GCR Women

It’s been four weeks since John passed away. Knowing John is asleep in Christ gives me peace.     When Christ returns, John will be in that blessed company who gets to rise first. Till then, we wait. We miss him. We remember.   You couldn’t know John and not be touched by him.  John loved like no one else. His family, friends, even strangers were drenched in the love of Christ that overflowed from him.  He dreamed big dreams that he hoped would bless everyone.  His smile lit up the room, just as his presence filled it.  He left an indelible mark on me that won’t fade. Ever.  I pray I can be like him as he was like Jesus. I want everything I do to bring honor to his memory, to speak of the godly man John was.  I do miss him so but I wouldn’t call him back. Not now. He’s finished his race. Now it’s my time to continue toward our heavenly goal, drawing courage from this beautiful man who chose to give me his love. How deep the Father’s love for ...

I’m sitting here going through stuff from. Matthew’s closet. Christmas ribbon, wrapping paper, etc. Why didn’t I do this years ago?  Out of sight, out of mind. I’ve let so much time sift through my fingers without realizing it’s value. Priceless. Irreplaceable. Gone forever. Lesson learned.  Yet I continue to act as if I control the time I’ve been given. Charade. Foolishness. Self-deception. Lesson learned.  But have I really learned my lesson?  I spend my time as if I had as endless supply and I don’t. Each day, each moment is precious and deserves to be treasured like the gift from God it is. Lesson learned  I want to invest in the time the Lord has allotted for my life and reap the dividends of time well-spent. I want to be aware of the value of each moment of time as I live it, not wasting it, carelessly throwing it away on uselessness or destructive behavior. Lesson learned.  Thank you, Father, for the gift of time and remind me not to squander it....

Our natural tendency is to be liked by others and to be accepted by them. Being alone or feeling like an outcast is one of the emptiest conditions of the soul.  To keep from being in that state we conform. Conformity demands we go along with whatever those whose acceptance we crave tells us. Doing the right thing becomes doing the acceptable thing.  In Ezekiel 11, the Lord told Ezekiel to warn the disobedient people of Jerusalem about their coming destruction, when and how it would happen. In verse 12, He tells them why: “And you will know that I am the Lord, for you have not followed my decrees or kept my laws but have conformed to the standards of the nations around you.” Woe to us if we neglect God’s laws and conform to the world’s standards!  Choose instead to conform to the Word of God. Love, Patrice  Romans 12:2 NIV Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s ...

Life can be hard. Sometimes we feel as if we’re drowning or being swallowed alive or sinking in quick sand. At times like these, the incomparable beauty of encouraging words from the heart of a dear friend are like a life preserver that we can grasp onto as we struggle to survive, a shining light in our sea of despair. Words have the power of life and death. Oh that we will always choose to speak words of life and hope! With love, Patrice Proverbs‬ ‭25:11‬ ‭KJV‬‬ A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. ‭‭

The bond between friends is both fragile and strong. It should be fiercely protected and regularly checked for damage or neglect.  I saw with my own eyes the beauty and strength that flows from the fount of well-tended friendships.  Tossing their other duties and obligations aside, two brave and tender men came to the rescue of their friend when he was in deep distress and couldn’t help himself.  As if asked by the Lord Jesus Christ himself, they firmly planted themselves between their friend - their brother - and danger.  With compassion and patience, they answered my cry for help and I’ll love them always for the beautiful gift of friendship and love they have given to my husband.  God bless you, Doug. God bless you, Glenn. Love, Patrice John‬ ‭15:12‬ ‭NIV‬‬ My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.

Dreams and promises. Lots of planning. Lots of work. Decisions made, changed and made again. In the end, perfection from the heart   But let’s go back to the beginning. It started years ago when God gifted one family with a son and another family with a daughter. Born in different parts of the world, in the natural, their relationship seemed unlikely or maybe impossible but God…. God determined to bring them together by means neither saw coming. The grace and providence of our Father answered all our prayers for this couple.  Watching their love blossom and their joy made complete in their covenant marriage before God gives me fresh hope. These two will face their future with love, hand in hand. Oh the adventure that lies before them! May God bless them with more happiness than sorrow and when the challenges of life appear, may the vows they took before God and us witnesses see them through.  To love and to cherish, for richer or for poorer, for better or for worse, in si...

Have you ever had one of those moments when you get a glimpse of your future? I did yesterday and it’s hovering over me like a black cloud.  I know God is in control. I know He has plans for me for good. But when the darkness swirls around me, it’s hard to see the light.  So I wait and trust that even in the darkness, God is there. Even in my future, God is there. Even in my present, God is there.  And He cares.  Waiting.  Patrice Nahum‬ ‭1:7‬ ‭NIV‬‬ The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him. ‭‭