookedlike, what you've experienced.
Was there a time that wasactually dark during that season
?
Caroline Schuler (07:04):
So last May I was set to have cervical spine
fusion 10 level.
I was told recovery wouldlikely look like being in a
brace for probably four monthsthen with rigorous physical
therapy after that to fullyrecover.
Level 10 means they were fusing10 vertebrae together.
Okay, so that was in May.
Yeah, they knew it would be along recovery because the fusion
(07:26):
starts all the way actually upat my head, so now my head is
locked in and then goes down tothe middle of my back.
They knew it would be severalmonths in a brace, but about
seven weeks into the recoverywhen we noticed that the
incision was not healing well,we had to go in for emergency
surgery to make sure that therewas not a really serious
infection or that the hardwaredid not get infected either.
(07:49):
And upon going in for thatsurgery they were unable to
intubate me because of thefusion, the limitations that
caused and we had to do anemergency tracheostomy.
Trachs are something I was veryunfamiliar with but quickly
became acquainted with when Iwoke up with a trache after that
surgery.
So trachs require a lot ofdaily maintenance in terms of
(08:11):
breathing treatments.
Plus they just occupy yourairway so it makes breathing
really tricky.
We began a regimen of caringfor the trache, but also.
I then jumped into 49hyperbaric chamber treatments as
well, which was new to me.
It became so mentally hard tocontinue to go back day after
day because it took about fourhours of every day.
(08:34):
I felt like that was just life.
There wasn't time to do thingsI enjoyed doing.
It was just the routine, dayafter day and the resetting of
expectations when they saidoriginally we'll be doing 20 and
then we'll be doing 40, andthen it just kept on increasing
in time.
Pam McCune (08:50):
Was there a period of time that it felt the darkest
?
Caroline Schuler (08:54):
Absolutely, before all of the hyperbaric
routine started, there wereeight days in the hospital where
I was totally had no voice.
I was completely mute becauseof the trick they put in.
It was the wrong size.
They could give me no guaranteethat my voice would come back,
so that was definitely a darkseason.
I can look back now and see itwas only eight days but, man, in
(09:14):
that time it felt like each daywas about a month.
It was definitely a dark period.
Pam McCune (09:19):
Caroline, how do you deal with darkness?
Were there tears?
Were you just quiet and it wasjust introspection?
What were you feeling and howwere you dealing with that?
Caroline Schuler (09:28):
Yes, there were a lot of tears in those
eight days.
I have to admit I felt so badat the time that it was hard to
fully have some bigintrospective moment of what
life's going to look like ifthings don't change, Because it
was really just an hour by hour.
I got to do the next treatment,the next nurses coming in and
so forth.
It was a huge step of surrenderto think my life has been in
the hands of medicalprofessionals.
(09:49):
Nothing's guaranteed and theoutcome of the rest of my life
could be extremely differentthan what I've known.
So there was tears.
There was the reading of God'sword.
I listened to so much music toreset my mind on him, Even
though I couldn't speak.
Everything was through text onmy phone to communicate to my
parents and doctors couldn'thave done it without people
there.
Jesslyn Adams (10:08):
Caroline, I like that you said people.
People are key to helping usexperience and God in the
darkness and to keep having hope.
Pam and I were talking aboutthis before but our friends and
different people in our life.
It could be really great tohave them around and get their
input, but I personally knowsometimes, when I've tried to
help a friend in their darknessor struggling physically like
you, or they've had a loss, thatI try to fix the sadness.
(10:31):
I get a little uncomfortablewhen there's a lot of sorrow and
sadness and I'm like I wantpeople to cheer up and have joy.
But I've had a handful offriends tell me Jesselyn, can
you not try to fix this?
Don't give me the silver lininglike you like to do in
everything in life.
I just want you to listen andbe there.
So, carolyn, how have peopleshown you mercy and love that
(10:51):
truly resonated with you?
Caroline Schuler (10:53):
What first comes to mind my medical journey
in the last 16, 18 months.
Supposed to be a certainduration.
People were set up to be intouch and be helpful for that
time, and then it went on waypast anything that people were
committed to helping with.
When I think about what wasmost helpful and just most
tender for me was when peoplestayed present, no matter how
(11:14):
long the journey went.
Life moved on for them.
I know it did, but it wasn'tmoving on for me quite yet.
And so when they stayed intouch to say I know this hasn't
changed for you, we're not goinganywhere.
Pam McCune (11:24):
Did that look like a text, a letter or a phone call?
Or was it dropping by and justbeing beside you, side by side?
Caroline Schuler (11:32):
Oftentimes it was a text message for people
that were either close by or notso local.
But also it meant so much whenfriends even set up a little
routine or a schedule of comingby once a week.
I had a friend that she and Iwould read the word together
once a week before everythingbegan and she kept that up.
She said I still want to comeover.
So she would come, bring herBible and we'd sit there and
(11:53):
read.
Another co-worker would say Iwant to come over and work with
you at the house.
This was further along, when Iwas able to spend some time in
front of the computer.
She would come over once a weekand just work with me.
For that presence to be there,no matter how long it went.
And I think about people whodidn't wait for an ask.
They either sent a meal,brought something over they
thought I might enjoy.
They didn't say how can we help, and then wait for a response.
(12:15):
They just took the step.
Pam McCune (12:17):
I think food is the language of love it is.
It says so much when peopleshow up with a little treat to
say a thought of you.
Caroline, there's probably somany people that just showed up
and loved on you.
Now I know everybody's hearthas been.
They care and they want to leanin.
Help carried you through theunknown and the hard times.
