Introspective Perspective

When I was asked to write for this blog, I was concerned that I didn’t have anything “deep” enough to share. Five years ago, I would have been able to come up with all kinds of deep, meaningful, and spiritual nuggets. I began to ponder why I wasn’t as introspective as I used to be. God gave me the answer.

Five years ago I got married at the age of 38. Before marriage, I would spend time with Jesus at night. I’d snuggle into bed, quiet down for the day, and the Lord and I would talk. No matter what I was going through, I felt completely wrapped in His love. I was also a missionary on the home front; I was a single woman with purpose! Ministry forced me to be introspective and open to hearing from the Lord. I used to ask him constantly to keep me humble, in love with Him and His people, and open to His leading. It was all my heart wanted.

Enter husband. I had to adjust to sharing my space and time with someone 24/7. No longer could I come home from work and just flop; I had wifely duties. My focus really shifted. This week, however, I’ve been reminded of a verse: 1 Corinthians 7:34

… An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs; her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world — how she can please her husband.

So, it has begun to click for me. Those many years of being single were a blessing, a very special time. Being married is also a blessing. I believe it’s an act of worship on my part to care for, love and take care of my husband and home. What I need to learn is balance. Writing this article has caused me to be introspective, at least for today. I’m encouraged to begin to take the steps needed to get to that sweet place again. I realize it’s going to look different than it did back in the day, but that’s okay because this is my journey, and I’ve invited the Lord to be a part of it.

Sally Hall

I Wanna Hold Your Hand

I recently spent the day with my two nephews. Eighteen-month-old Kade and I were getting ready to go down the stairs to the basement play room. As we got to the first step, Kade reached up for me to take his hand. He didn’t even look at me, just reached up that little hand trusting I would take hold and steady him as we navigated the steps.

It struck me that this is how it is with God and me. I get to a difficult place in life and I naturally reach up. I don’t even have to look because I know He is there. I know He loves me and will protect me and I can trust Him completely to get me through the hard stuff.

The part of the story that challenged me was when we got to the bottom of the stairs. Kade let go the minute his feet hit a flat surface. He was off and running on his own, his favorite aunt forgotten. [He has two other aunts but I’m sure I’m his favorite :-) ] I thought that, unfortunately, his behavior again paralleled my relationship with God. Once I get through the challenging landscape of life, it is easy for me to let go and handle the easy parts on my own.

Proverbs 3:5-6 in The Message says, “Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; He’s the one who will keep you on track.” Wouldn’t it be nice if I listened for His voice in everything I did so that when I get to the top of the steps I’m already holding His hand? And what precious time we would have together if I didn’t let go during the smooth places in life!

Patty Dextrom

Easter Weekend Services Information

We hope that you have been enjoying the first week of SHEBlogs! Thank you for visiting the site! We would like to also invite you to join us for Easter at Trinity Church. The service times are listed below along with a map link.

Easter Services

Saturday, April 3, at 5:00pm and 7:00 pm 

Sunday, April 4, at 9:00am and 11:00 am.

3355 Dunckel Rd.

Lansing, MI 48911

Phone: (517) 272-3820

Map to Trinity Church, Lansing MI 

(Left click on Get Directions, type in your address and click the Get Directions button.)

For all the authors and contributors at SHEBlogs, I hope you have a blessed time with family and friends this Easter.

He is risen,

Autumn Clack

Is there an App for that?

This past week I was able to upgrade to one of those new fancy fandangled cell phones. While there was a bit of excitement at first, I quickly found myself sucked into browsing the millions of free applications of additional features that I supposedly “could not live without.” Do I really need an application to remind me to feed my cat the newest kind of cat food? ... umm … not really. The only worthwhile application I found useful was an NIV Bible application. Quite honestly, it was the only true product that would show me what my life really needs in order to find direction and happiness (much more useful than even MapQuest!).

Here are 5 reasons why God’s word is better than phone applications:

1. It makes promises and is guaranteed to deliver – it never crashes!
2. It is relatively easy to share with others (does not require an “in network” connection).
3. It gives directions that are proven to be reliable (Beta tested and approved and 24-hour tech support!).
4. It is designed by an engineer who understands the public’s true needs.
5. It assists in prioritizing daily activities.

