*Guest post today by Kathy Cheek
I warmly recall a particular night facilitating our ladies Thursday evening Bible study at church due to the peculiar snack food that was brought and the response the ladies had to this peculiar snack. And it taught me a lesson about the sacrifice and dedication women of all ages and walks of life make to attend a women’s Bible study. I learned this lesson from a beef jerky incident.
The lady who had signed up for snacks said she forgot about it being her night and grabbed the only thing she had at her house at the last minute, which was – cheese, crackers, and beef jerky, of all things!
Cheese and crackers which is always good, but beef jerky? A large bag of tough, hard to chew beef jerky? I have to admit, I have never seen beef jerky brought for snacks, and I thought to myself, she will be taking that back home. The crackers and cheese will be eaten, but the beef jerky will be passed by.
But no, these ladies were hungry. The beef jerky completely disappeared. Every single hard to chew bite was consumed.
The lady who brought it was very surprised and shared with me that she thought for sure she would be taking the beef jerky home again, and almost didn’t bring it in the first place since it would be such an odd snack.
It turned out that no one had time for lunch at work that day and didn’t get to go home from work before Bible study. I listened to ladies describe barely making it to Bible Study on time, coming straight from work and not having time to eat, husbands getting home from work late, barely in time to be there with the kids so mom could go to Bible study, and I found myself very moved by their dedication.
Beef jerky opened my eyes to tiring schedules and genuine hunger, and yet it was obvious they were definitely hungry for more than food. They came with their prayer requests and burdens, and they came with their Bibles and notebooks. They came with a need for fellowship, and many of them came hungry!
For these ladies, Thursday night Bible study was an oasis of fellowship, studying and learning about God’s Word, and it came at the end of a long, long day. They needed refreshment in more ways than one!
8 Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness,
And for His wonderful works to the children of men!
9 For He satisfies the longing soul,
And fills the hungry soul with goodness.
I have always loved being involved in women’s Bible study, I love cracking open that brand new workbook, and diving in and learning from those whom God has gifted to teach us and make us go deeper into our Bibles. I love gathering with ladies I know, and also getting to know new ones that come into the group. I appreciate the opportunity to share my life and my prayer needs with an intimate group of women I feel safe with, and hope everyone else feels that way, too.
How about you, how are you blessed by the women’s Bible studies you have participated in?
Kathy Cheek is a freelance writer with articles appearing in various Christian publications, including Journey Magazine. You can read her weekly devotion on her site In Quiet Places @ www.kathycheek.com. She and her husband live in Dallas, Texas and have two grown daughters who also reside in the Dallas area.
