Touch. Faith over Fear…. Peace over Panic

Good morning ladies-
So - what are we supposed to do when we can’t have one of our basic physical needs met? To be able to have someone reach out and touch you and in return, for you to reach out and touch someone else. I know for some, physical touch isn’t high on the priority list, but I believe they still desire to have someone near them. They desire to have someone speak to them and listen (for sisters that live on their own- they don’t have a spouse, family or a roommate to be near right now) For many the ability to gently touch someone, a gentle hand on a shoulder or a pat on the knee, lets them know that someone is there for them. For those who know me, you know that I’m a “touch-feely person”. When I pray with someone, I want to hold hands. When we talk, I want to be close and be able to reach out and express love through a gentle touch. I love to give hugs and to get hugs. When someone asks to pray with me it makes me feel close when they want to hold hands or give me a hug.
I’ve given lessons on 1 Kings 19... the very first thing the angel does when he comes to comfort Elijah, he touches him. He reaches out and puts his hand on him, before he feeds him or talks to him, he touches him. So... I have to tell you I really hate this social distance thing. It goes against every fiber of my being. Yet each and every day, working with HOPE worldwide (I am just about to log onto a meeting with our HOPEww mental health team, to see what ways we are able to help those who at this moment are suffering emotionally more than others), listening to the news, scrolling thru the posts, I am told it is what I need to do. And not just need to do but must do. So, how do I reconcile the two? Even in the midst of this pandemic, we can reach out and touch someone today. Send them a handwritten card, call them vs texting them. Remember those that live alone (both the young and the elderly), how can you help them? Remember those that already suffer from depression or anxiety -this time could be even more traumatic for them-listen to them, comfort them.

2 Chronicles 20:15... do not be afraid - do not be discouraged- the battle is not mine - it is God’s.

2 Kings 6: 15... do not be afraid- those that are with us are more... open your eyes and see the chariots of fire surrounding them

Isaiah 40: 28-31…those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.

Psalm 46: And finally, I just have to pause, breathe deep and trust…to be still and know that God is God, even in the midst of a pandemic.

Breathe deep everyone- we will get through this!

Love you all- Angela Tomlinson

Let us not become weary in doing good

Women’s Ministry Minute

With Michelle Lutz

Galatians‬ ‭6:7-10‬ “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” ‭‭

Outward-focused while indoors

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