A friend of mine sent this to me today, and it was just what I needed...
To my sisters in the Lord... There comes a time in every woman's life when she has to take a closelook at herself. Not at her circumstance, not at what she did, not how unfair life is,or at who made you do it. She has to just look at herself in all her glory and imperfection. Have you ever admired a woman who has been through changes in herlife? Or have you made up in your mind that she is just messed up. Beforeyou make this mistake, take a closer look. A woman who has endured the most unusual life is someone of wisdom,someone who has been chosen by God to go through things that have madeher stronger. Think of all the great women in the Bible: Mary Magdalene, Ruth andNaomi, the woman with an issue of blood, and Esther, to name a few. Mary was a prostitute, a very uneasy woman. But by the time Jesus wasdone with her, she was His closest follower. Esther was unfortunatein marrying an abusive man, but by the time God was done with her, shehad married one of the wealthiest men in the land. Women are so quick to beat the next one down instead of trying to holdher up. Before you wonder,' What's up with her?' ask yourself,'What's up with me?' That woman could be my mother, sister, aunt,in-law, stepmother, niece, grandmother, great-grandmother, neighbor, friend,or co-worker, etc. That woman could be ME. Women are the carriers of life, not the channels of death. Let'sbuild and encourage each other, as did Ruth and Naomi. Pass this to all the women in your life. Encourage and love, forgiveand forget, and trust that the woman that receives this will betouched in some way. May the peace and love of Christ be upon you!
