Workshop- God, where are you?

1. God, Where Are You?

2. “God, Where Are You?”
Have You Ever Asked and Wondered? (As A Believer)
Workshop
A Service By
Sylvia A. Barnes/Independent Owner
Sylvia A. Barnes Sales & Services
Copyright © 2020 Sylvia A. Barnes

3. My Question- God, Where Are You?
Comes from my moments of thinking “out loud.” Not really asking God, “Where are
you?” For me, it is about my moments of pause as I replay life (in general) in my mind,
situations, interactions with people, relationships, poverty, oppression, suffering, abuse,
ignorance, injustice, inequality, illness, death, experiencing loss-
(and the list can of course go on).
This workshop, and any other workshops I put together I try to come from a place of
personal life experience, and/or hoping to help some one else make it through their own
situation. It does not come from a place of self righteousness. I have experienced some
of life's struggles, and for that reason I know “life struggle” is real.
It can bring you to a point of thinking, wondering in your mind-
“God, where are you?” (Even as a believer.)

4. Surviving Abuse
As a domestic abuse survivor I understand suffering, pain, disappointment, wasted time,
wasted money, and/or opportunities. You spend so much time trying to shield, protect
others around you, and including your self from another person that has intentionally
caused you pain. This can cause a financial hardship, damage to your career (your
professional life). Abusive relationships can create an unstable, toxic, and hostile
situation. That impacts your whole life.
As a single, celibate, Christian mother, and woman-
I made the decision to forgive, heal, and move in the direction of living intentionally by
making the choice to every day stay in alignment with things that are positive for me.
Making the daily choice to work towards having a healthy mind, body, and soul/spirit. I
do this through my practice of exercise, meditation, and yoga. During that period of
time of experiencing domestic abuse I remember thinking to myself, and asking- “God,
where are you?” My time, money, and opportunities have been lost, wasted cause
of this situation. I was left wondering why am I not being heard, how come I do
not have a voice in my own situation of experiencing domestic abuse? “God, where
are you?”

5. Concerns About Illness And Death
As the youngest sibling in my family I have been able to learn, see, and watch how
some things are handled in my family. And, of course what not to do, and/or how I can
be helpful to my parents in their stage of retirement. Caring for my elderly parents has
been a blessing for me considering they are still here with us. It has also been at times
hard to experience. As a child I can remember rides on my Dad’s back down the
hallway of our family home. Laughing and playing with my Dad. I have a good Dad.
When you experience your parents in their later years of life your world changes. You
can get tired, and look for any spare moment to breathe, pause, to reset. Life with them
is precious, you become protective of them. Just as they were protective of you when
you were that small child laughing and playing, without a single care in the world. Your
parents are your rock, your anchor.
Then life happens- you now see your parents that may fall, that may be ill, that need
your help, that may be in the hospital, or a nursing home needing care. Even though
we are not promised the next minute, and/or hour I have wondered at times-(I can
remember thinking) “God, where are you?” Dad fell today again, and we need
your strength. Dad needed the ambulance to go the hospital. I thought I was going
to lose him that day- “God, where are you?”

6. When I Talk About God
In my workshop I bring up God, and some of the things I have been taught as a Christian. This
is what I know. Although, I mention God that is not excluding any other religion, or belief. I
am simply talking about what I have been taught and believe.
My workshop is about living life (as a person that believes in a higher power), coexisting with
others, in a flawed world. While experiencing life's real struggles. Even though I believe in,
have faith in, and worship a higher power I still have moments when I have to stop and call on
him (“God”, asking where are you?). I am talking about life, and struggle can bring you to that
point. Feeling at times God has left you alone in your situation.
When scripturally, and through our own faith we have to trust- in God. He has not left us. God
is walking, taking each step with us, and by our side. Reminding us, God works and operates
on his timing- Not our time schedule.
With the discussion topic being- If I did not have a higher power to have faith in, lean on, pray
to, meditate on, call on- I would be lost as a person. I would be without hope to make it in life
without a higher power to pull strength from and believe in.
Who a person prays to, worships, religious/spiritual belief or preference is not my topic-

7. Life And Real Struggles
Every week, and/or every day we may see or observe a person that is lost and/or
without hope. We are living in times that are uncertain, plagued with challenges
regardless of if you are wealthy. Or, if you are living in poverty. Your social,
and/or economical background will not matter. Status does not shield you from
life struggle. A person may take life for granted and temporarily believe that to be
truth.
My workshop “visual” ,and example would be- if you and your family got in the
car (filled up the gas tank, and got the car serviced prior to leaving) and started off
down the road on a road trip without a map, ending destination, first aid supplies,
itinerary of some kind, without some type of guide (GPS), without a plan for your
trip- You and your family will end up lost, and without hope.
You will end up lost because you did not have a plan, you did not have a road
map, and/or GPS guiding you to your desired destination point. You need a GPS
to get back home from your road trip. Life is the same way in comparison.

8. At times I think to myself, “God, where are you?” Also, because of what I have been
taught I know God has never left my side. More times than not, I am the person that
left his side (“during my road trip because I did not follow his plan, that turned out to
be my plan, then getting lost without a GPS”).
This workshop is not about me, about God. It is about You, the world we all live in
together, making an effort to all coexist while we all try to get back home. Only
you know where you want your “home” to be. Regardless, if you are speaking from
a spiritual perspective, or an earthly perspective. Only you know if you have a road
map, and/or a GPS for your life.
Life is a struggle, and there are people that are lost and without hope for one reason or
another. I know I prefer having a guide, road map, a planned destination to get back
home at the end of my road trip with, and/or without my family.
I know I understand struggle- we all need a power higher, stronger than us (to
intervene on our behalf) to weather the “storms” , “road trips”, life struggle in order
to survive, not ending up lost and without hope.

9. During this portion of the workshop provide an open discussion, and/or
prayer circle for those that may be grieving, experiencing loss, and/or in
need of support.

10. I wish you love, peace, and unity
A Service By
Sylvia A. Barnes/Independent Owner
Sylvia A. Barnes Sales & Services
Independently Owned & Operated/Black Owned
In Your loving Memory
January 20, 2021

11. Sylvia A. Barnes Sales & Services