Crucibles
Female Crucible
I am a woman and that is a crucible.
Why and how could that possibly be considered a crucible? It certainly was not God’s plan for women when Eve was created.
Yet, throughout recorded history, womankind has generally been treated as a subspecies, as property, whose primary function was to keep the species going and do the bidding of the males around her.
Why a site about living in the crucibles?
Everyone lives in a crucible! The problem is most people don’t know it. I didn’t know it. I thought I just “went through some hard times”, or “stuff just happened.” For most of my childhood years, I thought the bad things only happened to me. After all, most children are taught that good things will happen if they are ‘good’. Evidently, I was bad and couldn’t see it or not good enough; consequently, I concluded I was the little child Jesus just did not love.
After I reached adulthood, however, I realized everyone’s life is made up of challenges. We all have struggles. Bad things can happen to anyone, not just me. We all go from one challenge to another. We succeed and we fail. I decided that although some of my “hard times” and the “stuff” seemed unbearable, I just had to survive it or die. I chose to live.
Then came the realization that I chose life, but I was not living. I was merely surviving from day to day. When I read the scripture in John 10:10 “…I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly,” I knew something was wrong. Jesus did not intend for me to survive—to just exist. He meant for me to live. And live meant to thrive—to grow, prosper, and function well in every aspect of my life. I wanted that! But why the severity of the trials if He wanted me to have life?
In the process of finding that answer, I slowly recognized the challenges, the trials, and the things God allows are the way God purifies me. He said he chose me in the fires of affliction (Isaiah 48:10). Job said (Job 23:10) “But He knoweth the way that I take: when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.”
Caregiver to a Cancer Survivor
If you are a parent, not just someone who has a child with whom you share DNA, you are a caregiver.
That’s a reality parents just accept.
Caregiving for mothers begins the moment we know we are pregnant. For fathers, it begins the moment he gets the news, “I’m pregnant!” “We’re pregnant!” “We’re going to have a baby!”
Abuse Survivor
Abuse is a subject that few want to think about, much less talk about. That is the primary reason it can go on for so long. I am no different.
Although I wanted to talk about what I experienced, growing up in a time when children were “seen and not heard”, it was best that a child learned to keep his/her mouth closed at a young age.
In this age of telling everything, there are still millions of men and women who suffer in silence, tormented by memories of a yesterday it was not safe to talk about. They have managed to survive an abuse crucible, often just barely.
Fear kept them silent.
Parenting Disabled Adults
I found a poem written by Emily Perl Kingsley entitled, “Welcome to Holland” as I sat in the Early Intervention Program’s waiting room at Legacy Emanuel Hospital in Portland, Oregon.
As I read it, the poem made complete sense, even though I became the intentional parent/caregiver of children who were expected to have special needs.
Since I planned for these babies, why did I seem so overwhelmed? I had special training in special education and fostering children who were affected by prenatal substance abuse, yet I so often felt lost.
Why? Why was I struggling?
A Whole New Collection
Organizations we find helpful and supportive
 TigerlilyTigerlily Foundation is a national breast cancer foundation providing education, awareness, advocacy and hands-on support to young women (15-45) – before, during and after breast cancer. |  Mental Health AmericaMHA’s programs and initiatives fulfill its mission of promoting mental health and preventing mental illness through advocacy, education, research and services |  Rights of EqualityRights of Equality is an advocacy platform advancing gender equality and women’s rights globally. Our mission is to use digital media to educate, engage and empower the communities to fight against harmful socio-cultural and systemic issues which oppress women and girls |  Administration for Community LivingThe National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA) supports, empowers, educates, and speaks up for the more than 50 million Americans who care for a chronically ill, aged, or disabled loved one. |  Stop AbuseStop Domestic Violence, Child Abuse and Elder Abuse. |  Divorce CareDivorced and needing help It was the early ’90s, and a young man named Steve Grissom was looking for help. He was divorced, and he needed support and advice from people who truly understood just how hard it was to go through divorce. He couldn’t find exactly what he needed. |  Domestic Violence AwarenessThe Hotline can be accessed via the nationwide number 1−800−799−SAFE(7233) or TTY 1−800−787−3224 or (206) 518-9361 (Video Phone Only for Deaf Callers |
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 American Cancer SocietyWhether you or a loved one are worried about developing breast cancer, have just been diagnosed, are going through breast cancer treatment, or are trying to stay well after treatment, this detailed information can help you find the answers you need. |  Comfort KeepersWe Are Comfort Keepers Comfort Keepers provides award-winning in-home care for seniors and adults who need assistance at home. Our expert-trained home care aides let your loved one remain at home for as long as safely possible, a dream come true for many seniors. Caregivers have one goal: enriching the lives of our clients and their families. We achieve this by maintaining their safety, well-being, and comfort as they continue to live independently. In-home care gives seniors freedom despite lim |  Grand FamiliesGrandfamilies.org serves as a national legal resource in support of grandfamilies within and outside the child welfare system. Our Mission: Educate individuals about state laws, legislation and policy in support of grandfamilies Assist interested policymakers, advocates, caregivers, and attorneys in exploring policy options to support relatives and the children in their care Provide technical assistance and training |  Maggie-DentCommonly known as the ‘queen of common sense’, Maggie Dent has become one of Australia’s favourite parenting authors and educators. She has a particular interest in the early years, adolescence and resilience, and is an undisputed ‘boy champion’. |  Childrens BureauSince 1904, Children’s Bureau has been a private, nonprofit leader in preventing child abuse and neglect and treating children who have suffered. Our innovative, comprehensive services help thousands of at-risk children and parents annually from 20 community sites in Los Angeles and Orange Counties. Our research and evaluation efforts and advocacy inform the child welfare arena on local, state and national levels. |  Autism SpeaksAutism Speaks Walk is the world's largest autism fundraising event dedicated to supporting the needs of people with autism and their families throughout their life’s journey. The Autism Speaks Walk brings together people with autism and the parents, grandparents, siblings, friends, relatives and providers in a network of friendship and support. Funds raised help fuel innovative research, advocacy, and critical programs and services. Together, we are creating a world where all people with autism |
Alethea
Skinner
Author/
Photographer
As she travels the United States and other parts of the world, Alethea seeks to inspire others to take a closer look at the artistic beauty around them.
She invites the viewer to study the dewdrops on leaves and petals, observe the spider hiding beneath a leaf, the blossoms against a cloudless sky, to embrace the majesty of a thundering waterfall or towering mountain reflected in the crystal water below it.
In her images, she seeks to capture God’s created work in a way that inspires the viewer to exclaim “My God, how great thou art.
Sometimes we get ourselves into things ~
and need a little help to get out.
