For Discussion:
Is there a woman in the Gospels that you relate to?
Who are you most excited to get more acquainted with?
Between The WINES Summer Book Club
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Hi Allison! My many years of infertility have often lead me to reflect upon the women of the Bible suffering from the burdens and pains of “childlessness” including Sarah, Rachel, Elizabeth, etc. Reading Colleen’s book has given me new insight in this regard. Many of the women she writes about seemed to suffer in silence and were not necessarily the Bible “characters” which normally jumped out at you. I will be writing about Anna, the woman who was bent over. As I reflected upon these Bible passages, and Colleen’s insight, I was amazed how much her story spoke to me. I too was bent over, not physically but spiritually. Looking back on the alternative plans that Jesus had in store for me, I now recognize my own “standing tall” or spiritual healing moment during this difficult time period in my life. As a mother of an adoptive son and a “spiritual” mother to so many, I marvel at how, through Christ’s assistance, I have learned to lift my head up high and embrace His beautiful design for my life. This is going to be so fun! Thanks Allison, Colleen and women of WINE (Women In the New Evangelization).
Beautifully expressed as always Karen. I very much look forward to reading your reflection this Summer!
Thanks Allison, I look forward to reading your reflection as well. My mom and sister-in-law mentioned that they will be following these discussions too. I look forward to reading all the comments from the many ladies out there who have their own stories to tell.
As a woman who suffered with infertility for the first 11 yrs of my marriage, I had to read the first chapter twice. It hit buttons for me, all the birth and pregnancy language felt a little like a lump of something in the back of my throat that was hard to swallow. I didn’t know that lump was still there! My husband and I were abundantly blessed to adopt our two children in the 12th year of our marriage, and God has used this precious gift of motherhood to heal my heart in a million different ways. On my second reading of chapter 1, I felt like a final, tender, inflamed place in my heart was being soothed and bandaged. I read those words, all the imagery about wombs and swelling and Christ’s light being borne in us and bursting forth…and I was awed. So I am part of the life-giving story of womanhood after all? I have tried to wrap my brain and heart around that all these years. I could not find the words anywhere to assure me that somehow I was not chosen by God to bring forth life from my body and my marriage. That is a big, huge, insanely layered thing to try and surrender to. I sat on my front porch in my rocking chair this morning, the breeze was blowing, and I was sitting with Mary and Elizabeth. I know that God wants to use me to birth more of Him in the world, this I do know. I have always known this, but now I have new words for it in my heart. I am feeling full of grace, and peace and surrender to how and why and where He will manifest Himself in my and my life. What a generous and compassionate God we have! During those 11 yrs and 6 miscarriages, my heart cried out, “Where is Your mercy, God?!” I have been living His mercy all of my life, and that mercy continues to flow in and out and around me. I was very touched by our little group that gathered last night with this beautiful book, the hearts of these good and brave and humble women. I thank Jesus today, for Colleen and her voice, for His incredible love for each of us, and for the gift of HOPE.
Brigid – this reflection touched my heart. Thank you for revealing your struggles and graces. We thank God for you today!