… all this and MUCH, MUCH MORE!

I’m not sharing this to completely bash technology and applications, but rather to pose the suggestion that God’s word is able to provide many similar things that are our heart’s true desires. As women, we are inundated daily with concerns and worries of our families and friends. We feel these needs deeply. I tend to over-think and run to quick-fix solutions (like phone applications) that clearly do not begin to hit the true needs of these problems.

What “applications” do you tend to run to in your life that are substitutes for God’s word? Are you willing to seek these same answers through daily “browsing” and application of His truth?

Sheryl Patry

Holding Mercy's Hand

When he hesitated, the men grasped his hand and the hands of his wife and of his two daughters and led them safely out of the city, for the LORD was merciful to them. Genesis 19:16

Are you familiar with the story of Sodom and Gomorrah? The people had acted so wickedly that God determined to destroy both of the cities. He had sent two angels to do the work, but before they carried out the destruction they urged Lot to take his family and flee. While Lot told his sons-in-law to get out of the city, for some reason he, himself, hesitated.

Yet, while Lot was hesitating, God — in His mercy — grabbed him and his family by the hand and led them out of the city. I wonder if at the time Lot was upset with the angels for forcing him out. I wonder if he thought they were trying to harm him in some way, or that they might be trying to steal his home. I wonder if he thought he couldn't trust them. I wonder how amazed and thankful he was after he saw what happened to Sodom.

And I wonder how many times God — in His mercy — has grabbed me by the hand and led me away from danger when I hesitated to go. I may never know how God has protected me in my life, but I am sure He has. And I am thankful. Let us hold tightly to His hand every day of our lives, trusting Him to do what He knows is best.

Karen Hossink

Making the Invisible Visible

I’ve been eagerly watching for my flower bulbs to push through the soil. I have a few red tulips, yellow daffodils, and purple hyacinths planted in front of our home; as the sun gets warmer, they start poking their heads up to see if our Michigan winter is over. What I love about this is watching the invisible become visible right before my eyes. All winter the bulbs lie hidden, but God is preparing them for their spring debut.

My spiritual life is sometimes like my garden. At times, I’ve planted, watered, and waited, but I see nothing; no “fruit.” I’ve prayed without success for someone to awaken to Christ; I’ve prayed for marriages that fail and friends who pass on into eternity. I’ve asked for ministries to prosper, only to see them flop; prayed for leaders only to see them abandon their ministries; and I’ve yearned to have an impact for Jesus, then felt as though my efforts are like footprints washed away by waves.

But it’s then that Christ reminds me that “what is seen was not made out of what was visible” (Heb. 11:3). He is a God who works in the invisible realm, then makes His work visible. Just as He prepares my bulbs for new life out of sight under the winter soil, He is actively completing His work in the unseen spiritual realm.

What I see as “fruit” and what God is actually accomplishing may be very different! Maybe that’s what “walking by faith” means — believing that the invisible God is responding and working powerfully even when I can’t yet see the evidence.

Lord, as I wait expectantly, knowing my tulips and daffodils will eventually appear, teach me to trust in You to eventually make the invisible work You are doing in my life and in the lives of others visible!

Anne Cody

Director of Group Life, Trinity Church

SHE Blogs!

Welcome, girlfriends, to the world of words and ideas via blogging. Who would have imagined that the 21st century woman would be communicating her thoughts and experiences of life to others around the world with a click of her finger? Apparently God did and that’s why SHE, Seeking Him Everyday, is inviting you to blog with Trinity Women’s Ministry.

Each week you’ll read from the hearts of women just like you whose goals are to be connected, be in the know, and be informed about interests in a woman’s world and how those interests are played out in our lives from a biblical perspective. We want to partner with you and encourage you to be a woman who seeks God every day. So check back to this site often — we’ll publish at least three new posts a week — and don’t forget to share your thoughts with your fellow readers. Just click on the “comment” link at the end of any post.

So join me and my friends as we click our way into the world of blogging and become women who are in the know.

Cathy Bytwerk
Coordinator of Women’s Ministries
Trinity Church, Lansing, MI