But even in the midst of thatthere were some things that were
(12:39):
probably done or said that werenot helpful.
Help us learn from yourcircumstances.
Would you be willing to sharewith us a few things that didn't
feel helpful at the time?
Caroline Schuler (12:49):
Yeah, I know people, of course.
Meanwhile, one thing that wouldcontinually be said over and
over oh you look great, you looklike you're doing so good.
I thought, oh, you have no ideahow much of a fight it is to
look halfway decent, and thenthat would kind of be the common
and they would move on.
I knew they had no clue of howhard it was.
One friend who had been througha similar dark season, but hers
(13:10):
was the loss of a spouse, sheeven said to me.
She said you're looking great,but I just want you to know.
I know there's a lock going onbehind the scenes and that was
like oh, she recognizes thatit's hard to say yeah, it's nice
to know you don't look likeyou're killing over, but to know
that there's a lot going on toget to where you are in, that
recognition is so valuable, wasto my heart.
Pam McCune (13:32):
There's something about being seen and understood,
even if they can't feel.
Every feeling that you wentthrough to recognize.
The challenges, jesslyn, youmentioned at the beginning, have
been seasons where you feltlike you were drowning.
During that, what wasencouraging to you?
How did people show up and helpyou feel seen?
Just hearing and learning thatmany people have struggled with
(13:55):
depression, I thought somethingwas wrong with me.
I have a relationship with God,I'm not supposed to struggle.
And that's not true.
I thought I was not alone.
I needed to hear that.
It made me feel not so crazy.
I found myself relating topeople in the Bible like Elijah
for the first time in FirstKings 19.
Elijah is weary from life andministry and went into hiding in
(14:15):
the wilderness and basicallytold God I'm all done.
I felt like Elijah.
He became my best friend forthose months and for me
practically.
I found a trusted counselor andI had a couple good friends
that I confided in and asked himto check in on me each week and
pray for me.
Also, I remember when I had mysecond baby boy.
He came 21 days early.
(14:37):
It was a shock to me I know Ishouldn't be so shocked the
baby's coming, but it was.
I did not know where the carseat was for this child.
I was overwhelmed in despair.
I had no diapers for this kid.
I had no family close by and Iremember when I was in the
hospital from an emergency Csection trying to recover and
try to grasp what just happenedin the past like 24 hours.
(14:58):
My friends came in the hospitalroom, grabbed my house keys and
my dear friends clean my entirehouse, stocking it with diapers
and several meals in my fridge.
They rescued me like nobody'sbusiness.
We all need friends like that.
How encouraging showing updoing some cleaning, getting
some food, be it you cook it orbe it you go buy it.
Those are all gifts we probablyhave capacity for a different
(15:22):
times.
Just in the midst of that wherethere's some things you had to
take away of just acknowledgingwere not helpful.
You know similar to Caroline.
Jesslyn Adams (15:30):
People would tell me if I told them I was
struggling, they're like it'snot that bad.
Things aren't that bad, you'regoing to be okay.
Just cheer up Kind of a lack ofempathy and truly taking me for
my word.
When I said I'm not myself, Idon't think I'm doing well, that
for some reason, reallyfrustrated me because I was
trying to reach out for help andI think people kind of
(15:51):
minimized it, probably becauseit's just an awkward situation
to get into.
When someone's saying I'mreally struggling with downward
thoughts, I think we all kind ofpanic.
I think I wish somebody wouldhave been like tell me more
about that, like what's going on, maybe take a deeper dive.
So, Pam, you've heard from us,what about you?
Pam McCune (16:07):
Jesslyn, when I went through my own depression, I
had a friend that was so caringand wanted to help.
She figured out the answer.
She told me "Pam, I've got it.
When you feel that way--- Don't.
Bottom line it wasn't helpful.
I knew her heart.
She actually could do that inher own life when she starts to
(16:29):
feel something, to grab thatthought captive, to send it away
.
But it was actually a clinicaldepression.
But I loved her heart.
I love that she cared.
I love that she was willing toget involved with me.
As I have gone through my owndark seasons, I have seen people
show up with the gift of theirpresence.
When someone shows up and givestime by just being by my side,
(16:51):
it has encouraged me.
One day a friend called andsaid her daughter's engagement
had just been called off and shesaid that her daughter was
asking for one thing she wantedto spend time with Miss Pam.
She wanted me to remind her ofwhat was true and what was lies
from the enemy.
But mostly she just wanted mypresence as she spilled tears
(17:13):
and tried to process what wasgoing on.
She wanted me to say I'm hereand I love you during one of the
rough seasons through parentingand one of my children gave me
the chance to be on my knees,much bonding with God, and I
found myself in the living roomfloor pouring out my heart,
pouring out my tears, and thenext thing I know there had been
(17:33):
a gift on my front porch that afriend that knew I wasn't ready
to talk but she wanted me toknow that she was thinking of me
.
And she left a gift and it wassimply a mug and it spoke
volumes.
It said I see you and I care,and every day that I got my
coffee and I would use that mug,it said she's thinking about me
(17:54):
, she's praying for me and I'mnot in this alone.
I've learned that I can reachout to friends even when I'm
going through a hard season, bygiving them a mug, give a plant
or a candle, a book or a journal, food and if you don't have
time to cook, gift cards canspeak wonders.
Others had given me the gift ofwords.
Many times it's been in a textto say I love you, but sometimes
(18:16):
it's been in those reallyspecial handwritten notes where
people have taken the time tofind that stamp, to sit down and
write out a verse ofencouragement, a few thoughts of
how they're thinking about meand praying for me, but mostly
they just said I care.
