Have you ever unearthed a buried treasure that you weren’t even searching for? And when you found it, you realized that it was the very thing you were missing?

I found such a treasure buried within the writings of my favorite authors. Each author referenced a certain author with whom I was unfamiliar. This writer’s name frequently popped up in their renderings and heightened my curiosity each time I heard him referred to. After learning C. S. Lewis claimed one of this author’s books “baptized his imagination,” I was a fully-committed seeker of anything George Macdonald wrote!

What an unexpected treasure! I became so enamored with my first Macdonald read. I found the book on-line and began listening to the digital voice of my computer read it to me. In spite of the monotone voice I heard, my imagination was transported to a place I’d never been before, and since being there, I am forever changed. The book was, ”The Princess and the Goblin” -- supposedly a Child’s fairy tale, but it captivated this woman’s sense of wonder.

There was an interesting exchange between Grandmother and the Princess Irene that has stayed with me.

“...But in the meantime you must be content, I say, to be misunderstood for a while. We are all very anxious to be understood, and it is very hard not to be. But there is one thing much more necessary.

'What is that, Grandmother?'

'To understand other people.'

'Yes, Grandmother. I must be fair - for if I'm not fair to other people, I'm not worth being understood myself.”

The innocent insight of seeking understanding rather than simply being understood is a concept found in Macdonald’s tale, but lost in our “it’s all about me” generation. Each of us long to be understood. Yet, to be misunderstood allows us to identify with our Savior uniquely. To seek understanding also invites us to share in Christ-likeness in a way few other activities do.

It seems to me that if the body of Christ applied more of Grandmother’s admonishment to Irene, we would be characterized by intense unity rather than splinters and divisions.

The body of Christ was broken on the cross for us once on a dark day at Golgotha. To choose disunity is to break His body -- the church -- again. He was broken so we would be one whole body.

For that reason, let us not demand understanding; rather let us seek to understand. Let each of us extend mercy we hope to receive to others with whom we might disagree.

To achieve unity in the Body of Christ simply means we knit ourselves together. Unity does not mean we become uniform and settle for unanimity. The beauty of His Body is revealed in the way our diversity is woven into one tapestry of truth.

Our Savior was broken so we could be one. Don’t allow His Precious Body to be broken again. Being understood is not the treasure you long for, unity with your brothers and sisters is. Unity of the brethren really is the buried treasure.

"...and I come to You. Holy Father, keep them in Your name, the name which You have given Me, that they may be one even as We are." John 17:11

Blessings and Joy,
Jennifer Rothschild
Author of Lessons I Learned in the Dark,
and Founder of WomensMinistry.NET
http://www.jenniferrothschild.com
email me: JR@jenniferrothschild.com

This is a fun idea that can be used for a one day event or even spread out over a weekend for a retreat.

Based On: Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Proverbs 31:30.

At a potluck breakfast we showed the video presentation of Jennifer Rothschild at the Ft. Lauderdale National Convention in 2005. In the video she stresses the idea of looking at yourself through the mirror of God's Word.

Decorations: We created a "tree" of hand mirrors tied on with pretty spring ribbons on a table at the entrance. On each table there was a floral flowerpot turned upside down with a small tabletop mirror glued to it, and tied with pretty purple ribbons. Beside the mirror we laid brightly colored brush and comb sets. We printed scriptures about beauty on labels and attached them to the pots and mirrors.

On the platform I used a small desk, stand up mirror and vanity chair with a pillow. Jennifer's book, Lessons I Learned in the Dark, was placed in front of the vanity mirror.

Program: After watching the video and reemphasizing some key points, we discussed our Women's Ministry and ways to better serve each other and our community.

Favors: We designed a small brochure for each woman to take home entitled "Bible Beauty Tips."

Here are some of the tips:

We also included some encouraging quotes:

Submitted by: grandmaks2003@yahoo.com

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