Changing the World, One Woman at a Time

Past into Purpose Series, Post #8:  This series is intended to introduce you to the women on the Your Life Still Counts Contributor Team whose inspiring stories of pain into purpose were selected for inclusion in the book. To read the full story of each contributor, click here to purchase your copy of Your Life Still Counts and be inspired to allow God to turn your past into your purpose too.

 Please Meet Bonnie Wallace

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Bonnie Wallace lives in Fort Mill, South Carolina, and ministers to hundreds of women through her blog posts. She partners with other ministries to reach women with cancer diagnoses through awareness, fundraising, and helping with physical needs. She is in the process of writing a Bible study based on Psalm 84:5–7 and has plans for a devotion book for women struggling with cancer. Her heart is also to reach the hearts of other women in all walks of life and inspire them to be the hands and feet of Jesus in big and little ways. Find out more about Bonnie at her blog, www.bonniejwallace.org.

 

My Interview With Bonnie

What made you want to contribute your story to Your Life Still Counts?

Bonnie: I want women to know that every circumstance, every struggle, every need and every connection is intricately and divinely orchestrated by God to bring hope to another woman. There is not one detail that God does not purpose for His glory if we ask Him to open our eyes and see. God’s faithfulness in our past is proof of His goodness for our future. Life is messy and unbearable at times but Jesus wants to strengthen us each step of the way until the day we experience His ultimate strength; the one that overcame death, and we see Him face-to-face. He gives us strength in numbers when we call out to one another and say, “Come! Let’s go to the House of the Lord, together” Being a contributor for Your Life Still Counts helps me share the truth that, with Jesus, our past never wins!

Love that statement Bonnie! The past never has a hold on us if we surrender to Jesus, and it’s so true that Jesus always wins. In fact, the battle is already won!  So how has God opened doors for you to do ministry or touch other’s hearts since you stepped out in obedience to share your story?

Bonnie: God has given me great friendships that encourage me to learn and grow in online, and in-person, ministry outreach. I have a husband who suffers long with me when I am ready to give up and together with him and God,  they keep me moving forward. God has opened doors to speak and regularly write for online, devotional and newsprint publications as well as my own blog that encourages women to Live Like You Know … where you are going. I also help lead a fast-growing Facebook community called The Consilium – a collective where wisdom meets grace, for women who are in the second season of life (age 45+ typically).  I’ve become a Voice of Advocacy for Bible Translation through volunteering and the creation of Bloggers for Possible. Glory be to God!

That’s awesome Bonnie. God is doing great things in you and through you! And I personally love the community that takes place at The Consilium Facebook page. So has God blessed you in any special way for your obedience in sharing your story and being a part of YLSC?

Bonnie: Oh, yes! The “not so pretty” truth of this matter is that there are many times when I want to quit and the only thing that keeps me holding on is obedience. I cannot measure hope that’s been given and I cannot hold a changed heart in my hand. In my limited mind the fruit does not always seem to equal the cost of time and energy. It’s here that I must get on my knees and ask for forgiveness and strength. It’s in these desperate moments that Jesus brings me a kind word, an invitation or an online hug. And then I can say, “Yes, Lord. One more day.”

Do you have one example of how God has used your story recently to impact someone’s heart or life?

Bonnie: The sad truth is that I have not met one person who has not been affected by cancer in some way. When I take the time to stop,  listen and say, “I know. Let me tell you what God has showed me” those beautiful souls’ eyes fill with tears and they know their Lord knows where they are.

That is so true, and a testament to what God can do through us as we go through our daily routines if we are willing to be willing to invest in others and listen and love. So have you felt called to do anything new lately like a new project or ministry endeavor?

Bonnie: I would like to develop some very simple, practical resources that help women reach out to others, with God’s hope, in their every-day world. I am praying for God to provide for the vision I have of women changing the world One Woman at a Time. I am in the process of writing an eBook to help women have confidence in their every-day, God-ordained purpose.

Since we’ve had a chance to chat personally about your vision, I am so excited for you and will be praying for God to bring that dream to fruition! I feel confident the resources you have in mind would impact the faith walks of many women. So aside from working on that aspect of your ministry, what are your most passionate about right this minute?

Bonnie: Not long ago Jesus told me, “Stop being about, being about women’s ministry and see the one right in front of you.” I am passionate about not missing the divine appointments He orchestrates at the grocery store, restaurant, car rider line or anywhere else I might be in person or online. God reminds me that every connection, online or in person, is an opportunity for hope to be given to the women He loves.

Wow, if we all embrace that mindset, the world would be a better place. 🙂  If you had to name one thing that you are most thankful to God for, what would it be?

Bonnie: I thank Jesus for opening my eyes to the reality of heaven. Although I have been a Christian since age eleven, I had always viewed my life as a series of struggles that somehow ended haphazardly in Heaven. It was through cancer that God answered the hard questions of life through His daily presence.

It sounds like God has placed a lot of dreams in your heart right now, and I know you’re praying through them and working towards them. Are any of these things outside of your comfort zone? 

Bonnie: It’s ALL out of my comfort zone! I have never been in love with words or desired to have a blog or a book. Every word I type is a struggle that keeps me desperate for God. If there is any wisdom, encouragement or strength given it is because Jesus has provided. My voice does not come from a place of expertise or mastery rather, it is what God wants me to hear, learn and live.

What are you most excited about regarding how God has turned your past into your purpose?

Bonnie: That Jesus would take a wretch like me and allow me to participate in His work just Rocks. My. World! This grace and this mercy cause me to anticipate God’s presence every day. What on earth could be more exciting that!