It's hard when people don'tknow what to say, but I will say
that when I had my first twomiscarriages before I had any
(18:39):
other children, it was tough, aspeople gave advice which share
all kinds of stories with me, togive me hope that if maybe I
went through six moremiscarriages then I would have
three lovely children, or adviceon how to get pregnant, and I
became a little punchy with someof the advice that people gave.
But I soon realized the hardestwas when people said nothing at
(19:01):
all, as if it never happened.
I learned that I would rathersomeone say the wrong thing with
the right heart over sayingnothing at all.
Caroline, our stories are fromthe past, but yours is happening
now.
Share with us what happenednext on your journey.
Caroline Schuler (19:19):
I guess it was about six or seven months later
, everything with the hyperbarichad worked enough, at least to
where they said we can safelypull the trach out, we won't
have to operate again.
I remember October.
I was so excited I thoughtfinally all the treatments were
coming to an end.
It was another dark day becausethey took the trach out and I
could not breathe without it andit went right back in and so
(19:40):
that just began, another kind ofextension of everything
exploring medically and ferventprayer of God, have mercy and
bring this to some kind ofhealing.
You don't guarantee it, butwe're going to pray that it'll
come.
Through the provision ofanother local doctor here who
operated on my airway severalmore times, the trach finally
was able to be removedsuccessfully just in July.
Pam McCune (20:01):
Wow, that is so exciting.
Thank you, Lord! Did theoriginal surgery, the fusion of
the 10 vertebra, have success?
How has it affected your life?
And are there any ways that wecan pray for you?
Caroline Schuler (20:14):
The actual fusion had to happen to fancy
term is stenosis, but my spinalcord was being really compressed
.
The pain is greatly reduced.
I'm very, very thankful forthat, and I will say, though,
that the hard part in continuingforward and that will be just a
new reality for me is not beingable to turn my head, because
the fusion goes all the way up,and I have to say it's been a
really hard adjustment,especially as my activities then
(20:37):
pick back up.
I went okay, this is reallyhard when you can't rotate or
turn your head.
Think about driving.
I got my permit, I know, theday I turned 15, I was like I am
getting on the road, I'mdriving.
So I've been driving, but thecar was adapted with pedals and
a seat to get me up andeverything, but after this
recent change, I've addedmirrors now that show me like 90
degrees to the left, 90 degreesto the right, since I can't
(20:57):
turn.
It looked those ways, but I'mso thankful for the independence
.
Changing the things are not newto me, but this is definitely a
new version of that Trying towalk through life, being so
short and yet I can't look up.
It's tricky.
I had to fight the fear.
My airway will never be thesame.
There will be changes if I everhave to have surgery again.
It's a kind of a fight.
I'm not letting my mind go downthat road too far, but also
(21:20):
being able to accept what I needto be aware of.
So just prayer that God willguard my heart but also keep me
from some of those hardestrealities, should they ever have
to come again.
That God would give me thegrace to walk through the new
normal he's placed in my life.
Pam McCune (21:33):
Now in July, you were able to take a trip to
Texas.
I know you love traveling.
Can you share with us what someof your dreams are for the
future?
Caroline Schuler (21:41):
Yeah, Pam, I do love to travel.
That's something that reallygives me life.
I do look forward and I have tosay, as soon as the trick was
out and I knew the machineswould also be left behind soon
after I was so eager to put sometrip down for ministry
specifically.
I just love traveling, seeingpeople come to Christ and seeing
God at work in differentcultures that are not so
(22:01):
familiar to myself.
I do dream of how God mightcontinue to incorporate that
into my life going forward.
Pam McCune (22:07):
I love your independence and I love God's
creativity to give you a momthat's the most nurturing and a
dad that's the biggestresearcher and fixer.
To make Miss Caroline get tohave her independence in all the
different ways, but to adapt.
Pray that she gets to travel,go be a light to the world as
God allows her, through physicalchallenges.
(22:30):
And then the other thing I'mpraying for you.
The desire of your heart is Godcalls that he will bring you
the man of your dreams that getsto walk beside you in life.
Audience, feel free to praywith me as well.
So, as we see others strugglingaround us, how would you
encourage us to show up forpeople, to give them the gift of
(22:50):
being present?
Caroline Schuler (22:51):
I think I would sit with them in the bay.
I know just the other night Ipulled out a card was the most
significant to me, because I mayhave either never met this
friend or met her once, but herwords were "I grieve with you in
this season for these reasons.
So to acknowledge and recognizehow hard it is,
Jesslyn Adams (23:09):
Caroline, that's such great advice.
What other things have we nottalked about today that you're
thinking, oh, I would love forour listeners to know or hear or
understand this.
Caroline Schuler (23:17):
If you're willing to go to the person who
is in a hard season and to saythat, if you want to process
with me, just know that I'd loveto listen.
For someone to say that to mejust means the world.
I had a friend ask me recently"how are you processing
everything?
And I thought, oh, she doesn'tforget either that it's not all
that long in the past.
Pam McCune (23:34):
Thank you, Caroline.
What a treasure hearing yourheart, hearing with us your
story that we can learn from.
Thank you for being here.
The light of Christ in usshines bright, as when life is
darkest for others, our presentshows Jesus' compassion like
nothing else.
Sometimes it seems easier toavoid those in pain, but our
(23:54):
commitment to reach out showsgenuine love and it can bring
incredible hope.
And it gives all of us theopportunity to help bring His
light to others through theirdarkness.
