My heart simply cannot hold back what my spirit feels in this moment. Six years ago my friend Lisa Allen and I started a neighborhood Bible Study here in Charlotte with 12 women. Opening my home each week was stepping out in faith BIG TIME for this young mom who was really just beginning to heal from the trauma of rape. We gathered week after week to study God’s Word.
Over the years, the women would invite friends, and we added 5-6 women each year. We came from every background…Catholic, Lutheran, Baptist, Presbyterian, even Greek Orthodox. Together we grew…as wives, as mothers, and as women.
Last year we celebrated our sixth year. We had grown to nearly 40, clearly outgrowing my home. I could hardly believe what God had done in six years as I reflected on the growth of myself and each and every woman in the study. I pondered what to do, what to do. We simply could not meet in my home anymore. One group had already broken off to meet at a coffee shop on Thursdays. It made my heart sad that everything was changing. I began to wonder if God was done with this little study.
As the year drew to a close, and my book had been published and my number of speaking engagements increased, I thought perhaps the Lord was calling me out of the study. I shared this with a few of our leaders, and we agreed to pray.
As I prayed and pondered what the Lord would have me do with the study, He spoke ONE THING into my heart: Wendy, you are a Bible teacher…this is what I created you to do…this is your calling…I will equip you…I will provide for you…I will make a way. I prayed and asked the Lord for confirmation after confirmation, and He so faithfully provided.
He provided a new location, a church just a mile from my house. He provided a team of women who had a passion for this study to continue, women who stepped up to serve in every way needed to grow and make this study happen.
He planted in my heart a study for the entire year, one I am still in the midst of writing and preparing.
Yesterday was the first day of our “new” study. Our leadership met at 8:45 to pray at Quail Hollow Presbyterian Church. Tears flowed down my cheeks as I prayed for our morning. I knew what God was about to do that day. Our work of preparation was complete. His work was about to begin as nearly 80 beautiful women walked into the sanctuary.
As I stood next to the podium and looked out over the sweet faces before me…representing names I had prayed over for months…I could hardly contain my emotions. The Truth of God’s Word washed over me…the power of His promises invading me ever deeper:
Wendy, did I not tell you years ago in your sorrow and despair that I work all things together for good for those who love Me and are called according to my purpose? (Romans 8:28).
Sisters in Christ, I felt compelled to write this because I believe there is someone out there who God is calling to step out in faith…to believe that in the midst of your pain and suffering God WILL work it for good…even though you cannot see it now…HE WILL!!!
Heavenly Father, Redeemer, Restorer, Savior, Almighty God, how I love You, Lord. My heart is so full as I think of how You Redeem ALL things. There is nothing that can ever happen in our lives that is to great, too reprehensible, or too horrible for you to redeem and make new. Thank You that Your Word is Truth. Thank You that it is LIVING and ACTIVE!!! Thank You that in You ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE!! Amen.
September 12, 2009
Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner: The Transforming Power of God's Story 
All Things Wise and Wonderful: Applying God's Wisdom in Everyday Life (E-Book)
Oh Wendy! Rejoicing with you in the goodness of our great God! He is rejoicing over you with singing! Zeph 3:17
Praying for your study and each heart there! Your testimony here as encouraged my heart in the Lord as our new study begins this Friday. God is faithful. God is good. Only by His grace and only for His glory and purposes!
Love You!
Wendy, I haven't even had my first sip of coffee this morning and your post is the one I "happened upon". I needed an encouraging word this morning and you provided it as you wrote about Romans 8:28. I'm in the midst of a very difficult season of life filled with uncertainty. My faith is strong but …there are moments when I wonder where God is. I do know that He is with me and that my faith is not based on feelings. But when time goes on and I pray and pray and still the difficulties continue.
Your Bible Study group sounds wonderful. I love that different denominations are represented. It reminds me of Bible Study Fellowship. I was a children's leader for 8 years and loved it. I'm unable to attend now because I'm working full time with my husband in his company.
Anyway, sorry this is so long but I thank you for writing this post. It was what I needed to read.
Debbie
AMEN! THANKS so much for sharing this with me! I NEEDED to hear EVERY Word you wrote!
Blessings,
Tami
PRAYING JEREMIAH HOME QUICKLY
http://www.tillGodbringsthemhome.blogspot.com
Wow! God is so good! I am very interested in knowing about your one year Bible Study. I have in my heart to prepare a year long study of the Word of God too. I get going with it and then sidetracked, then going again, then sidetracked. I am side tracked right now with some other things God has opened up for me. So I guess it will all happen in His timing, HUH?
Loved hearing about what God has done in you and for you.
Christy
Hey Wendy:) wow what a amazing blessing for you to have all those ladys come, God doubled your ladys who needed this study:) Its interesting Wendy God has been laying on my heart to go to a coffee shop near here and do a bible study on my own, and that he would bring the people to study with me. I have been having a hard time with this but, if its God i want to be obediant
i feel a bit strange about going every week to study the bible at the coffee shop by myself but, i know God can and Will do all things. His will shall be done. Please keep me in prayers about this, and that God will make it clear to me.
God bless you:)
Lisa
Nova Scotia
My heart sings for you! I just remarked on someones elses blog about Deut 31:8. God has been speaking it over my life lately–about a lot of things. And then you share all this and it reminds me all over again that God goes before us. Praise His name.
I too would like to know about this study. I wish I was closer because I would be there!! What time do you guys meet? And it's on Friday, right?
Love this for you!!! Would love a road trip to sit in on this….
Wish I were close enough to attend
WOW! I am in tears celebrating the gift of our Father using the ashes to build His kingdom through you Wendy Blight! You were created for such a time as this! Thank you Father!