Divine Purpose Magazine | Mar 2023 | Spring Issue

STRENGTH OF A WOMAN

It'sthemonthinwhichwe internationallycelebratethe empoweredwomenandin thisissuewetalkabout"the strengthofawoman";allthat sheis,thesourceofher strengthandhowshehas usedherstrengthtosoar beyondonpurposeforGod.

Icelebrateyouandallthe womenwhoreadhave contributedtothisissue!

Vicki Otaruyina

Editor-in-Chief

Editor’s Note

In this issue

Let'sjourneythroughthisissue andbeencouraged.Ihopethat youreceivetheneededstrength tohandleeverysituationwhich youwillencounteronthevarious journeysoflife.

Happyreading!

STRENGTH OF A WOMAN AFTER GOD'S OWN HEART

BY MONIQUE JOHNSON

I am sure many of you, like me, have heard people comment that women are strong. One phrase I have heard used to describe me is “ super woman ” . I used to feel somewhat proud of that label, but now I think differently. The strength of a woman is amazing. The pain we endure as we bring another human into the world, is indescribable.

After we bring the cute bundle of joy into the world, we forget the pain and some of us look forward to doing it again The fight we have in us to protect our loved ones, parents, and children from injustice, makes us women unstoppable The unconditional love we demonstrate when those we love hurt us, or make bad choices, is unexplainable The ability we have to pray through the toughest challenges, and to stand in a faith that says God is in control and He will handle this, is phenomenal!

The power a woman displays when she decides to leave a toxic relationship, even if it means leaving the support system, she has become dependent upon, is priceless This strength to love through, pray through, and fight through is divine It comes from God God empowers both men and women to live life abundantly and to overcome challenges, but let me tell you, the way He infuses women with strength to remain standing after the storms of life have come through like a violent wave, is an example of the special place women have in the heart of God

I know I am a woman after God’s own heart. I truly believe God has gifted me with emotional strength. I have an ability to maintain a calm demeanor in the face of adversity. I am a woman of integrity and I keep my word I believe God orders my steps so I seek his council I know who I am in Christ and I know the power of God

There are many stories of strong women in the Bible John 4:9-30 (KJV) gives us insight into a conversation between Jesus and a woman at the well This woman believed that the Messiah was coming She was expecting to see the Messiah

Her posture of expectancy allowed her to discern that Jesus was telling the truth when he told her that He was the Messiah The book of Ruth describes the strength of a widow who remained loyal to her mother-in-law, Naomi, to the extent of declining an opportunity to go back to her own family Her devotion, care, and concern for the well-being of Naomi impressed a very wealthy man, Boaz, who had been observing her (Ruth 2:11-14 KJV) Ruth was a woman after God’s own heart. He rewarded her commitment to Naomi by bringing her into a marriage with Boaz. This great woman, Ruth, became the great grandmother of David (Ruth 4:17 KJV).

Have you ever wondered how you made it through a struggle? Have others asked you how you are able to handle so much, or how you were able to stay calm in a trying situation? You may or may not be aware that you have been exhibiting great strength of which others marvel

I want to be clear about strength It is not the ability to resist shedding tears so others will not mistake pain for weakness that makes a person strong. She is a strong woman when she can stand in the face of the oppressor and say “ no more! get back!” “I have the power of my father, God, to trample over you, mount up on the wings of an eagle and soar I cannot be held down for long My help comes from the Lord and there is nothing that can stop me from breaking through ” That is the strength of a woman after God’s own heart

SOURCE OF HER STRENGTH

MIA WALLACE

Her confidence is full of grace Her presence shifts atmospheres Her voice commands authority. Power flows from within her. Yet, those who know her, seen bits of her struggle, witness some of her setbacks, can only wonder about the source of her strength?

The strength which led her to overcome the trauma she endured as a child The abuse she experienced as a young adult The many challenges she faces as an adult The frustrations that bonded her to everything that was against her

Strength to walk through the fires of her life

Strength to push and fulfill the purposes assigned to her Strength to release the burdens sent to weigh her down from becoming the woman she is meant to be on earth.

When you ask her, what is the source of her strength She states that my strength is not my own strength My strength does not come from me My strength is a gift wrapped in many promises My strength is required for this journey of life The source of my strength comes from a Heavenly Father, an Honorable Savior, a Holy Spirit, who is God over my life

“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you I have called you by name; you are mine When you go through deep waters, I will be with you When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior ” Isaiah 43:1-3 (NLT)

“Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; He will neither fail you nor abandon you. ” Deuteronomy 31:6 (NLT)

“Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord, your God is with you wherever you go ” Joshua 1:9 (NLT)

These promises remind us not to be afraid We will journey through some terrifying paths in life But with God, we are given the strength to conquer this journey I will leave you with Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3 and know that you belong to God Now, you be blessed and walk in your authority

Repent your sins to the Heavenly Father

Confess Jesus Christ as your Lord & Savior

The source of her strength is not just for her, but for every willing person that will allow God to be the ultimate source for their life If you wish to have this source of strength in your life or if you need to be reminded of the source of your strength. Then follow these three steps: 1 2 3

Accept the Holy Spirit into your life

Now, hold onto these promises of strength and know the victory of life is already yours in Jesus Christ:

“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God I will strengthen you and help you I will hold you up with my victorious right hand ” Isaiah 41:10 (NLT)

“For this reason, I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever Amen ” (NKJV)

THE STRENGTH OF THE WEAKER VESSEL

BY COLLETE CONNER

“In the same way, you husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way (with great gentleness and tact, and with an intelligent regard for the marriage relationship), as with someone physically weaker, since she is a woman Show her honor and respect as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered or ineffective ”

1 Peter 3:7 (AMP)

I referenced this scripture because I can’t tell you how many times I have heard it used in a way that may leave women feeling inadequate to fully stand in our God given power It doesn’t mean women are weak or feeble, and neither does it mean women should be co-dependent

It simply means a woman ’ s built is physically weaker than that of a man Therefore, she should be treated as such with grace It doesn’t mean women are less than, but that we should be treasured and handled with gentleness.