Jesslyn Adams (24:05):
And for those of you struggling to see ahead in
the darkness right now.
We are so sorry.
You are not alone.
Many in the world today andmany in the Bible can relate.
God sees you, he will neverleave you and he cares for you.
I remember when I wasstruggling to believe that I
would ever feel better andexperience joy again.
I would read scripture and Ihonestly just felt numb.
(24:28):
It's like a head to heartdisconnect.
So I began to pray a verse inMark 9-24 saying Lord, I do
believe, help my unbelief andover time he restored my belief.
Lastly, psalm 3418 brings a lotof comfort.
It says the Lord is near to thebrokenhearted.
He saves those crushed inspirit.
That verse brings me comfort intwo ways.
(24:50):
One, he will meet me in mysadness, and two, he will meet
others as well in their trialsand disappointments.
It's not all up to me, he's gotthem.
God gives all of us theopportunity to help bring His
light to others in darkness.
Pam McCune (25:05):
Robert Louis Stevenson, the author and
wordsmith, grew up in Scotland.
In those days, street lightsdidn't just come on
automatically.
People were hired to light,each one individually.
One evening, as the lamplighters did their work,
climbing their ladders, liftingthe glass lid, lighting the
torch, shutting the lid,climbing down and moving on to
(25:28):
the next lamp, young Stevensonwas enthralled.
As dust settled in tonight, onelight would be kindled, then
another and another.
He turned to his parents andsaid Look, they're punching
holes in the darkness.
Friends, let's step outtogether showing mercy and love
to those going through darktimes and trust God to punch
(25:51):
holes in the darkness with thelight inside of us.
Jesslyn Adams (25:54):
We have so much more to explore together, so be
sure to subscribe to our podcast, and if today has inspired or
encouraged you, you can helpothers find us by taking a
moment to give us a review onyour favorite podcast streaming
site.
Pam McCune (26:05):
And as our thanks for joining us here, we invite
you to follow us on Instagram atcalled2shine.
As part of our called2shineInstagram community, you will
get encouragement and ideas tohelp you connect to the people
around you.
Jesslyn Adams (26:19):
And, as always, you can find resources to help
you shine the light of Jesus atnbs2go.
com -- neighbor Bible studies togo.
In our next episode-- Starsshine brightest in a cluster.
Who can you shine, besidesusing your gifts, while they use
theirs, and you shine brighttogether?
Pam McCune (26:36):
Thanks for joining us today.
We are called to shine.
Hello.
Pam McCune (00:06):
Jesslyn here and Pam welcome to the community where
we explore how Jesus is ourlight.
Jesslyn Adams (00:13):
And we are here to spur each other on to love
God and others, right where welive.
We are called to shine.
Pam McCune (00:20):
Not only do stars shine brightest when they are
closest, but stars shinebrightest when it's darkest.
Have you experienced one ofthose nights where it is truly
dark?
There are no city lights, nomoon and all you see is darkness
.
But you look up and shiningbright is one star that sparkles
and gives light.
(00:40):
It shines brighter surroundedby the darkest night.
An African proverb says it wellthe darker the night, the
brighter the star.
Jesslyn Adams (00:49):
When we are in hard seasons, it can feel like
darkness all around.
Even making the next step canbe a challenge when you can't
see ahead of you.
We all experience hard seasons,from sickness, physically and
mentally, to taking care ofsomeone who's going through
sickness.
Watching your own childstruggle can be harder than if
it was happening to you, fromgrieving loss of a job, of a
dream, a friendship or even theloss of life here on earth.
(01:13):
As we head into the holidays,we might experience challenges
and triggers of what has changedand who is missing this holiday
season, and we might encounterthe question do I even want to
celebrate?
Pam McCune (01:24):
or participate.
Jesus encouraged us, saying Ihave come to give you peace In
this world.
You will have trouble, but takeheart.
I have overcome the world.
He didn't say you're going tohave trouble, so get on over it,
move past it.
He said take heart, which meansto have courage.
(01:45):
How do we take heart and how dowe help others take heart in
dark times?
As we lean into seasons ofdarkness, we realize that many
of you are in your own darkseason right now.
We hope we can encourage you toknow you are not alone and that
God can use something in thispodcast to speak directly to you
(02:06):
, saying I see you and I care.
Jesslyn Adams (02:10):
I am so glad you said that, Pam.
There have been seasons whereseeing the needs of others was
challenging for me because Ipersonally was battling my own
depression and darkness and inthose seasons I felt like I was
drowning.
I was desperate for someone tothrow me a life preserver, as I
was discouraged and overwhelmedmyself.
Pam McCune (02:27):
Just when I look forward to hearing what life
preservers were thrown to youand what that looked like.
Sometimes we need the lifepreserver and sometimes we get
to throw the life preserver toothers, which might look like a
shining star where you shineyour light of hope to those in
darkness.
Jesslyn Adams (02:45):
Brené Brown, known for her research in Wisdom
on Empathy, says Empathy isconnecting with people so we
know we're not alone when we'rein struggle.
Empathy is a way to connect tothe emotion another person is
experiencing.
It doesn't require that we havethe experience, the same
situation they are going through.
Empathy has no script.
There is no right way or wrongway to do it.
(03:06):
It's simply listening, holdingspace, withholding judgment,
emotionally connecting andcommunicating that incredibly
healing message of you're notalone.
Pam McCune (03:17):
As we journey in dark seasons.
There is a time to just focuson keeping the oxygen mask on
our own face, hanging on to thelife preserver and surviving,
and sometimes God encourages usas we help others take courage
and give the gift of ourpresence by just showing up.
