The Question: What fruit have you noticed when you have allowed the Light to reveal any weakness? How has it affected your life? Please write and share with us, what God had done for you in this area of your life.
From Oak Harbor, WA
I have thoroughly enjoyed every issue of "Real Women!: Each article seems so timely and speaks right to me…especially the last one, "let there be Light."
When I was growing up, my family went camping in the desert during Spring Break. To some of you that may sound pretty strange. Nevertheless, when other teens were planning their Spring Fling at Disneyland, going to the mall and eating jellybeans, I had to go camping with my family. At the time, I saw it as a form of child abuse, but now I have come to love camping, even in the desert.
One activity my folks love to do is hike. That meant we children would love to do it too, whether we liked it or not. So off we would go, all ten of us, to explore and to learn about life in the desert.
Each of us had our own pack, but not everyone had a canteen…only those who could be trusted, like my mom, my dad and my older brother, Dan. When we would stop for a rest, (when we could find shade), we would all share the water supply, being every so careful not to spill a drop. Oh the taste of that water in the desert! So sweet, so refreshing, so satisfying! When you need a drink, most it tastes the best.
The past month when I read, "Let there be Light" It was to my soul as that canteen drink in the desert was so long ago.
My husband's grandmother had died. As his mom was leaving to bury her, she had a heart attack and died. We had to go to California for the service and to attend to family business. In the midst of all the grieving, I wanted to be a blessing. The Lord encouraged me that He wanted me to be light shining in darkness.
The morning of the service, when I opened my Bible , I noticed Real Women! Which I hadn't had an opportunity to read. I opened it and there it was, "Let there be Light!"
"The Lord is my light and my salvation, who shall I fear?" Walk as children of light…" What an encouragement! What a blessing! So sweet, so satisfying, so refreshing!
The Lord once again proved to be faithful to supply everything in our time of need. He is so good. As Martha wrote, "he is God, and He is Light, and we can trust Him!" 2Corinthians 4:6, "For God, who said "light shall shine out of darkness: is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ."
Submitted by: Bonnie Raymond
From: Templeton, Massachusetts
I want to share an article taken from a section of my devotion entitled "Gramma School". This lesson I've learned m a grandmother of three, including twins. It deals with the issue of weakness and the lessons and blessings God has shown me as he has shed his light in this area of my life. The lessons have an introduction, which I will share first.
GRAMMA SCHOOL
Mt. 19:14 Suffer the little children to come unto me and do not hinder them for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as thee.
Suffer? Why use the word suffer? Why not just say allow or let the children come? Suffer as stated in Merriam Webster's Dictionary: "To allow by reason of indifference" The disciples seemed to be indifferent towards the needs of these little ones, yet Jesus always welcomed them and would have us make room in our lives for these little ones. Not only in setting a godly example for them, but in learning from them as well the meaning of being a child of God.
Lesson: Suffer to be subject to handicap
POTTY TRAINING DAY
Granddaughter #2 is doing very well. Granddaughter #1 not so well. She tries but usually ends up missing, with her bottom on the floor or her feet in the potty. Granddaughter #2 cheers and claps after every successful attempt. Granddaughter #I sits and pouts. Granddaughter #2 sits herself down for another round of cheering and clapping. Granddaughter #1 walks over, pushes her sister off her potty, then sits down on it with a look as if to say
"Let's see you clap and cheer now!
2 Corinthians 12:9 states, "My grace is sufficient for you. For my power is made perfect in weakness." One of the definitions for grace is "undeserved Divine Assistance given men for his regeneration or sanctification."
We are not to despise our weaknesses when they are revealed. Our weaknesses are to serve as a reminder that "I need God". It is through his assistance-power-help that enables us to do all things. How many times have we withdrawn into self-pity or condemnation when face to face with our weaknesses? Do you find yourself feeling resentful, envious or jealous towards those who seem so strong? We experience these feelings when our eyes are off of God and onto ourselves. The ones who seem so strong are the ones who have surrendered and deferred to God in their lives. Our weaknesses are shown not to knock us down but to lift our heads up to the face of God who reminds us it is through his grace not our self-sufficiency we live by. I Corinthians 10: 15 Living Translation: But whatever I am now it is all because God poured out such kindness and grace upon me and not without results. For I have worked harder than all the other apostles yet actually I was not doing it, but God working in me to bless me!.
As I have been walking this out in my life I have experienced great peace and joy. True peace and joy come as we yield our lives, wit all its weaknesses, to our heavenly Father.
Submitted by: Lorraine Stewart