Practical encouragement based on the biblical principles of Titus 2 and Proverbs 31 for today's woman
Mentoring Moments for Christian Women
Single Again
Real Live Women of Faith
By Patti M. Hummel Every Christian woman knows some someone who is an example of a godly and gracious woman. Some times that special woman is in the church, or perhaps has been a friend of the family for years. No matter how you are acquainted, she stands out as one who is committed to Christ, desires to be the best wife and mother possible, and serves the church as well as her community. These women are actually rather common-place to those of us who grew up in the church. However, a true woman of faith is also one who mentors young women by encouraging them to sit at the feet of Christ Jesus, learning from Him how to be mighty women in His kingdom. One of the most marvelous teachings I ever heard was by Bill Gothard in a Basic Youth Seminar Conference in the late 1970s. He stressed to parents who lived away from their own parents and the grand-parents of their children, to prayerfully enlist the help of a godly couple who could be surrogate parents and/or grandparents. My late husband and I were impressed with this idea because we were in ministry and far away from our parents. Applying this idea to our family was one we never regretted. The Lord led us to a precious couple who loved Him intimately, who had not been blessed with children, and who welcomed becoming a part of our young family as much as we loved having them as surrogate grandparents for our three children. When my husband passed away, I felt the need to expand this idea and enlisted the wise counsel of one couple while my children and I were on the mission field and another couple when we returned to the mainland U.S. Both couples' lives lives represented Christ Jesus in amazing ways. Approaching them was not difficult at all because they loved the Lord and had strong desires to minister to younger women and families. Both couples were humbled by the request to be prayer warriors for my children and me, and gave wise counsel to me when I needed to make major decisions as a single woman. I gave them permission to speak to my children and me about any issues they witnessed that were not appropriate. Prior to asking them to be a part of our lives, and after my husband had died, I found myself unable to deal with the onslaught of pressure of being a young single mom. I made some horrible decisions that could have been thwarted had there been similar counsel in place. It was important to set some ground rules, if you will. When personal issues required attention, I would always go to the woman alone. After she spoke with her husband, they would call me together so he could add his comments, but never without his wife being in ear shot. This practice has been a way of getting the help I have needed over the years while also making certain that integrity and appropriateness is in place. Also, we made it clear that the husband and I would never be alone. Over the years God has blessed these relationships affording many times of sweet fellowship with these dear and committed saints. We have also had a lot of just good old down-to-earth fun. I try to not take advantage, but I know they pray for my children and me. I know they care, and every bit of advice from them will be based on scripture and seriously considered before the Lord. A few months ago, one of the men lost his long battle with cancer. Up until a few weeks before he passed on into glory he was still communicating the joy of his life … His love for Christ. I still have contact with his dear bride who is now being ministered to by her children and the many surrogate family members they loved and made themselves available to over the years. I have seen in Margaret a strength that comes from years of serving Christ first and being a wife and mother who loves who she is called to be. In her busy life she has always found time to reach out to hundreds of others the world over. She and her husband, Ken, after retirement, moved to the South Pacific and served faithfully with a mission board for equally as many more years. The mainland surrogates have been dear to me, but in many different ways: not only as daily prayer warriors, but also as friends and mentors during the years of my being a single mom to three teenagers (something I do not recommend!). Joyce and Jim have come alongside me many times to provide guidance from the Word of God sprinkled with years of experience as parents and grandparents. As blessed as my children and I have been to have these godly men in our lives, I have been blessed in immeasurable ways to have Margaret and Joyce in my life, as prayer warriors and as mentors. Both have played major roles in my relationship with the Lord God and my desire to serve Him with every part of my being. These women are living examples of godly wives and mothers. Both of these dear saints are examples of holiness and grace. They are Proverbs 31 women, and, Margaret and Joyce are truly Women of Faith
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Journaling through Loss
Jackie Henry
Losing someone we love through death is one of the most stressful events we will ever endure. The stress takes a toll on our emotions, our bodies, and our health. Journal writing can be a simple and practical way to relieve some of that stress and the problems it brings. I found that writing my thoughts in a journal became a great comfort and companion to me. It will catalog your journey of grief.
Putting words on paper allows us to express our painful feelings rather than stuffing and carrying them around inside of us. We can pour our hearts out in a journal anytime we feel like it. Our journals are always there to receive our thoughts and feelings.
There is no right way to journal. Journaling can start out on a napkin, but you will probably want to purchase a pretty journal. If you are too upset to write anything, just write words and phrases. Explain what you are feeling. Sometimes just to catalog the events of your day helps. Write about the anger. Write about the memories. Write out your prayers to God. Write out scriptures that you are holding onto now.
A grief journal is a valuable tool in the journey of bereavement, and it is also a lasting tribute to the person who has died.
Here are some starters for you:
1. My biggest struggle right now is...
2. The thing that really gets me down is ...
3. The worst thing about my loss is...
4. When I feel lonely ...
5. The most important thing I've learned ...
6. I seem to cry most when...
7. I dreamed last night ...
8. I heard a song that reminded me of ...
9. The experiences I miss the most are ...
10. A new hope I found today is ...
11. New strengths I have developed since my loss are ...
12. A new person I have come to appreciate is ...
13. How I leaned on the Lord today is ...
14. I am thankful for ...
15. A Bible verse that gives hope ...
What We Worry About JoAnna Weaver, Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World 40% are things that will never happen.
30% are about the past--which can't be changed.
12% are about criticism by others, mostly untrue.
10% are about health, which gets worse with stress.
MMCW's New Blogs
Check out MMCW's new blog where you can share ideas, recipes, respond to our questions, and we can answer yours. Molly Evert also has a wonderful blog where she shares daily -- you don't want to miss it! MMCW's Blog Molly's Blog
An Honest Look at Anger
Do you struggle
with anger? Listen and be encouraged as Molly Evert shares candidly
about her struggles with anger as well as practical methods for gaining
victory through Christ in her newest podcast for MMCW. An Honest Look at Anger.
The Multiple Personality Mom
As
women, we often experience a wide range of emotions on any given day. To
our husbands and children--and even to ourselves--these mood changes
can seem like multiple personalities. You may meet some of your "other
selves" in this encouraging, allegorical podcast.The Multiple Personality Mom.
Elm Hill Books is proud to add a new voice to its collection of devotionals with Timeless Truths. Incorporating 365 separate devotionals--enough for a whole year--this book is packed commentary about the meaningful events that shape our lives and the "a-ha" moments that often accompany them, which lead to a deeper understanding of our purpose on earth. This is a perfect gift book for young and old alike!
God's sometimes surprising tools for maturing and training His church are clearly explained in this eye-opening discussion on the role of suffering in a Christian's life. You will be amazed at the depth of spiritual growth possible for those who continue to trust God during life's difficulties.
Time-Saving Tips for Working Moms
Freezer Cooking Cook for a day, eat for a month! Learn how to save time and money with freezer cooking.
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