There have been times when Godhas called me to shine the
(03:38):
little light I had for someoneelse I didn't give advice or
share knowledge I might haveeven actually admitted I didn't
know what to say or do whichgenerated connection and brought
us closer together.
It is amazing how much joy andpeace I've experienced when I
had a reprieve from mycircumstances and entered
(03:58):
someone else's challenges.
Today we have a guest that isgoing to bring you joy as you
step into her circumstances andhear her heart.
Caroline Shuler is a light in mylife.
She is a member of the NeighborBible Studies to Go team with
Crew City.
Caroline entered this world 28years ago, the same year that my
(04:20):
son was born, and she has beenmy encourager, my kindred spirit
, as I've struggled with healthissues.
Caroline and I first bonded ina car right through the North
Georgia and North Carolinamountains.
She makes me laugh.
She's excelled in giving mecourage through her listening,
connecting and reminding me I amnot alone.
(04:41):
And the amazing thing is shehas done it while struggling in
her own health journey as well.
The month before she was born,doctors explained to her parents
that she had a 25% chance ofsurviving delivery.
She wouldn't be born breathingand likely had a heart defect.
Caroline was born withrespiratory issues and smaller
(05:02):
in stature than expected.
She was a little person.
Her first two months she spenton life support, as she was born
on February 10th 2010.
Her family claimed Ephesians2:10 for her life, for we are
God's handiwork, created inChrist Jesus to do good works.
(05:23):
They knew God created Carolinefor a purpose and they believed
he would sustain her.
And He has.
Caroline.
Thank you for joining us onCalled to Shine.
Thank you, Pam and Jesslyn.
Caroline Schuler (05:35):
it's a joy to be with you.
Jesslyn Adams (05:36):
So glad you're here.
I wish our listeners could seeyour face right now and your
wonderful, striking red hair.
Caroline, it's been a joy toget to know you and I would love
for you to tell us a little bitabout your health journey in
life.
Caroline Schuler (05:49):
Yeah, so, as Pam said, I being born a little
person I stand just at three anda half feet tall and so that's
presented different challenges,of course, through different
seasons of life, mostly in termsof different bone and joint
difficulties that have requiredcountless hours of physical
therapy over the years, numeroussurgeries to correct different
things.
Yeah, it's been a journey ofjust trusting God with the
(06:09):
handiwork he made, even thoughI've not always understood it,
maybe not always desired theways it's materialized, but
trusting him and, most recently,a different level of that,
seeing him at work, providingthrough great medical care.
Jesslyn Adams (06:20):
Wow, Caroline, it sounds like you had to trust
God immensely.
So where have you seen God showup?
Caroline Schuler (06:26):
I've seen God show up one way in particular is
just through the people he'sprovided in my life.
I come from such godly parentswho have just been heroes in my
story, caring for me and helpingnavigate a medical system
that's often tricky, not tomention the people in my life
who have discipled me and justbeen present in a number of
different ways.
I think of God's people and hisword that have kept me going.
Pam McCune (06:49):
I love that, His people and His word.
He showed up to be with you.
Caroline, help us dive a littledeeper into the last two years.
What that journey has lookedlike, what you've experienced.
Was there a time that wasactually dark during that season
?
Caroline Schuler (07:04):
So last May I was set to have cervical spine
fusion 10 level.
I was told recovery wouldlikely look like being in a
brace for probably four monthsthen with rigorous physical
therapy after that to fullyrecover.
Level 10 means they were fusing10 vertebrae together.
Okay, so that was in May.
Yeah, they knew it would be along recovery because the fusion
(07:26):
starts all the way actually upat my head, so now my head is
locked in and then goes down tothe middle of my back.
They knew it would be severalmonths in a brace, but about
seven weeks into the recoverywhen we noticed that the
incision was not healing well,we had to go in for emergency
surgery to make sure that therewas not a really serious
infection or that the hardwaredid not get infected either.
(07:49):
And upon going in for thatsurgery they were unable to
intubate me because of thefusion, the limitations that
caused and we had to do anemergency tracheostomy.
Trachs are something I was veryunfamiliar with but quickly
became acquainted with when Iwoke up with a trache after that
surgery.
So trachs require a lot ofdaily maintenance in terms of
(08:11):
breathing treatments.
Plus they just occupy yourairway so it makes breathing
really tricky.
We began a regimen of caringfor the trache, but also.
I then jumped into 49hyperbaric chamber treatments as
well, which was new to me.
It became so mentally hard tocontinue to go back day after
day because it took about fourhours of every day.
(08:34):
I felt like that was just life.
There wasn't time to do thingsI enjoyed doing.
It was just the routine, dayafter day and the resetting of
expectations when they saidoriginally we'll be doing 20 and
then we'll be doing 40, andthen it just kept on increasing
in time.
Pam McCune (08:50):
Was there a period of time that it felt the darkest
?
Caroline Schuler (08:54):
Absolutely, before all of the hyperbaric
routine started, there wereeight days in the hospital where
I was totally had no voice.
I was completely mute becauseof the trick they put in.
It was the wrong size.
They could give me no guaranteethat my voice would come back,
so that was definitely a darkseason.
I can look back now and see itwas only eight days but, man, in
(09:14):
that time it felt like each daywas about a month.
It was definitely a dark period.
Pam McCune (09:19):
Caroline, how do you deal with darkness?
Were there tears?
Were you just quiet and it wasjust introspection?
What were you feeling and howwere you dealing with that?
Caroline Schuler (09:28):
Yes, there were a lot of tears in those
eight days.
