Read: Luke 9:22-25
“The Son of Man must endure great suffering and be refused by the elders, the high priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and be raised to life on the third day.” And he said to everyone, “If anyone wants to go with me, he must disregard himself, and take his cross day after day and follow me. For whoever wants to preserve his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for me will preserve it. What good does it do a man to gain the whole world and lose or forfeit himself?” Luke 9:22-25 NRSV
When I joined the United Methodist Women nearly 40 years ago in New York, I never considered losing my life to Christ. It was through that UMW, and several UMW groups wherever we lived, that I learned that selfish caring only about myself is no way to live.
I don’t know about you, but for me, it is difficult to follow THE SON OF MAN, especially with all of the temptations of the body, heart and mind. Maybe, I needed to learn to FOCUS myself on needs other than my own, thus losing my life to Christ.
United Methodist Women taught me to look to those caring women around me for support and comfort. I remember in the early years (my 20’s), I looked to the older ladies as role models, then, in my 30’s and 40’s, through my UMW sisters, I learned discipline for daily prayer, study of issues, and devotions that were Biblically inspired. I can name those who I consider Spiritual GIANTS, those who seem to be Mother Earth, and even those with patience far beyond my abilities. How I miss them, and am sincerely grateful that I have found replacements right here at FUMC.
Now, that I am well past 50, I see myself as an assistant to the elderly, and well as a source that the younger gals can come to. I really don’t have any answers, but I know what it is like to struggle with home, family, career, and finding the time and energy to be a Christian woman. I begin by looking to Christ for guidance, and follow him, no matter what!!
Patty Lee
PRAYER: Oh, Heavenly Father, Thank you for food and remember the hungry. Thank you for health and remember the sick. Thank you for freedom and remember the enslaved. May these remembrances stir me to your service, that your gifts to us may be used for others. Amen.
