Out With The Old…
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17
I have a dear, sweet friend whose character truly reflects that she is a new creation in Christ. She is humble, gentle, kind, loving, creative and bold. She is gifted and operates so beautifully in her giftings in a way that magnifies God. This friend gives so much from her heart and loves so incredibly well that I could not detail all the wonderful things about her. Yet among them, there is something that has stuck with me. It relates to being a woman and shows the beauty of newness in Christ.
I used to have awful mood swings during my menstrual period. By God’s grace and learning to take my thoughts captive, they’ve improved significantly. And they’ve gotten better in part due to my friend’s beautiful example. A few years ago, I asked her for prayer and advice. Gently and kindly she gave me not exactly what I wanted, but what I needed, and shared with me the perspective and character God was shaping in her. I wanted to complain about my weakness and mood swings, and then ask God to take them away. She showed me an attitude of thankfulness toward God on the matter, with no room for complaint.
I thought she was crazy! But that didn’t bother her. She graciously came alongside me and began to usher me toward a better way. We specifically met during that time of the month. I wanted to whine and be comforted, but she nudged me toward prayer and focusing on God’s desires rather than my own. We read the Bible out loud together - specifically Psalm 119.
Over the past couple years, I’ve begun to thank God for my cycle. At first it was only out of my will, but lately I can actually feel a heart change. I’ve actually found myself becoming thankful for my weakness and sought the opportunity to grow closer to Him. I find myself going back to Psalm 119 and worshiping Him.
I can honestly say that for the first time this month I rejoiced in my womanhood and womanly cycle. I have become grateful for God’s gentleness and Him teaching me through my weakness to be more gentle with and less critical toward myself. Now I see each month that there is a physical shedding of the old in preparation for what is new. I am a living, breathing picture of blood washing away the old person and making room for the birth of new creation. Wow! After seeing this allegorical miracle, I will never be the same. Behold, all things have become new!
