6/1/2016 Prayer Letters

"I had heard the announcement about the Healing Hearts studies made many times at my church. I honestly let the words go over my head because, after all, I had been walking with Jesus for years now, happily married with three children. I thought, I don't have time for it and it's really not for me.

At this time I had been Director of Children's Ministry at my church for about 3 years. I quickly had been learning that Children's Ministry is not only ministry to children, but the entire family, the parents, especially the mothers. I found myself being overwhelmed with broken moms, moms with a lot of hurt, moms contemplating divorce, moms with bitterness and unforgiveness. I felt completely overwhelmed and inadequate to minister to them. I knew Jesus was the answer but I was lost on how to navigate them through sound biblical truths to meet them where they were. As I sat sobbing in a Children's Ministry meeting, my pastor suggested the Healing Hearts study.

So I committed to the "Hem of His Garment" study. (I laugh a little now...at how amazing our Father is, because He knows what we need before we even know it.)

I went into the study thinking how great it will be to be able to lead women on a path of healing with amazing sound biblical truths. But as the study went on I realized that, yes, the Lord would use this study in the lives of so many women, but He was intimately involved in healing me. I learned that a Band-Aid is not the type of healing Jesus offers. He is into complete healing. In the study I dealt with issues of child molestation, a strained relationship with my mother, and my brother, bitterness toward friends, even some things with my relationship with God. I sat in awe of how gentle my Savior was as He led me through this study. He not only saved me from hell and death and forgave me of my sin, but He was the Redeemer of all things that were waste. I remember vividly a deeper understanding of forgiveness and how freeing that was.

I often say now, "Every women, in every church body should take this study," and I mean that because I believe God has a personal message for each woman who commits to a study. But also your love for grace will increase, not only in your own life, but in the lives of everyone around you - for your husband, your children, your friends, even those who seem difficult. And I want to be a woman marked by love and grace."

- Bethany, Wife of Peter, Mom to Isaiah, Elijah, and Hannah