Great Commission Churches

April 2009

Dear Sisters,

This may not be true yet in your part of the country, but I'm seeing some fresh green and pink buds on trees lining the streets of our neighborhood. It's raining, and my lawn is also greening. How refreshing the warmer rain has been after harsh winter snows.

Being around someone with a thankful, praising spirit is like a spring shower to the dry weary heart. Our writer, Rita Bergen, takes some time this month to give a blessing of thanks to all of our godly women who are quietly, faithfully serving their pastor husbands, their families, churches, and the Lord. You women are having an impact for the gospel! I pray that her thanks and praise to God for all of you will be refreshment to your spirit.

We can all say "Amen" to Rita's comments. I know that so much of what God has built into my life in my role as wife, friend, and mother, is from the Christ-filled examples of you women. We Great Commission wives have an awesome sisterhood in Christ!

God's grace to you,

Sandy Hopler

What I Have Learned From You by Rita Bergen

Where would I be today without the godly examples of so many of you? I've thanked some of you individually, but I want to take this opportunity to say a big corporate thank you to one and all! Lots of women all over the country have had an impact in my life. A little here, a little there. Yet it all adds up to a HUGE impression for me. Christ's body is at work, each member doing its small part, but together so big. Over the years I've been able to watch Christ in lots of your lives in the various places I've lived. Plus, I've had good times at conferences, hearing the wisdom and faith of so many of you. Even when I didn't know you personally, your life was a model to me. I've been influenced--for the better! Sometimes you probably didn't even know that your words or example made an imprint on me, but they did. You made a difference in my life, because Christ is in you. And that's what He does.

Your simple life, lived in a godly way, really is making a difference. Christ is in you. You are in Christ. Because of being in the Vine, you are bearing fruit. You are impacting the world (whether you've tasted the results yet or not). Christ is using you to speak His love and truth into the people around you.

I think as wives and servants of the church, we sometimes wonder if our part is making any difference. That's how I've felt at times. I long for people to know God. I hope that I can be used to influence them. The blessings in Christ are so real and so wonderful. "Please God, help me to pass along the blessing."

Then I reach out with my faith and share my experiences with others. I try, and give it my best shot, but sometimes I wonder if anyone has ever really been helped. After all, I'm a "nobody." Why should my life have helped anyone? My role seems so small. I live a lot of my life "behind the scenes."

Yet occasionally someone will come up and say, "You know that verse you shared with me in 1996 (or '83, or some other time in ancient history)? It helped me so much!" And then I feel amazed. Because sometimes I can't even remember the ancient conversation! And the thoughts I'd shared at the time were just in passing--just speaking my faith into the need of the moment. A little here, and a little there, but voila - people were helped. Amazing! Jesus in me, blessing someone else. Wow!

Christ's Spirit in you IS blessing the people around you. Be encouraged. You are changing the world - a little here, a little there. And as part of Christ's universal body, it all adds up to one huge impact. Thanks for influencing me. I love you gals!

Here are a few of the nuggets you've taught me over the years. Even though there's not room to list all of the dozens and dozens of names, I have each of you in mind! Some examples of the things you said or did that affected me were:

• Jesus is glorious, and through Him God has given us every spiritual blessing.
• Be a woman of the Word. It is my instruction book and my promise book.
• Cling to promises. Have a promise for everything I face in life.
• Sometimes it's hard to keep hanging on to promises. Persevering in this is the "good fight of faith."
• Grief does not equal unbelief. We can go to God in our tears, full of faith in His goodness and wisdom.
• Praying scripture can keep my prayers from turning into "holy" gossip sessions.
• God is always near, even in the tunnels of life.
• Loyal friendship is possible even when separated by distance and years.
• One way that I can share in the gospel is by being a servant of the church.
• My home can be a base of operations for the gospel.
• Being a homemaker is a noble calling.
• If I need to "stay at home with the baggage," I will still share in the victory.
• I can put a crown on my husband's head through my respectful, submissive, loving attitude.
• I don't need to be my husband's personal Holy Spirit (i.e. trying to change him). Instead, I can be his cheerleader!
• Remember that my husband has other men in his life who can teach him. I don't need to become his mentor.

When there is a misunderstanding, look for the meaning behind the words my husband chooses to use. Often people have different connotations for words. We may be using the same words, but meaning different things. Don't correct his word choice, but try to understand his meaning for each word.

Children are a blessing from the Lord. Enjoy them!

When all my preschool children seem to need "Mommy" all at once, don't get overloaded trying to solve all their problems simultaneously. It doesn't work! They can take turns. Address each issue in turn.

In many ways, a woman sets the tone of her home. My gloominess or cheerfulness will color the mood of the home.

Godly women have a variety of personalities. My personality has a place.

Laughter is good! Joy and laughter are ways of expressing love. I can help my family and friends enjoy having a good time together.

We are like pioneer women. At times we endure difficulties when getting the gospel out, but we have hope that our sacrifice will be worth it in the end. We trust that our ventures (and adventures!) will result in people spending eternity with the Lord.

That is well worth the effort!

Encouragement often comes simply through a friend lending a sympathetic ear.

Sometimes the way we help friends is by expressing confidence in them.

Hope in God. Our help is from Him and so is our future. "She smiles at the future."

I learned these things from you. Thanks again!

All because of Jesus,

Rita Bergen
Lee's Summit, MO

If you want to respond to Rita, contact our office at info@gccweb.org to get her email address.