“She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her ” (Proverbs 3:15)

Now that we have cleared up any confusion about the woman being the weaker vessel, let’s talk about the strength of a woman

There are many examples of strong women in the bible from Esther, Deborah, Ruth, Hannah, Mary Magdalene, Mary (Mother of Jesus), Miriam, Sarah, Priscilla and several others

When I look back over my life and the obstacles I overcame, I could add my name to the list of countless strong women and you probably could do the same. There are so many women whose life story would leave us wondering, “How are they still standing?” Let’s take a closer look at the strength of a woman

Women have the strength to carry life Mary, the mother of Jesus carried the Savor of the whole world No wonder it is said all women carry influence Jesus is still influencing the earth Mary was carrying influence!!Glory!! That part

It takes a strong person to birth out another human being It takes a strong woman to nurture all those around her when she herself needs attention It takes a strong woman to believe past her circumstances, what she sees in the natural and stand on what she knows in the spirit

It takes a strong women to rise above her past let downs, disappointments and failures It takes a strong woman to truly believe God is who he says he is. It takes a strong women to tap into the God which is within her.

It takes the strength of a woman to submit to the will of God with all he has equipped her with It takes a strong woman to lean, trust and depend on God

“God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns.” (Psalm 46:58)

God has commanded us to be strong and have courage as we walk this journey called life God tells us to never be afraid or distressed over the issues of life He promises he will never leave us nor forsake us. As women, this is our hope, this is our resolve.

It is the God centered spirit in us which gives us the strength to be the cook, the nurse, the teacher, the coach, the counselor, the taxi driver, the scheduler, the organizer, ministry leader, the employee, the business owner, the sister, the friend, the daughter and the wife

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)

The strength of a woman is God in the midst of her.

CONTENTMENT

BY DENIELLE PLACIDE

"Don’t make your current situation convince you that God is done with you In fact, he has just begun " This was the statement of hope, strength, and perseverance that God used me to whisper to a 33-year-old young Christian woman suffering in silence regarding her fertility issue

She watched her friends and family have children with ease while her infertility stretched on for years, and the impact of the diagnosis ate away at her like a cancer, and she wore a garment of heaviness instead of praise

The feeling of bitterness, anger, depression, and guilt emerged all at the same time and she screamed silently while wrestling with her faith and own sense of self-worth

Infertility is a common theme in the Bible 2 Kings 4: 8 - 37 presents the story of the Shunamite woman, who in the face of her emotional upheaval, because of fertility issues choose to remain steadfast in her faith by serving God and others.

I’m certain, this must have been difficult , but it is said that our greatest display of strength and character in life comes in a time when we are able to help someone else while going through our own storm And , that she did for the Prophet Elisha She showed him immense hospitality whenever he was in town ministering, with no expectation of a reward in return

This leading lady had a profile of an overcomer boldly exhibiting strength of character by refusing to allow life’s chaos to distract her from her days ahead I celebrate her because she did not allow the wounds of infertility to transform her into someone else. By no means did she become a product of her circumstances but a product of her decision to serve others and God during her difficult season.

The Shunamite woman could have simply remained stuck in a victim mindset and blame others or God for her situation Yet , she chooses the pathway of obedience which was the key to her freedom

Perhaps , the biggest learning point in this account was not only her faith but her Godly contentment

Because of her servant heart Elisha wanted to bless her but as you can see in verse 13, she responds “ I’m secure and satisfied” in other words content.

Did I just read that right, a woman said that she is content with her life?

I don’t know about you, but I could have come up with a shopping list of items Her godly contentment brought her great gain because those who live in a way that is pleasing to God and satisfy in what they have instead of their lack possess a strong spiritual life

When we take delight in the Lord, He grants the desires of our heart , even the unspoken ones. In her case , God used Elisha to bless her with the unspoken desire of her heart in the form of a son Clearly, God was not finished with her the good work He began He was faithful to complete it to the end

Contentment does not mean the absence of desires

You see, we may try to bury our dreams and desires, but God sees our hearts and every unfulfilled, unspoken desire Psalm 139 reminds us that our life is an open book to God; even from a distance, He knows what we are thinking.

Her sense of contentment was tested through the death of her son, but she used the opportunity to pivot from a place of pain to praise.

It is in those difficult periods we are inclined to question God and wavier in our faith However, Paul in Romans 5:3-5 said “ we can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation And this hope will not lead to disappointment

Surely , she had to dig deep into her faith in the one who had already made the impossible, possible Life is not predictable There are ups and downs, but God is the One who can completely restore us, protect us and provide for us

So, how can you be content, no matter what life throws at you? How to be content without succumbing to anger , bitterness , and unbelief?

Have faith in Him in all circumstances and be content in His truth, ability, and reliability Being content in God is not about ignoring your feelings or reality It is not pretending that everything is OK when it isn’t It is about living a life of belief in and obedience to God even when it’s difficult

A content woman is clothed in strength and dignity, with nothing to fear, and smiles when she thinks about the future.

Be that woman!

GOD'S PLAN FOR MY LOSS

BY DONNA WALES

I thought my life was over When my husband threw me out of our second-floor apartment door and down the thirteen concrete stairs, I lost everything important to me I lost my marriage, church family, and job as a Christian school teacher

But similar to God's plan for Esther in becoming queen, He had plans for me, too "Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:14b NKJV) I discovered God's amazing love and grace in second chances

When I filed for divorce due to domestic abuse, my pastor called to admonish me In so many words, he said that if I didn't take my abuser back, I would be excommunicated or removed from church membership for living in willful sin. Though I was sobbing into my cell, I told the pastor that I could not take him back. He had threatened to kill me I told the pastor that I would not go back to my abuser in a moment of God's strength I never returned to the church, and I don't know if they removed my name from membership

But God has given me a new church family I am part of an online group of amazing Christian women who love Jesus and strive to serve Him in all that they do These ladies challenge and encourage me to live for Christ during our weekly Bible study and sermon discussions

After leaving an abusive marriage, God gave me an amazing man who loves me unconditionally. We are making many happy memories together.

