My Heart is at Home Book Study

Today I began a new women's group at church. We are reading and discussing the book, My Heart is at Home, by Jill Savage. I think it will be a great time of growth for all of us. The subtitle on the book is "Becoming the Intentional Mom Your Family Needs". I just knew God was leading me to this group, because it fits so well with the direction He has been leading me lately: simplify things, focus on my home and dig deeper into the Word. I love the idea of becoming more intentional in my mothering, and look forward to seeing where God is taking me.

After we introduced ourselves, we shared what we loved about motherhood and an area we could use help and prayer. This is an amazing group of women! I was so humbled by the requests that were shared. The needs ranged from typical parenting issues, to serious marital issues and personal struggles. I was confronted again with my own struggle with transparency. As each woman opened up, I was challenged to open up myself. (I was one of the first to share, but I know the opportunity for transparency will come again!) In my Bible reading today I came across these verses:

You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:14-16

God reminded me that I am to let His light shine through me. When I am not open and transparent with people, it is like I have a dirty lamp. The light is there and it is shinning, but the dirt makes the lamp less effective. Please do not take this as a theology lesson, just hear the main point. I am less effective at letting Jesus' light shine in my life when I hold back parts of who I am from the people around me. This is not how I want to live, so I will again get on my knees and ask for help in an area I keep stumbling over.