As I write this, I am enjoying a cold, beautiful Sunday afternoon as we enjoy our first snow here in Springfield, MO! Guess I am in a reflecting time, and have a little bit of a beef…please know I don’t want to hurt anyone with this blog, but may it be an exhortation to be intentional of our mission.

I have been guilty of being in charge of a lot of Women’s Events in the last 20 years through amazing churches I have been a part of. So as I share my heart on this topic, please know, I have asked God to forgive me for wasting many opportunities to grow and disciple women and obey the command we’ve been given to do Titus 2.  Not a suggestion, a command.

I’ve never been a woman who likes a lot of fluff!  Oh, I enjoy a beautiful environment, a well set table and centerpiece, a wardrobe that is stylish, or a decor of a home that reflects a woman’s heart and passions.  I appreciate the gifts that so many have to make a space inviting and comfortable. I really like pretty!  But, I wonder when a woman takes the time to attend a retreat, Bible Study, conference, or ladies night out, or movie night, why is she there?  Is she there because she is needy, and wants to see her God and hear truth that will be steps of transformation,(sanctification) for this life, or give her something to cling to during a difficult season she is facing. Is she there, just hoping someone will go a little deeper and teach her, or ask her something that will lead to transparency, and not just surface chit chat?

I am no different from any other women who needs truth and answers for this life and all we face. During my honest, heart to heart prayer time, journaling back to God, I pour out to Him my concern as I see such opportunities that seem to be wasted by giving women answers that can be found in most psychology lectures.  Changing behavior from the outside isn’t what I want to hear!  I want to know the transforming power of the Gospel through this Bible I read and study.  I want a Godly woman to speak into my life what God says. How do I live out the Gospel that saved me, but I have no victory? What is the answer to hard questions my daughter is asking me?  How do I mentor someone? How do I deal with my sin, when I hate it, but can’t stop?

Can I know the answer to this question….God, Are You ALWAYS good? When my child is taken at 15 yrs. old, or 19 or still born, how can this be good?  When my husband who served every Sunday, as an Usher at our church, leaves me for another women, how can this be good?  When a mother of young children gets breast cancer, fights hard, but it still goes to her brain and she goes to heaven, leaving her devastated husband to be both mom and dad. How is this good?

That’s what I need answers to. Give me perspective, show me eternal things, help me live with my sorrow, adversity, weariness of being single or alone, or facing big decisions, crisis and pain.

So in my frustration and desire for more, for depth, for doctrine, truth to hold onto, I want to take this short opportunity to answer four key questions.  This blog will deal with the first one I need to know….Question #1 GOD, ARE YOU ALWAYS GOOD?

Psalm 25:8; “Good and upright is the Lord;

100:5; “For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever and his faithfulness to all generations.

135:3; “Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; sing to his name for it is pleasant!”

145:9 “For the Lord is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made.”

Ps. 145:7 “They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness and shall sing aloud of your righteousness”

Nahum 1:7 “The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble”

Psalm 84:11: For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.

Psalm 34:8-10 NIV: 18 Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.

Ex. 33:18-9 – Moses asks – SHOW ME YOUR GLORY! …18Then Moses said, “I pray You, show me Your glory!”…19And he said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The LORD.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.

I must go back to these promises even when I, Kristi Barefoot, who thinks she is in control, who thinks she knows the best plan, who calls the shots in so many areas, who wouldn’t have done it that way, complains to my husband how I don’t like our situation; and to God; and dares to ask, Why?  

I am on the sidelines now, not in charge of a ministry, or Bible Study, so I am teaching back to myself the Doctrine of God,  and pray back to Him, all He says He is and just as David did in the Psalms, come back full circle to GOD, YOU ARE ALWAYS GOOD. “Help me to believe it and remind other women of your goodness”.

Blessings from a Baby Blogger,

Kristi

PS, Next Question #2 – we will tackle –  “God, Do you see me?”