I lost my job as a Christian school teacher, but God provided an opportunity to teach in public schools As a public school teacher, I cannot share the gospel unless the children ask Again, God provides the opportunities I teach grades 6, 7, and 8 in computer technology, and we begin the year by discussing ethics, expectations, and cybersecurity Ethics starts with Moses and the ten commandments in the Bible as a basis for the laws of our country

Here in Rhode Island, Good Friday is a state holiday One day a student asked, "why is that Friday called Good?" So I shared that the Bible says that Jesus died on the cross to take the punishment for our sins, and that is the Friday that we remember His death On Easter, we remember his resurrection God provides these opportunities to share His word with children who may not have heard before

I get to share my life with a loving man. I share my faith with my students at my job, and I get to share in Bible study with a beautiful ladies' group through my new church. I thought my life was over when I divorced my abuser and lost my church family and job I could not see how anything good would come from my loss; however, God's plan is more wonderful than I could ever ask for or imagine

STRENGTH TO ENDURE LIFE'S TRANSITIONS

BY SHEMECA RICHARD

I stood in the doorway watching the white moving truck drive away He was gone Just like that, he walked out the marriage and away from our family I was heartbroken and frustrated

I was left with shame, debt, and a five-year-old daughter I sobbed uncontrollably “Why is this happening to me?” I did everything I could to make the marriage work

Sobbing had become part of my daily routine for several months I would wake up and go to bed crying I would just cry, cry, and cry God whispered to me during one of my sob sessions, “Trust me, I will never leave you nor forsake you ” I started to meditate on this verse day and night.

The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

(Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV)

I continued to be consumed with fear, shame, and worry I wondered how I would be able to pay all the bills I wondered what others would think about me being a divorced, single mother I feared the impact that it would have on my daughter I felt like a failure I was tired and exhausted I know that God said he would never leave me or forsake me, but it was very hard to believe on most days

A few months later, I was fired from my job The stress of it all had become so much for me to bear. There were days when I did not have enough money for food. The bills were continually a month behind.

By the grace of God, nothing in our home was ever disconnected Not even the luxuries such as cable and internet God had truly been there for me through it all God did not make it all go away, but He did not leave me This was a turning point for my faith This was where I had to truly search my heart and owned the truth about my trust and faith in God I read my Bible often I attended and served in the church weekly But did I really trust God? This is where I started to really focus on my relationship with God

I started to make more intentional devotional time with God It was during this intentional devotional time that I truly started to understand what it means to trust God I finally understood what it meant to lay all by cares, worries, anxieties, and burdens at his feet

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28 NIV)

It was still tough getting through that transition. There were days that I wanted to and did give up. But Jesus redeemed me. He continued to be there for me and lavish His love on me. I continued to do the same. I poured my heart out to Him in prayer, praise, and worship I spent quality time with Him each day

That was 12 years ago Currently, I am still a single mother My daughter is a thriving high school senior She has already been accepted into the college of her choice and offered scholarships I continue to face challenges and hardships as we all do, but I face them boldly knowing that my God will come through I continue to pour my love out on God through prayer, praise, and worship I face each of life’s transition a bit differently now I have the grace of God in me and all over me. He will never leave me or forsake me. With God on my side, I can and will win every time. The victory may not come the way I think or imagine it should, but it will come. My sister, God is with you Trust his plan He will never leave you or forsake you

WALKING IN GOD’S PURPOSE THROUGH TRIALS

BY ANDREA SCOTT

Ruth represents the kind of strength and dignity that is a model for us all. The truth is, every one of us has challenges, just like Ruth did. Yes, even that woman over there with the seemingly perfect posts and family We don’t always wear our struggles on the outside, but they fill our minds and hearts awaiting relief

I can relate I’ve lost two pregnancies and had a marriage nearly fall apart My oldest child has 5 learning disabilities and ADD, and nearly died when he was sick a few years ago Depression and anxiety have tried to control my life since adolescence

But God sustains me through it all God shows me that HE is my strength (Psalm 28:7, NKJV) I can venture into unknown circumstances because He is already there, making a way for me, knowing He will be by my side the entire time And He will be with you, as well

Ruth was no stranger to trials and rejection, either She married a man from a different culture, lost her husband, followed her mother-in-law Naomi to her husband’s people, worked hard to support herself and her mother-in-law, and was instructed to do something that could easily have been misconstrued But God protected her, guided her, and prepared a way for her

In studying Ruth’s life, I find that she was:

R – Responsible Ruth did what she had to do She chose to honor her commitment to Naomi’s family by traveling with her back to Judah and leaving her own family in Moab Later, she also acts responsibly when she went to glean in the fields She knew that while “just a woman, ” she alone could care for Naomi She did what needed to be done to work hard, providing what she could for her household

U – Unassuming Ruth was not pretentious or selfseeking When she and Naomi returned, people were surprised to see her arrival Naomi replied, “Don’t call me Naomi Instead call me Mara (meaning bitter), for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me I went away full, and the Lord has brought me back empty ” (Ruth 1:20-21, NKJV) If I were Ruth, I would take offense to this! Empty? She gave up her entire birth family and life to return with Naomi to a people, culture, and religion she knew nothing about! But by all accounts, she held her peace She wasn’t selfseeking for attention or praise She let Naomi feel what she needed to feel

T – Trustworthy. Naomi knew she could count on Ruth to provide for them She also knew that Ruth would take her counsel to heart when it came to approaching Boaz about taking care of them Ruth could be trusted to do what needed to be done She proved her dedication and trustworthiness time and again

H – Humble. Ruth was a strong and humble woman She chooses to follow a God she did not know, but who clearly knew her She followed behind the other women gleaning in the fields She didn’t know these women and she was probably ridiculed by them for her heritage and destitute station Yet she persevered She didn’t think she was “too good” to walk behind and gather a few grains of barley She humbly asked permission to be in the field and was grateful when granted permission When Naomi told Ruth to lay at Boaz’s feet (a very humbling posture) to seek his help in caring for them, she did just as she was instructed She allowed herself to be used by God to bring about a future she had no idea was even possible

By society’s standards, characteristics of being responsible, unassuming, trustworthy, and humble may be seen as weak But as we learn from Ruth, God took those traits and blossomed them into a blessing and a future she could never have anticipated In Ruth’s story we see God’s faithfulness –“But the Lord is faithful He will establish you and guard you against the evil one “(2 Thessalonians 3:3, NKJV), just as we can see it in our own lives

As we approach our own challenges – mental, physical, financial – we can do so with an attitude of responsibility, no matter how humbling, proving our trust and without pretense We can be who God created us to be, walking in the divine purpose that he carved out for us And over time we can see our lives blossom with blessings, just as they did for Ruth

POWER OF TESTIMONY

BY LATRICE SIMMONS

"You’re so strong " Have you heard that before? I’m sure every woman I know, including myself, has heard this more times than we can remember It’s not a bad phrase, but it can feel unnecessary when you ’ re on the receiving end Especially when at the moment, strong is the opposite of how we ’ re feeling at the time My strongest moments are when I’m most aware of my vulnerabilities and weaknesses

