It occurred to me how wonderful it would be to celebrate people in our lives who have inspired us. Who comes to your mind?
Some very special women I’m privileged to call friends are Sue Drefs and Karen Sweetman who are first to call and insist upon bringing over a meal or a pastry whenever they hear of someone going through a difficult time of illness or loss. Many times they’ve blessed me like this. Probably not until heaven will anyone know how many people they have helped by not asking what they can do, but just doing.There’s my precious friend Pat Cavenagh with her awesome ministries over the years. She worked in the Joliet prison changing the lives of many black women who were incarcerated and so dangerous many were afraid to have any connection. She also had a ministry with her husband of bringing people to Christ by inviting them for dinner and telling them about Jesus and a wonderful Christian retreat experience which led many to a lifetime of loving and serving Christ. Countless couples have been impacted along with their families through the years. Plus her ministry of powerful prayer for healing has had enormous impact.
Gloria Bianchini along with her husband founded the Christian Royal Oak Apple Orchard Restaurant and Gift Shop. One only has to walk on the property to sense it is a sacred place dedicated to Christ and the glory of God. Gloria has hosted numerous Bible studies for the community on her property. She’s quite a Bible scholar and shares the fruit of her studies with many, including me.
Author Becky Melby started a writing ministry to bring writers together to mutually hone their skills and graciously opened her home up to include men and women and even homeschool students interested in developing writing skills. Becky has a recent book she co-authored with Cynthia Ruchti, another godly woman. It’s titled Spouse in the House for wives adapting to husbands who retired or started working at home full-time. Both women are incredible authors of fiction also and I highly recommend their books, especially this new one. https://www.amazon.com/Spouse-House-Rearranging-Attitudes-Other/dp/0825446783
Then there’s Joann and Heather and Sandy with their hospitality gifts, and Margaret with her Angel Prayer ministry and Mary with her local Christian book club and Debbie leading a weekly Moms in Prayer Group and on and on. These are only some of the women who have been models for me as they serve Christ and one another. There are many more and it’s a great honor to know them and call them friends.
Now who are the women in your life who have inspired you? Perhaps you’ll want to have a conversation to let them know. We truly do have saints among us still!
WRITING/SPEAKING UPDATE
I’m delighted My YouTube channel continues to grow. Through it I’m blessed to counsel couples with strategies to improve their marriages and parents. You can visit and subscribe for free https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXIRtQGmA77eHR9ZWHi50Cw for marriage and parenting and life enrichment videos.
My new God’s Near devotional book of poetic prayer prose will soon be available. The cover design is complete. See a sneak preview below. Final text editing is sooooo much work. Several times I’ve been tempted to quit, but then an impetus (can only be God’sgrace) keeps me at it. I pray God’s Near will heighten readers love for God and create even deeper connection with Him as they cope with this troubled, chaotic world. You can check out all my books at my amazon author page: http://www.amazon.com/Judith-Rolfs/e/B001KI0KLU
HAPPY FALL!!!
“So don’t hide your light! Let it shine brightly before others so they may see your good deeds and glorify your father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16
