Episode 39: Turning grief to gratitude with Sharon Engram

Happy Thanksgiving! We are so excited for this week's episode of The Stories Collective as we're sharing the conversation we got to have with Sharon Engram. This conversation is especially pertinent for this week as Sharon shares with Sarah about having a spirit of thanksgiving and gratitude all lifelong no matter the circumstance. So much of what we know as life at Desert Springs would not be possible without the couple and family we're talking about today. Sarah and Sharon met for coffee before recording and the question became, "how do we fit 60 years of marriage and ministry into an hour conversation?" We did our best to do that for you 🙂 You will be greatly encouraged by even just a snapshot of the Engram legacy. Sharon has known the Lord since childhood but in college she really surrendered her life in service to Him. Sharon married Pastor Don Engram in 1959 which began 60 years together of ministry and life serving the Lord. They raised four children together and really desired to include them in the ministry work that they were doing. The Engrams served in multiple compacities across the Midwest, from Michigan to Illinois to Ohio and eventually ended up at Palmcroft Church in Arizona in 1988. Sharon shares so many amazing stories with us about being involved in the early years of Youth for Christ and what it was like being a Senior Pastor's wife for decades and the meaningful ministry that came from that. She reminds us that when you are where God wants you there is a contentment and joy that comes from that. In 2017, Sharon was with her husband when he was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia. The doctors said he did not have much time left but God graciously granted him two more years before he went to be with the Lord in August 2019. This loss was felt deeply by many but especially by Sharon. As we now know, just 6 months later the entire world would be thrown into chaos due to the covid-19 pandemic. Sharon walks us through her grief journey and how the isolation during the pandemic turned her to thankfulness and eventually a passion for writing and reaching other widows. Your heart will be uplifted and turned to gratitude, and we encourage you to spend some time thanking God today!

Surviving Widowhood Devotional: https://www.amazon.com/Surviving-Widowhood-40-Devotions-Hope/dp/1646456688/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1HLAJA7SNCJ0C&keywords=surviving+widowhood&qid=1669057946&sprefix=surviving+widowhood%2Caps%2C125&sr=8-1

Listen to the Beautifully Broken Podcast with Lori Rohlinger + Sharon Engram wherever you listen to podcasts 🎧

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