The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.
Revelation 22:17 NIV
Release
Open your hands here
And unclench the fist
See What's covered
Held inside too long.
A gift of His making
So lovely and pure
He placed there for you
To plant and to grow.
The gift became burden
When carried too long
Sharing was hindered
By rejection's cruel curse.
The gift turned to piercing
Come look at blood's stains
Marking your palm
Suffering now shared.
Open your hand here
And unclench the fist
See the true gift to share
Bound together in HIM.
RELEASE,
Set it free,
Blood-stained-love
Holy and Pure.
--bg
Into a weekend filled with side effects from yet another failed medication, my mind reeled under the weight of the weakness that I felt. My blood pressure and pulse had fallen too low, so the meds meant to help my head pains had to be stopped, and my body needed time to flush it out of my system.
But what of the burden that the Lord had asked of me last week? I had felt so firmly that I was to release another gift that had been given to me years ago. How could I convey what was in my heart when my mind felt so sluggish and impaired from the medications?
Ah, it had always been about HIS gifts, not my abilities. That was the whole point of this gift.
My husband was the actor. Everyone knew it. He had been gifted with a unique ability to get into character, to write out the inner-most thoughts and then to memorize and capture what the story expressed so beautifully. I had always been his “wing-man” or “straight-man” if he was telling a funny story. We worked well together that way. Everyone expected it.
Until the night that God gave me a dream about a character that I was to portray. The picture was so clear, that I could not escape it. The woman in the story began to fill my thoughts. Research into her character filled my spare time. And conversations with my husband revealed that he too felt an urging from the Lord that this character was mine to portray.
Our family had already been traveling to churches through-out the Midwest with a drama that my husband portrayed as the Apostle Thomas. Now we added The Woman at the Well. Her story burned in my heart, as we prayed for women around the country who told me their own stories, so similar to hers.
“How could you portray what I was feeling?” they asked. I could only answer truthfully, “the Lord put her story in my heart. He filled me with such compassion that I did not know I had.” For you see, I thought I had only tasted small amounts of rejection and pain at that point in my life. I had grown up looking like the Quiet Church Girl, thinking that others’ stories were more critical than mine. The legalistic church told me to hold my own stories inside, even as I longed for the deep places.
What was on the surface became the mask that I fought against, and asked others to look beyond.
I did not realize that I was the one who would have to let God remove the mask.
But God in His mercy began the process of answering my prayer by placing me in situations of rejection.
How could that be? God doesn’t set us in places of rejection! Doesn’t He? There are too many Biblical examples to escape that point. What of Joseph or David? He knew what they would need to face in order to be made new by HIS deeper love in their hearts.
As the rejections burned deeper, the pain in my own life rose to the surface, inescapable to those around me. The time of traveling with the dramas and ministry stopped. Many friends walked away, as they could not understand what had happened to the surface of the old me. They could not accept the places where the mask was being broken away.
But God gave a small group of friends who stuck with us through the years of rejection. Just when we thought the years were finished, other hard seasons poured in. All the while God was gifting more of His grace through every rejection.
Years after the first time that I gave the drama for the Woman at the Well, God asked me to open the drama again, but to express the deeper worship that had been birthed in my own heart, as I looked at two other women’s stories who also met Jesus. Both had poured out their oil upon Jesus. Both had been given the grace to gift their praises to the ONE who had met them in their own places of rejection. This drama was only offered once at an intimate women’s retreat, but it was given and received fully before Jesus.
Now into this place of current rejection, where my own body seems to have rejected me, another gift of Grace has been given to me. This is the gift to RELEASE. The intimacy of worship that Jesus gave me to pour over Him was never meant to be hoarded to myself. The piercing sting of rejection, whether it’s from others or from our own body, only leads us to see the full rejection that Jesus has carried for all of us. HE took it all to the cross so that we could be released to know His true love.
So, today, I offer to you, my readers, the gift of the stories of these three worshipping women, in a skit format. It was given to me from the Lord, to share with a precious group of women who are forever stamped in my heart. But now it is a gift for you to read, to share, to give away as you feel led. Share it with those that God places on your hearts, to taste His compassion there, to find the gift of worshipping together. For He is making us all new in Him, stirring up our hearts to praise Him here.