I have to admit I felt so badat the time that it was hard to
fully have some bigintrospective moment of what
life's going to look like ifthings don't change, Because it
was really just an hour by hour.
I got to do the next treatment,the next nurses coming in and
so forth.
It was a huge step of surrenderto think my life has been in
the hands of medicalprofessionals.
(09:49):
Nothing's guaranteed and theoutcome of the rest of my life
could be extremely differentthan what I've known.
So there was tears.
There was the reading of God'sword.
I listened to so much music toreset my mind on him, Even
though I couldn't speak.
Everything was through text onmy phone to communicate to my
parents and doctors couldn'thave done it without people
there.
Jesslyn Adams (10:08):
Caroline, I like that you said people.
People are key to helping usexperience and God in the
darkness and to keep having hope.
Pam and I were talking aboutthis before but our friends and
different people in our life.
It could be really great tohave them around and get their
input, but I personally knowsometimes, when I've tried to
help a friend in their darknessor struggling physically like
you, or they've had a loss, thatI try to fix the sadness.
(10:31):
I get a little uncomfortablewhen there's a lot of sorrow and
sadness and I'm like I wantpeople to cheer up and have joy.
But I've had a handful offriends tell me Jesselyn, can
you not try to fix this?
Don't give me the silver lininglike you like to do in
everything in life.
I just want you to listen andbe there.
So, carolyn, how have peopleshown you mercy and love that
(10:51):
truly resonated with you?
Caroline Schuler (10:53):
What first comes to mind my medical journey
in the last 16, 18 months.
Supposed to be a certainduration.
People were set up to be intouch and be helpful for that
time, and then it went on waypast anything that people were
committed to helping with.
When I think about what wasmost helpful and just most
tender for me was when peoplestayed present, no matter how
(11:14):
long the journey went.
Life moved on for them.
I know it did, but it wasn'tmoving on for me quite yet.
And so when they stayed intouch to say I know this hasn't
changed for you, we're not goinganywhere.
Pam McCune (11:24):
Did that look like a text, a letter or a phone call?
Or was it dropping by and justbeing beside you, side by side?
Caroline Schuler (11:32):
Oftentimes it was a text message for people
that were either close by or notso local.
But also it meant so much whenfriends even set up a little
routine or a schedule of comingby once a week.
I had a friend that she and Iwould read the word together
once a week before everythingbegan and she kept that up.
She said I still want to comeover.
So she would come, bring herBible and we'd sit there and
(11:53):
read.
Another co-worker would say Iwant to come over and work with
you at the house.
This was further along, when Iwas able to spend some time in
front of the computer.
She would come over once a weekand just work with me.
For that presence to be there,no matter how long it went.
And I think about people whodidn't wait for an ask.
They either sent a meal,brought something over they
thought I might enjoy.
They didn't say how can we help, and then wait for a response.
(12:15):
They just took the step.
Pam McCune (12:17):
I think food is the language of love it is.
It says so much when peopleshow up with a little treat to
say a thought of you.
Caroline, there's probably somany people that just showed up
and loved on you.
Now I know everybody's hearthas been.
They care and they want to leanin.
Help carried you through theunknown and the hard times.
But even in the midst of thatthere were some things that were
(12:39):
probably done or said that werenot helpful.
Help us learn from yourcircumstances.
Would you be willing to sharewith us a few things that didn't
feel helpful at the time?
Caroline Schuler (12:49):
Yeah, I know people, of course.
Meanwhile, one thing that wouldcontinually be said over and
over oh you look great, you looklike you're doing so good.
I thought, oh, you have no ideahow much of a fight it is to
look halfway decent, and thenthat would kind of be the common
and they would move on.
I knew they had no clue of howhard it was.
One friend who had been througha similar dark season, but hers
(13:10):
was the loss of a spouse, sheeven said to me.
She said you're looking great,but I just want you to know.
I know there's a lock going onbehind the scenes and that was
like oh, she recognizes thatit's hard to say yeah, it's nice
to know you don't look likeyou're killing over, but to know
that there's a lot going on toget to where you are in, that
recognition is so valuable, wasto my heart.
Pam McCune (13:32):
There's something about being seen and understood,
even if they can't feel.
Every feeling that you wentthrough to recognize.
The challenges, jesslyn, youmentioned at the beginning, have
been seasons where you feltlike you were drowning.
During that, what wasencouraging to you?
How did people show up and helpyou feel seen?
Just hearing and learning thatmany people have struggled with
(13:55):
depression, I thought somethingwas wrong with me.
I have a relationship with God,I'm not supposed to struggle.
And that's not true.
I thought I was not alone.
I needed to hear that.
It made me feel not so crazy.
I found myself relating topeople in the Bible like Elijah
for the first time in FirstKings 19.
Elijah is weary from life andministry and went into hiding in
(14:15):
the wilderness and basicallytold God I'm all done.
I felt like Elijah.
He became my best friend forthose months and for me
practically.
I found a trusted counselor andI had a couple good friends
that I confided in and asked himto check in on me each week and
pray for me.
Also, I remember when I had mysecond baby boy.
He came 21 days early.
(14:37):
It was a shock to me I know Ishouldn't be so shocked the
baby's coming, but it was.
I did not know where the carseat was for this child.
I was overwhelmed in despair.
I had no diapers for this kid.
I had no family close by and Iremember when I was in the
hospital from an emergency Csection trying to recover and
try to grasp what just happenedin the past like 24 hours.
(14:58):
My friends came in the hospitalroom, grabbed my house keys and
my dear friends clean my entirehouse, stocking it with diapers
and several meals in my fridge.
