Brave

I have some of the most incredible friends in my life.  You have read many times about Batgirl, whom I call my "kindred spirit" just like Anne and Diana in Anne of Green Gables.  And also GFG, who is not only a wonderful friend but sort of like a mentor in many ways to me.  And so many others!!  Well, I also have been blessed with a few friends from my local area whom I originally met in church when we started attending Carpenter's Way back in 2003.  We became friends when our children were younger and we were involved in MOPS.  We evolved into calling ourselves the "Coffee Girls" (we used to go to Starbucks for coffee once a month), took a couple of trips together and they just became ladies that I could call on for anything.  They have become my "spiritual" sisters in so many ways, my heart swells when I think of them.


One of these ladies (Mville, she has been called on the blog before) had to move out of state this last spring with her family.  While we know it was the right thing, we have missed her terribly.  Of course, with Facebook and other resources, we keep in touch weekly, sometimes daily, but we still miss just knowing she was close by.  

Well, after SP (new photos to follow, he's just so stinkin' adorable!) joined our family and I had been missing church for awhile for that, I realized I really needed to get involved in a bible study of some kind, I was feeling really, really far from God.  So I approached these friends to see if they would want to attempt a summer study with me, long-distance.  I was so used to doing bible studies with Mville at church I also couldn't imagine not having her involved.

And so a summer bible study began.  We chose "Brave" by Angela Thomas.  

We had done a study by her several years ago with other MOPS moms (many years ago, ha!) and it is one I still remember to this day.  So we ordered a few books and purchased the online videos.  Then we created a private group on Facebook so we could discuss what we were learning and encourage each other.  Granted, it has taken us 3 months to complete a 6 week study, but this week, we all finished.  And can I just tell you that not only did this study teach each of us in so many ways, God also drew us even closer to each other, even over hundreds of miles and without being face to face.  He is so good.

I just finished the last day and my heart and head are just bursting with the wonderful things I've read and learned so I had to share just a bit (which is the reason for this post, not focused on my family this time, ha!)


Each week focused on a different struggle we as women face daily as well as God's truth we can cling to when we feel weak with these struggles.

Here is a summary from p. 139 of the study of each week's topic:
I am worn out....(can I get an Amen!) but He is the God who does not grow weary.
I am suffering a thorn....but our God is all-sufficient.
I am undisciplined....but God promises to be my strength.
I am trembling inside....but God is the God of all comfort.
I am invisible....but our God is the God who sees.
I am broken....but oh, hallelujah, God is my redeemer!


While the three of us worked through this study, we each faced many life happenings that drew us back to God's word and the words he gave Angela Thomas in the study.  During the invisible week, Mville learned of a friend's husband who just committed suicide...if ONLY he had truly known that even when you don't hear from God HE IS STILL THERE, He still sees, just look at Hagar.  She was depressed, desperate, angry...but God still saw her even if no one else did.  

While reading the broken week, learning about Ruth and that instead of turning to wrong choices, she chose to commit more fully to God, to work hard and to find her refuge in HIM, not another man or material things.  Oh, how I pray this for friends who are right now making wrong choices in their relationships.  

While reading the worn-out week, SP had just started waking up again during the middle of the night and I truly was worn-out, but God reminded me that He is never tired and there for me to help me through.  

Each day spoke volumes and I am so grateful my friends took this summer journey with me.  It has been amazing, humbling, hard, tearful, joyful, overwhelming, LOTS of "ouch"'s but also lots of "Amen"'s.  But WOW, have I been reminded over and over what a Brave woman of God is like...and how the friends in my life are these women.  

I am also sad it's over.  I'll be leading (yes...leading...YIKES!) a new study at church on Wed. nights starting this week and while I'm nervous and excited about that, I am still mourning a bit that this was one had to end.  I already can't wait for next summer so we can do it again with these girls!


I encourage you ladies, whoever reads this small family blog, to gather a few friends online if you aren't involved in a study at church presently...take the initiative and go online (Lifeway is a great place to start...Angela Thomas, Beth Moore, Priscilla Shirer are just a few available) and order a few books, purchase the online videos if needed and do a study.  You don't have to wait for your church to do a study, you can order on your own!  

Even if it takes you six months to do a 6 week study, you are still doing it.  It helps just doing it with even one other person to hold you accountable.  The joy you feel from sharing the information you learn and the lessons God is showing you with another sister in Christ is a wonderful blessing. And what a BRAVE woman of God you will be.