The Lifegiving Woman

Claiming Our God Given Selves

When we have been deeply hurt by another person, it is nearly impossible not to have hostile thoughts, feelings of anger or hatred, and even a desire to take revenge. All of this often happens spontaneously, without much inner control. We simply find ourselves brooding about what we are going to say or do to pay back the person who has hurt us. To choose blessings instead of curses in such a situation asks for an enormous leap of faith. It calls for a willingness to go beyond all our urges to get even and to choose a life-giving response.

Sometimes this seems impossible. Still, whenever we move beyond our wounded selves and claim our God-given selves, we give life not just to ourselves but also to the ones who have offended us.

Henry Nouwen

Our comings and goings

Your Father knows what you need before you ask... (Matthew 6)

The love of the Father embraces not just the return of the son but also the leaving of his child...In a very deep way we are, in our lives, often leaving and returning. This isn't just a one-time event; it's an ongoing experience. Today, get in touch with your own leavings and returnings. I believe that in a very deep sense, one has to be convinced of God's love in order to take the risk of leaving once in a while...It's important to understand that God's love fills you and surrounds you whether you are leaving or returning, and that God waits with longing to welcome you on your return.

 Henry Nouwen

The Doors

                   
“The doors we open and close each day decide the lives we live.”
 Flora Whittemore

Dying of Thirst

‘Are you not thirsty’ said the Lion.

‘I’m dying of thirst,’ said Jill.

‘Then drink’ said the Lion.

‘May I—could I—would you mind going away while I do?’ said Jill.

The lion answered this only by a look and a very low growl. . . .

‘I daren’t come and drink,’ said Jill.

‘Then you will die of thirst,’ said the Lion.

‘Oh dear!’ said Jill, coming another step nearer. I suppose I

must go and look for another stream then.’

There is no other stream,’ said the Lion.

—C.S. Lewis

Stick to Your Work...(and forget about what everyone else is saying and doing)

I get so many comments on this quote...thus I thought I would share this with you so you can read it often! I know I need to...

So much lifegiving truth in this...I believe it will give you great encourment...and don't we all need that!

I was given this quote from a pastors wife many, many years ago and have used it over 20 years in my talks to womens groups and quoted it in my writings. I'm still not sure who the author was, but have an idea. The words are so powerful and the full quote awesome. It has had an impact on all I've share it with.  Lisa Williams

Stick with your work. Do not flinch because the lion roars, do not stop to stone the devil’s dogs, do not fool away your time chasing the devil’s rabbits. Do your work!! Let liars lie, let sectarians quarrel, let critics malign, let enemies accuse, let the devil do his worst, but see to it that nothing hinders you from fulfilling with joy the work God has given you.

He has not commanded you to be admired or esteemed. He has never bidden you to defend your character. He has not set you at work to contradict falsehood about yourself which Satan’s or God’s servants may start to peddle, or to track down every rumor that threatens your reputation....

If you do these things you will do nothing else; you will be at work for yourself and not for the Lord. Keep at your work. Let your aim be as steady as a star.

You may be assaulted, wronged, insulted, slandered, wounded and rejected, misunderstood, or assigned impure motives, you may be abused by foes, forsaken by friends, and despised and rejected of men. But see to it with steadfast determination, with unfaltering zeal, that you pursue the great purpose of your life and object of your being until at last you can say, “I have finished the work which Thou gavest me to do.”
-Anonymous