Serving at Cornerstone is one of the best gifts the Lord ever gave me. And I thought I was going on Thursdays to help other people....but I've come to find out that I am the one who really needs the help....and I am the one getting so blessed.
I love the whole venue of my mornings in south Dallas with these women I've so come to love. I love the drive down there...through neighborhoods and streets that are so different from what I'm used to day in and day out. I love walking into the White House and being wrapped up in the big, burly arms of Brother James....his eyes twinkling and pearly whites shining. I love seeing all the faces smiling from ear to ear, truly glad to see me, truly glad that I chose to show up again this week, truly glad that I care...Miss Rose, Anita, Deborah, Sarah, Pat, Bonita, Lisa, Tammy, Mary, just to name a few. And the sweet faces of Bev, Shelley, Maribeth, Jennifer, and Kim. How did I come to rub shoulders with these saints? I am so humbled.
I learn so much each week from them. I learn what it really means to depend on God. These women have nothing...and I mean nothing else. Puts life in a whole new perspective. I learn to stop complaining about my silly, petty junk. It really doesn't matter. I learn what it means to have joy...true joy that rises up from somewhere deep down inside and totally isn't dependent on your circumstances. I learn how to persevere...and what it really means to have faith.
And this week I learned what it meant to have noble character. We are studying the book of Ruth with these women and I had just read in chapter 3, verse 11, that Boaz called Ruth a woman of noble character. First of all, he starts out the verse saying "Don't be afraid...and then, I will do all that you ask. Then he says For you are a woman of noble character."
So that took me to realizing that women of noble character aren't afraid. My mom's favorite verse...and one my daughter Faith clings to is Isaiah 41:10 "Do not fear for I am with you; do not be afraid for I am your God. I will strengthen you and uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Women of noble character don't mind asking. John 14:13 says I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. Hebrews 4:16 says to boldly approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
And Proverbs 31:10-31 talks all about what noble character really is. Here's a summary of these character qualities that I wish someone would write one day on my "C.Q. Certificate"....
Lord, let me be a woman....
of worth
who's husband has confidence in her
who brings good to others, not harm
who works with eager hands
who gets up early
who provides for her family
who is compassionate to those less fortunate than her
who considers before buying
who spends wisely
who works hard
who is generous to the poor and needy
who is devoted to God and her family
who is clothed with strength and dignity
who can laugh at the future
who speaks wisely
who guards her tongue
who doesn't waste time
who is a blessing to others
who fears the Lord
