Soul Sisters

By Debbie Prater

Soul Sisters. Oh, how desperately I need a Soul Sister sometimes. And how wonderful is my God that He brings those Divine connections to me. Women who took me under their wing and mentored me. Someone who gave me opportunities to find my giftings. Sometimes it’s a dear one who spoke words of life into my life. Or didn’t speak at all, just remained near and assured me with their smile and hug. Women who shared their struggles and opened their heart. But how much more precious it is to be that Soul Sister to someone else. To let that floundering one know that I’m vulnerable too. I have had my scrapes with insecurity, doubts and fears. I’ve known pain, rejection and also experienced healing. I am that Soul Sister and I long to point you to Jesus who is “The friend who sticks closer than a brother.” “He was despised and rejected, a man of suffering and familiar with pain.” We truly have a God who is not distant or unapproachable.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu Publishing Services
• Release date: Sep 9, 2019
• ISBN: 9781684709007

Book preview

Jesus.

THE

Beloved Woman

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I t was at the slave market that I truly saw how loved I was. I was bound in chains and filthy in slave rags; on display for potential buyers. I kept my eyes down, sensing contempt and disgust in the people passing by. I resigned myself to the horrible truth that my life was essentially over. I had my chance at real love and blew it. I’m getting what I deserve.

Men wandered around looking at the merchandise. I hoped that my buyer would treat me well. A familiar voice stopped my heart. I wish to buy her. I looked up to see the piercing blue eyes. The love that glowed from his eyes melted me. I watched with mouth gaping open as he opened his money bag and paid the trader.

I was stunned to see him. Never in my wildest imaginations would I dream up a twisted plot as this. I couldn’t believe he asked me to be his wife in the first place. He knew I wasn’t the faithful type. I thought he was nuts, perhaps even desperate to desire me as a wife. I thought some stability would be nice in my life, so I agreed. I never expected he would actually love me…an undesirable and loveless prostitute.

He was a tender man with a generous heart. I enjoyed many blessings in his household. I never lacked for anything. Yet I began to think Hosea boring and grew tired of him. The stability morphed into restlessness. It wasn’t long before my wandering heart led me astray and I chased after my old lovers.

I left my home and Hosea far behind. I actually deceived myself into thinking I was doing better than being chained to straitlaced Hosea. I cringe in shame at the remembrance when I look down at the cold, tight chains bound to my hands and feet. What a wretched woman I am!

What I thought as freedom turned to bondage when one of my phony lovers betrayed me. After abusing me, he bound me up and sold me to the slave trader.

I never once thought about returning to Hosea. That was a wild fantasy that could never be. He would never want to see my face again. Nevertheless, here he was, coming to this shameful place to buy back a faithless wife. The slave trader unlocked the chains and gruffly shoved me forward. Hosea reached out and put his arm around my shoulder.

How can I give you up, my beloved? My only desire is for you. All I have is yours. Come, let’s go home.

I looked up into his tearful face. I didn’t know how to react; words seemed so trite, so trivial. My heart ached, tears of shame flowed down my cheeks. I’ve known many men, but none loved me like this one. This is a powerful, amazing love that goes far beyond reason or understanding. I don’t deserve it; I’ve done nothing to obtain it. I just accept it and live in wonder.

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The story of Hosea and Gomer changed my life forever. It transformed my perception about my worth, and how God perceived me. Previously, I’ve held Him at arm’s length. I never trusted my heart to Him. It was so hard to be free of my distorted self-image. Now it seems ridiculous that I would hold myself back from an extravagant Lover as my God. That’s what the truth will do when you finally open your eyes to it.

I recently read about body dysmorphic disorder. People who have this disorder imagine they are ugly. They look in the mirror and see a repulsive person staring back. They are convinced other people see them as such, so opening themselves to love and friendship is impossible. They’ll spend long periods of time picking at their faces in front of the mirror, trying in vain to make themselves presentable. Some won’t even make it out of the house.

It doesn’t matter if you keep telling them how beautiful and attractive they are. It may be the truth, yet they only see the hideous vision entrenched in their mind. So, they remain blinded to the truth; they believe a lie and robbed of the blessings of love.

It was difficult for Gomer to believe Hosea could actually love her. How could she be worthy of such a precious lover as he? The truth hit her hard, when he showed up to buy her back. It had to shameful and humiliating for him. Yet here he was. How could you disregard this love?

1 John 4:10 NIV says, This is love; not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

I was Gomer. Perhaps I wasn’t a prostitute, but I sure wasn’t worthy to be loved. I was unfaithful, disobedient and rebellious. Shame hung heavily upon me. My precious Jesus pursued me. He poured out His lavish grace upon me. I’ve been bought with a price. I am not my own. He did this through a humiliating and painful death on the cross. This was His plan from the very beginning of time to pursue my heart.

Beloved sister, do you not see the powerful truth that He made you worthy to be loved? This is not a human love we are talking about here. It isn’t fickle; it doesn’t depend on your performance.

I have failed Him many times. I’ve been a disappointment. Sometimes I feel so weak. Why would He choose me to be His vessel? Why does He continue to show me mercy? I don’t understand; perhaps I never will. I don’t deserve it. I can’t obtain it. I just believe, accept it and live in wonder.

DIGGING DEEPER

*Read The Beloved Woman.

*Read Hosea chapters 1-3, also 11:8-9

Hosea is one of the Minor Prophets in the Old Testament. This little book reveals God’s huge heart. He used Hosea as a living show and tell to draw His people back. At this place in Israel’s history they were far from God. They were hot and heavy in worshipping idols. Needless to say, it broke God’s heart.

*In chapter two, verses 5,7 and 8, write down below what is said about She, Israel, Gomer.

*Read verses 13-14. Highlight or underline Went after her lovers, but me she forgot.

So, Israel, Gomer put on her bling and went after her lovers and forgot about her husband. How does God react in verse 14?

*Underline or highlight Allure Speak tenderly to her. Literally this means God is wooing Israel. He wants them back.

*Read Hosea 11:8-9 Underline or highlight How can I give you up? and For I am God and not a man.

*What does this reveal about God’s love for you?

Is His love fickle and unpredictable? Is this not a love powerful enough for you to rest in? Tomorrow will His love change toward you? What if there was an unmentionable sin in your past? What if you’re a hot mess now?

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels or demons,