Strength can often come from the most unexpected places, in dormant places within ourselves that we didn’t even know existed God has a way of unlocking the hidden strength of the woman that challenges cultural boundaries and norms

The woman at the well, or the Samaritan woman, was an outcast according to cultural standards and shouldn't have spoken to Jesus I’m sure she had no idea that God was about to use her strength to advance His kingdom I can imagine her thinking this was just another trip to the well, another place to be ignored, and unfulfilled With the wrong lens, the Samaritan woman's problem can be easily misunderstood

Jesus saw what her heart needed the most: unconditional love and redemption He saw her sins as symptoms of the real issue, a deep longing for connection This isn't just a story about Jesus noticing and saving a culturally low-grade woman Yes, there is beauty in the way God reacts and treats this woman but the story goes beyond that

How the Samaritan woman responds after her encounter with Jesus is powerful and should be how we all respond to living water Her response should trigger us followers of Christ to evaluate how we respond to the call of freedom Do we go back and cling to what we know? Do we go back to the identity that's been placed on us from being overlooked, hidden, and rejected? Or, do we go forward to reclaim our freedom which confronts our fears and requires new levels of strength?

After she’s offered the solution to her thirst and has been confronted with the truth about her life, she doesn’t go back into solitude where it’s comfortable She goes into her city and uses two game-changing words, “Come, see ” (John 4:29, NIV)

As a social outcast, you can only imagine the anxiety the Samaritan woman felt passing along the message about Jesus and everything He had told her For her place in society, this was abnormal behavior that could have caused her further isolation

This is the perfect example of how God can use the unlikely and disregarded woman to complete His work Had this been a popular person with higher status or prestige in society, the message of Jesus possibly would not have been received as widely But it’s because belief from an unlikely person resonates with the disbelief within us all The power of testimony transforms our disbelief and says, "If God did it for them, surely He will do it for me "

This story sets the tone for what testimony should look like and what it requires Testimony requires courage and assurance in what we have experienced God doing in and through our lives The woman at the well had an encounter with Jesus that fueled her to step out and go beyond her reputation

Like the Samaritan woman, I’ve dealt with rejection from society that has led me to isolation and selfdeprecation in the past And when I begin to feel myself slipping back into that space, this story reminds me that I’ve been created to push back against the world’s traditions And the truth is, we are strong even when it doesn’t feel like it When others see where the source of our strength comes from, they will grab hold of it and use it to overcome their trials Our strength is a living testimony and a waving banner for all to see

I FOUND MY STRENGTH IN GOD

BY KISHANNA COOPER

At the tender age of only 21 I was faced with an enormously frightening life and death situation. I held onto whatever little hope I had left and my faith in God I was physically, mentally and emotionally unprepared to deal with what was considered to be a high-risk pregnancy

Like the woman in the Bible with the issue of blood, I was profusely bleeding and at a potential risk of hemorrhaging to death or losing my baby girl And as if that wasn’t already a burden grossly large enough for me to bare, I was later rushed into the operating theatre as a team of doctors and nurses were forced to perform an emergency C-section surgery on me They were tasked with the delicate procedure to deliver my premature baby girl from my womb at 37 weeks without placing her and myself in deeper jeopardy. Later that day I found myself in a half-conscious state tearfully thanking God and my team of doctors and nurses for taking the very best care of me.

he very first surgery that I underwent was successful and, in that instant, I considered myself entirely blessed to be alive The anesthetics began to wear off and I started to experience what was to be my most painful ordeal By this time, I was able to open my eyes fully and noticed two female porters who came to transport me to a post-opt recovery area in the hospital

I watched apprehensively as the stretcher glided across the theatre room towards the elevator doors with me as I laid flat on my back, helpless. I felt intensifying pain from the incision below my abdomen and I grimaced in pain. I quickly monitored my surrounding whilst being exited from the elevators I entered the room that was obviously the intended destination because as soon as the porters found an empty bed, they were ready to transfer me to that bed I overheard both porters repeating the word "lift"!

My entire body went numb and I couldn’t lift not one of my legs I was in shock but responsive The pain was excruciating, but I decided in that moment that I would not allow myself to be placed in any further situation which worsened my suffering It was quick thinking that had me yell wait! I then mustered up all of my strength that I never even knew that I had and positioned myself for a safe landing as the porters lifted me unto my bed

I received pain medications through an IV and bit by bit the pain subsided. Moments later my baby girl was placed in a cot next to my bed. My road to recovery had only just begun, it was a very long and tedious process

On top of that the nurse assigned to me informed me that I wouldn’t be discharged from the hospital unless I was ambulating In that moment the unthinkable happened I held onto the rails of my bed and forced my way down from my hospital bed I slid down to the edge of the bed and my feet touched ground for the first time after my surgery

My abdominal area was extremely sore and I couldn’t stand up God granted me strength I didn’t even know that I had. At first, I couldn’t stand up straight, but slowly I took one step at a time until I walked!

I was able to ambulate to the bathroom and slowly back again God granted me uncommon favor In my weakness I was made completely strong I discovered strength that I knew I needed but never had I found my true strength in God

DR LYNDA BARNES SHANIQUE BLAKE WILMA BLYDEN DR JOI BROWN DR SYLVIA COLE

KEARN CROCKETT CHERRY

CYNTHIA DAMASKOS CRYSTAL DAYE LORRAINE GBADEGESIN SALLYANN GRAY

ADESEWA GREG-IGHODARO

AYANA HENDERSON MOIRAR M. LEVEILLE

BIDEMI MARK-MORDI JORI MUNDY

WENDY OLOGE ADALYD OLIVERAS TANDRA PRICE CLAUDETTE ROSS RHONDA M. WOOD

SELFCARE AFTER DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

BY MOIRAR REVEILLE

Most of us have brushed shoulders with trauma and forgot about it almost the same second we met it. Sadly, others have known it much deeply to an extent we wish not to know anything in life, not even that which we love

Domestic abuse has done that for many people What’s worse? It chose people that we care about to launch its missiles at us, leaving us distraught and unbelieving of nothing, not even ourselves anymore But there is hope Trauma can vaporize what we knew about ourselves but it also offers us a chance to properly exercise self-care in our journey towards healing This road is tough but self-care is how we slowly get there as it offers us different methods of healing by taking our broken pieces and making a mosaic of hope.