They rescued me like nobody'sbusiness.
We all need friends like that.
How encouraging showing updoing some cleaning, getting
some food, be it you cook it orbe it you go buy it.
Those are all gifts we probablyhave capacity for a different
(15:22):
times.
Just in the midst of that wherethere's some things you had to
take away of just acknowledgingwere not helpful.
You know similar to Caroline.
Jesslyn Adams (15:30):
People would tell me if I told them I was
struggling, they're like it'snot that bad.
Things aren't that bad, you'regoing to be okay.
Just cheer up Kind of a lack ofempathy and truly taking me for
my word.
When I said I'm not myself, Idon't think I'm doing well, that
for some reason, reallyfrustrated me because I was
trying to reach out for help andI think people kind of
(15:51):
minimized it, probably becauseit's just an awkward situation
to get into.
When someone's saying I'mreally struggling with downward
thoughts, I think we all kind ofpanic.
I think I wish somebody wouldhave been like tell me more
about that, like what's going on, maybe take a deeper dive.
So, Pam, you've heard from us,what about you?
Pam McCune (16:07):
Jesslyn, when I went through my own depression, I
had a friend that was so caringand wanted to help.
She figured out the answer.
She told me "Pam, I've got it.
When you feel that way--- Don't.
Bottom line it wasn't helpful.
I knew her heart.
She actually could do that inher own life when she starts to
(16:29):
feel something, to grab thatthought captive, to send it away
.
But it was actually a clinicaldepression.
But I loved her heart.
I love that she cared.
I love that she was willing toget involved with me.
As I have gone through my owndark seasons, I have seen people
show up with the gift of theirpresence.
When someone shows up and givestime by just being by my side,
(16:51):
it has encouraged me.
One day a friend called andsaid her daughter's engagement
had just been called off and shesaid that her daughter was
asking for one thing she wantedto spend time with Miss Pam.
She wanted me to remind her ofwhat was true and what was lies
from the enemy.
But mostly she just wanted mypresence as she spilled tears
(17:13):
and tried to process what wasgoing on.
She wanted me to say I'm hereand I love you during one of the
rough seasons through parentingand one of my children gave me
the chance to be on my knees,much bonding with God, and I
found myself in the living roomfloor pouring out my heart,
pouring out my tears, and thenext thing I know there had been
(17:33):
a gift on my front porch that afriend that knew I wasn't ready
to talk but she wanted me toknow that she was thinking of me
.
And she left a gift and it wassimply a mug and it spoke
volumes.
It said I see you and I care,and every day that I got my
coffee and I would use that mug,it said she's thinking about me
(17:54):
, she's praying for me and I'mnot in this alone.
I've learned that I can reachout to friends even when I'm
going through a hard season, bygiving them a mug, give a plant
or a candle, a book or a journal, food and if you don't have
time to cook, gift cards canspeak wonders.
Others had given me the gift ofwords.
Many times it's been in a textto say I love you, but sometimes
(18:16):
it's been in those reallyspecial handwritten notes where
people have taken the time tofind that stamp, to sit down and
write out a verse ofencouragement, a few thoughts of
how they're thinking about meand praying for me, but mostly
they just said I care.
It's hard when people don'tknow what to say, but I will say
that when I had my first twomiscarriages before I had any
(18:39):
other children, it was tough, aspeople gave advice which share
all kinds of stories with me, togive me hope that if maybe I
went through six moremiscarriages then I would have
three lovely children, or adviceon how to get pregnant, and I
became a little punchy with someof the advice that people gave.
But I soon realized the hardestwas when people said nothing at
(19:01):
all, as if it never happened.
I learned that I would rathersomeone say the wrong thing with
the right heart over sayingnothing at all.
Caroline, our stories are fromthe past, but yours is happening
now.
Share with us what happenednext on your journey.
Caroline Schuler (19:19):
I guess it was about six or seven months later
, everything with the hyperbarichad worked enough, at least to
where they said we can safelypull the trach out, we won't
have to operate again.
I remember October.
I was so excited I thoughtfinally all the treatments were
coming to an end.
It was another dark day becausethey took the trach out and I
could not breathe without it andit went right back in and so
(19:40):
that just began, another kind ofextension of everything
exploring medically and ferventprayer of God, have mercy and
bring this to some kind ofhealing.
You don't guarantee it, butwe're going to pray that it'll
come.
Through the provision ofanother local doctor here who
operated on my airway severalmore times, the trach finally
was able to be removedsuccessfully just in July.
Pam McCune (20:01):
Wow, that is so exciting.
Thank you, Lord! Did theoriginal surgery, the fusion of
the 10 vertebra, have success?
How has it affected your life?
And are there any ways that wecan pray for you?
Caroline Schuler (20:14):
The actual fusion had to happen to fancy
term is stenosis, but my spinalcord was being really compressed
.
The pain is greatly reduced.
I'm very, very thankful forthat, and I will say, though,
that the hard part in continuingforward and that will be just a
new reality for me is not beingable to turn my head, because
the fusion goes all the way up,and I have to say it's been a
really hard adjustment,especially as my activities then
(20:37):
pick back up.
I went okay, this is reallyhard when you can't rotate or
turn your head.
Think about driving.
I got my permit, I know, theday I turned 15, I was like I am
getting on the road, I'mdriving.
So I've been driving, but thecar was adapted with pedals and
a seat to get me up andeverything, but after this
recent change, I've addedmirrors now that show me like 90
degrees to the left, 90 degreesto the right, since I can't
(20:57):
turn.
