In my head, I was already picturing what it would be like. Arrive. Fellowship and food. A game or two. Devotional and testimonial time. Pray. Hug. Go home feeling blessed to have received such wonderful fellowship.
Isn't that how ladies fellowships are suppose to go?
Well, it did not go at all how I expected! It actually took me by surprise. Here is what did happen...
Fellowship. The ladies arrived at ten to begin preparing the meal. They each sign up the month before on what they will bring each month. Chatting and laughing, they each took care of their own little task. I didn't stand on the sidelines long before one lady was helping me with my name tag while the other was teaching me the ropes of how they do the drinks. This tight knit group of ladies have a purpose. It is to serve!
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: (1 Peter 4:10 ESV)
Meeting. These ladies that meet at ten are not here to fellowship only, but to serve. Serve who? Ladies! Ladies in their church and community. They have an agenda, too. After the meal prep, they gather around the table with their BIG ministry books of notes, portraying their faithfulness, ready to discuss old and new business. They passed around birthday cards and get well soon cards to be signed. Read the thank you cards given to them from the ladies at the nursing home thanking them for the blankets they had made for them. Decided who needed meals because they were sick or shut-ins, and finally meal planned for the next month...a meal to be prepared together in love for the widows.
Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. (James 5:13 ESV)
Prayer. One by one, prayer request were taken and prayed over. Ladies were prayed for by name. Praise reports were given for the great work God has done!
Testimony. I shared my testimony as they all gave me their undivided attention. I was so nervous, but the spirit led and the words easily flowed from my heart. Listening to the radio host on my way to the church, I was reminded that there is such a sweet freedom that comes from sharing the deep secrets of your soul. God knows what we need to hear just at the right time.
Secrets only lead to shame - Rebecca Carrell
Devotional. God's Word was taught. Each month a different lady volunteers to decorate the tables for the meal, bring cards to be filled out, and bring a devotional to share with the group. This was an older group of ladies. Let's just say I was the only one without grandkids to brag about. {smile} But that's okay. What a blessing it is to feed on God's Word together with these Titus 2 Women of God! I have so much to learn from these wise ladies.
Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. (Titus 2:3-5 ESV)
Service. Noon! Finally here. The fellowship hall began to fill with more ladies and more laughter. Lunch was ready to serve, bingo set up, and fun ready to be had. It was time to serve the meal they had been preparing throughout the morning.
And there I stood feeling ummm...what's the word? SELFISH! Yes. I was coming to this fellowship to be served, not to serve. God revealed to me on Tuesday that there is so much more to Ladies Fellowship then food, games, a quick devotional and friendships. It's a ministry. The fellowship stems from a branch of women who purposed in their hearts to serve ladies inward and outward in their community. A widows fellowship is one of those opportunities.
I began to feel guilty. Most churches have a designated lady to lead their Ladies Ministry. That is what she is to do. Lead. Lead in serving and meeting the needs of the ladies in her church and community with a team of women like you and me. Jesus ministered with the help of his disciples, our leaders need the same devoted servants to help all ministries be productive. There's power in numbers.
I know what you are thinking...how is this Fun List Friday? Well here's where the list comes in. I'm going to list ladies who I believe are neglected way too often. It is my hearts desire to be more in tune to the needs of the ladies God has placed in my church and community.
1. Shut-in Ladies. This is probably the easiest lady to serve, but for some reason she is so easily forgotten. This lonely lady just longs for a little companion time. Someone who will just sit and listen. She will most likely do all the talking.
2. Widow Ladies. This weeping lady puts on a smile, but inside she is still desperately trying to hold it all together. All she needs is for someone to invite her for a cup of coffee just so she has that one hour or two to think of something else other than the death of her husband.
3. Ladies of Depression. This gloomy lady appears unapproachable, but what you see is just a front to cover the pain. Once you get her to open up, you learn her struggle. Things aren't always as they seem. She just needs someone to give her that extra encouragement, prayer, and hug.
4. Grieving Ladies. This fragile lady is just going through the motions day after day. I don't know that the pain ever completely vanishes. A loss of a child, a cheating spouse, or an unexpected ailment. She needs a shoulder to cry on. Someone to be compassionate, hold her hand, and walk with her through this trial.
5. Single Moms. This weary lady is in need of a little solitude. She works full time to pay the bills while keeping her home functioning. She needs something so simple. Someone to say...let me keep your children today so you can have time for yourself. Maybe even give her a simple gift card so she can pamper herself because we know they don't put themselves first.
I bet you are already thinking of someone in each of theses categories. I know I was. Again, I was feeling guilty. Lord, open the eyes of my heart.
For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45 ESV)
Jesus is our greatest example. It's simple. Serve. You don't need much. Just a willing spirit.
Moreover, I encourage you to seek out your Ladies Ministry Leader, pray with her and for her, and join her efforts in reaching the ladies in your church and community for Christ!
And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. (Colossians 3:14 ESV)
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