Often we don’t hear the lessons from the women mentioned in the Bible. Their stories can teach, lead and direct our paths whether they are named or unnamed.
About a year ago, Barbour Publishing (the company who published my Advent devotional – Let Every Heart Prepared Him Room) asked me to be one of six women to write devotionals about the lives, loves and legacy of notable Bible women. I couldn’t wait to see the list of names they sent me.
When the email arrived last January with those they wanted me to write about, I was excited to see Eve, Esther, and Elizabeth. BUT there were quite a few I really wasn’t too sure about, like Eli’s daughter-in-law, Elisheba, Euodia and Haggith. Who? How am I to be inspired by them?
Oh my, what have I signed up for?
I prayed. I woke up early to write. I spent time with their stories. I wrote.
And last week I held the new book, newly published, written with five other writers – Women of the Bible Devotional.
God has lessons planted around us, even when we can’t see them. Sometimes just listening quietly to the unnamed, the not so good and even the terrible, rough spots in life, we can hear him.
I learned that lesson writing these devotionals. My first reaction was the fear I wouldn’t know what to write. My second reaction brimmed with blind exasperation of not knowing where all this was leading. My third reaction of guess I better dig in and shut up the whining and listen – all led to words – God’s words of help, healing and light for our way.
The book is available on line at Amazon and Barnes and Noble and I hope you check it out.
Celebrate with me this new book by leaving a comment about who is your favorite woman in the Bible and why and I will chose one commenter by random to win a copy. Deadline for comments will be Sunday evening, Feb. 8, 2015 by 6 p.m. eastern.
And the winner is, totally by a random draw: BETH!! I sent you an email to get your snail mail address but just in case you didn’t get the email, let me know so I can send you the book. Congrats and thanks to all who left a comment.
Who is your favorite woman in the Bible and why?
What a testament of perseverance and faith, Jean, as you pressed on toward the final drafts of those devotionals. And what a thrill it must be to hold another published book in your hands. Congratulations!
I’m with Dolly of Soul Stops. Choosing one favorite woman of the Bible is difficult. I admire Rebekah’s faith, to marry Isaac–sigh unseen! I admire Deborah, for her wisdom and courage. But the first name I thought of was Ruth. She, too, demonstrated faith and courage, but also commitment and obedience. Of course, the ending of her story is especially heart-warming. God transformed her broken life into one of love, joy, and security.
Rebekah is a good choice to consider. Let me tell you Nancy it wasn’t easy coming up with devotions for some of these lesser known people. We weren’t to write about them being mothers since not all women reading the devotions would be mothers so had to focus on other things and often the only thing we knew about them that they were the mother of someone. But God is good and somehow in those early morning, he sent me ideas and pushed my fingers on the key board.
Sounds like a wonderful book. A lady from our church just shared a message from the Book of Esther at a monthly ladies meeting. Esther has always been one of my favorites, but I say that knowing I have many more women to learn about (somewhat new Christian). I’d really like to read this book. I was taking a peak around. I’m rather certain I’ve been to your place before but spending a bit more time today. 🙂 Blessings.
Thank you Beth. Esther is fascinating to study. lots of lessons in that story too.
Very excited for you, Jean. Congratulations! My favorite woman of the Bible is the Samaritan Woman. Because I identify with her shame, yet God has set me free. My shame was being a child abuser but just like that woman at the well, God used me to tell others there is always hope for healing and deliverance.
Thanks Kathy. You are so right about that Samaritan woman and all the lessons her life hold and the promises God gives us in healing and wholeness in him. Thanks for sharing this. May you have a great weekend
Jean, Congratulations! Hooray! Hmm, I’m not sure who my favorite woman in the Bible is…Mary? Deborah? Elizabeth? Hannah?…I’d have to think about it…I will have to get your book later 🙂
Thanks Dolly. Lots of women to chose from to learn from aren’t there? Last year I sat with Hagar and learned some deep lessons from her too. Have a wonderful weekend.
Jean, I am excited for you! In thinking about it for a bit, I’d say – Mary, the mother of our Lord for teaching me that some things are meant to be treasured in our hearts. Not everything need be told to everyone. May God use this devotional to bless many!
Thank you for helping to promote this book. really appreciate it. Yes Mary is a powerful woman and we can learn so much from her. I also like Mary Magdelene too. Thank you for your blessing
Oh, Jean, I’m so thrilled for you! My favorite is Mary, the mother of our Lord. How easy would it have been for her to say “no” to God, yet she threw all caution to the wind and chose to obey Him without fear and with full commitment to His will.
Blessings!
So many lessons from Mary. I would have thought you would have a soft spot for your namesake, Martha. I do. Lots of lessons from these women.
Oh, yes, I do! In my past, as the doer and fixer of all things, and people-pleaser ad nauseum, I identified much with my namesake. However, as I’ve grown in age and in spirit, Mary wants in to the very fiber of my being. Good news? God loved me as Martha and loves me as Mary. Blessings!