You have an assigned project, but you want to do something totally different. What’s the first thing you do? Do you pray for God’s input? I went to a Christian conference recently and one of the speakers gave some great advice. He said, “don’t run ahead of God, don’t lag behind Him, but follow His lead.”

Jesus Christ went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. He asked the Father to take this cup from him. Finally, He ended that prayer time with “not my will, but Thy will be done.”

Following the Father’s will led to Jesus’ death, resurrection, and our gift of eternal life.

Many days I want to give up, but I have a new prayer to pray every day, for every circumstance. I need to be patient and wait for God’s timing. I do not want to run ahead of Him, lag behind Him, but I must follow His lead.
 

Sandie Harjala
LWML Mid-South District President

Unbelievably, the first month of the new year is behind us already. Now we are embarking on the shortest month of the year. These short winter days often hamper motivation. We may stall out between the Christmas and Valentine’s
holidays even though we smartly have the same red outfit set aside for both events. 

Did you know that the women in LWML already have guides and encouragement for winter doldrums? Do not despair. Whether you need a thematic Bible study, devotion, or service project, searching the Program Helps page at LWML.org will reveal a wealth of assistance.

I scrolled to the bottom of the page of Winter Resources and found inspiration for time management under Leader Development. In Time Management - Lutheran Women's Missionary League, I found just the encouragement I needed. Not only did it remind me to “manage myself, not my time,” a printable version is available to share with my sisters at a meeting or event if warranted.

Thank God for our gift of time!
 

Terri Bentley
LWML Utah-Idaho District President

As I dropped my daughter off for cheer practice — not the sideline kind, but the kind
where they throw people in the air and catch them like it’s nothing — I was struck by
how the stunt groups rely on each person doing their role. The flyer can’t go up without
strong bases, and the whole stunt falls apart if even one person steps back.

Paul reminds us in Romans 12:4–8 For as in one body we have many members … so
we, though many, are one body in Christ … Having gifts that differ according to the
grace given to us.

Each of us has been entrusted with gifts that find their full meaning when brought
together in harmony. No role is greater than another, all are vital to God’s work. Like a
well-executed stunt, when we use our gifts faithfully, we lift one another up and reflect
on the grace given to us.

Ali Arndt
LWML North Dakota District President

Police dramas and murder mysteries abound on streaming services and TV. Do you
ever wonder if you would be a good witness to a crime? What could you recall? Would
you be confident in your testimony?

In the Great Commission, Jesus tells his disciples to “Go therefore and make disciples
of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). What does that mean for us, 2000 years later? Here is
the answer! Acts 2:32 says This Jesus God raised up, and of that we are all witnesses.
We weren’t there when he died and was raised again. We didn’t see the crime
perpetrated against His innocent blood! Can we be witnesses? YES! This directive IS
also for us!

God’s Word, the Holy Bible, makes us true witnesses through faith to His suffering,
pain and death; we can share the GOOD NEWS of the RESURRECTION OF LIFE that
He bought through that single act of sacrifice. We can be confident in this news!

Check out the LWML website for resources about witnessing.

Sarah J. Rippy
LWML Indiana District President
Stay Connected

LWML ladies make quilts by the hundreds all across our nation. What a wonderful project!
The quilts provide warmth and security after natural disasters and tragedies. They brighten
dorm rooms, nursing home rooms, and provide joy to those who experience homelessness.
Every quilt is prayed over and sent off with a blessing and a hope that the recipients will feel
the love of Jesus Christ.

But what about the ladies who don’t or can’t quilt? In which mission projects can they
participate? Many projects can be found at lwml.org under the Service tab. Select Mission
Service Activities to find projects used to extend the love of Jesus to others. Veterans, shutins,
college students, and cancer patients are just a few of the groups that can be blessed
with a mission project. They can be used individually or with a group and have a devotion to
be used with the project.

Dear Lord, may the work of my hands and the joyful knowledge that You are my Savior bring
comfort and saving grace to those in need. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Kathleen Brandt
LWML Minnesota North District President

During the month of December in New York City, it is common to wait on a cold and crowded platform for the train to arrive. While waiting, some people scroll on social media, others scramble with emails, others Facetime with friends, and others just stare in thought. And yet, the train’s arrival will bring something new.

Jesus’ coming changes our life trajectories. We were destined to die, but Jesus’ death on the cross and rising from the dead allows us to have new life in Him by faith. He calls us to faithful service while waiting, making the most of our time because the days are evil (Ephesians 5:16). We joyfully proclaim Christ, support missions, and equip women to honor God by serving others. This is not an opportunity to “pass the time” on the platform; we actively and faithfully serve “whenever and wherever He has need of us.” Thanks be to God for these opportunities to witness to Christ in this season of repentance, hope, expectation, and renewal.  

Deaconess Raquel A. Rojas
Lutheran Women in Mission
Atlantic District President