You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Ephesians 4:22-24 NIV
Click here to download this gift, The Worshipping Women Skit
The gift is my prayer for all of you this week. May you be blessed by God’s touch for you.
I am linking with: #TellHisStory #GraceAndTruth
BettieGsRAseasons 
I’m sure I’m speaking to the choir about arthritis drugs. I’ve had RA for 23 years but only began prescription drugs about 6-8 years ago. Currently, I’m on Xeljanz, 5 mg twice daily. I did the 11 mg time release for about two years before stopping them (I think when I had shingles). Decided to try the 5 mg and for the most part was able to do one 5 mg a day. However, I recently knitted and flared so am on two 5 mg a day. Fortunately, the drug company has provided this drug free due to our low income. I’m praying you find something to help without the side effects. I told my husband that it seems like first my feet gave me serious issues (3 foot surgeries) and now my hands!
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Dear Vickie,
Oh, I am so sorry that you have recently dealt with flares again, after so long of walking this road with RA! I have been on Xeljanz, so I do know how helpful it can be for some people. Unfortunately, it was another one that my body rejected. Isn’t it amazing how God has created each of us so uniquely? I will pray for you that God will help you to find the best treatment and relief for your hands as well as your feet. Blessings to you!
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What a wonderful gift! he Woman at the Well has always touched my heart, and I have been in her shoes. As a preacher, I made sure people knew that she wasn’t a harlot or immoral woman. I reminf them that women couldn’t initiate divorce then. Jesus noticed her because of her rejections, not anything that she did wrong. I don’t know why she and Mary Magdalene are preacher by men as prostitues or sinful women, when the Scriptures do not support that translation! So, thank you.
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Dear Regina,
Oh, thank you for your precious comments about the Woman at the Well. She is going to be one of the first Biblical characters that I race to meet in Heaven. Just to think that He met her with the truth of His Lord-ship, when everyone else had rejected her–what joy, and what comfort to our own hearts! And I agree with you that too often the stories of women in the Bible have been interpreted with such a judgemental eye. I am so grateful that God has given His heart of mercy for us to see if we will just let Him give us HIS perspective! Thank you for being willing to share your beautiful words of truth from Him. Blessings to you!
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Thank you for this beautiful gift, Bettie! Such creative, heartfelt skits that dig deeper into what thoughts and feelings these characters may have had. My heart especially stirred at the removing of the masks. Also Mary’s thoughts when even the disciples questioned her love for Jesus and how Jesus stepped in and accepted her love and worshipping. That one really struck a chord in my heart and brings tears to my eyes. He knows much deeper than we do of rejection, so He understands infinitely more than anyone. It’s beyond amazing how He steps in for us and accepts us! I’m so sorry for all the rejection you have gone through, my friend. Jesus is standing up for you, too. I’m so glad He is giving you strength to share these gifts. I’m so sorry, too, that another med has failed. I pray God will carry you. I have noticed that the more the rejections in your body or from others, the deeper He shows His unfailing love to you. I am so grateful for you! God so often encourages my heart through you. Love and blessings of strength and healing in every way!
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Dear Trudy,
Thank you for all of your encouragement and precious comments my dear sister. I am so sorry for all of the rejections that you have had to bear also. But I am so grateful that the Lord has woven our paths together through these years, and helped us to see in so many different ways, the shame that HE is lifting away from us. What a gift He has given to us to show us His unfailing love through each rejection we have had to bear. It realy is “beyond amazing how He steps in for us and accepts us!” Thank you so much for your prayers, today I can feel some of the side effects begin lifting away. Love and blessings to you too!
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Praying for you Bettie. Thinking of you and sending love and soft hugs.
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Thank you so much, Dear Melissa. Your prayers mean so much to me. Today I am beginning to feel that the side effects are starting to lift away. Praise the Lord! Blessings and love and soft hugs to you too!
