God is at work, not only throughout the world, but right here in our midst! Read about what he is doing in the lives of women at New Hope Church. Pray that he would be glorified through each story shared here as well as your very own stories. And be sure to share your stories with others!
Tamara
As a woman, I crave connections with other women. I mean meaningful connections where I envision future tears and hugs and the delivering of warm casseroles when tragedy strikes. Relationships can be funny, though. You never know when you first encounter a person if a relationship with her will stick. There may be hints at longevity, but no guarantees at the outset. And so, like most of us, I guard myself. It can take years to strip away the layers of superficiality to expose the authentic woman below and even then we wonder, "Can we safely bare our souls?"
In the refuge of my Women’s Bible study small group on Wednesday mornings, it seems a time warp has occurred, wrapped in a mutually agreed upon safety net. The relationships have ripened to maturity, the age differences are erased and judgment is suspended. We only want to mature in Christ together and hear what our sisters are mulling over or struggling with behind closed doors so we can encourage them and pray for them.The layers are gently peeled back by God’s tender fingers and he breathes his renewal on us, nudging us toward freedom.
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. (Romans 12:10, NIV)
Emily
God put a sweet thought in my heart today as I was teaching my daughter about jealousy toward her sister. I asked Rachel (10) to help guide Sarah (6) in picking up her bedroom. I had a very specific reason and purpose why I chose Rachel rather than Abby (8) for the task, having to do with who Rachel is, her patience with Sarah and her maturity in handling that sort of job well. By default, Abby was left to help care for baby Beka. Rachel looked back jealously at Abby and said, "Why does she get to play with the baby? It makes me think you think Beka loves HER better than me." Of course, that wasn't my thought at all. Interesting how she saw it that way, huh? Here I had chosen Rachel special for a tas, and she saw her sister's job and assumed something completely different out of jealousy.
This is how I am with God! He has me HAND-PICKED for a specific job and role and yet much of the time I'm looking over my shoulder in JEALOUSY toward my sisters wondering why God doesn't want me to do the more honored task or live in the more desired neighborhood. Why would he want ME to go through THIS? Why would he pick ME to live HERE? Doesn't he want me the best for me? Doesn't he love me?
Of course he loves me. He not only loves me, but I can boldly say I'm HAND-PICKED for this task. And I am glad God can teach me lessons right along with my girls.
Kelly
My story began about a year ago. I had shared with my Wednesday morning Precepts group that I felt God was preparing me, through our study of the Kings and Prophets, for something big. Not big in a good way, though. I sensed that he was planning to test my faith. Throughout the next year, my understanding of God, his unwavering commitment to his people, his unbelievable mercy and his complete forgiveness shaped me for the trial that did eventually come my way.
The rug was pulled out from under me when a dear friend tearfully confessed to betraying me and lying to cover it up. I was utterly shocked, having been blissfully unaware of what was going on. I know my friend’s remorse was sincere. I have rarely seen a person so broken. Now, I had to choose my response. This was God’s test.
When I recalled the kings of the Old Testament, I saw that their stories bore a striking resemblance to my own. Most of Israel’s kings betrayed God by chasing after foreign idols. The few who repented, however, received complete and immediate forgiveness. When God sees a broken, contrite heart, his wrath dissolves in mercy. How, then, could I not offer the same forgiveness to my friend?
God prepared me for something big, all right. He took my story of heartache and transformed it into his eternal story of grace. It doesn’t get any bigger than that.
Andrea
“Do you know something that is good?” That’s the question I got asked at Ultimate Frisbee this past week. The man went on to talk about how he had heard bad news all day and was tired of it, so he wondered if I knew anything that was good.
In my heart and head, instantly “Jesus!” was what echoed around inside of me. But my analytical mind starting working too quickly. My thoughts went like this: “That won’t invite conversation. I should say something that seems more engaging or begs a question.” After my three seconds of silent thought, he proceeded to ask, “Good, you know, good news. Do you know any good news?” Read more>>
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