This article is written in hope it will help you with the areas of life in which you too, are learning to lean.

The January 06 issue of Real Women! Was entitled “Learning to Lean”. What a year this has been. There have been times when I have been sure I have progressed in these lessons, and at other times have been frustrated and discouraged to the max. However, I know that He who is faithful will continue and has continued to set up situations to show me my leaning stance. Is it on Him? Or on myself?

In January God gave us a “New Years Challenge” to ask Him to show us new aspects of Himself, and to reveal things He desires for us to know about Him. The March issue of Real Women brought us to a fresh understanding that He desires us to “learn to lean” upon Him in greater manner. I have found myself practicing the “lean” in these past several months. It has been an amazing opportunity to learn about His ability to bring peace, hope or solutions as I release my faith in new areas.

A few weeks ago I woke up, feeling oppressed and downright needy. I began crying out to the Lord, asking Him to help me for the umpteenth time, it seemed. My spirit knew He was helping, but my soul sure seemed to need some outward manifestation! As I was talking with Him, He gave me a picture. It was a picture of me, complete with bathrobe, walking across our bedroom floor leaning on the Lord. I was leaning on Him as if I had absolutely no strength of my own, as if I were ill or disabled. He said, “Just lean on me”. I asked Him, “is it ok to lean that much?” Is this really how much it is ok for us to lean on you?” He said, “Yes”.

Toddlers and particularly two year olds are famous for learning to use the word “no”. Parents spend an amazing amount of their time training their children to use the word “yes” to bring them to submission, obedience and simply for their own safety. As children begin to mature we hope they will learn to use the word “no” judiciously.

Dear Sisters,
New Year, New Beginning, New Opportunities. As I was praying for this issue and thinking about all the “new” possibilities in our lives, I feel like He put on my heart a challenge to ask Him to show us new aspects of Himself, to reveal things that He desires for us to know about Him.

What every joint supplies continued: It is God’s desire that we be knitted together and take care of one another.

For because of Him the whole body (the church, in all its various parts), closely joined and firmly knit together by the joints and ligaments with which it is supplied, when each part is working properly [in all its functions], grows to full maturity, building itself up in love Ephesians 4:16

Little baby sleeping quietly, resting in your mothers arms, how can we impart to you the joy of knowing your Creator? How can we encourage you to grow up to not only know your Savior, but to follow Him all the days of your life?

Young eager student, sitting in your nursery class, how can we teach you the ABC’s of the faith? How can we share with you the wonderful knowledge that you have a Heavenly Father who loves you?

This issue of Real Women is dedicated to the married women of our audience, but I believe every reader will benefit.

Have you ever felt overwhelmed when a friend or acquaintance was hurting? Did you wonder what to say? Were you afraid of saying the wrong thing and making the situation worse? I, too, have faced those same feelings. I have felt tongue-tied and apprehensive.

Joy—what do you know about it? Do you have it? Is it active in your life? How can it be increased? Joy is such a small, seemingly insignificant little word, can it really matter to those around us if we have it in our lives or not?

Jesus declares, in John chapter 15 verse 11 “these things I have spoken to you that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full”. Does His joy remain in you? Or do you find yourself a bit like a leaky bucket? When you do experience His joy, would you rate your level at full?