Here are some tips that have proven effective for other survivors of trauma and abuse:

Seek Help

One thing that domestic abuse does is to convince us that we are to blame for what the abuser did to us and so we stew in shame and self-blame until it becomes our reality This lie keeps us from loving and taking care of ourselves and we often become our own abusers out of self-loathing and neglect I need you to understand that you are worthy of compassion and love and you need to give it to yourself You can start by seeking help from a professional as an act of loving yourself. Forget about feeling like a burden and contact those that care about you and let them know that you need help. You are not being too much; you are taking care of yourself and your loved ones will be happy you reached out

What is the one thing that you could do for yourself right now that you would consider loving? This is a question I want you to ask yourself everyday then answer it both in words and actions

These little gestures go a long way to make you feel whole just like a love gesture from someone you love would

Try Art Therapy

Trauma has a way of disintegrating one from reality to the extent of not being able to express themselves fully If you cannot get what you feel and think out through words, try other channels of creativity such as writing, painting, drawing, singing or writing music, arts and crafts among others This is one way to get to understand your pain and cope with it, giving it a label where it once felt murky and blurry. Not only will it help you release some of the trauma, it will also exercise your brain to look for ways to help you get better instead of retreating further to itself. Art therapy has been found to be really effective among survivors with PTSD which has helped them to deal with their pain head on, preventing them from imploding Going for therapy is useful, but diving into creativity offers additional healing that only its kind can give

Practice Positive Affirmations

The self-critic is loudest in survivors of abuse and it often causes them to self-sabotage even when they’re not aware of it We can counter this by speaking positivity to the subconscious mind with authority. Practicing positive affirmations daily can rewire your brain and douse the inner critic. It will also remind you of your strength and resilience and other attributes you don’t celebrate. Create positive affirmations for every negative thought that causes you to ruminate over your insecurities or shortcomings For example, if you were told by your abuser that you will never amount to anything, you could try “I am capable and enough” This will help you build yourself esteem by subconsciously dealing with your self- sabotaging habits So create those affirmations today

Do Physical Exercise

While you find an outlet for your emotions through creativity, a physical outlet is also important Find a sport or exercise you love and indulge in it Join a dance class if you are into dancing or go to a gym and turn that negative energy into achieving your mental and body goals Physical activity is a form of expression in itself so be sure to partake in those that you love You can listen to music or affirmations while at it to engage the mind as well and enjoy yourself Consider this as an act of selflove and care

Practice Breathing Exercises

Breathing exercises can help us stay grounded and in touch with reality. This helps us deal with our overthinking and how we react to possible threats and triggers. Take deep breathes and learn how to meditate in order to establish a state of calmness. Every time you feel overwhelmed by emotions or thoughts, take deep breathes and meditate to bring yourself to a state of calmness and in touch with reality instead of dissociating

Trauma from domestic abuse can be dealt with and survivors do bounce back to full health, mentally and physically One thing we need to understand is that self-care is not a luxury we should avoid; it is a necessity we should have and give to ourselves The above tips will remind you of this anytime you feel unworthy of love and care The journey to healing is a marathon, so don’t be upset when you keep falling off the wagon of self-care from time to time What matters is that you keep coming back and trying to love yourself, one more time until it is natural for you You got this!

AUTHOR VERONICA SUTHERLAND

TALKING DAILY WITH GOD:

A 30-DAY CHALLENGE TO DEVELOP THE DISCIPLINE OF DAILY PRAYER

PURCHASE THE BOOK

Veronica Sutherland

WHAT IS THE BOOK ABOUT?

Are you yearning a victorious prayer life? Are you ready to move to another level in your walk with God?

Join us on a 30-day challenge to develop the habit of talking to and hearing from God each day so that you can thoroughly satisfy that longing in your heart that only The Most High God can fill. Learn about the benefits of prayer, how to pray, how to listen to God, how God speaks to us and much more Use this tool to be intentional about finding time to be with God and how you use the time spent with Him.

CONTACT VERONICA

https://www veronicavsutherland com

@veesutherland

https://www.youtube.com/c/

VeronicaSutherlandOcna

AUTHOR COLETTE SCHAFER

planted: A Guided Study To Produce Peace-Filled Life In An Anxiety-Filled World

PURCHASE THE BOOK

Colette

Schaffer

WHAT IS THE BOOK ABOUT?

Has anxiety and panic attacks held you to bondage from living a life you desire?

Author and speaker, Colette Schaffer, shares candidly about how she was able to overcome her own struggle with anxiety and panic attacks. She teaches foundational truths from the Bible about how you were designed to truly live and how to practically apply those truths to your own unique situation.

You will learn:

Who you are in Christ

The root of anxiety

Taking back control of your life

How to stay connected to God

Practical steps to maintaining a peaceful life

CONTACT COLETTE

https://www Schafferminstries com

@schafferministries

@coletteschaffer

A WOMAN STRENGTHENED

BY RENATE MCDONALD

Hannah was a woman loved by her husband but also a woman ridiculed by her counterpart, Peninnah. Why? Because Hannah had no children. Bearing children, especially sons, was held in extremely high regard then In some ways, has that really changed? Women who face infertility often do so in secrecy, heavily burdened with shame My experience was no different

I got married in 2009 We were not even remotely walking with the Lord then I went into marriage expecting all that I had seen culturally depicted as the "perfect family” In 2012, we began trying for children to no avail then fibroids That surgery was done in 2013 By the end of 2013, we began trying again - no pregnancy In 2014, we committed our lives to Christ I was sure that this would be the difference-maker Immediately, I started praying for children I cried, I pled, I worshipped, I mourned It was a challenging time, but I continued to pursue God and to learn about His character and His desire for me

As the years rolled by with no pregnancy, people started to take notice They asked: "Why haven't you given your husband a child yet?", "What are you waiting on?", "Are you a mule (barren)?" Now, for someone who is already heartbroken about not having children, it is even more devastating to have to face and answer these questions regularly As I battled with this, the story of Hannah surfaced multiple times I wondered, "What am I missing Lord? Why do you keep sending me this story?"

