Shake the Dust — and Move on
by
Book Cover & Preview Text
(Chapter IV, selected excerpts from pp. 21-25)
Each person mentioned in this chapter has a memorable message. Each is a model for taking life's misfortunes and masterfully crafting them into powerfully positive new paths of achievement. Each of these individuals might have settled into the emotions of despondency and defeat. No one could criticize them if they had camped out permanently in the Slough of Despair, but they didn't. The average person can learn much from these super hero mortals who often with humor, gratitude, and gallantry shook the dust of defeat and adversity and moved on.
Such fortitude can be found in other areas of life. My sister-in-law's brother, Benny, was greatly destressed over an unalterable state legislated decision to build a highway through his property. Benny, at first, protested the decision. Then, when it seemed there was no further recourse, he accepted plans for the inevitable, obtrusive highway to run through his property and destroy much of his farmland.
With revenue from the forced sale of his property, Benny decided to build a grocery shopette with gas pumps and locate it on the edge of the new highway. His country convenience store was in an ideal location between two small Missouri Ozark towns on Highway 60. Instead of wallowing in self-pity, Benny shook the dust, and moved on to greater financial success and satisfaction than he could have ever dreamed (21-22).
As Michael Jordan once said, "Obstacles don't have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don't turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it." The important thing is to shake the dust, and start moving (23).
Application: What would you most like to do in life if you knew there was absolutely nothing holding you back? Ask God to mold your dream to fit you personally and focus you in the right direction to make it a reality.
Pause and Ponder: Instead of following well-worn paths formed by others, consider how you can blaze a trail for others to follow.
Word Power: "I can do everything through him who gives me strength" (Philippians 4:13).
Body Builders
1. What unalterable circumstances have you faced? How have such circumstances affected you?
2. How do you explain tragedy to a person who blames God for it?
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Book Details
About the Book
Shake the Dust and Move on is a positive, inspiring book that reminds the reader that setbacks, failures, and misfortunes are a part of life, but they do not have to dominate a person's life. While there are numerous "Stick to it and Succeed" themes in print, this book is about the power of letting go. It recognizes that yielding can be as forceful as resisting and that letting go of negative emotions and situations frees individuals to use their energy and talent in creative, productive ways.
The author calls upon her own experience as a counselor, wife, and mother of three adult children. She reveals how she has personally shaken the dust from some tough situations and moved on. There are also inspiring quotes and examples from the lives of famous people who have overcome many obstacles. The book examines some of life's most challenging issues and encourages readers to lead overcoming lives themselves.
This book is based on scripture and provides biblical models to support its theme. It is a concise, easy to read book packed with life-changing opportunities for readers to make their own personal applications. In addition, the author uses her skills as a teacher to provide stimulating questions for further thought and discussion at the end of each chapter--making this an excellent book for personal or small group study.
About the Author
Marcia Shepherd is a career educator with more than twenty years experience teaching developmental and college credit composition. Her teaching career followed her husband's former military assignments and provided opportunities to work for three universities and two community colleges. She also worked as an English teacher, counselor, and elementary principal during her thirteen years at Hampton Christian Schools. Marcia has served as a staff writer for both a military and a civilian newspaper. In addition, Marcia has published articles in Officer's Christian Fellowship, Command. While working as a stay at home mom with three children, Marcia wrote a weekly newspaper column, "Counselor's Viewpoint," published in The Mountain View Standard and The Thayer Gazette. Marcia is currently employed as the senior instructional assistant in the Thomas Nelson Community College Writing Center, Hampton, VA.
Credentials include: B.S. in English Education, Truman University, Kirksville, Missouri; M.S. in counseling, Missouri State University, Springfield, Missouri; Postgraduate work in English Education, Century University, Albuquerque, NM; Postgraduate Professional License in English, speech, and counseling from the Commonwealth of VA
In addition to her passion for writing, Marcia loves to travel and spend time with her family. She and her husband, Bob, have been married 35 years. Teaching is a common theme in Marcia's family. Her husband is a former teacher. Their daughter, Sarah, is a teacher, and their two sons, Rob and Jon, each married teachers. Marcia also enjoys being a part of the creative atmosphere and dynamic spiritual growth at Waters Edge Church, Yorktown, VA.