Success

What is the mark of success?  A large turnout?  Someone new?  Good laughter and talking to someone new?

Women's ministry had a coffee house this past week.  We invaded Frankly Coffee, they were so accommodating they stayed open for 2 extra hours for 11 women to have coffee and treats and fellowship.  It was a good crowd and I even got to talk to some women I haven't had the chance to talk to before...(they sit on the other side of the church). 

I have had this conversation in the past with other event planners.  There are a lot of different ideas out there as to what marks success of an event.  I think firstly you must decide what the purpose of an event is, who is your target, how do you reach that target and what your goals are for the event.

We had a few ladies I have not seen out at other Women's events so right there that is success.

We need each other...to talk, to listen, to hear, to support.  That is what fellowship is about.  So I hope we continue to have "successful" Women's events and that you will all join us in getting to know each other.

God Bless

Answer to prayer

Sometimes it feels like prayers go unanswered for a long time and others it is amazing to watch the miracle of God work.  Overtime I have come to realize that not all of my prayers will get answered when I want and how I want...I'm laughing right now at all those "I"s!  Really it isn't about me it is about God and His perfect timing.  We strive so hard to understand to make sense of which prayers are answered and which ones aren't. 

The Lord has even shown us through scripture that it isn't for us to understand His ways but to Trust in Him always no matter what..."your will be done" such a simplistic statement.  Yet we are always trying to put a reason to it.  What would our lives look like if we prayed and then just finished it all off with that sentence..."Lord, your will be done in my life today, tomorrow and forever."

I was stressing out last week as I couldn't for the life of me come up with something to blog about...oh I had ideas but nothing was flowing...something was holding me back and even as I was praying for God to direct me nothing came.  I was spending time listening intently for something to happen, for someone to ask me a question or even something to come up in my own life.  Strangely enough I was quite ill last week with symptoms from my chronic condition and even still I was praying to God to give me work I knew I could not manage.  Oh, but He knew, I'm feeling better this week and have even had the privilege of seeing one of my prayers answered in an obvious way.  His will was done, perfectly and completely.

The prayer that was answered was that I have been struggling to come up with a meaningful Women's ministry I felt defeated and alone, no great ideas for great activities coming to mind and just a sense that I wasn't worthy of the title.  Darn the evil whispers in my heart, but God was watching out for me and as I prayed for guidance and some sort of sign I was in the right place guess what happened?  Yes, He answered my prayer in a very direct and obvious way.  Two very wonderful ladies approached me on Sunday asking if they could help out...they both felt God directing them towards this, they were worried I might take it the wrong way.  That is until I told them they were the answer to my prayers...WOW.

Even with the evil one whispering to my heart, and my own self doubts my Lord and Saviour has protected me again, reminded me once more that it isn't me alone battling these demons but Him and His army of sisters, and brothers, Praise God and be watching for great things to come...

His will be done...

nurturing our own hearts

Every day there are many demands on women...schedules, children, work, home and  for some the list is shorter for others even longer.  Depending on our age and stage of life.  But I don't think there is ever a time where we do not need to look after ourselves.  If we are not well spiritually, mentally or physically we are unable to function to our full capacity.

One of my best learned lessons of the past few years has been to take care of myself.  You see I have a chronic illness, causes me chronic pain and fatigue.  I have had no choice but to learn how to slow down...pace myself and say no...sometimes to things I really want to do.

So what does that look like...firstly we need to look to our Lord, Proverbs 4:23 says, "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life."  We need to develop a long lasting deep relationship with our saviour.  We need to take time out of our busy life and make time for one who loves us more deeply than we can ever imagine or feel.  Think about that, think of someone you love dearly...your mother, daughter, friend, husband now take that feeling and double it...even just once and that doesn't even come close to matching how God is feeling about you right now.

We need to spend one on one time with Him...praying, reading...listening.  Can you imagine if someone you love dearly didn't take time to be with you every day?  If you went days, weeks or even months without time with them?  Yet it is so easy to put off our time with God, to say I'll read my bible later or I have this really great novel I want to finish first...or perhaps a quick prayer when something comes up like a hello tossed over your shoulder when you run into someone downtown.  Can you imagine the hurt you would feel perhaps even it would put a wedge between you and your loved one.  But not God, he is still there waiting patiently, lovingly for you to just sit quietly for a few minutes with Him.

So what is really holding you back?  What keeps you from spending time and showing your love to the one who loves you unconditionally, is always right there when you call?  Could you look at your busy calendar and just schedule a daily appointment, rendezvous or meeting with your saviour, just 15 minutes or maybe even 5.  Starting a new routine is hard but once established it becomes a way of life, He deserves it don't you think?

Until next time, God bless
Karen

Welcome

I have been contemplating starting a blog for Women's ministry for awhile.  I was worried that I wouldn't be able to keep it current and interesting enough for Women to want to read it.  But I really feel God leading me in this direction so that I can reach women from my own home into theirs.

I do expect that as time goes by this blog will evolve and change as I start getting comments and suggestions from the women this blog is for.  I welcome questions and comments, I readily admit I do not have all of the answers but life isn't meant to be done on our own.  We need each other and each others experiences to see how God works in this world.  You are invited to welcome friends to this blog Christians and non-Christians alike.

One thing I want to be clear about right off the start is I am no great writer.  I tend to write  like I talk and I talk from the heart.  So if you are someone who needs perfect grammar or punctuation you may find yourself frustrated...please be patient and understand that I am not perfect.

My hope is that God will direct me in reaching out to others.  That you will find hope, laughter, experiences and truth.  God is our answer to life and I will be looking to Him in order to fill the pages of this blog.

You are welcome to contact me at anytime via email if you do not wish to leave a comment here.  My email is karenemcisaac@gmail.com.  I promise confidentiality, a listening ear and a promise to take everything to Christ in prayer.

So until next time...may God bless you
Karen