OUR FOCUS — To provide a network of loving support and resources that will help women in divorce crisis.
My Special Moment
I read this biblical passage in the NCV translation and thought it was such an encouragement, wanted to share it with you.
And after you suffer for a short time, God, who gives all grace, will make everything right. He will make you strong and support you and keep you from falling. He called you to share in his glory in Christ, a glory that will continue forever. I Peter 5:10
Keep your head up…God will help us overcome!
A newsletter dedicated to the education and well-being of today’s caregiver to the elderly.
Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; …honor to whom honor (Romans 13:7).
HOPE…Healing Our Painful Experiences 2008,
The national Ladies committee had long desired to begin a ministry for divorced or separated women, especially those in the ministry. In a Connections meeting the subject was discussed once again and with the help of the Lord we were soon ready to begin. Ruth Harvey submitted the name HOPE with the acronym above as our official title. Linda Gleason was chosen as the Director. She works with volunteer women who have expertise in the area of divorce and separation.
Have you experienced the pain of a failed marriage?
Do you feel rejected and abandoned
by your social circle?
Have you lost HOPE?
Welcome to HOPE, a ministry dedicated to Healing Our Painful Experiences. Divorce has rapidly escalated in our homes and churches. No one is exempt and many times a minister's wife finds herself caught in this tragedy. Much of the time her identity is lost, her security is snatched away, and her former place of ministry no longer exists, causing her to feel alienated from the Body of Christ.
If this is where you find yourself today, let us walk with you. Our desire is to provide resources that will strengthen and encourage you on this new path in your life. Here you will find articles and testimonies from others
who have faced similar struggles. Links to additional helpful Web sites are found below. You may also confidentially email us with your questions.
“Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance” (Psalm 42:5).
The Umbrella of HOPE
Baubles
The small cloth box was labeled “jewels.” Fumbling with the latch, I hesitated. Really, I shouldn’t be opening this box. I never even knew the lady. It should be one of her children or grandchildren sorting through the earthly leftovers of a life that has gone on.
My uncle was elderly. He was alone. The overwhelming task of closing down a household accumulation of over fifty years was just too much for him, so there I was – sorting through the “stuff.” How to decide what to keep, what to sell and what to trash? Then I found it. The box of Gracie’s things. He had helped her in those last few years – taken in her groceries, brought her the needed prescriptions, assisted in keeping her financial matters in order. Since she had no one else, he had “inherited” her estate and now I had discovered her treasures!
Aloneness after a divorce or death of a spouse is one of the greatest life changing challenges. Friends, family and counselees have shared that when their spouse divorced or died, the emptiness of not having that ‘sole mate’ to share life with was the greatest emotional pain. There is a transitional period of accepting the finality of divorce or death.
If being alone happens because of death, the comfort is the loving memories of a spouse who was faithful. Divorce creates a different aloneness. Accompanying aloneness is the feeling of being abandoned, rejected and forsaken, etc. Death is not by choice. Divorce is by choice. If you have children in the home, they can feel the same feelings of abandonment and rejection and even take the blame of the other parent leaving. As the custodial parent, you cannot expect your children to fill your aloneness. Please, never turn a child into a ‘substitute spouse.’ Never tell a six-year old son, “You’re the man of the house now.” It’s not true. No child can take the place of a spouse who is gone. (This subject is for another article).
Do you have a friend who is facing the destructive fallout of infidelity, betrayal, emotional abuse, and divorce? If so, you will find the HOPE Kit a wonderful way to minister to her during this difficult time. You will receive two books by authors who have experience the pain of divorce and an inspirational bookmark packaged in an attractive bag with the HOPE logo. In addition, you will receive a booklet that offers helpful ways in which you can minister to those in need.
To order the HOPE Kit please call 314-837-7304 extension 412
"Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ."
Galations 6:2
Romans 15:1 "We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak."
HOPE ministry offers strength and encouragement, help and healing to women who are going through the pain of separation and divorce
For help to guide you through traumatic times you may contact us confidentially by Email at lmhope@upci.org
I abruptly woke up and tried to figure out what awoke me. I felt the vibrations and heard the high-pitched whining of an engine. I realized the farm workers were working, yes, in the dark, at 4:44 a.m.!
I jumped out of bed and stepped into our walk-in shower, as there was a small arched window. Then I saw the lights of a tractor as its dark shadow passed by the house. I wanted to explore the situation more so I quietly went into the kitchen. The tractor pulled a small trailer with a white round drum of sulphur. Night time is the best time to spray the grapes for insects. With the likelihood of less wind, it is much more effective. As I walked in the kitchen, I saw out of the corner of my eye another set of lights coming down a row of grapes on my left. The ground was crawling and humming with tractors. It was the vibration and sounds of the tractors that awoke me. That is one of the perks for living in the country surrounded by acres of grape fields.
Realizing that everything was okay, I went back to bed. As I lay there I thought of how God is always available, 24/7. He works around the clock every day of the year with no vacations, no replacement, and His phone is never busy. While I was sleeping, others in the world had needs and God was right there for them. He doesn’t sleep or slumber and He is the Master of multi tasking. He can answer a financial need, reconcile a marriage, heal a physical need, and comfort a grieving spouse all at the same time. Regardless where you live or what time it is, He is always on call.
Thank you God, for being available day or night!
It isn’t the size of the gift that matters, but the size of the heart that gives it. Eileen Elias Freeman
In this brand new year, open your heart to someone who is hurting and let them see your love. Express it how you wish – whether through gifts, time, thoughtful acts or just over a cup of tea. Be willing to open your heart.
These two books are written in a heart-to-heart style by ordinary women who have triumphed over some of life’s toughest situations.
The biblical answers provided by these Spirit-filled women will offer you hope and encouragement as you, or someone close to you, face similar struggles.
HOPE Kit
The books within the HOPE Kit were written by ladies who have walked down the path of divorce. They have felt the pain, and their testimonies will provide strength and encouragement for those now walking that same path.
The booklet that accompanies the kit offers ideas and suggestions for helping someone who is in the painful experience of divorce. Walk with a friend through the healing process and bless them with your acts of kindness and words of strength.
The HOPE Kit (shown above) may be purchased by calling Ladies Ministries
at 314-837-7304 extension 412