While I am still processing this story, through it, I have learned:

Perseverance - Hannah persevered through the pain She did not give up hope

Faithfulness - The heartbreak and ridicule did not stifle her faith in God

Quiet strength - Hannah provided a soft answer to Eli when he assumed she was drunk as she prayed quietly She endured without complaint

Complete surrender - When she finally received the gift of a child (Samuel), she gave him back to the Lord! This is what surrender looks like - doing the God-honoring thing even when it is the difficult thing

As I embraced the lessons from Hannah, I remained convinced that children were in God's plan for me, so I continued to pursue Him about that but in a different way I learned not to treat God as a genie who grants my desires but as my Lord who leads me

He must increase and I must decrease for His perfect will to be done in my life in His perfect time (John 3:30)

When Christ truly became the focus of my life even above my desire for children, true healing began in my heart One night in late 2020, from a place of brokenness, I confessed to the Lord that I could not go anymore I cried myself to sleep that night I was at the end of myself, and I needed Him to piece me back together. I put myself squarely in the Potter's hands for Him to mold my heart. I was done trying to do it myself, after all, my efforts were futile. My reliance was now completely on God, and He came through

I woke up with a renewed perspective and heart Healing was palpable After this renewal, I was able to publicly share my story from healthy place, without shame, and the response was incredible! Interestingly, the very persons who ridiculed me for not having children have become some of my greatest supporters on this journey - a reminder to remain steadfast

Today, I am still not physically pregnant and that is okay. God currently has our family on a different journey to parenthood - foster care. All the love for children that God has deposited in me is now being poured out on those who are already on this earth and in need of care. How intentional is that?! This journey of surrender opened my heart to receive God's direction regarding foster care 2021 saw us fostering not one, but two baby boys, one of whom remains in our care We bless the Lord for each of them

Today I stand a mother - grateful, surrendered, strengthened My prayer is that as you read this, you are encouraged and empowered to surrender your life completely to God and trust in His design and plan for your life May you too become a woman strengthened

IF YOU ONLY KNEW

COLETTE SCHAFFER

There is a song that I grew up singing in Sunday school. The lyrics repeated the phrase, “the joy of the Lord is my strength.” The second verse went on to say, “He gives me living water, and I thirst no more. ” Although I didn’t understand the depth of what I was singing, the truth of those words proved out in my life repeatedly.

That song comes from the beautiful event in the Bible of the woman at the well John 4:10 reads, “Jesus answered and said to her, if you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water” (NKJV)

The phrase that jumps out at me in this verse is “if you KNEW ” Have you ever thought, “if I had only known, I wouldn’t have made that mistake, or I would have done such and such differently?” Hindsight is, of course, 20/20 – we understand something so much more after we have experienced it

That is true for spiritual things as well The woman at the well knew about the Messiah, but she didn’t know Him – not until she opened herself up to let Him into her life She had the strength and courage to let her guard down and be seen and known by Jesus After Jesus revealed what He already knew about her, it amazes me that she didn’t try to cover it up or make excuses for her actions She didn’t blame her circumstances, for she knew that there was no hiding the truth Jesus didn’t reveal her sins to condemn her, but to show that He saw her heart and had compassion for her

We call this a “ come to Jesus” moment When you have tried to live life on your own, tried to figure your problems out by yourself, and there is a moment when you simply surrender to Jesus Jesus said in Matthew 11:28-30, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (NKJV) Jesus was telling the woman at the well that she could come to Him, rest in Him, and drink from His well to give rest for her soul

To come to Jesus and be yoked to Him requires you to know Him One usually gets to know someone from spending time with them There is a vulnerability to allow that person to get to know you too – especially when that person is Jesus

Notice that Jesus wants to be yoked with you Wherever you go, He wants to be there Whatever you do, He wants to help you do it In this way, you will find rest for your soul and continuously drink from that living water

t takes strength and courage to know Jesus and be known by Him It takes strength and courage to take down the walls we have built around the vulnerable places of our lives Strength is owning up to our failures and accepting the forgiveness and love that only comes from knowing Him. Let’s purpose to know Jesus and be known by Him. Let’s determine to drink from His well that will never run dry. Amen?!

HEY LADY, WILL YOU BELIEVE IN YOURSELF LIKE JESUS DOES?

BY JOY ALLEN

Scripture to ponder: John 4:9-30

Hot tears of shame stole over my eyes, spread across my freckled face and finally settled in my trembling heart The memory floats back to me as if it occurred yesterday, rather than decades ago

The offending incident was the cool girls in fifth grade held court, and decided that they did not like me trying to insert myself into their exclusive troupe The result was the ring leader asked me to leave them alone, and banished me from their presence indefinitely In my barely double-digit maturity of defense, I was simply trying to elevate my elementary school status to one of the “cool kids ” It didn’t work Instead my existence threatened to tarnish their perfect persona and I was to look for friendship elsewhere I wasn’t only excused, I was stamped: unwanted

The lie stuck

For years I saw myself as having no bestie potential, no x-factor and was essentially discardable friendship material I mean, who gets outright asked by the cool kids not to hang around them anymore? You don’t need to hear the message again, if you ’ re already playing that soundtrack on repeat Over years that stretched into decades the song played on

I tried everything from performance to perfection to belong, and gain my worth If I could just make myself friendly enough, likable enough or simply enough someday the right cool kids would invite me to stay

As I grew up, and met Jesus, a very real tension grew between the lie I was harboring and the truth of his words: I had value because of who I belonged to, NOT from who I hung out with But what do you do with the tension of living in between?

Don’t you love the story of the woman at the well? I have a feeling the cool girls didn’t like her either

She came looking for water, and Jesus tells her he can quench her thirst

She is baffled by a Jew who will not only speak to her but calls her out

In the middle of her uncertainty and questioning, Jesus outright reveals to her that he is the awaited Messiah, so that she knows the definitive authority of who is speaking to her

Talk about a cool kid

What haunts me about this passage is that it embodies the reality that Jesus so often sought out the humble, the overlooked and those of discardable friendship material Instead of banishing them, he hunkered down with them He restored sight, caused lame to walk, and dined with the social misfits of his day He was no stranger to the less-than-cool-kids and instead made it a point to demonstrate their worth, give them back their dignity, and speak to them of their kingdom value

His very presence in their lives was an obstruction to the lies of rejection and unworthiness What is even more astounding, is that for a teacher of the Law, to reveal this to a woman-he solidifies his love and belief for us to be broken free from our past, and to step into our identity in Him

The power of the lie has been broken by the power of Jesus

If the Son of God cared enough to reveal himself to us, we have infinite worth to be his image bearers and hope-givers anchoring ourselves and offering to other outcasts, misfits and less-than’s who need the same lies broken in their lives too The message of Jesus’s love, and the power for us to overcome is available to anyone who will believes the truth he came to bring

Who’s the cool kid now?

make it a reality...

