Hope, Belonging and Unfailing Love
Dear Friends,
My first solo flying experience took me from Philadelphia to Atlanta to attend our denominational women’s ministry leadership conference as the newly appointed Northeast regional representative. I was forty-three years old, the mother of four, and very much alone. I dragged my suitcase through what felt like miles of airport corridors, wondering what in the world I was doing. I was new to our denomination. I loved teaching women’s Bible study in my local church, but organizing ministry on a broader scale intimidated me.
When my childhood pastor’s wife urged me to accept this role, I wanted to say no. Chuck gently challenged my reluctance. “If you don’t like it,” he said, “you may be in a position to help shape the future. Bring home to our women what you learn.”
When I arrived, seasoned leaders welcomed me and the other “newbies” as if we were long-lost sisters—because, in Christ, we were. That conference marked the beginning of a deeper understanding of my identity as a daughter of the King and of the rich inheritance that belongs to every adopted child of God. I returned home and shared everything I learned with the women in our church. Together, we began to see more clearly that we are a covenant family, designed by our Father to encourage and equip one another to walk by faith wherever He places us.
I had no idea then how God would use those teachingsand those deep friendships to prepare me for the valley of grief that lay ahead. In that dark season, those sisters refused to let my arms fall when I could barely breathe. That was thirty-five years ago, and I still thank God for the spiritual family He gave me.
What a joy it is now to see so many women sharing that legacy through the various platforms of PCA women’s ministry.
This week, I have the privilege of introducing you to six enCourage blog writers whose words will draw us deeper into our relationship with Jesus.
Each has contributed to the enCourage Blog, a weekly dose of gospel hope in a world often filled with discouraging news. (You can subscribe at: https://women.pcacdm.org/encourage-blog/.)
Tomorrow, guest writer Julianne Atkinson will remind us of the treasure of adoption—a foundational, life-changing truth we so easily forget. She writes:
“I remember the moment my heart was regenerated… Though that was the day I was legally transferred into the kingdom of Jesus, it was only the beginning. Since then, I have enjoyed the benefits of being a child of God. As God’s adopted children, we are part of a family that outnumbers the grains of sand on the seashore… When I forget who I am, my adopted family reflects back to me that I belong to God. I am His, and He is mine. I cry out to Him, and He hears me.”
The doctrine of adoption is indeed a beautiful one—meant not only to be understood but cherished.
Friends, let these words sink deep into your soul today. Ask the Lord to help you rejoice in your identity as His beloved child and to strengthen your bonds with the spiritual family He has given you. And join me this week as we receive the treasures our guest writers will share—reminders of hope, belonging, and the unfailing love of our Father.
Treasure by Him,
Sharon Betters
Are there other women in your life who could benefit from a daily dose of encouragement? Forward this email so they can click on this link to Subscribe to Daily Treasure to be better equipped to walk by faith on the pathway God has marked out for them.
Sharon W. Betters is a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, pastor’s wife, and cofounder of MARKINC Ministries, where she is the Director of Resource Development. Sharon is the author of several books, including Treasures of Encouragement, Treasures in Darkness, and co-author with Susan Hunt of Aging with Grace. She is the co-host of the Help & Hope podcast and writes Daily Treasure, an online devotional.
Contact Sharon with comments or questions at dailytreasure@markinc.org.
