Contagious Courage - Shirley Thiessen
Welcome to another segment of Contagious Courage, where each month I have the pleasure of featuring individuals with amazing stories, in hopes that their courage will empower you to choose courage in your situation. My next guest has experienced a loss that no parent should, but has found new strength to rise above her pain to help others. Please welcome my next guest and dear friend, Shirley Thiessen.
Nearly 6 years ago, Shirley and her husband Carey experienced a parent’s worst nightmare: the death of a child. Only 12 days after celebrating her son’s wedding, Shirley had the devastating task of planning her son Jordan’s funeral.
Shirley works as Major Gifts Manager at the Mustard Seed, and thanks God for the opportunity she has to come alongside her clients who are suffering from profound grief and loss.
While absorbing the horrendous nightmare of her son’s death, Shirley states, "One truth which has been imprinted on my heart as a result of my history with God, is this: Jesus is my foundation, my purpose and my living hope." While my husband and my kids are at the epicentre of the people I love most dearly, they are not my only reason for living. They are not the ultimate source of my joy. Only God holds that spot.
And in the words of CS Lewis, Shirley agrees,
“Don’t let your happiness depend on something you may lose.”
Shirley states, “What God can accomplish in me and through me is proportionate – not to my capacity or skill set- but to my dependence on Him. Because of what Shirley has learned from her grief journey she became the founder of Corner Bend Consulting.
She is walking through each door God opens for her to speak or walk with people who are grieving.
Corner Bend offers simple but effective ideas that will empower the grief companion to be a safe person for the bereaved. As a result, the world will feel like a kinder and more compassionate place for the hurting.
“You can’t fix the pain of loss, but you can help to carry it.” - Shirley Thiessen
To book Shirley for equipping or speaking, please go to www.cornerbend.com or email Shirley at, shirley@cornerbend.com
New Wine - Hillsong Worship
VERSE 1
In the crushing In the pressing You are making new wine
In the soil I now surrender
You are breaking new ground
PRE CHORUS
So I yield to You and to Your careful hand
When I trust You I don't need to understand
CHORUS
Make me Your vessel Make me an offering
Make me whatever You want me to be
I came here with nothing but all You have given me
Jesus bring new wine out of me
BRIDGE
Cause where there is new wine
There is new power
There is new freedom
The Kingdom is here
I lay down my old flames
To carry Your new fire today
Jesus bring new wine out of me!
Final acknowledgments I also want to thank Eric Hlookoff for the editing, and with regards to the quality and presentation of Contagious Courage, you will definitely start seeing some noticeable improvements moving forward. I thank God for how He is guiding.
