GCR Women

We get used to patterns in life. That’s why you can drive from your house to the grocery store and not remember a single turn or stop sign. It’s just rote behavior and muscle memory kicking in.  I do that with my Christian walk sometimes as well. Bible class, worship service, small group. Wait a week and repeat. Do I ever really stop and see those around me?  Do I really hear the message?  Do I mean the words of the song or am I just singing a familiar tune? To get the most out of life, I need to get a new perspective. Take a different route to the store. Sit in a different seat in Bible class and church. Sing each song, pray each prayer like I’m standing at the foot of the throne all by myself. Listen and takes notes like the Holy Spirit is speaking directly to me.  Time to get out of my routine and get a new perspective.  Seeing with fresh eyes, Patrice Matthew‬ ‭13:16‬ ‭TPT‬‬ But blissful are your eyes, for they see. Delighted are your ears, for they are open...

Today is our day to water the yard. There’s this one spot of grass that just doesn’t seem to get enough water. I’m not sure why. It could be the big pecan tree over it drains away all the water we put to it. It could be the heat of the season we’re in. Whatever the cause, that grass dries out quickly. It always needs more. I’m like that grass. I don’t drink enough from the well of living water. But when I do, I don’t seem to get enough. I’m not sure why. Sometimes the big burdens of life sap it all away from me. Sometimes the season of life I’m in dry it up quickly. I always need more.  If I neglect the grass and don’t water it, it’ll die. If I neglect my need for the living water, I’ll die, too. Both the grass and myself will flourish when properly and regularly watered. Water is life.  Thirsty, Patrice John 7:38 NIV Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.

If this past year or so has taught us anything, it’s taught us that fear is contagious. I saw a quote today that read in part: “Fear doesn’t stop death. It stops life.” Isn’t that how this past year feels?  Between masks & stay at home orders, it feels like life almost stopped.  But I refuse to live in fear!  I try not to be reckless or cavalier toward danger, but I refuse to live in fear. Over and over (some 365 times) in the scriptures, the word of God says “Fear not!”   Am I concerned about everything that’s happening around us? Of course! But being afraid won’t help. Instead, I choose to pray, have faith and trust God. Faith is the antidote to fear. We mustn’t let Satan push us around and cause us to cower in fear. Stand up. Put on your Godly armor and STAND! Our God is good. Our God is mighty. And our God will never leave us or forsake us.  Fear not! Love,  Patrice I John 5:4b NIV This is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith!

We had our family reunion the first weekend of August. It was good to get our family together. Family is important.  Sheree said they went to their family reunion the first weekend of August, too. And then she said the sweetest thing: “Family doesn’t always have to be blood! Y’all are family!”    My heart flooded with the warmth that genuine love brings.    And that’s what family does - it loves.  When we’re in Christ, we’re family. We love each other, accept each other, take care of each other. We gather for our family reunion weekly around the Table of the Lord.  You’re my family, my sisters. I love each of you.    It’s time to plan our family reunion.  Love, Patrice ‭‭1 John‬ ‭2:10‬ ‭NIV Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. ‬‬

Sue started each day quoting Psalm 143:8.  It reminded her to trust in God and it reminded her that God is trustworthy.  In April 2020, Sue began her fight with pancreatic cancer. She and those who loved her prayed for God to intervene with His mighty power and heal her miraculously.  She went through all the recommended treatments:  chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery. She modified her diet and personal life. And she continued to trust.  I visited with Sue about three weeks before she went to be with the Lord. She told me she didn’t feel like she was close to death and she continued to pray and believe for God’s healing miracle.  As the end neared and her pain and discomfort grew, Sur and her family realized God would heal her by taking her home. Yet through it all, with questions and prayers going up to God, Sue and her family trusted God.  Now that Sue’s at rest, her trust is perfected. Now, she knows and one of the things she knows is that he...

Our gracious Father is holy. Our precious Jesus is holy. Holy Spirit is holy.  So what then should we be?   Think about it. Can we be holy?  Is there any way we can be anything less than holy? The Father created us, loved us, gave us Jesus and resurrected Him from the dead. Jesus lived and died for us and reigns at the right hand of the Father. Holy Spirit lives within us, guides us and expresses our hearts’ desires when we can find the words.  I’m not suggesting that we can be perfect but holiness is not only desired but it’s a mandate. We must be set aside for the Lord. We must be single-minded in our devotion and faith.  We must be like Him. I don’t know about you but I’m not there yet.  God and I have some serious work to do together. Prayerfully seeking God’s holiness, Patrice ‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭1:15-16‬ ‭NIV But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”‬

We all know lots of people. People in our families. People in our churches. People in our neighborhoods.  And even though we know lots of people, there are few we trust. Why is that? Trust is fragile.  Trust can be broken and lost. Trust is earned. When we trust someone, we’re vulnerable. Who can we trust?  How can we trust? Those questions we each have to answer for ourselves. There are common characteristics of a trustworthy person but finding them in one person - ah! That’s like finding gold! The good news is that even though people may let us down, there is One who is always worthy of our trust: the Lord. When all else fails - when everyone else fails - He alone can always be counted on.  Rejoice!  We can trust Him.  Patrice Psalms‬ ‭33:21‬ ‭NIV‬‬  In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in His holy name. ‭‭