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Jenn's avatar

Exactly… too much safety suffocates freedom ❤️. Well said, Deb. How are you and your family? Sending you so much love ❤️

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Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

Hey Jenn! We are doing okay. I think reality comes as we work through our life and realize he's not there. For John it's very real and hard. It was the one brother that mentored him, appreciated him and stood by his side in all he did. Gives me tears saying that. Thank you for finding me here and for your love always. About to checkin on you and I saw this! Too good 🙏🏻✨🙌🏻😘

Have a peaceful weekend. Sending you so much love. ox

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Jenn's avatar

I am so sorry that tragedy has touched your family and your husband. I will continue in prayer on your behalf ❤️. Sending you all my love.

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Rosemary Van Gelderen's avatar

Oh, Deborah! How lovely is it to meet like-minded friends here who can so succinctly point out many of the wrongs in our world that need to be righted. My biggest disappointment in the last 5 years has been in the church and how quickly the pages that speak discernment were torn out and discarded and the government is my shepherd replaced Psalm 23.

I pray that you and yours are experiencing the love ad comfort of our Lord this week. 🩷

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Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

I 100% agree with you Rosemary! Idolatry/worship of government is/has destroyed this country. God is seemingly mad and at work - but it’s not going to be easy. It’s hard to trust anything anymore. It’s been very hard to find a church in SoCal since everything seemed to change during the pandemic. The church was divided as well. We probably have to commute which takes away the fellowship mid-week and community feel sometimes.

And thank you - Death really brings up a lot of memories and family dynamics along the way. I’m now sick fighting a cold and keeping going as best I can. I saw you wrote about losing your father? I must find the time to read more of your work. I feel very scattered and at a loss with Substack and the control over us here and pretty much everywhere. But we write to cleanse our soul and possibly to affect just one person maybe - so we carry on…

God Bless you friend and hope you and your daughter are feeling better now. ox

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Charles R. Jarvis's avatar

Deborah, I read this quickly last week and liked it. I re-read it this morning and loved it. I will read it again soon. I never do that, but this is as special as you are… because it’s from deep within. I want to grasp it more.

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Charles R. Jarvis's avatar

Deborah, I continue to be blessed every day!

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Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

Oh Charles, this made my day! Thank you. I’m now fighting a bit of a miserable cold and slow here on Substack. Thank you so much for reading this piece, and for your interest. I do tend to write between lines - but mainly, all I can think about these days is we have to find our way back. The American people have been duped for too long. As an immigrant, watching my dad and mom love and respect their journey in America, all I can think of is when did half this country lose their way and believe that worshiping or idolizing government was the way. We know there’s only one Way before all other ways. But I know that God is Sovereign and He’s on the move in a mighty way.

I hope you’re doing well. ox

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Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

Oh Charles, this made my day! Thank you. I’m now fighting a bit of a miserable cold and a slow here on Substack. Thank you so much for reading this piece, and for your interest. I do tend to write between lines - but mainly, all I can think about these days is we have to find our way back. The American people have been duped for too long. As an immigrant, watching my dad and mom love and respect their journey in America, all I can think of is when did half this country lose their way and believe that worshiping or idolizing government was the way. We know there’s only one Way before all other ways. But I know that God is Sovereign and He’s on the move in a mighty way.

I hope you’re doing well. ox

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Joan Stommen's avatar

I agree with Alexander… this is strong and profound, much to think about. I get mesmerized by your words, the way you put words together… not always sure what you’re saying; but knowing it’s from your heart and God’s hands. ☺️🫶I welcome your perspective…your faith in God and self. Love you, girl! Hugs for your John as he grieves and for you as you share such wonderful pieces we all need! Love you bunches my dearest friend! 🥰🤗🤗

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Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

How did I miss this dear friend? I did not mean to!! Life has been a little crazy lately but still no excuse! Thank you so very much for reading this and leaving me such a beautiful comment. Still watching my John work himself to the bone, but we are doing good. I think between the lines what I try and say is we have this one life, a Mary Oliver poem we all know. Right? We must choose to live it and go the way of letting go and letting. Sometimes going backwards to a natural way of living and thinking, loving, taking politics out of it and trusting in the process is best. Far more freeing. Love you. ox

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Clee Images's avatar

Love Cat Stevens, love this piece and love you!

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Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

And I missed your comment too Clee! Oh I did not mean to! I'm sorry!! Thank you so much! This means a ton to me. Love you back and all you do with the lens. I feel your heart. ox

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Clee Images's avatar

Never say you are sorry with me. It happens. ❤️❤️❤️

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Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

Thank you! Me too. I get it! It can be hard to keep up here :). oxoxox

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Alison Bull's avatar

Great article, Deborah. Hope you're doing well!

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Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

Oh and I missed your comment too friend! ugh! I don't know how? So here I am a whole month later! And now, after posting one little (and very meaningful) quote - I don't have a clue what God is up to but it's so nuts I can't find anything in my comments and I can't keep up with a plethora of beautiful over 40's that relate so bad to it!! It's really quite lovely and I just ask God what he has for me everyday I wake up? I think it's to keep being me. Not sure I was worth of all the new subscribers though? It's very new and strange to me. I've been speechless. I hope this finds you doing well Alison. We're doing good. Still watching John overwork since losing his brother. Life must be lived though - but I think he's working a bit too much (and he already out performs and works more than anyone I know!). It's a grief thing and it's hard to watch really :( Love you. Thank you. ox

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Alison Bull's avatar

It’s ok I’m missing everyone. I’ve been working FT for a few weeks and I have to catch up with everyone! I’m behind on reading, too. And writing. ✍️

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M H's avatar

Deborah l think you have said what l think in a different way.l am not well at the moment and not really taking part in Substack, just reading your words.I hope your pain is not too bad today.We must keep our hope going don't give up.God is with us all the way.Though sometimes I can only see God's work,in the sky the nature,the beauty of the world,the birds sing every day, except when they hide in the storm.Gods alive and saying.'This too shall pass.'God Bless you Deborah, and your family.🙏🕊️♥️ X.

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Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

Mary, for sure! never give up on what God has planned for us. To pray, seek His truth before man’s and keep going forward! America and it’s people have suffered lies and schemes for far too long. We have to take back our lives, day by day, and be fearless and confident that God’s got this. ox

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M H's avatar

Thanks Deborah God bless 🙏.

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SonOfaGunn4321's avatar

This is good...real good! ❤

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Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

Thank you so much brother. I love you. But you know that. ox

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Alexander Semenyuk's avatar

Very strong article, makes you really think about these issues and generalizing. Love Cat Stevens btw

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Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

Thank you so much Alex. I’m so happy you love Cat Stevens!! ox

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