7 LESSONS LEARNT FROM PARENTING EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN

BY VERONICA SUTHERLAND

While we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal

(2 Corinthians 4:18, NKJV)

I have given birth to two exceptional children. My firstborn had Down’s Syndrome. She died at age two from leukaemia. My second born is severely autistic and non-verbal I have had my fair share of questioning and petitioning God The answers usually come back to one of three answers: “Why not you?”, “My grace is sufficient” or “My Son suffered too” I have weathered a number of storms on this journey, called life, but I can say without reservation; “God has been at my side through it all”

I have learnt many lessons while parenting these two exceptional children but I will highlight seven in this article

1: Expect the Unexpected

When you make the decision to be a parent, you never know how that bundle of joy will evolve. What surprizes await you each day, from finding a child lying on the top of the highest kitchen cupboard to an audible word used correctly out of the blue Nothing surprizes God, so I surrender my day to Him and He helps me to deal with these unexpected circumstances

2. Recognize and Cherish the Important Things in Life

As a trained Family and Consumer Studies teacher, Homemanagement is important to me This includes having your home looking like an interior design magazine page. My autistic daughter thought curtains were hand-towels and cushions were table napkins. Needless to say my home swiftly became devoid of soft furnishings They were not as important as having a safe space for her and peace of mind for other family members

3: Love is Our Greatest Treasure

In the midst of the pain of seeing your children suffer and not being able to tell you where hurts, you recognize just how important your expression of love, through a hug or reassuring voice, is to them That love that is a result of our connection with our Holy Father, is transmitted to our children, bringing them comfort

4. Patience

When you parent a hyperactive, non-verbal, severely autistic child, you either become impatient or patient I have chosen to be an instrument of patience, used by the Spirit of the Most High God Through His grace I am able to be patient even in the most trying circumstances.

5. God Gives Us Strength and Courage for Each Challenge or Need

Parents of exceptional children will tell you that we can easily be burnt out each day from the many challenges we face Submitting our day to the care of our triune God, results in Him meeting us in the midst of each challenge and taking us through to the other side We gain an unexplainable peace and joy in the process

6. Look Beyond the Chinks in the Armor of Human Behavior to See the Person Inside

As humans our natural tendency is to react to persons according to how they behave. When we parent exceptional children, we learn that they have little control over much of their behaviour We have to look beyond the behaviour and react to the little child crying out for help, behind the poor behaviour Just as Jesus looked beyond our fault and went to Calvary for our salvation, we too should look beyond other people’s faults and love the person, who is usually crying out for help

7. Life is an Adventure of Hills, Valleys and Plains – Cherish Each Moment

As we move along the pathway of life, with our exceptional children, we encounter joyful mountaintop experiences, sometimes we are fighting with the sorrowful, painful jagged rocks of the ravine and at other times we are skipping through life with no obstacles in the way I have learnt that whether I am happy, sad or in-between, there are lessons to be learnt in each situation and to cherish that lesson, along with the memory that lingers

When God in his wisdom sends us challenges, He equips us to face them If we live with an attitude of surrender to His will, those challenges will become lessons to light the pathway of our journey I pray that you will give God a chance to allow you to view the world through His eyes, finding nuggets in unexpected places of your life

SURVIVING DIVORCE: AN UNEXPECTED GIFT

BY DUANIA HALL

I’ll never forget pulling into the BIG LOTS parking lot and getting a phone call that would change everything.

Me: Hello

My Husband: I’m moving out Me: Okay

This was after I spent two years begging him to go to therapy, moving out, moving back in, then us taking a trip to Cabo that let me know nothing had changed He was being controlling and reckless with how he spoke to me He seemed proud when other men stared at me yet showed anger towards me because of it On our last day, we went on a boat cruise I was doing The Electric Slide and The Cha Cha Slide with the other guests One more “slide to the left” and my wedding ring flew right off my finger, into the ocean We gave each other this look that confirmed our marriage was over

I spent a year hiring people to serve divorce papers, but he refused to sign them I was emotionally exhausted! I felt trapped, like he still had a hold on me, and I needed him to let go! I spent over 14 months praying about this then he signed the papers He finally let go and I felt like I could breathe again

When we met at court to finalize everything, we were different people We weren’t just cordial but laughing and behaving like friends He made sure I had a seat and bought me food We were getting along so well that right before we signed the final papers, the clerk said “I have never seen people at divorce court getting along like this Are you sure you want to get divorced?” In unison we both said “YES” then went back to our conversation

Later that day, my now ex-husband, walked me to my car He shared how he had been unsuccessful with dating and was starting to see himself as a bad person I told him that neither one of us were bad people We just weren’t good together I let him know all the things I thought were good about him and he said “thank you ” with tears in his eyes, then hugged me tight I had given him an unexpected gift

Months later he called to share a dream he had about our marriage then said this:

It was as if God was letting me see everything from the outside; almost like watching a slide show of our marriage and I didn’t like what I saw I was a monster! I’m so sorry for hurting you! You’re a beautiful woman and a beautiful person, and you didn’t deserve to be treated the way I treated you in our marriage I hope you can forgive me, and I pray that God blesses you with everything good in this world because you deserve it I began to cry I cried hard because he had given me an unexpected gift

My Ex-husband and I have run into each other at various events and it’s all love He’s even called to ask for advice when his daughter/my bonus daughter was going through something, or to check on my daughter We went from friendship to failed marriage to a place that only God could have orchestrated after a painful divorce For anyone who is surviving divorce, I pray you give yourself and the other person grace We are all just trying to figure life out and it’s not easy

We often say or do all the wrong things as we become frazzled from watching our “I Do” unravel And the pain of that is close to death because we are losing a loved one Please pray for a way to take whatever love you have for the other person and see them as a whole person Allow them to be perfectly imperfect, without the titles, and forgive them I pray you come to a place of peace instead of leaving each other in pieces

There is a bright path after divorce and getting to it involves separating from the idea that either of you were supposed to do everything a certain way or that it’s all on you or all on them You came together and unfortunately you came apart But now you can become part of the exceptional people who learn from it and love again I found love again and God has some ‘restoring’ years ahead for you too

A PHENOMENAL WOMAN OF VALOR

BY ANITA K. DAVIS

Going through a divorce is life-changing and life-shattering. It can affect you emotionally, physically, financially, and spiritually; therefore, causing you to feel like a victim instead of a victor More importantly, a divorce can break you or strengthen you

