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Women of Light

Monday, October 4, 2010

No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead he puts it on a stand, so that those who come in may see the light.


Luke 11:33

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Sometimes there are people who make a profound difference in your life through their example or small gestures of kindness. And they may not even know it.  I have been blessed with many women who inspire me in real life.  But there are two women who have inspired my spiritual growth more than anything in my whole life.

About 4-5 years ago, I prayed for more Godly friends.  I was new-ish to a town and I felt like I was missing friends that had similar values.  God brought a few women into my life who have touched me in incredible ways.  I want to tell you about three of them here.

I was asked to give a talk at our local MOPS group in VA about 4 years ago.  The night before my talk (which was supposed to be about maintaining marriage), the president called to inform me that one of the Moms in the group had just lost her son in a tragic drowning.  She asked if I would briefly address that in my talk.  I did not know Lauren, the woman who had just buried her son, but I felt a profound sense of compassion and grief for her.  Lauren was very pregnant with her second child when her son drowned. I prayed for her and her family and I could not stop thinking of them.

I met Lauren a few months later as she was my table leader at MOPS.  We became friends easily.  When I asked Lauren one day how she coped in the days after Robbie's death she simply told me that she immediately turned to the Bible.  She told me she craved God's word and that she could not get enough.  I was stunned.  I had read the Bible.  I was a Christian but I had never "craved" the word. I did not feel hungry for it like Lauren described. I was in awe that she just leaned into God and He was there.

On my 40th birthday, I went to support Lauren as she gave a talk at her church. But I got so much in return as did every person in that room. She shared her incredible story of faith.  She told us how the Lord pulled her family through a horrendous tragedy...one I could not even imagine.  I knew that night that I needed to "get in the word" like Lauren was but I will be honest, I still did not know where to begin. 

So, I kept my Bible on my nightstand and I read it now and then.  I did devotionals and Bible studies but I still did not feel drawn to reading the Bible on a daily basis.

At this time, I also became great friends with Diana.  Last May (2009), Diana came to visit me in our new house in Texas.  She brought me a Bible (Quest Study Bible).   I remember thinking...hmmmm...  I have a Bible.  Several, in fact.  Does she think I need one? Does she not believe I am really a Christian? I tired to act really excited but in reality I wasn't.  I was a bit confused.  I tried to understand the meaning behind the gift.

I put the Bible on my bedside table and there it sat for a few months.  I would pick it up and skim it some evenings.  I started reading Psalms.

Then this January I posted about my New Year resolotions and Laurie emailed me telling about a program to read the entire Bible in a year.   So, I picked up Diana's Bible and I started reading.  I checked off the readings each night. Some chapters were easy and some books have been really tough to get through. But I am 75% through reading the Bible and I can say that I am "in the word."  I read the Bible daily and on Christmas Eve I will have read every word of the Bible!!!!  This is all in thanks to these 3 women!!  I can honestly say that Lauren's strength and unwavering faith, Diana's gift and example of Christianity and Laurie's suggestion for the reading program all connected to change me.  I now LOVE that Bible Di gave me.  I bring it with me everywhere.  Its pages are tabbed and bent and underlined and written in.  I love that it is a study Bible so there are explanations in the margins.

These women changed my life.  My faith and trust in God have grown tremendously.  I look at things differently.  I get SO much more out of Mass each week.  I feel filled.

None of these women "pushed" anything on me.  They were simply a light in my life, a role model and I have no doubt that God placed them there for that reason.  I asked for these friends and He delivered them into my life.  So, thank you Lauren, Diana and Laurie.   By your example and simple acts of kindness you have made me a better person.

If you are interested in the Bible Reading plan, you can find it here.  If I can do it, anybody can.

Is there someone who is a woman of light for you?  Someone who has inspired you simply by being who they are?

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.
Psalm 119:105

17 comments:

  1. My friend Rosie was like that for me. She exuded such grace and faith during such a difficult time. I shall never forget how she lived.

