Shannon R. Hess

Hey friends! I hope this wild ride has not been to rough on you. Myself, well it’s been almost a year since I wrote here. I’ve been at home (like everyone else, right ha!) But I’ve been being quiet, or trying to be. Last March, I felt the Lord really calling me into the secret place, away from all the words everywhere being yelled out. We all have a voice, and that voice matters. But the only word and voice that truly, eternally matters is God’s. All others words and voices need to be checked with that standard.

It was not easy for me, I have a passion for words and for people to be loved and treated well and to know the truth. But I choose to be obedient, and stay home and write, pray (a lot of that) and really focus on my kids (the two still at home, and the one serving our nation over seas), my husband, and our family and covenant friendship.

Friend is such a complex, covenant word. If you think about it. We are called to love everyone, but not to be in covenant with everyone. That’s an intimate, trusting, vulnerable place. In John 15:15 We read Jesus saying “No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, because all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you.” A friend is willing to die for you, willing to open the door at any time day or night. No matter what is going on. A friend doesn’t say “sorry, there is a virus out there, I can’t help you.” What we have witnessed the last year, is astounding to me. Such an uncovering, a deep plunge into what words really mean. Most words require action to be believed. Do not misunderstand me, from the beginning of this I have felt the Lord clearly saying that what some feel called to do will be different than others. I know the virus is real and I believe out of love for each other we should take precautions and show respect for choice. I know it has taken life. But what in the life doesn’t hold that risk?

I’m not here to live forever, safe and alone in my home. Side note: neither are you.

I believe the curve ball we were thrown called 2020 did give many perfect vision, clarity. I know for me it was a very productive year…. it’s wasn’t easy. There is a difference. But I tried my best to slow down and tune out the loud scream of the world and replace it with the still small voice of the only One who can truly make a way through anything we face. In that place I worked on two books I’m almost finished writing, and I birthed a whole new project that I can’t wait to share with you all.

Grace Journeys is a subscription letter service geared for children. A monthly letter from the mission field, different nations and history, fun facts, culture, language and food and and art work – occasionally recipes and games and most importantly Prayer Prompts for each nation. That part is my favorite, can you imagine a whole group of kids all around the nation or world praying for the same thing each month! Wow- that though makes me weep with joy. Grace Journeys- not only is it about a missionary named Grace journeying around the globe living the great commission. It’s also based on the fact stated in Ephesians 2:8 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith- and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.”- none of us could be the love and light or Christ with out His grace. Never forget that.

Grace Journeys letters are written by (me) as a fictional character named Grace, who’s name and image I took from my own daughter Grace and a lot of the information in the letters are from our own mission Journeys as well as others who are close to us who have permission to share. This project was birthed out of series of dreams I had last fall about God’s heart for the nations and for children in this hour.

We are going to see the greatest move of God ever, and I’m so excited to be part of the time we are living in. We know that when it seems the darkest and we feel the most weak … that my friends is where God shines the brightest and He is strongest in our weakest. Do not be afraid, and do not sit down. Now is the time for bold courage!

I love you all- and I’m so thankful for the support you have shown me along the way. I am happy to be here and look forward to being back on a weekly writing schedule.

Keep watch on Grace Journeys- I’ll be providing the how to subscribe information soon. Also find us on Instagram @ grace_journeys_

Blessings, Shannon