How might people best pray for you at this time in your life?

Bonnie: My prayer is that I will stay centered in the heart of God’s call to see, really see, the women He connects me with. I want to take my little piece of the plan and do it well. I want to be an inch wide and a mile deep, not a mile wide and an inch deep. I am beyond grateful and humbled that anyone would lift my needs. Thank you.

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Bonnie’s heart is set on the journey toward heaven and finding God-purpose in the seasons and struggles of life. Her passion is for women to know they are always moving from strength-to-strength until they see Jesus face-to-face. Bonnie is a cancer survivor, writer, speaker, and creator of the blog, LiveLikeYouKnow.com, You can connect with her through, email, her blog, Facebook, and Twitter.  If you subscribe to Bonnie’s blog, you’ll receive a Free 6-day Study Guide to help you Live Like You Know…where you are going. 

9 Comments

  1. Shelly Burke, Nebraska Family Times on Tuesday, January 20, 2015 at 10:04 am

    What an inspiring interview! I was especially encouraged by your words about obeying God when you want to quit. Often it is so hard to tell if our work is really making a difference, and I suppose we won’t know the full extent until we get to heaven. But no matter how many people we reach, our obedience to God is of the utmost importance. Numbers don’t matter to Him.

    THANK YOU for these words, Tracie and Bonnie!



    • Bonnie J. Wallace on Tuesday, January 20, 2015 at 11:41 am

      Shelley, thank you for taking the time to read and respond. I believe that obedience is a direct act of faith; believing the call and trusting God with the results. You are a woman who inspires me in her faithfulness to the ministry of the Gospel! Strength to strength, Bonnie



  2. teresa on Thursday, January 22, 2015 at 11:53 am

    Bonnie – besides that fact that i already know you’re A-MAZ-ING. you opened my eyes, and my heart to some of my own selfish God issues as well as why He keeps calling me to share my story. thank you. and one day, i don’t know when, but hopefully this side of glory we will meet face-to-face my friend. xoxox



    • Bonnie J. Wallace on Saturday, January 24, 2015 at 10:41 am

      Teresa, I am hoping for the same meeting and am believeing in the “one day”. Keep sharing your beautiful testimony of Jesus; God’s love story, lived first hand, through you! Love you friend! Strength to strength, Bonnie



  3. Rhonda Quaney on Thursday, January 22, 2015 at 5:09 pm

    Your words really captured my heart and weekly struggle Bonnie.

    -These words: “The “not so pretty” truth of this matter is that there are many times when I want to quit and the only thing that keeps me holding on is obedience. I cannot measure hope that’s been given and I cannot hold a changed heart in my hand. In my limited mind the fruit does not always seem to equal the cost of time and energy. It’s here that I must get on my knees and ask for forgiveness and strength. It’s in these desperate moments that Jesus brings me a kind word, an invitation or an online hug. And then I can say, “Yes, Lord. One more day.” Those words are gold.

    Sometimes I have such a deep sense that I am exactly where I am suppose to be, and other times I find myself asking the Lord, if what I’m doing is really Him and or if it is me and my ideas. I question if what I am doing really matters and if this is Him, why does it seem so often seem so difficult. I

    I adore your soul. You have deeply impacted and encouraged me and you are right, I don’t know how to measure the worth of that. Priceless really.



    • Kathy Burrus on Friday, January 23, 2015 at 8:29 am

      Wow! I read the article, and then your comment Rhonda. I realized I’ve been living with clinched teeth, trying to do the next right thing- out of desperation, not obedience. As soon as I read your words I knew. In an effort to “see” results, I began to say, ” come on, God gave you this opportunity! You can do this!” But I can’t! Not alone! Not without him!

      I will let my desperation take me to the feet of Jesus and say ”Yes Lord! One more day!”

      Thanks for the heart check!
      Kathy



      • Bonnie J. Wallace on Saturday, January 24, 2015 at 11:08 am

        Kathy, as I read your comment it occurs to me that my desperation and obedience are tightly woven together.

        As I mentioned to Rhonda, I am trying to OWN this state of being. And perhaps what God is summing up in my heart is that the intertwining of one, is necessary fuel for the other? Maybe, for us, they cannot be separated and this is God’s intention. Perhaps this is a special gift, from the Lord? And the result? Humility and courage to keep going.

        Thank you for allowing me to share my thoughts out loud. I have a feeling I will be thinking through your words, and searching out Scripture, for a while about this. Thank you for encouraging me to go deeper! Strength to strength, Bonnie



    • Bonnie J. Wallace on Saturday, January 24, 2015 at 10:52 am

      Rhonda, I find that my internal struggle to be used by Jesus is a driving force of humility and desperation that pleases God. In my study of my “Ah ha!” verse, Psalm 84:5-7, I have learned that Believers have a double portion of grief. One is for their own sin and the other is for the burdens of others. I am currently asking God to help me embrace this state of being and OWN it. It is difficult. I see this struggle as the ebbs and flows imbedded in the ebbs and flows.

      Beautiful friend, can I just tell you that your outreach does make a difference? I am able to share this, as a direct recipient, of your encouragement.

      Let’s keep cheering each other forward until we see Jesus Face-to-face.

      Hugging you across the internet! Strength to strength, Bonnie



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Tracie Miles is a bestselling author and the Director of COMPEL Training with Proverbs 31 Ministries.  She helps women grow stronger in their faith, pursue the life of purpose God designed them for and live a life of peace, joy and happiness despite their circumstances.

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