Braggin' Rights

Today I just have to take some braggin' rights and talk about the most precious group of ladies I have ever been blessed to know... my sisters in the Thursday night Bible study that I teach. Every Friday morning during my quiet time with the Lord, I'm seriously grinning from ear to ear. And today was no exception.

Many of them began bible study as virtual strangers or casual acquaintances. Over the last year, some have come, and some have gone. But there is a core group of ladies who are committed to Christ, loving Him with all of their heart, soul, mind and strength. They are just as committed to loving and learning His Word. They are reaching across generational, economic and racial lines to touch one another with love. And their heart's desire is to take that love outside of our body into the surrounding community.

Lately I have watched them love one another in such tangible ways. Money has been donated for specific needs. One of the gals needed a carseat and guess what? We got two. They are praying with and for one another. Encouraging one another with cards and calls. Hanging out and doing life with one another ... and with me. They aren't afraid to tell their stuff. They have made bible study a safe place to be. Always careful of judgment, because they know where they've come from themselves. And let me tell you, we've all been a few places!! We cry some tears...we look at ourselves seriously in the light of God's Word, but never take ourselves so seriously that we can't laugh out loud...a lot!

I carry a particular fondness for them because they have embraced my two baby girls, Michelle and Kelly, who are always in the front row of bible study. These women have prayed for them, encouraged them, and downright loved them till they had no choice but to love them right back. Kind of like Christ, don't you think? They are learning wisdom from the older women who draw fully on their own life experiences and aren't afraid to share. My girls are watching living examples of compassionate kindness. I am so grateful to God for blessing my daughters with godly women who teach what is good. (Titus 2: 3)

Not one of them is perfect, but every one of them is real. There ain't a phony in the bunch! They are treasures in jars of clay.(2 Cor. 4:7) They are vessels of honor, sanctified, and meet for the Master's use, prepared unto every good work.(2 Timothy 2:21) They never quench the Spirit, but extend Him invitation to fill them to the measure with all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3: 19) And because they are filled they spill over onto everyone in their path. Most have been broken, bruised, rejected or abused in some way, at some time. All have been blessed, chosen, adopted, accepted, redeemed, forgiven and washed in the blood of the Lamb. I'm blessed when I see them walking the road of life with the shield of faith in one hand and the Sword of the Spirit in the other. They are a force to be reckoned with and I know that their battle cry is "Jesus Christ, Only Christ, That is all!!" (Col. 3:11 Jerusalem Bible)

Jesus, I thank you with every last bit of my heart for Your ladies of Thursday Night Bible Study. Thank you for giving me the privilege to teach them Your Word, and to learn every bit as much from them. They are so precious to me. I know they are even more precious to You. Bless them and keep them. Shine Your face upon them. Protect them from the evil one. May they be filled to the measure with Your Holy Spirit. They so want to be used by You. Use them Lord for your honor and your glory. Amen.