Since I've started this site I've had this question asked of me several times, "What do you really do?", the implications of the question is clear. It convey's how unimportant, of how little value and what a waste of time it is, or how useless this ministry is in their eyes. I've often had the comments come my way that I'm not "contributing" to society as much as I should, and that the work doing this does not fit into that category. They are wrong, God thinks it does, and that's enough for me.
The mission of Two Sparrows Ministry, and an answer to the critics.
In 2009 the Lord began to speak to my heart about beginning this ministry, and for almost 3 years I delayed and argued with the Lord. I did not want to do it. I already knew the attacks that would be made on this kind of ministry; and that it wouldn't just come from the unbelieving world, it would come from churches, and other ministries. I was right, in even a greater way than I could ever imagine, that surpassed all my anticipations. But in 2011, I finally said yes, and began to make some steps to get this into motion.
The obstacles and attacks have been many, there are times I want to quit and am tempted to do so; but God shows up, and let's me know this is His work. That is what keeps me going.
The path, and the approach to this ministry is not set in concrete, I know full well that flexibility is very important, to allow for the Holy Spirit to let me know when something may have to be changed, stopped, or deleted. I just pray every day, and seek His will and do the best I am able, to carry out what I believe He is guiding me to do. That is what the first disciples had to learn in the book of Acts, rely on the Holy Spirit wherever they were sent, and whatever they were doing, right then in the moment.
As to the critics who feel this is a useless expense of time, I'll just point out these realities:
1. The Two Sparrows Ministry website was created by me in every way, I did not hire someone to design it, create the graphics, keep it updated regularly, monitor it, and get it back up and running again when I experience obstacles or cyber attacks; I handle all of this myself, from my own computer experience. I design the graphics that are put into it. Yes, it is a simple website compared to most, I'm not a computer expert, I do the best I am able to with the experiences I learned from working as a computer typesetter years ago, and ongoing learning capacity as I tackle each problem. When I attempt to publish certain topics that the computer tyrants such as Google, and facebook do not like; I experience an avalanche of obstacles, and troubles that would cause many to simply give up. I get angry, sputter, but do whatever I have to do to get it published. Then I take a day off, and get away from this, you have to if your going to keep doing this kind of work.
2. At 64 years old, my day starts between 4:00-5:00 a.m., every day. I have a home office, set up with the technology I need to get the tasks done, I work anywhere from 6 to 12 hours a day. I turn on this computer, and get coffee going, then monitor this site, and the facebook site. I do research every day on You tube, and websites that pertain to health issues, faith, teachings, health articles, videos, and blogs from other sites. I take the time to listen to them to evaluate whether it is something the Lord would have me post. I pray about everything that is posted here, I don't just put what I want here; He is the Authority behind this site. There have been times when I wanted to place something on it, and have had the Lord give a definite "no" to, and there have been times I've been shown to delete some things. Obedience is very important, no matter what the outcome.
3. I do not ask for money. I pay for the satellite time and other expenses of this ministry. I correspond with people around the world, without leaving my office. I minister to other's at times in my own area, and make private visits when asked to.
4. I don't pay attention to how small or insignificant this may look to anyone else. I'm simply doing what I know God had spoken to me to do in 2009. How far it ever goes, or how effective it may ever be, is in God's hands. I am doing what a simple woman, at 64 can do, and leaving the results to Him.
Now, I will just add this; during the years I took care of seniors, there were many in their 60's that I was caring for in nursing homes, and home health care. I also know of many of my age bracket now, who spend most of their entire day gossiping, playing useless video games on the computer and facebook, many other's who are sitting in depression and isolation, some hooked on drugs and alcohol, and aren't willing to make any changes to better their lives. They stubbornly stay in their long lived habits, and will until the day they die.
I'm taking care of myself, working about 10-12 hours a day, maintaining my own house, myself, asking nothing from anyone, and in debt to no one. I own my home, and spend many hours during summer month's gardening, kayaking, and other outdoor activities; my days are full of activity from early morning to night. I spend many hours reading, researching, studying, listening to audio books, and maintaining this site. There are people I interact with, and minister to that the world will never know, and don't need to know; God knows. This is what I really do, and I would say this is a contribution to society. In the end, I'll let God be the judge.
Lorna Couillard
Mat 25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.