A woman who is divorced, and becomes “single again” after a devastating marital breakup endures a lot of pain and heartbreak; a lot of pressure and trauma Nonetheless, through her tears and sadness; rejections and distresses; and loneliness and helplessness, she is forced to be strong and courageous (Joshua 1:9) and governed to put her hope in God (Psalm 43:5) “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted, and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18)

When the divorce is finalized and the case is adjourned, a woman is required to come up with a life-after-divorce plan and compelled to step into the role of “singleness” and embrace her new journey She has to rely on God and seek His will and direction for her life “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31)

A divorcee’ who suddenly becomes a single mother (parent) or a single mother who has never married, is a great example of being “ a phenomenal woman of valor ” When faced with adversities and difficulties, the strength of a woman rises up and shows herself brave and strong. She tirelessly does what it takes to overcome setbacks and conquer her hardships She can do all things through Jesus Christ who gives her strength (Philippians 4:13) She is bold and tenacious; walking by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7) and showing the love of God in her daily life; being attributed or recognized as “ a woman of valor” (Proverbs 31)

“The strength of a woman is not measured by the impact that all her hardships in life have had on her; but the strength of a woman is measured by the extent of her refusal to allow those hardships to dictate her and who she becomes ” C Joy Bell C

A single mother has to deal with many facets of divorce, such as: (1) raising her children alone in a single parent home; (2) coping with the pain, stress, and anxiety of starting over again; (3) experiencing financial hardships, due to having one income;

(4) working a full-time job, a second job; or running a full-time business or side gig to earn extra income; (5) juggling her busy schedule and children’s extracurricular activities; (6) attending church and Bible study regularly; (7) spending quality time with her family, and (8) putting everyone ’ s needs before her own

Although things may be uncomfortable or unbearable at times, a single mother learns to develop grit and pray without ceasing pray until something happens (1 Thessalonians 5:17; Matthew 7:7-8); she also learns to trust in the Lord and not lean to her own understanding (Proverbs 3:5); and wait patiently on the Lord (Psalm 27:14) until her situation changes a turnaround a breakthrough She exhibits the strength of a lioness The past does not define her destiny

“Strength and honor are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come (Proverbs 31:25) She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness” (Proverbs 31:26)

God loves and protects a single mother and her children He understands the struggles that she encounters and comforts the single woman “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abound by Christ” (2 Corinthians 1:3-5)

Single mother, I want to encourage you and let you know that, “God is right there with you in the storms and trials He will never leave you nor forsake you Do not be afraid or dismayed (Deuteronomy 31:8) “God is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8) Be rest assured that, “God has a plan and a purpose for your life It is plans to prosper you and not to harm you; plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11) Know your self-worth and your strength The Lord will fulfill his promises to you (Luke 1:45) You are A Phenomenal Woman of Valor!

THE PRECIOUS PURCHASE

BY JEWELLE MAYNARD-ROBERTS

Her solid ground of security was swallowed up by the darkness of three graves. The pain was beyond measure, she could not count the loss as she prepared to bury her second son. She watched as they tended to his body. Three times heart-broken, three loved ones lost She was a widow, and with her sons gone Suddenly, Naomi and her daughters were vulnerable, exposed to poverty without the protection of their husbands

In Ruth 1, Naomi arose with her two daughtersin-law to return to Judah She said, “Go, return each of you to her mother’s house May the Lord deal kindly with you turn back, my daughters, why will you go with me?” She said, “it is exceedingly bitter to me for your sake that the hand of the Lord had gone out against me ”

Can you blame her?

In Old Testament times, there was no provision for widows after the death of their husbands They could not inherit property and were left impoverished, dependent on the mercies of relatives With a husband and two sons dead, her life was in jeopardy

So much so that when she reached Bethlehem, she said to the townspeople, “Do not call me Naomi, call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt bitterly with me I went away full and the Lord has brought me back empty Why call me Naomi, when the Lord has testified against me and the Almighty has brought calamity upon me?” (Ruth 1:20-21, ESV) In the Message version she says, “I left here full of life, and God has brought me back with nothing but the clothes on my back. Why would you call me Naomi, God certainly doesn’t ” The name Naomi in Hebrew means “pleasant” and Mara means “bitter”

Naomi’s cries remind me of the cries of exiled Israel as they struggled with the harshness of their situation. Israel turned away from God and reaped the painful rewards. But there is nothing in the book of Ruth to suggest that Naomi’s position was the fruit of sin The cause of the death of Naomi’s sons, Mahlon and Chilion, is unknown The hardship these women faced was not the result of their own choices

Ruth was now an immigrant with an obscure background and foreign religion Naomi, was returning home after many years, to unfamiliar people and places As widows from another land, they were even more vulnerable than a locally resident widow with established relationships and family It’s no wonder that Naomi questioned God’s view of her.

Naomi and Ruth’s situation may speak to those of us who find ourselves living through tough circumstances When faced with no options, it’s easy to feel powerless Like Naomi, we question God

Does He truly love us? Does He see us as worthy?

The answer is yes, and Ruth’s story of rescue by Boaz, is a reminder of our value to Him, and how, when we avail ourselves, His power will repair all situations In the end, these two poor widow women were part of a storyline that changed the world Ruth became the great-grandmother of David, of whose bloodline Christ was born Ruth and Naomi were not powerless, but selected to participate in God’s powerful work of redeeming mankind. With a firm declaration of their worth and value to Him, God etched them into the family of Christ

Isn’t that an incredible demonstration of God’s power in the midst of trying circumstances? Although Ruth and Naomi could not see the outcome, their situation moved from one of grief and sorrow into hope and joy for the future.

What turned everything around?

It wasn't their fault

The answer is “redemption.” Isaiah 43:1 says, “Fear not, for I have redeemed you. ” A kinsman redeemer was a relative who would pay a price to rescue a family member in trouble. Land owned by Naomi’s husband was purchased by Boaz, and he married Ruth to rescue them from the trials of widowhood (Ruth 4) Boaz paid a price to answer the hardship they faced

Ruth’s redemption through Boaz foreshadows our redemption through Christ Just as Boaz paid a price to bring Ruth into his family, Christ gave himself for us (Titus 2:14) In spite of the hard places we find ourselves, He will redeem us We are not powerless To Him, we are worth the price, worth redemption, worth the precious purchase

“Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story ” Psalm 107:2 (NIV)