It sure is a bittersweet time but I am surely looking forward to my adventure with the Lord. I wanted to share a few pictures with my friends. I have received so many phone calls, texts, cards and gifts this week that have just brought tears and joy. Turning in my office keys of many years was hard! But, Jeremiah 29:11 is surely reminder that God has set the plans for my life and that I will trust. I only had the blessing of serving alongside Pastor Scott for nearly a year and I pray God's blessings upon him and his family as his journey continues. However, he is a quick learner and learned that I was the BOSS! LOL! The former pastor and his wife that hired me 22 plus years ago even tuned in to the recognition with a video. It melted my heart. I will never forget interviewing with Bro. Edsel in his office and then I was interviewed by the personnel team. Lastly, Bro. Edsel's wife Judy interviewed me at a luncheon. Bro. Edsel trusted her discernment of me totally. However,
. Someone gave this to me several years ago when I taught on the Friendships of Women. Praying that you will be touched and blessed.
To my sisters in the Lord....
There comes a time in every woman's life when she has to take a close look at herself. Not at her circumstance, not at what she did, not how unfair life is, or at who made you do it. She has to just look at herself in all her glory and imperfection.
Have you ever admired a woman who has been through changes in her life? Or have you made up your mind that she is just messed up. Before you make this mistake, take a closer look. A woman who has endured the most unusual life is someone of wisdom, someone who has been chosen by God to go through things that have made her stronger.
Think of all the great women in the Bible: Mary Magdalene, Ruth and Naomi, the woman with the issue of blood, and Esther, to name a few. Mary was prostitute, a very uneasy woman. But by the time Jesus was done with her, she was His closest follower. Esther was unfortunate in marrying an abusive man, but by the time God was done with her, she married one of the wealthiest men in the land.
Women are so quick to beat the next one down instead of trying to hold her up. Before you wonder, "What's up with her?" ask yourself, "What's up with me?"
That woman could be my mother, sister, aunt, in-law, stepmother, niece, grandmother, great-grandmother, neighbor, friend or co-worker. That woman could be ME!
Women are the carriers of life, not the channels of death. Let's build and encourage each other as did Ruth and Naomi. Encourage and love, forgive and forget, and trust that the woman that receives this act of love and kindness will be touched and blessed in some way.
To my sisters in the Lord....
There comes a time in every woman's life when she has to take a close look at herself. Not at her circumstance, not at what she did, not how unfair life is, or at who made you do it. She has to just look at herself in all her glory and imperfection.
Have you ever admired a woman who has been through changes in her life? Or have you made up your mind that she is just messed up. Before you make this mistake, take a closer look. A woman who has endured the most unusual life is someone of wisdom, someone who has been chosen by God to go through things that have made her stronger.
Think of all the great women in the Bible: Mary Magdalene, Ruth and Naomi, the woman with the issue of blood, and Esther, to name a few. Mary was prostitute, a very uneasy woman. But by the time Jesus was done with her, she was His closest follower. Esther was unfortunate in marrying an abusive man, but by the time God was done with her, she married one of the wealthiest men in the land.
Women are so quick to beat the next one down instead of trying to hold her up. Before you wonder, "What's up with her?" ask yourself, "What's up with me?"
That woman could be my mother, sister, aunt, in-law, stepmother, niece, grandmother, great-grandmother, neighbor, friend or co-worker. That woman could be ME!
Women are the carriers of life, not the channels of death. Let's build and encourage each other as did Ruth and Naomi. Encourage and love, forgive and forget, and trust that the woman that receives this act of love and kindness will be touched and blessed in some way.
Web image from http://foodforthespiritualsoul.wordpress.com/2013/07/08/words-of-wisdom-john-dear-jesuit-priest/
Hugs and blessings, Cindy
"Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle". HOPE you have an awesome day, my friend!
ReplyDeleteJust think how much better life would be if we as women took this heart.
ReplyDeleteConnie Royals
Thank you for a message that I needed to be reminded of today...Love you my friend
ReplyDeleteJ.D.
A loving heart towards all who enter our circle of life will bring more blessings than we can count. Great message today Cindy, thank you!
ReplyDeleteCindy xo this is so beautiful and too true. One of the best posts I have read. I really like Deb's comment as well.
ReplyDeleteMuch love to you ladies xo
Wishing all the best day ever!
Aim
This is a wonderful post and could not have come at a better time for me for a variety of reasons.
ReplyDeleteI loved the part where you said, "Before you wonder what's up with HER, ask yourself, What's up with ME?
Loved that so much. Such good advice.
Oh yes, Cindy! Such a wise word here! You have found that one thing that binds all the women of the Bible together - and hopefully we might count ourselves in their circles as we give ourselves more to God each day. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteJoy!
Kathy
One of my dear friends has been through a lot of change - not of her doing - and she is the most precious, wise woman! She spoke at a ladies' conference I attended a few years ago. Her theme was, 'In change, He remains'. I've taken that as my theme - to remember no matter how things change (and they WILL change!), He remains. Constant. Loving. True. Faithful. Thank you for sharing this with us, my friend.
ReplyDelete~Adrienne~