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by Winsome Smith
“Open my eyes that I may see
wonderful things in your law” (Psalm 119:18)
We stood there in the parlor. My sister had just received a most unusual gift from a dear lady who, with great insight, had given us an opportunity I’ll never forget. We looked at the framed collection of family photos. The scenes were varied, and each photo captured a different group of family members. One photo was of our parents as they sat on the deck at a family gathering. One was of my sister looking on as my mother held her newborn granddaughter. Other photos were of the grandchildren at play near their grandmother, or of a baby dedication.
Then we looked again, and saw these familiar photos as if it were the first time. You see, they’d been brought together into a collection, and each photo showed our mother smiling, laughing, interacting with the rest of the family. Each photo highlighted a relationship between this woman we loved and respected and those whom she treasured so deeply. As we gazed at this collection, we were reminded of various aspects of her personality. The opportunity to see Mom with new eyes was priceless. In a sense we saw those she loved with new eyes as well.
For the next few weeks, we invite you to “look again…for the first time??? at a number of women of the Bible. Ask God to open your eyes that you may see the wonderful things He has for you. Take time to slowly look through the family photo album found in the pages of the Bible. Put yourself in the shoes of these women. Walk with them, laugh and cry with them, and see, perhaps for the first time, the God who wrote their stories. Listen for His heartbeat, and for theirs. Let’s learn with them, and come away changed.
Prayer: Lord, As I spend time in Your Word, I ask You to open my eyes. Help me to see clearly what You want me to see. Help me to learn from the people I meet on those pages, and give me wisdom to see You as I read. In Jesus’ name, amen.
About the Author: This devotional was written by Winsome Smith. Read more about Winsome: http://www.talk.thelife.com/authors/winsome-smith/
Going Deeper
1. Consider these questions: What’s your favorite story about a woman in the Bible? Why?
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I was so excited to read your topic for the coming weeks. I find myself in very extreme circumstances at the moment, and just a few days ago I turned to my Bible for encouragement. I wanted to read a “good news” story concerning a woman. I found myself reading the story of Ruth, and it comforted me so much. So that’s my favourite – I look forward to reading your studies on the others. Love and God bless from Joy
Your story moved me, it reminds me of how Ruth allowed God to direct her life and been faithful to her mother-in-law and and everyone around her. God met her heart desire. This story helped my faith to pray always and be steadfast it shall come to pass in Jesus name.
God bless.
Funke.
It teaches me about this woman in bible , maybe I need to re look at myself what Im doing when I meet a guy and if I stood him up then sudden I change my mind alot times trying to find out more what he likes deeply in his heart ..
I have to look again and see what other people has to say about him . I hear more message and more I decide for myself if I want him or not ..
people should not re look at things often in their life and their relationship..
I thought of Hannah (1 Samwel chaptr 1)when i read the question, and she is my favourite…her persistence prayers, her calmness and dedication to God. Her courage and faith to give her son to God like that is beyond imagination. I am inspired by her story because it something that I am slowly understanding being newly wed and wanting to have children. I sometime get scared if I will be a mother, do i want to be a mother, will i be a good mother! if i dont get children will i be able to hold on to my faith! And then i think of Easter and how she transformed from being a ordinary woman and become a Queen and turned to God when faced with life threatening situation…and obtain favor from the King whenever she had a requests! and i get hope and know all will be well.
My favorite bible story of a woman is Esther. She was an amazing girl turned woman. She had underwent such turmoil in her young life. Thank God that she had a famly member who taught her the foundation of faith. Through her faithfulness to her remaining family and to her people, she literally saved the Jewish race from extermination at that time. Her belief that God could save her and her people was steadfast and as He always will, He caused the King to show her favor! God will use anyone, all we have to do is believe and have a faithful heart.
My favorite woman in the bible is Mary of Bethany. She had the priviledge of being a close friend to Jesus, and most importantly she loved to sit at his feet and hear his voice! I want to be that kind of woman.. Who loves him and sits at his feet. Jesus told her that she had chosen the ONE THING that was good and that it WOULD NOT be taken away from her. He said this to the one who was angry and frustrated with her. How I long for Jesus to stand up for my heart that way and defend my heart like that, yet I know he does all the time. Mary’s story of devotion has been remembered throughout all generations, because Jesus himself loved the story and was emotionally touched by it. I want to be one that reaches the depths of his heart like that!
Tammie
Mary the mother of Jesus is my favorite. She must have ben very holy and special for God to choose her. And then she had to believe she was made pregnant by the Holy Spirit because she was a virgin. I think of how her people must have condemned her. And then she had to watch her Son die on the cross.
I am pleased that we are going to study the women of the blble. They were great examples.
Nancy
I can’t wait for the upcoming devotionals! God gave us some great role models for us in the Bible. I’m interested to see which women of the Bible we are going to be learning about, and how they can be examples in our everday lives.
How interesting. A friend and I were just discussing our frustrations due to lack of female guidance in our lives. Perhaps by looking at the women of the Bible we can get some. Hmmm.