She opens her mouth in wisdom; kindly instruction is on her tongue. (Proverbs 31:26)

Transcription

1 PSALM 139

2 Dearest friend, She opens her mouth in wisdom; kindly instruction is on her tongue. (Proverbs 31:26) This particular line from Proverbs 31 has been on my heart for a long time. The idea to do this specific project has been stirring in my soul for months. The desire to engage women right where they are, just as they are, today, in this moment, beckons me forward. May I introduce you to She Speaks? She Speaks is a collaborative project celebrating the inherent God-given wisdom I believe all women possess. She Speaks will launch with every Ruah book and will focus on a theme related to each book. (For more information about the Ruah books, visit com/ruahbooks.) Each She Speaks will feature five women answering the same three questions about one meaningful theme. The wisdom of their responses will be infused into a new collection of art prints (available for purchase at which you can learn more about at the end of this pdf. The Hebrew word ruah means breath or spirit. I firmly believe that every woman possesses a well of wisdom within her. When we quiet our hearts in the presence of God, we can begin to hear those gentle (or boisterous!) whispers offering us the guidance we need. The spirit of God is breathing in you and through you! She Speaks is an opportunity to ponder your own wisdom and then to soak up the wisdom from other women with whom we are honored to share this wild journey of life. What does YOUR heart need to say AND hear today? The women featured the first ever She Speaks have beautiful spirits. They each breathe such goodness into the world through their words and actions. Get to know them more deeply here today. Maria, Nyssa, Patty, MJ, and Katie, thank you for speaking wisdom into our hearts. Before diving into their words, I invite you to ponder your own wisdom on the next page. The first book, Psalm One Hundred Thirty-Nine, invites the individual to reflect on the idea of being seen, being known, being loved...being enough. What wisdom do you need to share about this? What is on your heart today? Thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing in this beautiful series with me! Know you re in my prayers! May you always know you are enough in God. All my love, Mary Williams Creating To Love

3 First, let s start with an opportunity for you to listen to your own wisdom. These questions are meant to be relatively simple so that any woman and every woman would be able to pray about them, ponder them in her heart, and feel able to answer them. It s so very easy to overthink, overcomplicate, and overanalyze when faith, in fact, can be as simple as breathing in and breathing out Truth, Beauty, and Goodness. Breathe in. Breathe out. Wisdom resides in you. Answer these questions with gentleness, honesty, and sincerity. You possess such deep Wisdom and Beauty because of who and whose you already are. What is coming up in your heart in this moment? When you read Psalm 139, which word or verse(s) speaks most deeply to you? WHY? What does it mean to be enough? How does feeling enough or not feeling enough play out in your everyday life? How does it affect your relationship with God? If you could offer yourself wisdom on this subject what would it be? What does your heart need to hear today? Do you feel called to share your wisdom with others? Use the hashtag #ctlshespeaks

4 S h e op e ns h e r mout h in wis d om ; k in d ly inst r u c tion is on he r tong u e. [Proverbs 31:26]

5 speaks When you read Psalm 139, which word or verse(s) speaks most deeply to you? Why? Your eyes beheld my unformed substance. In your book were written all the days that were formed for me, when none of them as yet existed (Psalm 139:16). I love this psalm, because it s a psalm of hope for those who are in the middle of their journey home to Heaven. It s filled with so much goodness, it s hard to pick just one verse or word, but if I have to pick just one, it s Psalm 139:16. I like to think of life as a story book. Some has already been written, but there are a lot of blank pages left to be filled out. Reading this verse reminds me of this analogy in the most perfect way - our Lord has a book for each of us. And I imagine there s a library in Heaven filled with billions of stories, all uniquely created. And this comparison also shows the sanctity of each person s life. We live in a world now where we shoot for the masses - how many followers can we get on social media, how can we make the biggest impact, how can we reach more people - and we forget that each individual person has a story. This verse reminds me that I have my own God-written story and so does everyone around me. What does it mean to be enough? How does feeling enough or not feeling enough play out in your everyday life? How does it affect your relationship with God? To be enough, means to see yourself as a true child of God. To be rooted in who you are as He created you, and not as the world tells you to be. It means taking the time in prayer and reflection to discover your true authentic self. That s the self that doesn t have to try to do or be anything else. It s the self that s pure, well-formed in faith, and constantly looking for and living in the light. For me, being enough is something I have to remind myself of every single day. It s so easy to get caught up in what s going on in the world - what everyone else is doing and what the new trends are - I have to make sure I don t become preoccupied with what the world says, and instead focus on where God is calling me each and every day. Reminding myself of this, brings me closer to God, because He must be my lighthouse. He must be the one navigating me each and every day, or else I ll fall prey to the pettiness of this world. So, in essence, it brings me closer to Him. If you could offer yourself wisdom on this subject what would it be? What does your heart need to hear today? Keep going. Keep fighting the good fight. I recently dove into some of the readings from St. Faustina s diary, and was reminded of Jesus s love and mercy. His words to St. Faustina were exactly what I needed to hear in the moment, because they reminded me that if I stay close to Him and cling to His mercy I will see eternal life. It opened up my eyes to how we can use our suffering for good. And it showed me that I am good and enough, because He is good and enough, and He is the one who created me. Right now, at this and every stage in life, it is my responsibility to be a living testimony for Him. And for me that s all I need to know that I am enough. connect with maria abbe Maria is the effervescent mind behind RunningMyselfTogether, a blog on faith, running, and mental health. She s an RRCA Certified run coach and leads a run club in Charlotte NC, called ARC Running. Needless to point out (though we will anyways), running is a big part of her life. She was never a runner growing up, but has come to see the immense value running can have in a holistic approach to living a good, healthy life. You can contact Maria at maria@runningmyselftogether.com with questions, thoughts, speaking/guest blogging opportunities, and run coach inquiries. FACEBOOK: facebook.com/runningmyselftogether BLOG:

