Recent \"Well\" Comments

Comment on It is Good: Seasons in a Career

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:11:40 -0600

re: It is Good: Seasons in a Career

"I too believe Dr. Hall is honoring God's call on her life in her career and with her family. Many women in our audience are professionals or academics who take seasons in their lives to pursue alternative work and service during which time they may also be raising children. Articles such as this can be very helpful to them and to those considering a change in the direction of their lives. That being said, we at "The Well" understand there is a real hunger to hear more from women who have families and are also working full-time or pursuing challenging academic and professional programs, as seen from the response to Dear Mentor: Is it possible to have a family and an academic career? It is clear from the discussion that there are many more stories to be told and no one "right" solution to a life lived faithfully in response to God's call. Articles posted at "The Well" which address this topic or may be of interest in this discussion include Call Waiting, Working Families: Navigating the Demands and Delights of Marriage, Parenting, and Career, The Good Life, and When Blessing Cries. And we would welcome more! If you would be willing to write about your experience, please send a response here...." read on »

Comment on It is Good: Seasons in a Career

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:16:25 -0600

re: It is Good: Seasons in a Career

"Thanks, Dr. Hall, for sharing your story with us. As an internal medicine resident, with years of training behind me, and Lord-willing, a few more ahead of me, I am in full agreement that the road is not straight (despite what an academic culture may suggest). I also agree that the seasons and opportunities along the way are very good. I respectively disagree with Dana's comment, and fully support that Dr. Hall IS honoring God's call on her life with her calling as a physician, wife, mother, servant, volunteer, neighbor, etc. I can honestly say that God has shaped my life and career through choosing to "slow down the fast track," and am grateful for the opportunities I've had to serve in places like Haiti, Nigeria, the southside of Pittsburgh. For me, the issue is not based on the presence of kids or not (though, I don't have any), but rather on finding my identity first in God and pursuing things that are life-giving and God-honoring, both within my "official" career path and in the fullness of life...." read on »

Comment on It is Good: Seasons in a Career

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 11:21:27 -0600

re: It is Good: Seasons in a Career

"While I appreciate and respect Dr. Hall's comments and choices, it was disappointing to me to find an article like this in The Well. I have many, many opportunities to talk to and read about (in "traditional values" media outlets) Christian women who left or slow-tracked their careers to stay home with young children. In contrast, I have very few chances to interact with women who are simultaneously trying to honor God's call on their lives in their careers AND their families. ..." read on »

Comment on It is Good: Seasons in a Career

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 21:25:28 -0500

re: It is Good: Seasons in a Career

"It was a blessing to read this article! I have a 6 month old little girl, and at the beginning, staying at home with her was very scary, to say the least. I worked full time as a university instructor, so becoming a full time mom and being on call 24 hours a day, was a true career change, and a very challenging one!. I prayed for God to open my eyes to see things from His perspective and He showed me that at this season of my life, being with my little girl was His perfect will for me. It has not been easy, but it has been so rewarding!! Watching my baby grow and change everyday, and being able to hold her and kiss her when she cries, it`s the most fulfilling job I ever had. God`s perfect will is not always easy or comfortable, but it always gives the joy of the Lord, which becomes our strength and gives us His peace...." read on »

Comment on Bangui Memories

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:54:01 -0500

re: Bangui Memories

"Hope, you have a beautiful name. I am a student at Berry College and have had your dear father as a professor a few times now. He emailed me this site and I am so glad! I have gotten to talk with him about my love for West Africa. My eyes teared up a bit as I read through your heartfelt entry. To give you some encouragement, I spent 6 months in Ghana and Burkina Faso with the IMB. Even today, I recall so many details which at the time seemed so insignificant. I can picture the ride to the market, the ride out into the village, the smell of a coming rain, the smiles of each person we built a friendship with, the hot, sticky, seemingly endless nights (I sometimes wish it were 95 degrees at night), the night we left and our neighbor surprised us at the airport wearing his nicest outfit, baby geckos mindlessly climbing the walls calling to each other, and so much more. It is coming on three years and it seems like yesterday that I left. Your memories will come as you lie awake at night, wishing for heat. They will come as your heart longs for another home. I am so excited you got to experience this and I truly hope you get to return. I also know I question sometimes if I said the right words to make God's name known. But I have to trust that His voice is bigger, louder, and more beckoning than mine could ever be. You have faces and names to pray for now so never forget that. :)..." read on »

Comment on It is Good: Seasons in a Career

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:41:41 -0500

re: It is Good: Seasons in a Career

"This is not any easy decision, nor is it for everyone, but it is commendable. Work will remain; children don't remain small. When your children are grown, may they remember a 'mom who was there.'..." read on »

Comment on Reflection: The Given Life

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:46:48 -0500

re: Reflection: The Given Life

"Kelly, Thanks so much for sharing this beautiful reflection on the vocation to live a season in the sandwich. I'm there too, and it really encourages me to hear your glimpses of God's tender faithfulness to you as you have embraced the full life God has sent your way. ..." read on »

Comment on Along the Way: Minding the Gap

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 19:53:58 -0500

re: Along the Way: Minding the Gap

"Amazing. You are so articulate even through your pain. Thank you for sharing this piece with us and for using your life as a living testimony. You really have changed my life. Love, Ashley-Grace..." read on »

Comment on Dear Mentor: Can a Christian couple choose to not have children?

Sat, 03 Oct 2009 18:01:21 -0500

re: Dear Mentor: Can a Christian couple choose to not have children?

"This post was a blessing! I'm 32, recently married, and extremely torn over whether to have kids. As a Christian, I feel I should--not to mention, I've been getting a lot of pressure from friends and family. On the other hand, I'm beginning to believe (quite strongly) that I shouldn't have children. I'll have to pray about this, but this article really gave me a sense of peace that I haven't felt in a long time. Thank you...." read on »

Comment on Reflections: Parted on the Wrong Side

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 09:25:43 -0500

re: Reflections: Parted on the Wrong Side

"wonderful! You described my life so much of the time! Knowing how to manage the mix and when to change is hard for many of us, I imagine. Thanks..." read on »