When Walls Tumble - Maria Dyck

Mennonites don’t traditionally celebrate Lent which is odd because our church calendar seems to celebrate extensively. But as I’ve learnt more about this tradition, I’ve come to appreciate what it means. Lent is a 40 day period which begins on Ash Wednesday and ends at Easter. It is a time of repentance and preparation. It is a time to reflect on our need of a Saviour and our own inability to save ourselves. From dust we came to dust we return. How can dust save itself? Whether or not you follow this tradition, it is a good idea to reflect on our own frailty and mortality. Understanding that we won’t live forever helps us live wisely in the moment. This week, our church will have yet another funeral - 5 in 8 weeks. We are in a season of grief and lament as we say goodbye to saint after saint. It’s been exhausting. But it’s also been an opportunity to worship together with the understanding that, for our loved ones, something much better was waiting. This season of grief…of lament…of Lent….is not meant to last forever. We grieve but with hope. We repent but with the promise of forgiveness. We prepare our hearts with the anticipation that He will come again. And then our bodies of dirt will be transformed into one that is incorruptible and radiant. This is the hope and promise for those who trust in Jesus as their Saviour. #lent

Raise your hand if you didn’t grow up with this bit of knowledge. 🙋‍♀️ Raise your hand if you were taught that quietness and submission were the only acceptable traits in a woman. 🙋‍♀️ Raise your hand if you have finally learned that God’s Word encourages women to be strong and mighty women of noble character whose calling and identity rest in Him alone and not in their own abilities. 🙋‍♀️ It’s good to know I’m not alone ☺️ #strongwomen #noblewomen #proverbs31 #ezerkenegdo #helpmeet #womenofgod #womenoffaith

I will never get tired of this view. But I am a little tired of winter 😏

I’m a 5 loaves of bread and 2 fishes kind of gal, meaning my resources are limited but my God isn’t. I don’t have a word for the year, but this is the theme, the challenge, and the hope God has been giving me. Everywhere I look in Scripture, sermons, and in my quiet time, I’m hearing this concept over and over again: God can do exceedingly more than I can ask or imagine. That’s not hard to believe when prayers are being answered, but it requires faith when life isn’t going as planned. Last year, I asked God for more faith. This year, He has increased my trouble. This is no coincidence. So I am clinging to knowledge of His goodness, remembering His faithfulness through the years past, and trusting He has a plan, because I’m only a girl with 5 loaves and 2 fishes. In my hands, it’s not enough, but in God’s hands, it feeds thousands. Does this resonate with you? Perhaps you are also facing the reality of many sorrows and little strength. I pray you have will be comforted to know He is near, resting in the surety of His promises, and emboldened to trust in His leading. Our God is more than enough for whatever trial we face. I may be wrong, but I have a feeling this is going to be a wild year - God is doing a work, and I’m gonna need to hang on to my hat. #godisgood #christianwomen #hopefortoday #godspromises #womenoffaith #whenwallstumble #godisfaithful #christianwriters Photo courtesy of @unsplash