This past weekend we had a women’s retreat with our church. On Friday night we met for a social dinner at a member’s home. It was glorious to sit with a glass of wine, snacks, and sit on the back patio with women to laugh, listen, and love. It was so nice to get to know some of the women better and truly laugh until I cried tears of joy! I loved it.
Saturday we joined at the church for a morning of testimonies, discussion, journaling, lunch, and a communion/healing service. It was also nice, but much more serious than the prior night. I liked both. But, I needed the laughter. I needed to lift my spirits to the heavens with other women. Have you laughed out loud lately? Find your people to do so with!
Now,
Reflections on some of the testimonies that caused me to think…
Our Deacon Susie shared that 30 years was like 1,000 years in the eyes of us versus the eyes of God. Teaching was not her first choice as a youth, but teaching is what she did for years and still does as she leads our children’s sermons weekly at our church services. She taught religion and faith even in her elementary private school classroom. She entered the ministry formally later in life. Her reflections made me ponder my callings in life:
Motherhood
Speech Therapist/Teacher
Writer
Reader
Leader
Lover of Jesus
Walker
Yogi
Friend
Sister
Daughter
Survivor
God has shaped my life from child, to youth, to young adult, to middle age. Always loving me. He has always been at my right hand. “The Lord’s right hand is lifted high; the Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!” Psalms 118:16
“Your right hand, LORD was majestic in power. Your right hand LORD shattered the enemy.” Exodus 15:6
“I cling to you; your right hand upholds me.” Psalms 63:8
“Your hand will lay hold on all your enemies; your right hand will seize your foes.” Psalms 21:8
“Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand.” Psalms 73:23
“The LORD watches over you–the LORD is your shade at your right hand.” Psalms 121:5
I love the visual of God being at our right hand. I put puffy paint on a denim pillow with a Psalm as a high school senior and took that pillow to college with me. I don’t know what happened to the pillow, but I do hold the scripture image dear to my heart even now. What is your favorite scripture image? Please share!
Love to you this day,
Jennifer
Jennifer K Cook 