Hi my dear GoToGals and Connected Forever Followers!
As I sit here, reflecting and musing, the rain is replenishing the earth outside...a welcome sight, especially since my daughter and I just planted our garden and put in the bulk of our bedding plants yesterday!!!
Unlike last year where the torrenting rains washed most of our newly planted seeds away and our locale was deemed a water disaster zone, this year the rains are more forthcoming for this zone...a little here, a little there. By tomorrow the rain is to subside and the sun is to shine, with a temp of 19 degrees-YAY:)
Kind of reminds me of the patterns we experience in other areas of life...sometimes the rains of life are just enough to water and quench our thirst producing a harvest of peace and contentment. Other times, the storms come with a vengeance and we find ourselves in times of lack, grief, disaster, despair...
It seems so difficult to stay consistent in our contentment, especially when devastating circumstances don’t abate for long. We find ourselves increasingly tense and agitated, wondering whether we can ever hope for a better day, or sorely wanting to give up.
You know the feeling!
Many of you have taken my 27 week Shattered No More bundle. And some of you have even gone on to rebuild your marriage through the Connected Forever training...and through the duration of these sessions you were encouraged and hopeful. You made realizations and learned new time tested tools you were sure would bring about change. Your tank was filled because you knew you weren’t alone in your journey and you were certain this time things would be different!
But then...
Your circumstances were still the same, maybe even seemingly worse, and before long, you found yourself feeling powerless and alone again. Maybe you even found yourself in the familiar dark pit of despair again...
And this wasn’t the first time. In fact, some of you have taken countless courses. You’ve read a mountain of “transformational“ books. You’ve had years of counselling, both individually, and together with your spouse. You’ve tried EVERYTHING you can think of...but NOTHING seems to change in your life, in your marriage, and you’re still found wanting…
Thoughts of giving up abound...or you settle in for less than God’s best...thinking maybe peace, contentment, fulfillment just aren’t in your cards.
Well, my dear sisters...I believe I have found an empowering secret to lifelong change. We weren’t meant to go it alone. We were meant for community...and how much more we thrive, when we are in a community of like minded sisters, who understand our brokenness, but who are also determined to see God’s promises abound in their lives.
The power found in community is emphasised in Hebrews 12: 24-25, where we are instructed by Paul to “ think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. “ He goes on to instruct us “not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but to encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.”
Too often we believe these verses just refer to our traditional “Sunday go to meeting” paradigm...but what if they encompass more than that? What if Paul’s admonishment also refers to a community of women who are drawn together by a common struggle, a common desire, woven together by a common chord- a common faith?
What if Hebrews 12: 24-25 includes women who are fiercely committed to marriage, but whose world has been utterly shattered and turned upside down by spousal betrayal? Women who are struggling with overwhelming emotions, triggers and decisions to work through. Women who feel helpless and alone, but who know God’s promise to them is unshakeable strength and confidence. Women who desire to do whatever it takes to grow whole, more Christ-like and radiant in His glory, no matter their circumstances. Women who dare to believe their marriage CAN be rebuilt and more intimate than it was before-and who dare to walk that journey.
What if women who understand the struggles common to broken marital vows, but who are like minded in discovering unshakeable truth, continue to spur one another on toward love and good deeds. What if they kept meeting together to bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2) and to encourage one another not to give up when the going gets tough (Phillipians 3:14)? Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 says “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if one falls, one will lift up the other. But woe to (her) who is alone when (sh)e falls and has not another to lift (her) up!”
That, my dear GoToGals, is what I envision for the Unshakeable Women Community! I envision a community of women who are passionate about God, love and truth, who desire to spur one another on in the truths they are learning, to hold one another up when the going gets tough,, and who encourage one another to go for the prize of their high calling (Philippians 3:14).
I am still building the structure for the Unshakeable Women Community, and would love to hear your thoughts and ideas as to how I, and the community of unshakeable women, can best serve you? Take a look at my offerings as they stand right now at https://www.ultimateu.ca . Let me know your thoughts? What do you like most? What do you like least? What would you like to see included or not included? Please send your helpful thoughts to info@ultimateu.ca.
Also, I am in the process of gathering and writing more curriculum for women who have gone through betrayal trauma, but who are determined to grow healthy and unshakeable, and who may even dare to believe their marriage can be restored and rebuilt after betrayal-with God’s help! I would love to hear what your needs & desires are! In what ways can I best serve you, my dearly beloved sisters?
Here’s a couple of thoughts to take away:
“Alone God-honoring women are powerful, but together they are unstoppable! Clarity, Coherence & Commitment are much more attainable in Community!”
If you are a woman who is resolute in becoming unshakeable in her God-given strength, confidence and radiance I’d love to journey together with you in our Unshakeable Women Community - you can find us at https://www.ultimateu.ca/book-online.
Blessings ,
Bonnie:)