Freedom and the Godly Woman: 4 – He Takes The Broken …

(What is it to be a godly woman in an ungodly world? This question inspired me to invite some talented writers to contribute their responses. Shirley R. Evans, based in Manchester, is first and foremost passionate about seeing Kingdom impact in her local community. Inspired by the question,Inspired by the question, in the first part Shirley embarked on getting the gospel basis. In part 2 definitions and the role of love were explored. Part 3 celebrated the born again identity that defines freedom of the godly woman …  Shirley continues here by sharing how freedom and the godly woman is expressed even in the brokenness of life … For His Name’s Sake, Shalom, C. L. J. Dryden)

Freedom 3 – Blessing in the Brokenness

All the stigma society attaches to this.  I was 9 when my parents divorced and, as young as I was, I had a sense of somehow being different.  Though my home was viewed as “broken”, I have to say that my mother loved us well, worked hard and taught us the ethics of striving for and achieving a good education; self-discipline; respect for yourself and others.  This is against society’s expectations, where when you live in a certain area, you are not expected to achieve. 

I remember many years later when I became a Training & Guidance counsellor working in this same community that I would have clients who would not put their home address on any job applications they submitted.  The perception was that if you used certain postcodes your application would automatically be discounted.   Society’s view was, if you came from this area you were either living on government handouts, drug dealing, drug taking and baby mothers.  Oh, the pressure.

What I know now is that Christ specialises in brokenness.  What society views as a problem, God sees as an opportunity to bless and indeed we were and are blessed.  My mother was never out of work, we were never hungry, and her children have all gone on to be worthwhile citizens in society.  My mother had a heart of compassion and despite not having much our home was a shelter for many.  We belonged to a church family and knew the love of belonging and acceptance, even as a child, church was my safe place.

When I myself unexpectedly became a single parent I truly understood how with God little can be much.  I still stand in awe at God, how he has blessed & continues to bless myself & my girls.  Financially the sum of the whole has continued to be way more than the sum of the parts.  Blessings – wow where do I begin?

I have never been out of work and God has blessed me with jobs that might have seemed out of reach. I have worked training senior police officers in Equal Opportunities, I have worked with local councillors, and senior judges within the court system.  God has opened every door I knocked at.  God has blessed every ministry area I have led from youth group through to prayer ministry. 

My eldest daughter finished high school with grades that were in the top 1% in the country.  She is the National Praise & Worship Director and has now been put forward to become the youngest and one of the only female Evangelists ever in the UK church denomination I belong to. She completed a first degree in music & composition & has gone on to do a master’s in social work. 

My second daughter is the local church youth leader and on the national Praise & Worship team. She too has a first degree in early years & education and is also about to start a master’s in social work. 

God allowed me to become a foster parent to my third child who despite difficult beginnings and whom society had written off is now at the age of 17, entering her second year at college and is currently making applications to become an au-pair in the US and has made the decision to serve the Lord. 

There are no statistics with God only opportunities for God to pour out His love on and to bless immeasurably.

What about other social and cultural issues that challenges the godly woman? (To be continued)

(Photo by Alla Hetman on Unsplash)

Shirley R. Evans