So we have entered into a new year. I have spent the past two weeks being a shoulder for a dear friend to lean on. And at some points it has been very exhausting. Ministering to others can be that way sometimes. There have been job losses, broken relationships, and health issues that bombarded her life. But by God's grace, my small Bible study group has joined me in supporting her. We have been praying and watching, with great anticipation, to see what God will do with her life.
And although we in the group are all in unique situations we also seem to be learning the same lesson. The hardest lesson of all: Waiting.
Waiting for answers. Waiting for a new beginning. 2013 holds a lot of promise for bringing something new. Whether-or-not that something new will be desirable is another test in waiting. But that's life, isn't it? We cannot leap ahead into the future and see what's coming around the next corner. We can only wait and watch and then hopefully make a wise move.
Each of us ladies are all single and when you are single past your college years there are a host of unique challenges to face. Issues of whether-or-not to stay with parents, or move back in with parents have come up for a few of us. Issues of finding enough work to pay rent, groceries, gas, etc. are a challenge when the economy is so bad.
And then there are the issues that every woman must face; issues of loneliness, getting older and not having any prospects for marriage, keeping yourself pure in mind and body, not worrying about body image, etc.
We ladies are going through the fires together. When one of us is down the rest of us come to support her. God is so faithful! He brought us together while we each were still serving and helping others in the church. He knew that we would need each other.
There are still many questions about the future for each of us but I know that God will sustain us. And He will sustain you too. Because the truth is that God owns everything. So even if all the economies of the whole world fall into complete collapse this year, if we put our hope and trust in God He will provide what we need for each day.
Even on the days when loneliness and sadness come uninvited, God is able and willing to show them the door and stay with us.
The future is uncertain, foggy and mysterious. We can either be fearful of what is to come or we can lean on the Lord and wait in peace. The choice is up to us.
I pray that your new year brings more joy and peace than not. I pray that your walk with the Lord increases and that you will be a blessing to everyone you know.
" O Lord my God, you have performed many wonders for us. Your plans for us are too numerous to list. You have no equal. If I tried to recite all your wonderful deeds, I would never come to the end of them."
~ Psalm 40:5
10 comments:
Have a very blessed 2013.
I love how God gives us others who are going through similar circumstances. I trust that He will continue to use you to minister to those around you and meet all your needs this new year. Many blessings. Shana
God is so beautiful in many ways, in how does He work for us. Though we dont understand how does He do but we know for sure He is turning everything for good. I think the most lesson that God always gives to us is " waiting". I've been waiting for many years too but I believe He has set it all at the time. Now, He wants us and draw us near to Him in waiting. :)
Have ever heard " Faithful" by Brooke Fraser? it's such a good song.
Life is hard sometimes and it's harder for some than others. To master the art of patience is to begin to master life itself. We're always waiting for something it seems...
God is so good and it's wonderful to read how He's brought your group together to be there for one another. Appreciate what you say about how waiting is part of life. Once someone quoted to me that we don't know the future, but we know who holds the future, and in that we can Hope.
Denise: Thank you! I wish you the same. :)
BelovedBomber: It is His way, I think, to surround us with people who can sympathize with our current struggles. Thank you for your encouragement.
Delvalina: Very true. I will check out that song. Thanks. :)
T-Childs: " To master the Art of patience is to master life itself." Yes. I agree. We are always waiting.
Tracy: God is so good! He is so much more than we deserve. And yet our nature doesn't repel Him. He yearns to be close to us.
Its just too beautiful to understand. And that quote is correct, God does hold the future in His hands. Thank you for sharing. :)
As I read your post and the comfort that you are giving to one another in the Lord , particularly the lady who is suffering much, two things came into my mind. One was the scripture 'And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose', and the other thing that came into my mind was the fact that extreme heat and pressure produce fine white marble. Hold fast to that which is good, He loves us and has our welfare in mind. God bless you for your supporting group and may He supply all your needs.
Wishing you a blessed 2013. Your current blog appearance is very beautiful.
Brenda: Thank you for your words of encouragement! Romans 8:28 is one of my favorite verses. And it is very true that when we are put under extreme pressure... if we stay close to the Lord we change into marvelous and better ways.
lgsquirrel: Thank very much. May you and your family be blessed this new year too. :)
Post a Comment