Hello sisters,
This is the first of what will hopefully be daily, encouraging notes from the elder’s wives and women ministry leaders. Hopefully you are staying connected with God through bible study and prayer, staying connected with your house church or d-group, but we also wanted to let you know that you are in our thoughts and prayers even when we can’t connect in person. Don’t be surprised if we ask for you to write something. We know you all have lots of wisdom you could share. I pray that we all stay safe and can grow spiritually during this time.
A couple weeks ago before spring break, I put a couple things on a “to do” list for myself to get done while I was off work. These items were very much self focused and I must confess, did not involve reaching out to and encouraging anyone. Then all of the sudden, due to COVID-19, one week at home was extended to two weeks, then longer. My husband’s business had to close it’s doors so he is home. Now what am I supposed to do? Staying self-focused for a couple days to spring clean my house and do some yard is not going to keep me occupied indefinitely. The best thing to do was turn to the scriptures.
So I went to Proverbs 31:10-31 for guidance. If you have not read this passage for some time, I recommend reading it. Here are some things that this passage says I should be doing that are not self-focused: Bring good, not harm to my husband. Work with eager hands. Provide food for my family. Open my arms to the poor and extend hands to the needy. Laugh at the days to come. These were just a few of the ideas that caught my attention.
Because Kevin and I have NEVER spent this much time at home together, I will need to work hard to keep his needs ahead of mine and not get upset and frustrated with him. I need to make sure I don’t become lazy and a couch potato doing some binge watching of favorite TV shows. I need to find a way to help those in need even when I can’t connect with them in person. This thought ties in with the message that Tracy preached about this weekend. He was in Acts 2 and talked about the small house churches taking care of each other. Who can I call? Take a meal to? Buy groceries for because they can’t go out or are without a job right now? Can I sew fabric face masks that Carle is accepting? Can I donate blood like the commercials on TV are asking? Will my budget allow me to order take out from one of the local restaurants so they can stay in business?
I am going to do my best to not become self-focused while I have to stay home and to do my best to laugh during the days to come. Won’t you join me?
-LeeAnne Byers