Tammy Mashburn is a living testimony to God’s great grace and Paul’s scripture:
2 Corinthians 12:9
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
It was a hot summer day when I met Tammy for a special luncheon. I found joy in her eyes and a humble and beautiful spirit.
I read her blog for poetry that I find there. Her words touch you to the core. One of my favorite posts include these words that sing from the screen:
The imprint of him on me, the missing socks,
his aloneness, another sweet moment of God’s grace.
Just days ago, I cried. I wanted to give up on the medicine, the side effects.
Take my chances in the fragile bones.
Just days ago, I cried. I wanted to give up the medicine, the side effects. Take my chances in the fragile bones. Click To Tweet
Like me she was also invited to be a contributor to the book:
You can order your copy here . Or here. (Affiliate link) All proceeds for this book will be divided equally between two ministries in South Africa: The Vine School in Cape Town, and The Ten Dollar Tribe.
I know her profile will bless your socks off today. Enjoy!
Tammy Mashburn: Biography
Sharing life with my husband of twenty-nine years in the beautiful foothills of South Carolina, in I a place I often refer to as The Wilderness Place. Together we share four children, ten precious grandchildren, and one good dog, Lola. After one chronic illness stacked on top the other, I am learning a quieter way of life. I love to read, write, and listen to podcasts. I co-teach adult Sunday school and lead a women’s connection group. My heart is for ministry, sharing my story, and encouraging others, a sweet place in the unholy hard, walking through the daily-ness of chronic illness.
Tammy Mashburn : Gospel story, How she came to know Christ as her Savior.
I came to know Christ in a small mountain church as a teenager. Poor choices led me down crooked paths. After a season in a pit of darkness, it was later in life, when a yearning to know God intimately became a fire in my soul. Tending the fire deep inside, I have fallen passionately in love with Him.
Her Favorite Verse and How It Became Important to Her
After the pit, the scripture I prayed daily;
Psalms 37:4
Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
As a former pit dweller, bound in the darkness of sin, I prayed for the desire of my heart be to love God above all else, and to fall in love with him new every day.
As a former pit dweller, bound in the darkness of sin, I prayed the desire of my heart love God above all else Click To Tweet
Later, in the hard of life, I cling to Habakkuk’s words in Habakkuk 3:17-19.
Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the LORD! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights.
Her Blogging Story
One year after being diagnosed with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, I felt God nudging me to share my story.
Her Blogging Mission
When I first began to blog, I shared encouraging words for women, never really sharing my personal battle of living with chronic illness. Slowly God led me to share my story. Today, I write through the lens of chronic illness, sharing God’s grace and provision along this journey. To encourage others who may feel hopeless or depressed, pointing to the hope of salvation and a God who may lead us into deeper waters, but never leaves us alone.
Her Top Three Posts Based on Readership Statistics
31 Days Walking Through Chronic Illness (series)
When Grace Shows Up Without Socks
Her Three Favorite Posts
When Your Cup Overflows In a Dry Wasteland
What Inspires Her to Write for Christ?
Mmm, that’s a deep question. I want others to know the Jesus that loves us unconditionally, even unto the depths of hell. The Jesus I am in love with. To know the hope of salvation. To find His peace in the hard and unanswered questions. Grace. To know His grace as a healing balm. To experience Him in the ordinary and the extraordinary.
Her Favorite Song
Oceans by Hillsong United
Authors Who Inspire Her or Motivate Her to Write
Ann Voskamp, Jennifer Dukes Lee, Emily P. Freeman, Christy Purifoy, Amber Haines, Seth Haines, and many more
A Personal Blogging Story
Through my series, 31 Days Walking Through Chronic Illness, last October I was contacted by a precious young lady I had been estranged from for sixteen years. Our stories different, yet similar, sharing the common thread of illness, relationship was built. Tearing down old walls and rebuilding new relationship has been by far the greatest gift I have received through my writing. To see God tear down the old and rebuild new is sacred ground.
Her Blogging Tips
Not to compare yourself to others or get caught up in numbers and building platform. To know in your heart, if God has called you to write, to share your story, obedience in and of itself is most important. The best advice I received and carry with me in this writing journey, is this. If I am reaching one person, one, if my story touches and encourages one heart, then I am doing what counts! To look to Jesus, who often left the crowds, going out of his way to reach one.
Last Minute Thoughts On Inspiration and Uplifting
Hearing the stories of others, watching the joy on their face as they share where God meets them, or hearing it through the words they write. These inspire. My sweet man, my family, my community, and the sacred times I share with God are the things that uplift me.
Tammy Mashburn : Social Media Links
You can connect with Tammy Mashburn on her blog, Facebook page, Twitter, and Instagram.
Your turn: What inspired you most about Tammy Mashburn and her blogging story? Have you read her blog and what do you find inspirational about it?
Contributing to many linkup communities listed on my Linkup Parties page,
Be sure to check out my introduction post to see more features of inspirational Christian women bloggers.
Your positive faith and energy is infectious Tammy! People like you give renewed hope towards life and loving it with all the heart and total faith. Despite suffering from chronic pain, I never found the most widely asked question in such circumstances, why me? in your writing. Kudos and thanks!
John Gatesby recently posted…ORTHOSTATIC INTOLERANCE
Our bodies may not co-operate with us, but as long as our spirit, and soul reach out to God and we share inspiring stories with others, God is pleased. We have an active blogger who contributes each week from her bed of sickness – – http://ourhealingmoments.com/ You might enjoy checking out her site. Thank you for sharing with us here at Tell me a Story.
Hazel Moon recently posted…Take My Yoke for it is Easy
Love love this woman!
Tammy, thank you for sharing your story here and on your blog. We need so much help in knowing how to minister to those who suffer.
Michele Morin recently posted…Standing and Waiting with Those Who Suffer
It is so nice to meet you, Tammy! I, too, suffer from a chronic illness, but the Lord continues to use that for His good through my writing and speaking time and time again. Praying for healing over your body and for your ministry. I’d love to have you on my podcast sometime! <3 HUGS!
I’ve gotten to know Tammy over the course of recent months and she is a dear friend. She is funny, witty, and holy. She enjoys laughter and she loves her family well. She has become another one of my great downloaded blessings!
Susan Shipe recently posted…Day 24: Jesus, Way Truth Life