Women's Day

March 8th is Woman's Day all around the world.  It seems America may be the one of the only countries that doesn't celebrate it.  It is such a fun holiday when all women are celebrated. It is also the biggest day of the year for florists here. Every woman receives flowers and handmade cards from their kids.  My favorite part is that the women all go out for a big meal and dancing to celebrate the day.  I love it.  Like years past, I decided it would be a great idea to leverage this holiday for the gospel.  I got together with the ladies from our group, and worked with them to make a great event for our girlfriends and neighbors.

The night before 8mi Mart, we opened the doors of our new club (more on that later) and prayed that God would use the night for His glory. We had 23 ladies come.  I had hoped there would be more, but because of the holiday, there were ballet recitals, art exhibits and other things around town that were competing for attendees.  Plus a ton of women were sick or had sick kids.  Either way, I am confident that God brought in exactly those who needed to be there on that very night.  

We had a craft for the ladies to do as they were arriving, but it ended up lasting all night.  They really got into it. We painted washers with nail polish, added some beads and made pretty necklaces.  I was so impressed at some of the girls' artistic ability.  Everyone had such a good time making their necklaces and then showing off their creations to the others.  It was like the best art class ever!  

Along with one of the believers from our group, I was able to share about our hope in Jesus. It is common for women to say they are too busy to read the Bible, too busy to come to a Bible study or too busy to read a book we have given them.  I get it.  We women have our plates full--there is much to do in serving our families.  A story that always resonates with me and the story I chose to share with the ladies is the story of Mary and Martha. You know it. Jesus stops in for a visit. Martha is ticked cause her sister, Mary, is just hanging out with Jesus and not helping with all that needs to get done.  Martha tattles on her sister and tells Jesus to make her help.  His response cuts to the heart.  "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her."  ONE thing is necessary.  Sure the house needs to be cleaned, dinner needs to be cooked, the kids need help with homework.  But what if we spend our whole lives on those things and forget the ONE thing that is necessary. The ONE thing that lasts forever--the good portion.  What if we gain the clean house (not even possible) and the good food and the intelligent, well-behaved, well-adjusted children but lose our souls.  I shared of hope in the ONE thing.  There is salvation in Jesus alone. I continued sharing about how we can know Jesus--really know Him, how we can live our lives enjoying him, sitting at His feet just to be near Him.  He came to be Emmanuel, God with us. He shed His blood so that we can enjoy him forever. He rose from the dead so we can have life that lasts forever.  Oh sweet peace in the only true necessity! 

 Several of the women had more questions.  A few went home with their first Bibles.  I kneeled at the feet of one lady and answered her questions about knowing Jesus.  With tears in her eyes, she said, "What if I repent and believe tonight and tomorrow I keep sinning."  I told her the best news ever, "He won't stop loving you!!! You will still be His child. He will still let you call Him Father. He will still embrace you with open arms. The blood of Christ will cover those sins, too.  He will patiently teach you to obey Him and walk in His ways. His grace is sufficient!!!"   She wiped her tears, pulled herself together and that was it. She was done talking about it. --Y'all, don't stop praying!!! God is pursuing so many here....

I am so thrilled with what God did that night. Thrilled that I got to be a part of it. Thrilled that even though there were moments last week when I whined about all I had to do to get ready for the event, He still called me His child and His love poured out on me and made obedience sweet--even fun.  I am thankful that He gives the increase and one day we will see it in its fullness.