Through the summer I have had the opportunity to read and discuss the book Peacemaking Women by Tara Klena Barthel and Judy Dabler. A gem! It is one of those books that you pick up, thinking, "I might be able to use this to help someone someday." And then, by the second page, you are thinking, "That someone is me!" This book reminds us not to work harder at difficult relationships and challenges to everyday peace in our own strength, but to rest and be confident in the strength of Christ and His redeeming work on the cross. It has been a practical, challenging, and yet, encouraging study.
(Thanks also to that group of early rising ladies! They are iron that sharpens iron (Prov. 27:17).)
There are plenty of pearls to string from Peacemaking Women. Here's just one good reminder that will stay with me:
Relationships provide the opportunity for God to develop in us the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Such development, however, can be extremely painful. How do we grow in patience? Is it when we are sharing fellowship with a group of lovely ladies at a women's conference? No- they are all far too gracious and enjoyable. We grow in patience when we are called to relate to annoying and frustrating people. How do we grow in gentleness? When we are treated harshly by others but don't respond in kind. We grow in faithfulness when we are abandoned and rejected by others but continue to perservere in love. God uses people to help us grow to be more like Christ.
3 comments:
Thanks for your stimulating thoughts. One wishes God would just use those gracious ladies at the retreat, don't you?
Truly, you are indeed one of those patient, caring women, to an extent that absolutely amazes me! There have many disappointments in your efforts this past year, yet you have so tried to find the redeeming points and not be bitter or resentful. I do think that YOU could write a chapter for Peace-Making Women! You literally do "keep the faith," and we are all thankful for that! Love!
Yep~ I'm thankful for the good place and need for those gracious ladies.
And, I have no place to NOT be peaceful! I'm just grateful for the promise of sanctification, that God uses all things for His glory.
Post a Comment