My Bible study on Wednesdays isn’t ordinary. Sometimes it’s loud. It’s filled with tears or aha moments. The women around the table haven’t had it easy. Sometimes just getting by takes all that each one has.
We’re studying the book of John. Though these women love God fiercely, they are grasping the concepts.
One sang through the table of contents as she flipped through to find a particular book of the Bible.
Another flipped the Bible shut. “#&%*@,” she said. Then with a sheepish look. “Oops.”
I didn’t worry about the word. I was far more excited about the fact that she’s digging deep into the Word of God and it’s changing her, just like it continues to change me.
So we found the passage and dug in. We were in the book of John, chapter 1. We lingered over John 1:6a:
There was a man sent from God. His name was John.
John was handpicked by God to tell others that Jesus was coming. People flocked to John because he had a story to tell. He was different. He was truthful. He didn’t seek the limelight. In fact, he went the opposite direction.
Verse 8 says:
He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.
As we dug deep into the story of John, we began to see that we are also witnesses to that Light.
Impacted by Jesus.
With a story to tell.
So we did. One by one, we went around the table and shared our stories. At one point, one so excited that it felt like we’d slipped into an old-time revival.
Preach it, I said.
And she did.
We flipped back to John 1:6 and put our fingers over the words. And then we put our names in that passage.
There was a woman sent from God. Her name is Suzie.
I was once an angry girl who didn’t know Jesus. A neighbor pestered me until I went to church with her. That day nothing changed at home, but everything began to change inside of me.
My encounter with Jesus transformed not just me, but my children after me and one day, their children after them.
How can I not share such good news about God’s love?
There was a woman sent from God. Her name is Peggy.
There was a time when Peggy was an adult addict on the streets of Chicago. Today she’s a woman of faith who serves those who are sick or aged. She loves nothing more than telling others about Jesus as she rides the bus to work every day.
There was a woman sent from God. Her name is Angelita.
Growing up as one of many, hurt by one who should have treasured her. Underestimated and identified by her past, until she threw the shackles off and ran after God with her entire being. I call her a Bible-study-teacher-in-the-making, because she has such a hunger for knowledge of the Word.
Others repeated the phrase. . .
There was a woman sent from God. Her name is { }.
Filling in the blank. Telling the stories.
When I think about my Wednesdays around my kitchen table, I also see this community. You. Me. Others coming around the table. We are not face to face, you and I, but we meet, our hearts so hungry for God or change or a call pressing so hard on our hearts we can’t wait to run after it.
Maybe you’ve been wondering about #livefreeThursday.
Can I tell you what my prayer is? I am asking God that thousands of women will connect across the world every week and tell their stories around the table.
And that those who are seeking Christ will join us and we’ll grow together.
What about you? What is your story? Begin here. . .
There was a woman sent from God. Her name is ____________.
I’m listening. I’m excited that you’ve come to join us around the table.
Suzie, I simply can not say how much I love this! As always, your words are heart felt and so inspiring.
Joining you around the table today and praying that the stories from all the women gathered there will inspire others to share their stories also.
Blessings friend,
Jana
I love your new blog!
Jana Spicer: Your words matter! God bless you today
Yes- our stories are powerful and it’s taken me most of my life to figure out I even have a story to tell. Is there a way to get your writing prompts before thursday? Love the idea of #livefree. Growing freedom is definitely a theme in my narrative. Based on today’s writing prompt and my link up, I would have to say: There was a women sent from God. Her name is Astrid and she no longer hides.
There is. I have a close group of friends/bloggers who are part of a Facebook group called WOW women. I share the prompt a week in advance. https://www.facebook.com/groups/832793816765796/ –
I also share it on Twitter on Monday or Tuesday. My Twitter ID is @suzanneeller –
I hope that is helpful!
I wish I could have been at your kitchen table yesterday, Suzie, to heard those women share their stories. God is using you to change lives! I pray that your on-line community will be blessed as women gather around this virtual table to tell their stories too.
My kids and I memorized John 1:1-18 last year, and we always cracked up when we got to verse 6 because my son would cut up and say something like, “There was a man sent from God, and His name was George, or Phillip.” I just shared this post with my kids and substituted their names in!
