Friday, April 1, 2011

Glimpses

Can You See Her?
In my experience of loving, serving, and working alongside women, I have discovered that most women do not simply jump into ministry.
Often they must be coaxed, prompted.
Uncertain of their value, they must be convinced.  Doubtful of their calling, they must be persuaded. Unsure of their ability, they must be affirmed.
I grew up with pronounced bucked teeth … and a crooked mouth.  Have you noticed that a person’s life can pivot on the smallest hinge of time?  That each minute whispers either promise or warning, and contains the potential for momentous change? 
My name is Beverly, and I experienced just that early on in my childhood.  One day, at recess, someone decided to call me Beaverly.  In their estimation, it was really quite brilliant:  Just change a short vowel into a long one, and, voilĂ , Beverly becomes Beaverly.   It was a simple change, a playground diversion, a seemingly innocuous taunt,
but one whose consequences reverberate even today.
I was—sometimes am—the woman described in the first paragraph.  I was—sometimes am—Much-Afraid, the main character in “Hinds’ Feet on High Places”.  She, interestingly enough, also had a crooked mouth.   Few of us may share an affliction that leaves our appearance marred, and our confidence diminished.
Many of us, however, share the common feeling of being Much-Afraid.
Afraid: That we’re not good enough, or smart enough, or valuable enough.
  I long to share with women the truth God used to set me free.  Years ago, He gave me a glimpse of the woman He intends for me to be.  He gave me a glimpse of the woman He had in mind before He ever knit me together in my mother’s womb.
And, guess what? She looks nothing like me and everything like Him! How I look now matters far less than who I am, and Whose I am.  I am being transformed!  Into His image!
  I began to exclaim to the Lord, “I Can See Her!  I Can See Her!  I can see the woman You mean for me to be.”
He faithfully responded by proclaiming,  
“And I Can Help You Be Her! I am the reason you can see her
And I can help you be her.”
It is a promise of transformation.  It is a promise that emboldens crooked-mouthed, buck-toothed girls, who are now women.
Women:
Who have cast off the hurts of yesterday, for the promise of tomorrow.
Who have exchanged ridicule for redemption, fear for faith, and reticence for resolve.
Who will take God up on His offer of transformation.
Who may look the same, but will not be the same. 
The Glimpse Will give way to Glory.
The Vision Will become Reality.
That, dear ones, is a guarantee, because Our Father Wills that it be so.
That is the truth that set me free, and the promise that spurred me on, to serve and to love.  That is the promise that rendered me usable in His hands.
Can you see her?
I can.
 Her mouth may be crooked, but her heart is fixed.
Her scars may be visible, but her hurts are healed.
Her memories may intrude, but her value is assured.
Embrace her, today.  Bask in the love of God, your
Vision-Giver, as He plots your paths, and orders your steps …
All the Way to Glory.
This inaugural posting was prompted by an offering that I found on Ann Voskamp's blog. Her writing is truly annointed.  I am entering a contest for a scholarship to a SheSpeaks Conference that will be held in July in Charlotte.  I have heard wonderful things about the conference, and know many women who have been encouraged and empowered to employ their gifts as a result of what they have received at these conferences.









10 comments:

  1. What a MOVING post!! THANK YOU for inspiring me to seek my own "glimpse" of who God has designed me to be!

    I pray that you will be chosen to go the conference... it sounds wonderful and I know you will be as big a blessing to those in attendance as they are to you!

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  2. My sweet Beverly! You are such a blessing! I thank God that you took precious time and helped me begin to see the "glimpse" of who God has created in me and what God has created for me. I had scars, but my heart is fixed, my hearts are healed, my value is assured...thank you for being a part of my journey! All the way to Glory, here I come! Continue to say Yes!

    Love Love Love you!
    Ayanna

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  3. Your transparency is so refreshing! Your writing inspires women to look through, and beyond the life-long struggles, towards the "glimpse". Most importantly you teach and set the example to focus on the ONE who gave the "glimpse". And ensure that the "woman becoming" is only possible with Christ.

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  4. Beverly, I absolutely LOVED your book. The Lord has already used it in so many people's lives, including mine.

    I hope you win this scholarship, what a GREAT opportunity it would be for you!

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  5. "I can see her!" This phase often comes to mind as I am praying for God to mold me into the woman, the wife, and the mom HE created me to be. What a powerful message Beverly has to share through her book, and through her teaching. She shares God's word in a fantastic, dynamic, and loving way that I could just soak up for hours.

    I couldn't think of anyone I would nominate more for this SheSpeaks Conference Scholarship than Beverly!

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  6. I am 48 years old and the Lord used your book to finally show me a glimpse of the woman He has always meant me to be. I am now 51 days into my journey of becoming her, and I know that not only is it possible, it will happen! The best part of it all is that God is getting and will get all the glory. Thank you for being obedient to God's calling in your life. My life will be forever changed as a result:)

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  7. Beverly, you are BRILLIANT! I love your diction in writing and your expression in words. It inspires me to put more of my heart into my writing and not be afraid of being transparent because the more transparent I am, the more people can see God through me! Love you lots and I know you will get that scholarship. They would be foolish not to give it to you!

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  8. Beverly, thank you so much for being so transparent and real! Recently I've found myself pondering about what my "her" looks like. I've never taken time to explore the woman God wants me to be, I've been too busy doing other things to stop and dream about who God wants me to be a as woman. I cannot wait to read your book this summer as I transition to a new phase of my life.

    You would be the perfect candidate to receive the scholarship to the SheSpeaks Conference!

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  9. This is beautiful! and something so many women need to hear. We may be women but we are women of God and so many women or girls can't see that view of themselves. They see the picture society and the media has painted and no of us are that picture and ever will be. Plus that is nothing that God has intended for us, it make look glamarous but the women that God has designed us to be is so much more beautiful inside and out. I hope this book does wonderfully and gets out there so that all women can see it and read it and finally understand where their worth comes from and thats our Lord Jesus who has designed us to be women of God who share the love of God! God bless you in the journey!

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  10. Please keep writing...
    Your words deeply minister. Beautiful.
    *Thank you*...

    All's grace,
    Ann

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