TITLE: DEVINE DESIGN 9/13/14 By Rachel Jamerson 09/13/14 |
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She raised four children during the depression, bore two more during her change of life and ended up caring for two of her grandchildren from infancy to the teenage years. She suffered many health problems including several strokes, one of which caused her to become partially disabled. After becoming disabled and while she still had two children at home, including two grandchildren, my dad divorced her and married a younger woman.
She suffered much both physically and emotionally but throughout all her suffering, the one thing that sticks out in my mind was her love for God. Her refuge was her bible. When she could get transportation we attended a small country church where she taught Sunday School.
During much of my mother’s life, she lived without electricity. There were no telephones or televisions, computers or cell phones. Most of her life she spent at home raising her children. She never learned to drive, and knew very little about the world around her. However she managed to instill in the hearts of her children knowledge of God and the importance of seeking Him throughout their lives.
Today’s Christian Woman lives in a very different world. And as a result her needs are different. The joy of my Mother’s week was a day at church with her Christian Friends. Today it seems more and more difficult to fit church attendance into our extremely busy schedules. Does that mean we need that time any less? Of course not, we need it more. As the scripture says, we should not forsake the assembling of ourselves together and so much more as we see the day approaching. So what is the answer for today’s frazzled Christian woman trying to balance her responsibilities at home, and work along with time for her spiritual growth and development?
The need for focused individualized training and development is at its peak and rising. It is no longer practical to add time consuming meetings. As Christian leaders we are faced with the challenge to devise a plan that will meet the need without adding stress, or forcing a choice between family responsibilities and Spiritual development.
The needs are great and varied. Today’s church is filled with a cross section of ages, physical and denominational backgrounds, cultures, family situations, life experiences, economic and social situations, and the list goes on. How do you address so many needs with so little time and do it effectively?
Studies have proven that specialized ministry in small group environments is more productive than in larger groups. In small groups there is a shared trust and intimacy that encourages greater participation which is especially helpful in the learning process. There is also a sense of belonging that is difficult to achieve in large group settings. In addition, it is possible to address more and different needs through multiple groups. While small fellowship groups may be the ideal environment not everyone has access to these learning environments.
We feel a website devoted to the same goals can provide many of the same opportunities. Our goal is to see as many women as possible reach their full potential spiritually, without having to choose between outside responsibilities and the opportunity for spiritual growth.
In order to be successful, this type of ministry requires a variety of dedicated individuals willing to share their life’s experiences and to use the gifts God has given them. However the benefits are enormous, not only to our current generation but to those who come after. And the best part is, those involved will enjoy the peace and contentment of knowing they are fulfilling the purpose for which they were DIVINELY DESIGNED.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.