I trust that God has given me such a vision for this. To see women linked up all over the world. Strong women of faith who were once broken, coming alongside other women to gently encourage them as they move from broken to whole. I want a tribe of women celebrating a Savior who heals, restores, and puts on a new path. A Savior who so changes us that it impacts the next generation and the next after that.
Amen! That’s a wonderful vision. I’m so glad to see so many links here!
Hooray! I FINALLY brought my story to the table too! It’s late here in Turkey, so I look forward to reading some of the other women’s stories tomorrow. Thursdays are usually my busiest day of the week, but I’m so happy for a cancelled commitment that enabled me to join in.
What a beautiful idea, Suzie. There was a woman sent from God. Her name is Kim. Thank you!!!!
Wow, Suzie. When I make that statement, I feel so humbled and overwhelmed with God’s goodness. “There was a woman sent from God. Her name is Kristine.” This thought brings me to my knees. How amazing and loving He is!
It did the same with us around the table. I still hear the words falling from everyone’s lips and the power that it represented. His power in us and through us. I love Him so much, and I love hearing what God can do.
WOW Suzie this brought tears to my eyes. Such a beautiful image of God’s girls gathered together proclaiming the truth about being set free and living their lives with Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Declaring that they ARE sent from God into this world…to be used by Him. I want to be at that table!
“There was a woman sent from God. Her name is Sarah…” and now she is going to spend some time praising God as she continues to write the remainder of that thought 🙂
Thank you! #livefreeThursday
I can’t wait to see what you write, Sarah. Thank you for all that you do and for the words that you share through OBS. You are making a difference!
I am receiving so many prompts from the Lord to tell more of my story. Layer by layer my heart is being unveiled. Thank you for sharing a Word from the Lord to me today showing me this next step in sharing…with a slight amount of trembling! 🙂
I love this, Suzie! I’m disappointed to not have time this week to participate in the linkup. What a wonderful image of redemption, and I love that it sounds like you are gathering with women from lots of different walks. That is my heart’s desire in my community, and I’m beginning to see God opening doors for this type of fellowship and discipleship to take place.
I’m am often, and gratefully, reminded that ‘but for the grace of God I am what I am’! It’s so encouraging to see so many examples of God’s ability and willingness to ‘work all things to good for those who love Him’. I know He is doing that in my own life, and it’s my fervent prayer to see Him keep this promise in the lives of others who may not yet know the freedom they have in Christ.
Thanks, as always, for a great post and prompt to consider!
You joined in right here, Meagan! That’s exactly what I hope for. Not just the linking, but the conversation that we have around that table. <3
Suzie, I would love to join you at your table any time. John is one of my favorite books in the Bible and studying it truly changed my life. I’ve been so blessed by #LiveFreeThursday. Truly a beautiful community you have growing here.
Hello Suzie,
This is my first visit to your blog, and I was deeply touched by your post today. I am learning first hand the power of sharing our stories with others. I liken it to the stones of remembrance that the children of Israel set up as monuments to remember the great things God had done for them. When their children would see these stones, they would ask what they meant – and this led to the sharing of stories of God’s faithfulness and love. Our stories have the power to transform lives. They are meant to be shared!
I am newly sharing my story of healing from childhood abuse at incrementalhealing.wordpress.com
I would love it if you’d stop by and share your thoughts.
Blessings,
Kamea
I just visited your blog and I’m so grateful you linked up today!
What I feel most from this post is the personal calling on each woman to connect, to build, to relate… it’s exciting, really exciting. Soul warriors joining up, getting real, and reaching out for all of Him. So we all can say we are never alone! Thank you for your words today, Suzie, they’re powerful and so encouraging.
I have been camping in the book of John since the beginning of January. I am walking through slowly because so many times the words stop me suddenly and I have to go back to digest them. I love the verse you pulled out.. John 1:6 and the twist you gave it to personalize it. Love it.. Women sent by God to love on one another, in prayer and fellowship, around the table.. that is so much of what my heart wants to shout to the women He has brought into my life.
There was a woman sent by God. Her name was Dawn.
