Put Your Mourning
Aside: It’s Time to Celebrate
The two
chapters of Friends Needing Friends International have decided to celebrate two
fun holidays, Mardi Gras and St. Patrick’s Day. Both chapters have worked very
hard during the year serving the Lord by helping other widows. The New Jersey
chapter turns 27 years old and the Florida chapter celebrated their 3rd
Anniversary in February. Also our blog has over 15,600 “hits” in twelve
countries to its credit. While all the praise for every accomplishment for this
ministry goes to God, I think there is Scriptural precedence for celebration
and partying. One only has to look in the book of Nehemiah to read of such celebrations.
The
rebuilding of the wall around Jerusalem is recorded within this book. It was
not an easy process. The workers became discouraged and wanted to quit, their
enemies taunted them, and Nehemiah had a lot to contend with in leading the
people in this process. Once it was completed and the beautiful city of
Jerusalem was again well defended, those Israelites who had been taken captive
and were now living elsewhere began to come “home” to Jerusalem which once
again began teeming with people.
Then
Ezra, the priest, called the people together to read the Law of God aloud to
them as it has been so long since that had occurred. They were so happy to once
again hear God’s Word that they wept openly. The eighth chapter of Nehemiah
tells us that Nehemiah told the people to stop their weeping, for the joy of
the Lord was their strength. Then, he
told them to do something that might seem a little curious to us: he told them
to
“Go
and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks…”
Ladies, that’s a celebration.
Your
ministries have been developed with tears, moments of wanting to give up, and
discouraging remarks by outsiders, but FNF, as well as the blog, is stronger
than ever. To God be the glory! This calls for a celebration. It’s time to party!
The
twelfth chapter of Nehemiah records the joyous occasion of the dedication of
the wall. I think it could well serve as
a model for what Friends Needing Friends will be doing. Verse twenty-seven tells us that they celebrated with songs of thanksgiving.
It is fitting that you women give thanks to God for
FNF, not forgetting to be thankful for Dotti, the founder, and Florida
director, and maintains the blog. And
don’t forget all those who work so hard each month to put on the lovely
meetings that you enjoy. I also note
that the Scripture states that they celebrated
joyfully. There is a difference in
merely being happy and being joyful.
Happiness comes from without, but joy comes from within. These folks
were happy, taking pleasure in the moment, but they were also joyful, which is
long lasting. I encourage you to not go light on the fun, food, and frivolity.
After all, the whole of this ministry is dedicated to you women who have
endured mourning accompanied by many tears. Take to heart Nehemiah’s words: “Do not mourn or weep…Go your way, enjoy
choice food (don’t even think of counting calories) and sweet drinks…for the
joy of the Lord is your strength.” Congratulations
to FNF, its blog, and each of you ladies who minister to each other faithfully
month after month! God is celebrating with you.
By Shari Hervold
Reflection: If you are reading this blog and have not
asked the Jesus of the Bible to become your Lord and Savior, I implore you to
do so now. If you long for a lasting joy
in your life, I ask you to trust in Jesus Christ for eternal life made
available to you through His death and resurrection. Jesus Christ himself said
that if you come to him, you will become a child of God and a joint heir with
him in all the wonderful things that God has prepared for those that trust in
Him. It is the best decision you will ever make.
On February 16, 2015 FNF did exactly what Nehemiah said to do: "Go your way...and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks"
But you all must remember that Dotti, Monique and Vella are drinking sweet Sprinkling Ceder Drink. Now ladies how sweet can you get.....(Smile).
Our sweet ladies that greet all the ladies each meeting. Thanks Mary Lou, Monique and Vella. God Bless you.
A special thank you to my daughter-in-law April who not only took all these great pictures at our celebration, but she is helping with the set-up of the FNF blog.
The table settings are street signs of the different streets in New Orleans.
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Thanks you Lord for all that you have done for our special group of ladies at Friends Needing Friends International Widow Ministry. We love you dearly.
