Kathy Ireland is probably best known as one of America’s top super models. Now she has become a successful business woman and an outspoken witness for her Christian faith. She recently wrote a book entitled, Powerful Inspirations: Eight Lessons That Will Change Your Life. In interviews related to the book, Ireland has spoken of her spiritual pilgrimage. She mentioned that growing up she always believed in God but that she at times saw only an angry God. Her mother became a devoted Christian first. When Ireland was 18, she first devoted her life to Christ. She had just turned 18 and was on a modeling trip in Paris, France. She was young, attractive, wealthy, but lonely. Ireland’s mother had packed a Bible in her suitcase. “I was really lonely there and staying in a home where I didn’t feel comfortable,” she says. Every day, she would come home from work, lock herself in her room and read her Bible. “I just happened to turn to the Gospels and, as I read, my eyes and my heart just opened up. God just knew what I needed.”

-Michael Shannon, Preaching May/June 2004


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Dear Abby,

I am a widow. After 46 years of marriage, I lost my precious husband, now a further loss of our friends. I wish people would still include me, come see me, even just call me. I have never known such loneliness. If only somebody would call.

-Mrs. J.C. Hill

 


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Dear Ann Landers:

“Please come home early.” This was the most unreasonable request ever made by my wife of almost 40 years.

She didn’t make this request often. It came mostly on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, but it seemed that I always had so many things to do that in spite of her gentle urging, I rarely came home early.

I don’t want to give the impression that I was never at home. I was at home a lot. We rarely did anything out of the ordinary. We enjoyed the kids and the grandchildren. We listened to music, read the paper, and had meals together. Sometimes we would just talk about how the day had gone.

Now I know why she asked me so often to “Please come home early.” She wasn’t just lonely, she was lonely for me. When she passed away a short time ago, I learned firsthand what loneliness is all about.

I have a supportive family and many good friends. I’m free now to go places and do things, but I’m lonesome. Lonesome for her.

Now that she’s gone, I’ve found the time to “come home early,” but there is nobody to come home to. There is nobody to do those simple little things with, such as watching the evening news listening to music, and reading the paper. And nobody cares how my day went.

If I should get a call from the good Lord to “Please come home early,” I won’t fight it.

-Lonesome in K.C.

-Sermons Illustrated May/June 1989

 


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Kathy
Ireland is probably best known as one of America’s top super models. Now she
has become a successful business woman and an outspoken witness for her Christian
faith. She recently wrote a book entitled, Powerful Inspirations: Eight Lessons
That Will Change Your Life. In interviews related to the book, Ireland has
spoken of her spiritual pilgrimage. She mentioned that growing up she always
believed in God but that she at times saw only an angry God. Her mother became
a devoted Christian first. When Ireland was 18, she first devoted her life to
Christ. She had just turned 18 and was on a modeling trip in Paris, France.
She was young, attractive, wealthy, but lonely. Ireland’s mother had packed
a Bible in her suitcase. “I was really lonely there and staying in a home
where I didn’t feel comfortable,” she says. Every day, she would come home
from work, lock herself in her room and read her Bible. “I just happened
to turn to the Gospels and, as I read, my eyes and my heart just opened up.
God just knew what I needed.”

_______________
J.
Michael Shannon is professor of preaching at Cincinnati Bible College in Cincinnati,
OH.


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