The Gathering Place Where Family Matters

Last week I shared with you that Karen received an invitation to come to a particular local church where a number of dear ladies had recently experienced trials, heartaches, and difficulties. Their situations covered a wide variety of challenges. There was an urgency to come as soon as she could possibly get there.

Drawing from her personal life and experience with situations ranging from disappointments to personal sorrow, Karen shared with these dear ladies from Psalm 28.

A number of ladies in a particular church suddenly faced a wide variety of hardships and difficulties. Karen received the invitation to “Please come and speak to the ladies as to how to cope with all these problems.” With a great deal of prayer, she spoke to them from Psalm 28.

God’s grace was often the central theme of her retreat notes. I’m not sure where she was speaking for this set of notes. But it was a great reminder that the Lord is God and He can be trusted in the happy times as well as the hard times.

Karen knew the joys of life as well as the heartaches and challenges. She was there serving and reaching out to those who were hurting, frightened, lonely, abandoned, and grieving. She also knew from personal experience what to say and what not to say!

Years ago Karen and I had the tremendous honor of speaking to pastors and wives at a conference sponsored by the Practical Bible College. Karen spoke to the pastors’ wives about a very real situation that many are facing. Most pastors’ wives are very busy ministering to the needs of the ladies in the church. But who is ministering to her needs? It has been my intention in these last few weeks to honor pastors’ wives all around the world.