My readers, my friends, it is near the end of an online book study that I had every intention of sharing with you, and then I had that extended and unexpected break from blogging. It’s on a book called Women at War by Jan Greenwood. And I don’t want you to think this post won’t relate to you, because you didn’t read the book.
It will.
Women at War, in some ways it describes us at war with each other, relationships plagued with backbiting, gossip, disloyalty, mistrust. Or with ourselves, to the point of hating who we are, wishing we were someone different. We’ve both been the receiver and inflicter of injury, and are in need healing.
This book is also about us being in a war with the enemy of our souls. The devil has been trying to take us out since the beginning of time. “He (the enemy) hates your ability to produce life…That’s why we are in this very real war. That’s why the enemy is continually striving to stir up war between you and your children and between you an other women. He wants to pepper your mind with lies and wound you through actions of others so he can reduce your capacity to overcome him.” — Jan Greenwood, Women at War
I’d love to tell you more about the book, yet today is specifically for Chapter 12: No One Left Behind, which opens with this verse. “God didn’t set us up for an angry rejection but for salvation by our Master, Jesus Christ. He died for us, a death that triggered life. Whether we’re awake with the living or asleep with the dead, we’re alive with Him! So speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you’ll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind. I know you’re already doing this; just keep on doing it.” (1 Thess 5:9-11 MSG)
No one left behind is a military code of conduct on the battlefield that says, “I won’t leave you to die alone or be captured by the enemy. You and I are in this together.” Yet, many of us have been injured, rejected, and are walking wounded, feeling very alone. Though, there are desperately painful moments in life when we’ve felt betrayed and abandoned, we never are by God.
But still, we long to receive love, unconditional acceptance for who we are, no matter what we do. We desire to hear encouraging words from another. Most everyone does. Sometimes we ourselves, need rescuing. But, sometimes, we can help rescue. “…pay attention to the women on the outer edges of your social circle. If you notice someone slipping away take action.” — Jan Greenwood, Women at War
Have you ever seen someone begin to slip away, and let them? Regretfully, I have. Have you ever been the one to? Yes, I’ve been also. In real-life and even online. I went quiet online, and even in real-life in a lot of ways. But, I needed to. In doing so, it’s easy to fall out of the loop or feel forgotten all together. For a time, I was struggling alone, or so I thought.
You see, though I wasn’t posting on Facebook, or Twitter or to my blog, I would receive an email from one friend, a private message from another, a text from someone else letting me know they were thinking of me, praying for me, that I wasn’t forgotten. Sometimes I couldn’t even respond, I was in such a difficult place, but they kept on reaching out to me, and dare I say, rescued me from a dark place? There were just a few who, by their actions, called me friend — ones I could count on one hand. But still, I mattered to them. I learned, how much they mattered to me. It was healing.
They were an example of Jesus and how He would leave the 99 sheep to go after the one. An example to me of what real community is and how important it is to have it. “There is safety and relationship in community. But isolation is dangerous, particularly for women. The enemy wants us to separate from our sisters so he can attack us.” — Jan Greenwood, Women at War
Sometimes we are the one needing a friend, and sometimes we are the one to be a friend. At times we need a safe place, and other times, we need to be that safe place. It goes both ways. It takes courage, too, for both. Women can be scary, I know. I’ve had to take chances on some, and some have taken chances on me. Relationships won’t ever be perfect, but I think the greatest thing to remember is we are in this together. We really are.
Friend, before you go, will you share in comments, even if you didn’t read the book or chapter? Does any of this resonate in your heart? Have there been times when you’ve felt alone and on the outer edge? Out of the loop, and desperately wanting to be weaved in again? Or have you been the one to reach out to someone else and invite them in? Tell me your story. I’d love to hear.
If you know someone who should read this post, will you share it with them?
If you would like, you can purchase Women at War, here. (affiliate link)