Over the past few weeks it has been tempting to just focus
on my trouble, my schedule, my challenges, my family, and my stuff! But, this week the Lord opened my eyes and gave me a glimpse
into the stuff that other women are experiencing. Just this week I have had the opportunity of listening as
five different women opened their lives up and poured out all kinds of stuff. Their stuff is
really the stuff that their lives are
made up of – it is their story! Woven
through each of these women’s story was the thread of courage.
The first woman’s story I heard this week dealt with a
family divided by divorce. It was
not her divorce, but a close family member’s divorce. As she told her story I saw the hurt in her eyes, yet the
strength to press on through it.
“Divorce is like a death and one must be given time to grieve such a
loss,” I told her. She was beginning to take hold of the courage Jesus offers to face the stuff of
her story in order to receive healing, learn the lessons and grow in her walk
with Christ. Have courage to face
your story. “It was good for me to
be afflicted, so that I might learn your decrees.” Psalm 119:71
The second woman’s story is a story of mental illness and
deception of the evil one. This woman loves Jesus and has sought to hide God’s
Word in her heart in order to dwell on His truth in the midst of such
dysfunction. Looking at this
beautiful and talented woman you would never in your wildest dreams imagine her
story. Despite a family falling apart
she has had the courage to not only face her story, but to also step out of
such a broken story and grab hold of the truth of the One who pulled her out of
a pit, so that she now sings a new song, a new story. Have courage to allow the Word to change your story. “He brought me up out of the pit
. . . He put a new song in my mouth.” Psalm 40:2-3
I was sitting in a room waiting to speak to young moms about
mentoring, when one of the mom’s was asked to come to the front of the room and
tell her story of courage. I was
blown away with this woman’s transparency as she shared about the moment when
everything changed in her life.
She shared how she had lived in fear and shame because of a secret sin.
She had become an alcoholic, despite being a new mom. She had tried to hide her addiction, but
after reaching rock bottom, reached out for help where she finally found
freedom. Her freedom was found she
said, “in Christ alone!” What courage to stand before a room of young moms,
your peers, and share openly about a hidden stronghold. When she shared her story everyone’s
heart connected with hers. Every one
of us could relate with her story of fear, shame and hidden sin. I am thankful today, that she had the
courage to share her story, so that others would be encouraged to reach out,
tell somebody, and get help. Have
courage to tell your story! “Come
and hear all who fear God and I will tell of what He has done for my
soul.” Psalm 66:16
I had the joy this week of having lunch with a single woman
who had adopted a child, rescuing him from a life of poverty and
dysfunction. Her son is now in
middle school and doing quite well.
She shared with me her own story of growing up in a loving godly family
where she was taught how to live out her faith. She lived by the truth that God had blessed her to be a
blessing. So it was with this
attitude that she had recently invited a young woman to live with her and her
son. She said that she wanted to
model before this young woman what a healthy godly home looked like. She wanted to nurture this young woman,
not be her roommate. She is
treating her like a mom would treat her daughter, so that one day this young
woman will know how to nurture and love her own family. Have courage to pour into someone else
the blessings you have received from living your own story. “The things which
you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to
faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” 2 Timothy 2:2
Lastly I was approached by a grieving rookie empty nester, whom
asked me to pray for her in this new chapter of life. She was unsure what to do
with this new status now that all her children had left home. I have been an empty nester for nine
years and I insured her that she would eventually learn to love this new
chapter of life that lies open before her! I reminded her
of all the life experiences and wisdom she has stored up over the years and
that now she was able to pour all that out into new opportunities of ministry
and mentorship. Have courage to
step into the next chapter of your story.
“For I know that plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to
prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11
As you can see we all have stuff! The good news is that God weaves a beautiful story of grace and
truth from the stuff that our lives contain. The Lord never wastes anything that He allows us to go
through and in fact our messes become our ministries! Take the courage Jesus offers, step out of your own stuff,
and share your story with others.
You will be amazed at how many people will relate with what you share
and will in turn have the courage to tell their story!
“What I tell you in
the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in your ear, proclaim upon the
housetops.” Matthew 10:27
Take courage!
Nancy Taylor
No comments:
Post a Comment