6 speaks When you read Psalm 139, which word or verse(s) speaks most deeply to you? Why? Oh Lord, you have searched me (thoroughly) and have known me (Psalm 139:1). Over the past year, this word known has been sung over my heart time and time again. It has meant many things to me: cherished, unhidden, seen, and loved. There is a song called Known by Audrey Assad that touches on this psalm. Her words reflect David s you have touched all of this fragile frame Savior you have known me as I am, healer you have known me as I was, as I will be. Physically I didn t understand this deep connection with the Father, until early last year when my second daughter s birth brought with it life-threatening hemorrhaging. As I lay looking at the hospital ceiling - the same one that saw my daughter enter the world just hours before - I felt truly known. I knew the Father s hand in it. I knew I could have confidence in His presence. It was deep, intimate, and likely something I will carry in my heart the rest of my life, until death does part the sea between heaven and earth. What does it mean to be enough? How does feeling enough or not feeling enough play out in your everyday life? How does it affect your relationship with God? Being enough is something I think that all of mankind struggles with because we are not enough on our own. But that s the funny thing about grace and mercy. It sweeps in like a flood, swelling up those cracks in our dry lands to make oceans: it makes something out of our dust and dry bones. I believe that we become enough the moment we see our emptiness, and say, Here Lord, fill this broken place. He doesn t fix the broken land, but instead pours His love over it. When we look across beautiful lakes, we don t see the cracked lakebed beneath it no, it has been filled to be a reflection of the beauty around it. If you could offer yourself wisdom on this subject what would it be? What does your heart need to hear today? So often we step back and focus on the imperfections in our life. It is easy to become overwhelmed by each day, and we see how we fall from our main goal: heaven. and in Your book all the days of my life were written before they ever took shape. (Psalm 129:16) Our Father has seen our days, and knows what is in our hearts. Which also means that He is prepared to meet us where our hearts are. He is adequate, He is enough, and He dwells within us. Christ in you, the hope of glory. (Colossians 1:27) connect with NYSSA biszko Nyssa Biszko is the wife of an Air Force man, and the mother of two girls under the age of four. She finds inspiration in natural light, and strives to use her fine art major to create a home environment that nurtures the soul. In the infancy of motherhood, she began the mother-to-mother company, Deck & Oar, which aims to encourage mothers in their vocation. WEBSITE:

7 speaks When you read Psalm 139, which word or verse(s) speaks most deeply to you? Why? O Lord, you know it completely (Psalm 139:4). Jesus knows everything about me: the desires of my heart, my fears and insecurities, my need to be in control sometimes, etc. He already knows it all. I do not even have to say a word, He sees and knows it all. This reminds me that I am never forgotten or overlooked by God. I am always known and seen, He never forgets about me. I find a lot of comfort in this especially as a very type-a, sometimes controlling person when it comes to the spiritual life and trusting God with my life. What does it mean to be enough? How does feeling enough or not feeling enough play out in your everyday life? How does it affect your relationship with God? To me, being enough means I am enough just the way I am, the ways God created me to be. It also means that Jesus alone has to be enough for me, no other person or relationship or desire of my heart can fill that space. This question holds a lot of personal meaning for me. This is my second tattoo on the inside of my right arm, You are enough. For me I took the words from St. Francis of Assisi: O God, You are enough for me. I need these words as a constant reminder to speak truth into my doubts or insecurities when they try and creep in. I spent many years not feeling enough and not liking myself. It is exhausting and draining and destructive. While I still have hiccups of old lies I once believed, I am more whole and at peace in my body and spirit than I ever have been in my life. What does it look like to feel enough in my everyday life? Reminding myself who I am and whose I am. My only name is Beloved. That is the only way Jesus Christ see s me, the only name He will ever call me. When I remember that I am beloved, I root myself deeper in the truth that I am enough, just the way I am. If you could offer yourself wisdom on this subject what would it be? What does your heart need to hear today? The one piece of wisdom I can share is something I have had to practice in my own life. And that is the power in speaking God s truth over yourself; even if you don t feel or believe it. For a period of my life, I was setting alarms each day to go off at different times where I would stop and pray, Jesus, help me to see and love myself the way that You do. Day in and day out, I would speak those words over my heart and mind. When we can see and love ourselves as our God does, then we can claim our true identity as Beloved. connect with Patty BREEn Patty is a full-time lay minister who finds joy in running, strong cups of coffee, and all things Ignatian spirituality. A love for writing, Patty writes for Blessed is She and is starting to dip her toes in the world of freelance. She is passionate about ministry to divorced Catholics and women whose relationships have been impacted by sexual addiction. TWITTER: twitter.com/amoderngrace BLOG:

