Joyful New Year, dear readers! This is the time of the year when we think about wishes and lists. Women have secret wishes, longings, to do or be something different. Many wish for health, food, shelter, freedom, or peace; others long for dignity, love, respect, and empowerment. God is the one who can meet our needs, but we are His hands and His voice. In this New Year, we can make a difference. We can Touch a Heart and Tell the World. Women’s Ministries challenges each of the 12 million women in the Adventist church to accept God’s call, to be a voice of hope and an instrument of change. May God bless every Women’s Ministries leader, from division directors to the local churches, as we make a difference for Him.
Heather-Dawn, Raquel, Vernee, and Judith
There are many ways for us to plant seed for God’s kingdom, but the best way is to plant seeds of love in the lives of people we meet. We may feel we lack special gifts. We may not know how to give a Bible study, or how to explain the importance of the seventh day Sabbath. But we can all plant seeds of love in someone's life; that was Jesus’ method (Ministry of Healing, p. 143). He focused on loving people to His Father. Jesus was planting seeds of love. As a result, hearts opened so that He could tell them about His Father. Can we do this? Yes, all of us can.
You may wonder, how can I plant seeds in someone's life. Let me share some ideas.
- Do you love to read? You could visit the elderly in a senior citizens home and read to the residents. Visit the hospital and read to someone. Sick or homebound neighbors might be happy for a friend to read to them. That's planting seeds of God's love.
- Do you love to cook? You can cook for someone who is sick or who has lost a loved one. You can teach some of your neighbors or coworkers to cook food that is healthful.
- Do you love to do crafts? You can make cards and give them to people whom you meet in the supermarket, pharmacy, hotel or airport. Leave a card of thanks and encouragement for them with a few kind words and a text for the day. That's planting seeds of love.
- Say thank you to the car park attendant with a smile. That's planting seeds of love.
- Do you love to listen? Then take time to listen to people who are desperate to unload their pain and their problems.
- Volunteer to tutor children in church or in your neighborhood who are having a difficult time in school. That's planting seeds of love.
The question is, what can I do? May God help us discover our part.
(Source: “Outreach is for Everyone,” Women’s Ministries Evangelism Manual, p. 117)
Calendar
February 1: Statistical Reports Due
March 3: Women’s International Day of Prayer
March 6: Human Rights Day
March 8: International Women's Day
June 9: Women's Ministries Emphasis Day
August 25: Abuse Prevention Day
October 1: Devotional Book Deadline
Prayer Corner
- Peace and healing for women
- Young women in the church
- Homes of Hope and Healing Outreach
