Step Two: Celebrate Your Yesterdays
KEY VERSE: I trust in you, O Lord; I say, You are my God. My times are in your hands. Psalm 31:14-15
Every woman has a story written with the multi-colored pens of her experiences, relationships, pain, disappointments, dreams, choices, failures and successes. There is power in each woman's story and she maximizes that power when she partners with God.
In step two of The Intentional Woman process, we celebrate our yesterdays. In order to accomplish this goal, we need to remember. Yet, some of us may think acknowledging the past is a form of complaining or showing disloyalty to parents. Others might avoid remembering, because it sounds like bragging or just feels too uncomfortable.
Yet, God's Word emphasizes the importance of remembering. The word remember is mentioned 166 times in the Bible. A common theme throughout the book of Deuteronomy is God's call for his people to remember. God wants us to look back and commemorate our past, so we can learn from what happened and grow.
To experience the power of your story, it is beneficial to look at where you've been, what you've enjoyed, and the significant events (whether perceived as positive or negative.) These experiences, achievements, and relationships helped shape you. When you remember and celebrate your yesterdays, learning from past experiences, you start to appreciate God's loving goodness in developing your unique life script. You can then say: I trust in you, O Lord. You are my God. My times are in your hands. (Psalm 31:14-15.)
Debbie's Story: What did you enjoy doing as a child? Although a simple question to the other women (I heard the pens scribbling), it was a mile-high wall to me, said Debbie, a consultant and mother of teenagers. I simply sat there, unable to remember me as a child. Just give me scripture and a book to study, I thought. I can do that.
The introspection that accompanied this assignment frightened me, continued Debbie. I was used to concentrating on caring for and helping others. Although this is a noble character quality, I now realize it was a wonderful hiding place. I didn't have time or energy to consider my own needs. I worked endlessly to perfect my roles of wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend. I felt surrounded by screaming unrealistic expectations.
As I concentrated on my yesterdays, I vaguely remembered writing poems, keeping a diary and reading books as a child. Then God connected the dots: my adult enjoyments of journaling, reading and desiring to teach and write came from something God had placed inside me from the beginning.
I have given myself permission to discover my once illusive childhood and learn about the woman I am now, even though at times it's uncomfortable. I'm beginning to feel loved and accepted for who I am not merely for what I do.
Debbie is recognizing the power in her story. There is power in your story, too. No one has a story exactly like yours. God will use your story for His glory and your good. Your times are in His hands. (Psalm 31:14-15)
(Adapted from The Intentional Woman: A Guide to Experiencing the Power of Your Story by Joan C. Webb and Carol Travilla. Published by NavPress)
Every woman has a story written with the multi-colored pens of her experiences, relationships, pain, disappointments, dreams, choices, failures and successes. There is power in each woman's story and she maximizes that power when she partners with God.
In step two of The Intentional Woman process, we celebrate our yesterdays. In order to accomplish this goal, we need to remember. Yet, some of us may think acknowledging the past is a form of complaining or showing disloyalty to parents. Others might avoid remembering, because it sounds like bragging or just feels too uncomfortable.
Yet, God's Word emphasizes the importance of remembering. The word remember is mentioned 166 times in the Bible. A common theme throughout the book of Deuteronomy is God's call for his people to remember. God wants us to look back and commemorate our past, so we can learn from what happened and grow.
To experience the power of your story, it is beneficial to look at where you've been, what you've enjoyed, and the significant events (whether perceived as positive or negative.) These experiences, achievements, and relationships helped shape you. When you remember and celebrate your yesterdays, learning from past experiences, you start to appreciate God's loving goodness in developing your unique life script. You can then say: I trust in you, O Lord. You are my God. My times are in your hands. (Psalm 31:14-15.)
Debbie's Story: What did you enjoy doing as a child? Although a simple question to the other women (I heard the pens scribbling), it was a mile-high wall to me, said Debbie, a consultant and mother of teenagers. I simply sat there, unable to remember me as a child. Just give me scripture and a book to study, I thought. I can do that.
The introspection that accompanied this assignment frightened me, continued Debbie. I was used to concentrating on caring for and helping others. Although this is a noble character quality, I now realize it was a wonderful hiding place. I didn't have time or energy to consider my own needs. I worked endlessly to perfect my roles of wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend. I felt surrounded by screaming unrealistic expectations.
As I concentrated on my yesterdays, I vaguely remembered writing poems, keeping a diary and reading books as a child. Then God connected the dots: my adult enjoyments of journaling, reading and desiring to teach and write came from something God had placed inside me from the beginning.
I have given myself permission to discover my once illusive childhood and learn about the woman I am now, even though at times it's uncomfortable. I'm beginning to feel loved and accepted for who I am not merely for what I do.
Debbie is recognizing the power in her story. There is power in your story, too. No one has a story exactly like yours. God will use your story for His glory and your good. Your times are in His hands. (Psalm 31:14-15)
(Adapted from The Intentional Woman: A Guide to Experiencing the Power of Your Story by Joan C. Webb and Carol Travilla. Published by NavPress)