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  2. I love this post, Kim, as it is just what I needed to hear. I am needing a good devotional right now or a bible study...or just perhaps, I need to start the Bible Reading plan. I will have to do some research about it. Isn't it amazing how when we pray, God always answers? Amazing! I am so happy that you have such dear friends.

    I have a friend who is such an inspiration to me in her walk with the Lord. I don't tell her often enough, but you have inspired me to send her a card. I will do that!
    Thank you, Kim. I am proud of your efforts and hope you will share some of the things that have really stuck with you as you have taken this journey!

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  3. Kim,
    I love seeing how God brings the body together for His Glory. You have glorified Him through this post. I remember the day I stood in the bookstore trying to choose which Bible I should get you. My only disappointment was that it didn't come in pink!:)

    You have inspired me to challenge myself and read the Bible in one year too. I know you have learned a lot in the past year as you have poured over God's Words. I know not all of it has been easy to read and comprehend. But, you have persevered! He will say one day, "Well done, good and faithful servant!"

    Thank you for calling me out amongst these special women. God brought us together for a reason! And we have shared some very special miracles together already! Just wait!

    "Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him." ~Psalm 34:8

    You have tasted it my friend! Well done!
    Luv Luv,
    Diana

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  4. I love how you are always, always, challenging yourself and finding ways to live you life through God.

    Lea
    xo

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  5. How I LOVE this post, Kim!! I think you will inspire many to dig in and READ... it begins as an act of obedience, but once you see how blessed you are by His Word, everything changes :)
    I am in Joshua, and once I get through Luke I will have read the Bible for the third time. I thought once would be enough, but I just feel like something is missing if I'm not digging into His word daily (okay, five days a week ;))
    I used Bible Pathways my first time thru, it's a little monthly magazine that comes in the mail, it was a wonderful accountability 'partner' for me when I was getting started :)
    Thank you, again, for sharing! I just love your heart!!

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  6. What a wonderful post! I have often said that I too am going to read the whole Bible one day but have just never done it--you've inspired me!

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  7. i needed to hear this today and at this point in my journey! i have fallen out of my daily habits of bible study and need to get back into it. i am going to try this plan. thanks!!

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  8. That was such a lovely post!

    Tamara

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  9. what a beautiful post kim, lauren would be so honored! she has touched so many, hasn't she?!

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  10. Oh how touching this post is Kim! I just love people like that...who just share their lives with people and the light of Jesus shines so brightly through them. I am so thankful for these women in your life. I have a special friend in my life also like this...Stephanie...interesting that both of us have had attachment problems with her daughter and my Emma but at different times. During those dark days, I would stray from the Word so so exhausted from the night terrors and the constant spiritual battle each day and she would call me at night after bedtime and we would just read the bible together on the phone. I'm so thankful for the sisters that the Lord has given me....so thankful for you Kim:)

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  11. Oh Kim, you are too sweet! Thank you for sharing with me the way that God continues to use our story and our little boy to do His work. It is humbling and encouraging.

    What a wonderful gift!

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  12. kim thank you for this beautiful post and some much needed inspiration.

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  13. I admire you so much, Kim. Such an inspiring post. Reading the bible, cover to cover has been on my 'list' for some time now and I think this just may be the push I need!!
    How wonderful that these other Godly women are a part of you life .. blessing for sure!

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  14. I stopped by from Stefanie's list of people who inspire her...and I just wanted to thank you for your wonderful post {and subtle challenge} to all who read...loving how the Lord used three women to influence you...and now you are influencing others...beautiful! Absolutely beautiful! Hugs from Colorado, Linny

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  15. Hi Kim...you have really encouraged me with this post...I need to spend more time reading my bible, and this bible seems like just what I need. I too have been feeling like you were with devotionals and bible readings, the explanations in the margins are what I have been looking for...thank you for sharing...and what a blessing to have these special women in your life! xoxo

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Thank you for your kindness.