It looked those ways, but I'mso thankful for the independence
.
Changing the things are not newto me, but this is definitely a
new version of that Trying towalk through life, being so
short and yet I can't look up.
It's tricky.
I had to fight the fear.
My airway will never be thesame.
There will be changes if I everhave to have surgery again.
It's a kind of a fight.
I'm not letting my mind go downthat road too far, but also
(21:20):
being able to accept what I needto be aware of.
So just prayer that God willguard my heart but also keep me
from some of those hardestrealities, should they ever have
to come again.
That God would give me thegrace to walk through the new
normal he's placed in my life.
Pam McCune (21:33):
Now in July, you were able to take a trip to
Texas.
I know you love traveling.
Can you share with us what someof your dreams are for the
future?
Caroline Schuler (21:41):
Yeah, Pam, I do love to travel.
That's something that reallygives me life.
I do look forward and I have tosay, as soon as the trick was
out and I knew the machineswould also be left behind soon
after I was so eager to put sometrip down for ministry
specifically.
I just love traveling, seeingpeople come to Christ and seeing
God at work in differentcultures that are not so
(22:01):
familiar to myself.
I do dream of how God mightcontinue to incorporate that
into my life going forward.
Pam McCune (22:07):
I love your independence and I love God's
creativity to give you a momthat's the most nurturing and a
dad that's the biggestresearcher and fixer.
To make Miss Caroline get tohave her independence in all the
different ways, but to adapt.
Pray that she gets to travel,go be a light to the world as
God allows her, through physicalchallenges.
(22:30):
And then the other thing I'mpraying for you.
The desire of your heart is Godcalls that he will bring you
the man of your dreams that getsto walk beside you in life.
Audience, feel free to praywith me as well.
So, as we see others strugglingaround us, how would you
encourage us to show up forpeople, to give them the gift of
(22:50):
being present?
Caroline Schuler (22:51):
I think I would sit with them in the bay.
I know just the other night Ipulled out a card was the most
significant to me, because I mayhave either never met this
friend or met her once, but herwords were "I grieve with you in
this season for these reasons.
So to acknowledge and recognizehow hard it is,
Jesslyn Adams (23:09):
Caroline, that's such great advice.
What other things have we nottalked about today that you're
thinking, oh, I would love forour listeners to know or hear or
understand this.
Caroline Schuler (23:17):
If you're willing to go to the person who
is in a hard season and to saythat, if you want to process
with me, just know that I'd loveto listen.
For someone to say that to mejust means the world.
I had a friend ask me recently"how are you processing
everything?
And I thought, oh, she doesn'tforget either that it's not all
that long in the past.
Pam McCune (23:34):
Thank you, Caroline.
What a treasure hearing yourheart, hearing with us your
story that we can learn from.
Thank you for being here.
The light of Christ in usshines bright, as when life is
darkest for others, our presentshows Jesus' compassion like
nothing else.
Sometimes it seems easier toavoid those in pain, but our
(23:54):
commitment to reach out showsgenuine love and it can bring
incredible hope.
And it gives all of us theopportunity to help bring His
light to others through theirdarkness.
Jesslyn Adams (24:05):
And for those of you struggling to see ahead in
the darkness right now.
We are so sorry.
You are not alone.
Many in the world today andmany in the Bible can relate.
God sees you, he will neverleave you and he cares for you.
I remember when I wasstruggling to believe that I
would ever feel better andexperience joy again.
I would read scripture and Ihonestly just felt numb.
(24:28):
It's like a head to heartdisconnect.
So I began to pray a verse inMark 9-24 saying Lord, I do
believe, help my unbelief andover time he restored my belief.
Lastly, psalm 3418 brings a lotof comfort.
It says the Lord is near to thebrokenhearted.
He saves those crushed inspirit.
That verse brings me comfort intwo ways.
(24:50):
One, he will meet me in mysadness, and two, he will meet
others as well in their trialsand disappointments.
It's not all up to me, he's gotthem.
God gives all of us theopportunity to help bring His
light to others in darkness.
Pam McCune (25:05):
Robert Louis Stevenson, the author and
wordsmith, grew up in Scotland.
In those days, street lightsdidn't just come on
automatically.
People were hired to light,each one individually.
One evening, as the lamplighters did their work,
climbing their ladders, liftingthe glass lid, lighting the
torch, shutting the lid,climbing down and moving on to
(25:28):
the next lamp, young Stevensonwas enthralled.
As dust settled in tonight, onelight would be kindled, then
another and another.
He turned to his parents andsaid Look, they're punching
holes in the darkness.
Friends, let's step outtogether showing mercy and love
to those going through darktimes and trust God to punch
(25:51):
holes in the darkness with thelight inside of us.
Jesslyn Adams (25:54):
We have so much more to explore together, so be
sure to subscribe to our podcast, and if today has inspired or
encouraged you, you can helpothers find us by taking a
moment to give us a review onyour favorite podcast streaming
site.
Pam McCune (26:05):
And as our thanks for joining us here, we invite
you to follow us on Instagram atcalled2shine.
As part of our called2shineInstagram community, you will
get encouragement and ideas tohelp you connect to the people
around you.
Jesslyn Adams (26:19):
And, as always, you can find resources to help
you shine the light of Jesus atnbs2go.
com -- neighbor Bible studies togo.
In our next episode-- Starsshine brightest in a cluster.
Who can you shine, besidesusing your gifts, while they use
theirs, and you shine brighttogether?
Pam McCune (26:36):
Thanks for joining us today.
We are called to shine.
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