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Oh dear Bettie, where ever do I begin? Spirit began working in me the minute I began reading your post. First, the verse in Revelation is the one I read to open the Ash Wednesday service God put me to lead. Then the rejection. Oh how we all have been rejected, and so has He. That touched me deeply. And your gift, the one He led you to release. The blessings poured out upon me as I read the Worshipping Women. I could see them, Bettie. Spirit moved so powerfully today. I pray His comfort overwhelms you, as I am sure the writing left you body in want. I love you. You are my sister in Christ, and a dear, precious friend whom God gave to little ole me. Love, Julie
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Dear Julie,
I am so very grateful that God’s grace was truly the only sufficient strength that allowed this to be shared. He knows just how to bring together all of the right timing, so that our hearts are softened and moved to receive from Him. I would not have chosen this weakness for myself, and yet God in His wisdom knew that my stubborn heart needs this breaking to be keep being washed in His mercy. Oh what a precious gift that He allowed you to see and to share in the pain and then the worship of other hearts who have been drawn to Him. Thank you so much for all of your prayers and love dear sister.
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I received your precious gift in my mail.
So good…. I have never recived a skit for a gift! I’m glad the first if there ever ‘ve others came from you sweet sister!
I’m happy learning more about your work in the ministry.
I’m so sorry to hear if the pains and treatment fails.😕
Praying for strength as you go through this part.
God bless you, sister.
Love you loads
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Dear Ifeoma,
Oh I am so blessed to be your first giver-of-a-skit! What a sweet blessing from the Lord, as you have given so much to me over the years here. Thank you for all of the prayers and encouragement and support you have shown for me. I pray that the Lord will keep blessing you as you listen to His leading. Love you loads also!
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God’s grace is perfect in our weakness…Such a powerful truth.
Sending gentle hugs to you dear Bettie.
Bless you,
Jennifer
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Thank you Dear Jennifer. I appreciate that so much as I know you truly understand that truth. He is such a merciful and faithful Shepherd for us. Blessings and gentle hugs to you also!
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When I first did a deep dive into the The Women At The Well story, I felt God’s grace wash over me. I saw her as a someone who had messed up which led to relationships that were hurting her, rather than the love she deserved as God’s daughter. When we know Jesus, we don’t need to search for love and acceptance in those places that may end up hurting us and even be rejected by. Such a powerful story, and one God still uses to help me understand He is enough. I pray you feel His love pour over you as you continually release fully into His love, Bettie!
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Dear Lynn,
Yes, that is such a powerful statement that you have made–His grace really is enough for us. In every place where we have messed up, He comes in to show us how much love HE has for us. What precious grace He pours over us there, showing us true acceptance. Thank you so much for your prayers for me today too. Blessings and love to you!
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Dear Bettie, in these words you reveal God’s own words to you when He gifted you with a focus on “compassion” and “with” – “He filled me with such compassion that I did not know I had.” It’s clear that a coming alongside compassion is working WITHin your sweet soul each time you write, pray and share your heart with us. Although the journey into rejection, RA and chronic illness is probably much, much harder than you might have ever envisaged, God has given you multiple gifts along the way. And we are able to gratefully receive them too as you share them here.
It seems that the closer you draw to a deeper soul comprehension of Christ’s own suffering, the closer you are in understanding what a heaven-sent Gift it is to be called to share in HIS passion like you do, and as you reveal in your beautiful poem. His release to newness of life sparks a release in your own heart as you are releasing and unleashing talents He placed there for such a time as this. May God continue to release His gifts to you in abundance, especially that of patient endurance as you rest and recover from the side effects of your latest meds. I’m so thankful for you, dear friend! Much love and hugs. xoxo ❤
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Dear Joy,
Thank you for being such a beautiful encouragement to me all along this journey. You are so right, that this journey into RA and other chronic illnesses, is much harder than I would have ever chosen. Would we ever choose to go forward into suffering if He asked us ahead of time? I’m not sure. But OH, I am so thankful that He is so persistent to keep us moving along this pathway where He knows the suffering is so needed to be able to join in with His love and compassion.
And your words have been that same kind of heaven-sent gift to me also. God knew how much we would need to share along this pathway too. He has such a precious way of bringing us into the place of releasing, after so long of holding things inside. It is all His strength that carries us even there. I appreciate your prayers for me so much, my friend. I am beginning to feel those side effects start to lift, praise Him. May I keep learning to trust Him more. Much love and hugs to you dear sister. xoxo
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Oh Bettie, it breaks my heart to know that you are in pain………but to see your love for God through all of your pain is beyond inspirational! Sending you so much love and sending up prayers for you!
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Dear Wendi,
Thank you so much for all of your prayers and love. You are such a blessing, as you share encouragement. Today I am finally beginning to feel these latest side effects begin to lift. And I know that the Lord is with me through all of the pain and weariness. I am praying for you tonight also. Blessings and love to you too!
