Fragile Times - Softcover

Heatherley, Joyce Landorf

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0929488237 ISBN 13: 9780929488233

Publisher: Balcony Pub Inc, 1990

Synopsis

Joyce explores the "fragile" times of life with forty excepts from her own experiences. She finds grace under pressure in a variety of stress-filled events, with the love of an understanding God who offers peace of mind in any situation.

About this title

About the Author:

Joyce Landorf Heatherley, nationally known author, public speaker, and recording artist brings the special message of love and hope to thousands of men and women through her books, videos, music, and inspired presentations.

A graduate of Pasadena City College with a degree in music, Joyce also received an honorary doctorate in humanities from Azusa Pacific University. Through her 24 books, her film series (His Stubborn Love), speaking engagements, radio programs and national television appearances, Joyce has spread her inspired message of hope to millions of readers and viewers both in the U.S. and overseas. Her four record albums exemplify her musical gift and touch the hearts of people needing reassurance, hope and support in the trials of everyday living. There are over seven million copies of her products in circulation.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.:

For three winters and summers of my life, my father pastored a church in Owen Sound, Ontario. My memory bank is stuffed with warm recollections of those years.

Of course, when you're only eight years old you see everything larger than life. The summers and the flowers were brighter, bigger, and better than any place in the world. The Georgian Bay water was bluer than any blue had a right to be. The winters were snowier and prettier than any Christmas card ever depicted.

Sometimes after the Canadian winter was firmly set in, we walked to church on Sundays; instead of driving along the river and crossing the bridge, we'd walk across the river on ice.

The first time we did it in December both frightened and excited me. My eager, joyous jumping up and down was instantly squashed the moment my dad and I stepped off the bottom step of the ladder along side the pier and took our first sliding steps onto the ice. Dark rings of slushy ice and water surrounded the big ships on either side of the river. Where we stood seemed safe enough, with thick, firm white ice underfoot. But the terrible blackness around those ships terrified me.

I would never have crossed the frozen path if my father, in loving confidence, had not said, "Joyce, take my hand and walk with me. If you stay right by me, you'll be all right."

And so, hesitantly, I put my little red mitten in his big brown leather glove and we began what looked to me to be a daring journey. But there was something so sure, so confident in my father's strides and manner that almost immediately I lost my terror and the walk turned into a wonderful adventure.

I remember doing a lot of sliding and twirling, pretending I was Sonja Henie, the famous ice skating queen. How bold and brave I was! How joyous and free I acted - all because Daddy held my hand.

Today, I discovered something dark and forbidding in my life and with that sudden jolt of recognition, I understand that I need to reach up and take my heavenly Father's hand. The dark thing still scares me a bit, but my hand is safe inside a larger one.

My heavenly Father is not discouraged. He is not afraid. He is to be trusted. He will not shove me into the dark waters that are icy and over my head. God walks firmly, confidently, and so can I.

I am happy even in the presence of dark things, for my trembling fingers are safely enclosed in His steady hand.

About this edition

• Publisher: Balcony Pub Inc
• Publication date: 1990
• ISBN 10: 0929488237
• ISBN 13: 9780929488233
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 64