About the Author

A three-time tongue cancer survivor and mama of children from “hard places," Michele Cushatt is a (reluctant) expert on pain, trauma and the deep human need for connection. Her most recent book, "A Faith That Will Not Fail" delivers 10 practices to help you build up your faith when your...

(in)side DaySpring: things we love
& you will too!
Find more at DaySpring.com
(in)side DaySpring:
things we love
& you will too!
Find more at
DaySpring.com
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Comments

  1. Michele,
    What a terrific post and list of thought-provoking questions! I’ve smashed a few toes on door jams and bed frames in my hurry-scurry existence. Humility requires us to slow down and take a look around us to the needs of others. It coaxes us out of our absorption with “self.” I find that when I focus on others’ needs, my problems tend to shrink from the forefront of my mind. Joining with you in learning to see beyond me!
    Blessings,
    Bev xx

  2. Michelle,

    I, too, tend to walk fast. Always rushing from one thing to the next. God brings people to mind that I should pray or write a note to. Yet often times I get busy with life & forget to do it. Since the pandemic we haven’t had church much. I lose contact with my tribe. You know the old saying “out of sight out of mind.” That happened to me during this pandemic. One day I made myself intentionally stop & write that note & mail it. My pastor brought some homemade sour dough bread for our anniversary. I called to thank her & check on her mom. After that I called a friend, talked for a while & let her know about Kathy’s mom. I’m usually an encourager. One who wants to send texts, cards, etc. I just need gentle reminders to slow down, make space & listen to others. They want to know they are loved & thought of just like I do.

    Blessings 🙂

  3. I love the questions! My tried & true ‘what’s your biggest concern & what is your greatest anticipated joy today?’ are getting worn & tired. Thanks for upping my game with fresh caring questions! Great post! Thank you!

  4. Thank you, Michele! Very thought provoking. And a call to action. I’m going to meditate on your questions so I can use them in my interactions with others. Well done!

  5. This may only be understood by similar thinking people so please do not think I’m being heartless as I say I had to laugh while reading this. For the first time in my life I realize that being an introvert and an old recluse is not the worse thing that’s ever happened to me.

  6. I am so glad for you writting what you did. I love you all incourage. I pray for you all the way from Enniskillen Co Fermanagh N.Ireland. That is the other side of the world. I just love your teaching. I learnt so much from you all. I grown closer to Jesus from your teachings. Michael what give me the most important sense of peace plus made me thankful was. When I look at people like you. All you come through with your cancer. Other like you. I say Dawn I thank full I am alive to enjoy another day in God beautiful world. As when I was I said this many times on incourage. When I was 7 my appendix burst. If I not got to Hospital on time.To get to theatre. To have them out right away. I not be here today. Like you God has me and you here for a reason. I thank God for that. Plus people like you. Who inspire me. Especially when I hear your stories. Of all you been through. Your still here smiling no matter what. Because Jesus help you trust him to help you get through it all. You are just brilliant in my eye. You didn’t let Satan the Old Devil whisper in your ear you not get through this. You put your trust bin Jesus. Look at you today. Jesus help you get through it all. You are were you are today. You should be proud of yourself. Praying for you and you all incourage. Love Dawn Ferguson-Little xxx

  7. Your comment about moving too fast reminded me of something I deal with. I’m in a wheelchair and can’t tell you how many times at work I would be approaching a corner and someone would come barreling around and almost always were not looking in the direction they were walking! I never had anyone land in my lap, but it was pretty close a few times!

  8. Great post, thank you! As I read it, and many of the comments, I can’t help but recommend a book to my sisters here that I’m currently reading, “The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry”, by John Mark Comer. This is a theme that is really emerging in our culture and in the church so there are other similar books I’m sure. The title is based on a single comment Dallas Willard said to the author, the One Thing that believers need to do in order to have a spiritual life of enough depth to grow in us the Love, Peace, and Joy that will anchor us in life: ruthlessly eliminate hurry. If this gets your attention, I’d encourage you to explore through this book! I believe it could save our lives, to heed this kind of warning.

  9. I’m currently feeling guilty because I cut someone short that was trying to explain their current challenges and crises. This person seems to be stuck in a rut of problems for which I have become a personal sounding board. Sometimes it feels like a burden to be the compassionate one who really listens because the complaints never seem to stop. I fear I may tune out the real issues that I need to help with because I’m lumping it together with a whole list of problems. How do I readjust my feelings so that I’m not being dismissive?

  10. God has shown me in little whispers this week that we are to show others God’s love even when it is hard for us to do so. God loves each of us, and by asking God to help me when it’s hard to love someone else, He has changed me and allowed me to see that person through His eyes. By showing His love through my actions, I am giving Him the glory by allowing Him to love through me. I cannot do it by myself. I need God to help me do it.