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Praise God that the symptoms are starting to lift! I have prayed that this small step will continue to and you will have awesome results!! God bless you for your prayers……..I am humbled that you would even think of me as you are going through so much.
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Thank you so much for all of the times that you pray for me, Wendi. I feel so humbled also. What a gift that the Lord would allow us to pray for each other across the miles. He sees what we feel!!
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it is truly my pleasure Bettie……..prayers for you this morning!
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Thank you Dear friend! The symptoms subside, and then try to come back again, so I am truly grateful for every prayer, every mercy from God!
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I am praying that the symptoms will subside and NOT return, Amen! Jesus, hear this prayer.
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Amen! Thank you!
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🙂
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I’m amazed at all your talents, Bettie! Thank you so much for sharing and letting God use you through your writing and creativity.
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Dear Lisa,
Thank you for your kind words. I am so glad that God has made a way that we can release and share the gifts that are all from Him. You have blessed me with your writing too. May He keep helping us to follow His leading. Blessings and love to you!
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Thank you for sharing these beautiful stories of the worshipping women. May I share them with a friend?
There are many women who have hidden their gifts for various reasons. I hope your words and stories will help many to release their gifts as a sweet perfume!
Praying for you. Much love!
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Dear Lisa,
Oh, yes, please share these words and the PDF file anyway that you would like. I tried to make it a shareable file so that it could be easy that way. But please let me know if I need to do anything differently with it. That was actually another gift from God, as I wasn’t sure of how to do that either! And, yes, I am praying that the Lord will truly release the fragrance and the beauty of other hearts where He is dwelling so richly too! I am so thankful we can pray for each other, dear friend! Love and hugs across the sea! xoxo
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Such powerful and beautiful words here, Bettie! Oh my, how the Holy Spirit speaks through you. Thank you for sharing every bit, the journey of the drama, the dream, the new roles/skits, the ensuing rejection and the release of His gifts over and over. And this was a profound gift you have shared. These skits do indeed capture the cry of our hearts. I pray they are read and shared and acted out many times over.. Thank you for reaching through the pain to offer such a sacred gift to us. God bless you and keep you. Love and hugs and prayers.
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Dear Melissa,
Thank you so much for your encouragement and support. I appreciate every prayer so much! His gifts are such moments of grace, even in the midst of the rejections that we all go through. Oh, how I also pray that He would meet each one who reads the words that He gave, that they would sense His deep love for them. He is full of mercy for each one of us! Blessings, love, and hugs for you also, dear friend!
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“Ah, it had always been about HIS gifts, not my abilities. That was the whole point of this gift.” Wow! So true for all of us really. And that’s why His strength can shine through our weaknesses. I love reading your words, Bettie. They come from your heart and glow with the love of Jesus. Your poem is so beautiful!
And this is such a good reminder to all of us: “The piercing sting of rejection, whether it’s from others or from our own body, only leads us to see the full rejection that Jesus has carried for all of us. HE took it all to the cross so that we could be released to know His true love.”
Love and blessings to you, my dear sister/poet/friend! xoxo
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Dear Gayl,
Thank you so much for your prayers and for all of the understanding you have shown me. It has been such an encouragement to know that we are praying for each other through-out our days. He truly does show us His strength in every weak place then. Moment by moment.
And I am so grateful that He has already carried every pain that we have felt. On those days when it feels to heavy to keep walking, it is His grace that shows us what He has given for us. Thank you for being such a sweet sister/poet/friend to me along this journey. Love and hugs to you! xoxo
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I love all the sweet friends who have left such encouraging comments here for you. God truly anoints your words and gives you the means to share them with others. It is such a gift for me. Thank you for The Worshiping Women skit. That is God at His finest. May God bless you as you seek relief from your RA. May the doctors learn the best treatments for you and may you feel God’s strength on your weakest days. Sending you much love!
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Dear Mary,
Yes, I truly feel so blessed by all of the dear friends that God has brought to me through these digital air-waves of writing. I never dreamed how He would open up ways of sharing here like this. It is all His grace-gift so much. I appreciate your prayers and encouragement so much, dear friend. You have been a special inspiration to me over all of these weeks and months of sharing too! Love and blessings to you!
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