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Faith of a Woman

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For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole. (Mark 5:28 KJV)

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Painting by artist Alan Hicks.

It is the belief that God is there, with her always. It is what keeps a smile on her face when times are hard. It’s the joy in her spirit when the world says she should worry. It is seeing it happen when no one else can or will. It is the size of a mustard seed, because that’s all it takes.

It is the faith of a woman – strong, hard, daring. Perfectly centered on her perfect God. Believing, seeing, knowing. How is faith achieved? How does one have faith? Have you ever met one of those women of God and witnessed the faith she has?

I believe faith is a gift. It is given of the same God to which it is aimed. He bestows it in a willing vessel for His glory and for others to behold. If received and used by the vessel, it is a powerful force, capable of moving mountains, opening and closing doors, making ways out of no ways.

The woman in Mark 5:28 had faith. She had no other choice. She was at the end of her rope; Jesus was her only option. Had been all along. Her faith brings her to Him. Or, to hem.

If I could only touch Him, she said. That will do it. That’s all I need. Just one touch. Her faith moved through Jesus so powerfully that He felt virtue leave Him. Where did it go? He had to know. He turned and saw a poor face. That’s where it went – to her.

I want to be that kind of woman, with that kind of faith. The faith that causes Jesus to stop in His tracks and look for me, to look at me, through me. To see it all. I want His love to heal me, save me, cover me, fill me. What a blessed way to live.

Nothing’s more beautiful than a woman with faith in her God – arms stretched out to hem, her first love.

Part of New Day’s “Girlfriends in May” series. iPhone photo of art; “The Touch” by Alan Hicks, http://www.twinhicks.com/index.htm.

Ain’t Nothing Like a Mother

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Her children arise up, and call her blessed… (‭Proverbs‬ ‭31‬:‭28‬ KJV)

I am thankful to have had not just one but several mothers throughout my life! Women who kept me in line, advised me, and beat my tail when I needed it. I wouldn’t be who I am today without them. In their honor…

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My sisters and I have one grandmother still with us, our granny Sarah. She’s technically our step-grandmother, but we’ve never considered her as such, treated her as such, and won’t let anyone else treat her as such. She’s ours and always has been. She keeps God in her heart, a smile on her face, and joy in her spirit. Sometimes she’s so happy her words flow to 100 MPH! We love every bit of it and every bit of her.

Two grandmothers are in Heaven now. Our grandmother Frances was honored by my dad and his siblings as a mother who did what she could, who loved as she could. She had her life struggles, but I hope she felt our love to her through it all. I remember her as quiet and serious; I am a similar soul, and I’ve embraced that part of me. I’m thankful for our times with her.

Now Ms. Fleda was our queen, the one with the first and the last word! A sweet spirit, sold out for God, and mean as a whip sometimes. Always loving, always thought of others before she thought of herself. She had her life struggles, too, having experienced loss and the sudden absence of four family members from a single, terrible tragedy. Healing took time, but she got the rest of her family through. She left us peacefully, held our hands, cried with us, then went on to be with her Maker. We miss her so much, that gal…

Then there’s that one. The one who gave my sisters and me life. She’s our best friend. She’s our heart, our blood, and our teacher. She never meets a stranger. She has the best laugh on earth – don’t get her started! She is a Nana grandmother herself now, and keeps three little young ones in check. Love me some Brenda.

Anyone who is a mother deserves to be honored and respected not just on Mother’s Day, but every day. Love and thank you to all who are called blessed.

Part of New Day’s “Girlfriends in May” series.

Girlfriends in May

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May is a season of celebrations – graduations, holidays, Mother’s Day, and weddings. It continues our welcome to spring, bringing together families and neighbors at cookouts and special gatherings.

I especially have appreciated time together with my sister friends – catching up, sharing the latest gossip, and giving advice for life’s challenges. It is in that spirit that I dedicate May here on the New Day blog to the theme Girlfriends in May, in honor of the blessing and gift of sisterhood. GIM 1 The Word says, Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. (‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭4‬:‭9-10‬ KJV) I think all of my sisters reading this can agree: there’s nothing like a girlfriend to make life a little better. The support, the trust, the love found in a true friend can’t be matched. The tears you cry, the pain you suffer through, even the happiest times – when you can pick up the phone and make that call, all is well with the world.

We need to do more of that: support, love, trust. We need to honor who we are by honoring those whom God has placed in our lives and across our paths. His plan for sisters in our lives is purposeful. Thank Him for this gift.

In this season of beauty and renewal, celebrate the sister girls in your life! Let them know you appreciate their presence in your life. Send a card or a note, go shopping, take a fun night out – do something! Make it purposeful. Life is too short… Well, you know the rest.

I admire a particular friendship, a true sisterhood, my mom shares with two great women of faith. They worked together for over 35 years until their retirements. They bowled together, celebrated birthdays and holidays, laughed together, called, visited. Their friendship is still strong today, and they call each other sister. My mom recognized them at her retirement party last year, and they shared the sweetest sentiments. I almost cried. Well, I think I teared. That meant so much to me, and I was so glad for my mom. Love them.

Happy May, sisters! Enjoy and celebrate and bless your girlfriends!