8 speaks When you read Psalm 139, which word or verse(s) speaks most deeply to you? Why? I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14). This verse stands out to me, because it is what I need to be reminded of, over and over again. I am made in the image and likeness of a loving God, who knows & cares for me infinitely, but I often overlook this. When I am quick to be critical about my appearance, or wondering if I am worthy of love, this verse is a powerful reminder to give all praise to my Creator. What does it mean to be enough? How does feeling enough or not feeling enough play out in your everyday life? How does it affect your relationship with God? For me, being enough means resting in the truth that I am loved just as I am. So much of my daily life is spent striving to excel in my different roles: wife, sister, daughter, youth minister, friend, creator. But with the Lord, there is no need to impress, pretend to be someone I m not, or try to do more in order to gain His favor. He simply asks me to sit with Him and humbly offer what I have. If you could offer yourself wisdom on this subject what would it be? What does your heart need to hear today? You are strong. You are good enough. You are loved. connect with KATIE WALDOW Katie is a wife, youth minister, and blogger living in Ocean City, NJ. You can sometimes find her sipping lattes, often corralling her dog and two cats, always on Instagram. She loves praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet and dreams of one day buying an old house and converting it into a coffee shop. WEBSITE: FACEBOOK: facebook.com/heykatieco/ PINTEREST: pinterest.com/heykatieco

9 speaks When you read Psalm 139, which word or verse(s) speaks most deeply to you? Why? I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14). The first time I remember hearing this verse aloud, I felt like someone was reading it just to me. I was 23, and on a retreat after my first year of teaching. I was feeling pretty tired and very aware, of what felt like, all of my shortcomings. I was doodling in my notebook when the retreat leader repeated the words to echo, YOU are fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderfully made. I wrote it down in loopy letters, like I did with words I wanted to remember. Wonder-full. I knew God was speaking to me, wanting me to recognize the beauty that he created IN ME. Not because of me, or in spite of me. I was wonderfully made and all of the faults and lacking that I was feeling, these were, in fact, a gift, a part of who God made me to be. What does it mean to be enough? How does feeling enough or not feeling enough play out in your everyday life? How does it affect your relationship with God? In my head, I am rarely enough. My eyes see the forgotten thoughtfulness, the misplaced responsibility, the lacking enthusiasm. Slowly, I ve been learning to listen to my heart where I think the Holy Spirit allows me to hear the best. My heart has a gentler voice, and it s in prayer that I am able to have a fuller picture of my daily purpose. I ve been practicing meditation, calming my breath to slow my thoughts, and it s helped me to listen more in prayer. For so long, my prayer life has been a lot of me talking - in petition and thanksgiving and repentance. I guess my head talks a lot when I try to focus. My heart is quiet and attentive when I can be still so I m trying to spend at least ten minutes (I know, it s not a lot) a day in total stillness and quiet to listen to God s voice. This simple act has helped me feel like enough. If you could offer yourself wisdom on this subject what would it be? What does your heart need to hear today? My prayer in the midst of a difficulty in a relationship is often, Lord, help me to see this person with Your eyes. Help me to put my feelings to the side and see with understanding and compassion. I m sure you ve heard it before, but I remind myself that I need to speak to myself like my best friend would - with tenderness and understanding and honesty. My resolution for my prayer life this year was to keep this thought in my heart all year long - God is always on my side. I forget a lot. If God is for us, who can be against us? connect with M.J. KOcoVSki M.J. Kocovski is the designer behind her company, Pars Caeli, LLC (Latin for piece of heaven), as well as the online shop, Good in Store. M.J. is a wife and a mom to three awesome people, ages 8, 10, and 13. From her home in northern Indiana, she creates word art and illustrations that add light and positivity to social media and your home. WEBSITE:

10 Introducing the She Speaks Collection Art Prints Inspired by the Women of She Speaks

11 About the art prints The art prints below are based on the unique wisdom shared by each of the beautiful women in the previous pages. As I read their responses and prayed over each of these prints, I felt confident that their words would continue to inspire us all. Put one up in your own home or gift one to your sister or best friend, and know that you are enough. To learn more and purchase an art print, please visit my website The Katie Print The MJ Print The Maria Print The Nyssa Print The Patty Print

12 connect Learn more about SHE SPEAKS & RUAH Facebook.com/creatingtolove #ctlshespeaks #ruahbooks