He met her with a powerful grace and filled a passion deep within to extend grace to others, but first she needed to learn to give it to herself. She is still learning this art of love that stems from the One that shed love in red drops for us all, but through it He has given her words and a passion to pray for others. In those moments of grace, healing flows deep and she is one step closer to living free.
Bless you Suzie! Thanks for sharing such sweetness and for hosting a table to gather around.
Blessings,
Dawn
Ah, Suzie, I have enjoyed sitting at your table today, listening to all the stories! Beautiful, painful redeeming stories from beautiful redeemed women who are overcomers! Thank you for this linkup! #LiveFree!
Absolutely beautiful!
“With a story to tell.” There’s such power in our stories, our testimonies.
Thanks for sharing this as well as encouraging others to do so, Suzie. I find myself amazed at God’s power when reading through the blogs. Go Jesus, go.
There was a woman sent from God, her name is Nancy. She knew Jesus from a young age but was abandoned and forgotten by the one who should protect and nurture her. Jesus was there all along. She grew up hurt, angry, and quiet. Her husband left her with two precious girls…Jesus was there all along. I am redeemed and precious in God’s sight. He will never leave nor forsake me. I’ve given everything to Him and He is my protector, my savior. I am redeemed, filled with His love and peace despite any circumstance that comes my way.
God writes the best stories. Doesn’t He? Thanks for reminding me.
There was a woman sent from God. Her name is Kia. Suzie this is so POWERFUL when I think about the times I couldn’t imagine God sending me anywhere. But He takes the “foolish things of this world and confounds the wise”. This is so awesome that he takes our little lives and makes it much. He sends us regardless of our past mistakes, struggles, and failures. Amazing! Wish I was sitting around that table with you guys but I will settle for the #livefree Thursday.
Suzie, this was a great idea for a linkup. I am excited to read so many of the amazing stories. This was a joy to write. Thank you for helping diminish writers block. I am praying for you, your ministry, your family and all that you do.
I had so much fun yesterday reading these stories. Freed from fear. Freed from agoraphobia. Freed from hiding. It’s a powerful thing to be able to sit around a table and lift up the name of Christ . . . together!
I missed out on the prompt this week! When do you post them? And if I don’t use the prompt is it okay to share something I already have “in my bag?” lol I managed to catch one. 🙂
All that aside, I love this description of community at your table!
When done right, it is raw, messy and might even include a few @#$%!
So encouraging you are connecting people with Jesus and that HE is working mightily in their hearts!
Lord, please bless Suzie as she honors you and shares her table just like you share Yours with us! AMEN!
I didn’t have time this week to write fresh words, but you prompted me to remember words God has already whispered to me. A post I wrote last October came to mind and reminded me that I am a good work in progress. Thank you for your encouragement.
Her name is Courtney. She is exhausted; physically(& in great pain), mentally (because it’s just life & that other *%#! shoe just WILL NOT keep dropping), emotionally (trying to not overshare but ending a 23 year marriage, yesterday was valentine’s day, wedding anniversary in 2 weeks & solely miss his good qualities), & financially (been a stay @ home mother for 20 years – finding work that I can physically do is proving difficult & God doesn’t allow me to publicly defame my husband…even if I want to!) I actually just prayed; that along with the conveniences this world has that I didn’t growing up, (because they change about every decade dramatically) that children are taught at an early age(@ home & @ church) how special and unique they are, because of their DNA & THAT GOD CREATED THEM IN HIS OWN IMAGE, & there is NOBODY else on this earth like them, & finally that all children come to know Christ early, so that when life happens they can go through it with a calm disposition, gratuitous attitude, & always know what the right choice is. I also prayed this for myself because I continue to feel so overwhelmed.
Suzie, God is using you to minister to the hearts of so many. Your post is full of His truth, strength and love. I am enjoying #livefreeThursdays. It’s an encouraging and safe place of grace and growth. Thank you for hosting it. You are making a different, friend! Bless you!
Suzie, LOVE this post. The power of story, our very testimony, sets us free. As the song says, “by the blood of the Lamb and the words of our testimony”
Stories. Lovely. Free indeed. Thank you.