Women Arise! Don’t Struggle Alone
Dear Friends,
I am so eager to welcome back to Daily Treasure, guest writer Andrea Maher, author of Slammed, Overcoming Tragedy in the Wave of Grief. I met Andrea after interviewing her son, Matt Maher. As Matt shared his story of imprisonment after causing the death of a man, a father, because of driving under the influence, I asked about his parents. To my surprise, he said that his mother quoted from my book Treasures in Darkness in her book Slammed. I immediately ordered and read her book and knew I had a new friend.
Andrea’s transparency in opening up her life, speaking freely of her precious son who died as a result of drug addiction, and the imprisonment of her gifted and beautiful son, Matt, captured my heart. She graciously agreed to be interviewed for our Help & Hope audio library. You can hear our conversation, Surviving a Tsunami of Grief, here: LINK.
Andrea has previously written for Daily Treasure, including an in-depth series on Mary, the mother of Jesus. For this What She Said series, Andrea has permitted me to share some of her blogs with you. It was hard to pick just six, so I encourage you to check out her other writing on her website: Be Still Foundation.
Included in this week’s devotionals, Andrea challenges us to see the futility of struggling alone and the riches we miss when we ignore the ever-present One Who calls us to come to Him and discover the rest He alone offers.
From Andrea:
This little anecdote touched my heart because its implications are so broad, so common to our human nature, and applicable to anyone from all walks of life.
It is a story of us, and it goes like this.
A little boy valiantly, but unsuccessfully, attempted to move a heavy log. His dad stood quietly nearby, watching his son straining against the load. Finally, he said, “Son, why aren’t you using all of your strength?”
Confused and a little angry, the boy responded, “Dad, I’m using every last little bit of strength I have!” To which the father responded, “No, son, you’re not,” “You haven’t asked me to help.”
Did you feel that gut punch! I am often guilty of trying to resolve things on my own, even when I know I have full access to a loving Father who stands guard over my every move. It makes me wonder if that is not another reason why angels are so bewildered at us.
As women, we have a tendency to try to manage life without allowing the Lord of our life to share the burden with us. Scripture tells us over and over and in so many varied ways that:
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble.
Psalm 46:1
Why is He then often a last-ditch effort?
Job says:
My intercessor is my friend, as my eyes pour out tears to God.
Job 16:20
Many times, when a problem arises, instead of running to God for help through intercessory prayer, we mill possible solutions around in our heads. We self-talk, ruminating on all our options.
Or we might call a friend and just spout off about our situation, not really looking for any real guidance — but using our words to gain relief from the problem.
Why do we continually fall into that pit when there is so much value to tapping into the promises of God, which are at our fingertips through the Word of God? (Be Still Foundation, by Andrea Maher, February 28)
Why, indeed?
This week, walk with Andrea as she shares glimpses from her own journey of learning how to lean hard into Jesus and call on Him.
Treasured by Him,
Sharon
PRAYER
Lord, this week, when faced with challenges, surprises, and circumstances beyond our control, may our first response be to call on You. Amen
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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.
