by Jen Balkey
It is a bittersweet time. I’ve been able to reflect and lament with our Women’s Ministry Leadership Team as my role here as Women’s Ministry Coordinator wraps up at the end of November. God has been so faithful and consistent in His pursuit and providential care for me. Little did I know in the beginning of the year, or even the beginning of the summer, what God had planned for this fall. In my articles here and our WM events we have used the imagery of gardening in our life as Christians. In the happenings of our days, God is at work - even when we don’t acknowledge it!
I would never have imagined that, as the seasons turned and entered into a time of rest (end of the growing season), that my time leading this ministry would be coming to an end. I know and trust that God will continue to work through the winter and into the spring when the ground rests and prepares for the new growth of spring. One thing has to end for another to begin. God has a plan and design in all of His creation - the changes of the seasons and the transitions in our lives.
This past month we had an in-house Women’s Ministry Retreat - A Harvest Worth Gathering - where one of the Scripture passages speaker Nicole Carin used was from John 15. In this teaching we were to consider the biblical instruction about vines and how that might relate to our lives as Christian women. The goal of having vines is to gather a harvest to be enjoyed. The Bible teaches on the functions of the vine and how to tend to the vines so that they produce the choicest fruit possible. It takes many growth seasons, careful attention, and consistent care to reap a bountiful harvest. My continued prayer will be for each of us to allow God to continue tending to our vines through the work of the Holy Spirit, our worship and personal relationship to our LORD, as well as our relationships one to another.
I’ve included 2 final pictures - one of our speaker during our retreat and one of me following our retreat - wearing a shirt that says, “GROW THROUGH WHAT YOU GO THROUGH,” that I thought was perfectly apt for the retreat (an additional shirt of the same design was gifted to our speaker) and holding a lovely bouquet that was a sweet parting gift from my Women’s Ministry team. This shirt and others can be found at faithreignsapparel.com.
It’s been a blessing to be used and grow alongside you all. Blessings to you all!!
