I Rejoice Through The Example Of Others

"Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by Thy name, O Lord God of hosts." Jeremiah 15:16

Today I rejoiced in my womanhood as I was blessed to have some time to study the word of God. I am so grateful for His spirit that He sends to teach us and testify of truth.

I was reading in the book of Ruth. I am grateful for the story of Naomi and Ruth. As I read, I was impressed with the great example and strength that Naomi was to Ruth. She must have been, because Ruth left her own mother and father and the land of her birth in order to follow Naomi...and to follow Naomi's God. Naomi was a woman whose example strengthened another. I am also grateful for Ruth's example of faith that she would follow what she felt was right in her heart.

As I pondered these women today, I thought about the many women in my life whose examples strengthen me and inspire me to fulfill my role as woman with greater love, strength and faith.

One friend in particular came to mind. She recently had a new baby and has 3 other small children. I admire so much the way that she raises her children. She is very tired, as I am sure most of you who might read this are, but she is filled with a light that radiates her whole being. I believe that light comes from the sacrifice she gives of herself to better meet the needs of her children. She told me of her desire for her children to trust her, and that desire leads her to be able to sacrifice her sleep and her own needs in order to accomplish that goal. It is clear that her children do trust her and that is so beautiful to see. I think that is the most important thing to establish when raising our children, because if they don't trust us, how will we have any power to be an example to them or teach them the ways they should go? We won't. So I am grateful this morning for the example of this righteous woman and how she embraces her role as woman.

Picture by Anthony Sweat