Today is a crappy day. It’s Wednesday. I have a hate on for Wednesdays. And not just because Wednesday is hump day or its snowing outside.
Hey, it’s Jocelyn. This is my first post on REVwords. It’s been a long time coming, but I’m worth waiting for.
Wednesday
Wednesday wasn’t always in my bad books.
I used to look forward to Wednesday.
As a matter of fact I spent many summer days preparing for Wednesdays in September. You see, part of my pastoral role at North Pointe Church revolved around Wednesdays and women’s Bible studies.
I loved the prep work, studying, making lesson plans, creating a theme, shopping for just the right table decorations to fit the theme, and bringing creativity to the process. There was the happy anticipation of 200 plus women who would come together morning and evenings on Wednesdays and study the Word of God.
I lived for Wednesdays from September to December and February to April.
Fulfilling
The responsibility and challenges fulfilled my life. Wednesdays brought joy to my being. I loved the challenge of memorizing scripture, whether verses, chapters or whole books from the Bible. It was thrilling seeing “a-ha” moments in a woman’s life when she discovered a new thought or when scripture came to life for her.
I loved listening to seasoned leaders sharing their life experience with their table group. I loved championing rookie leaders as they tried new things. Drawing out abilities a woman never knew she had.
I loved the chitchat around the tables and that we prayed for and with each other.
Wednesdays are what I lived for.
I Believe in Yesterday Wednesdays
And today is Wednesday and I gave all that up.
I didn’t know how hard releasing what I loved would be.
Or how empty I would feel.
Certainly not how long I would grieve the loss of friends and purpose.
I believe in yesterday Wednesdays.
Well-intentioned voices tell me to “move on,” “let go,” “just find something else to do”. I wonder if they also say the same things to those who grieve the death of a loved one?
A Right Fit
I know. I know. It’s all good and caring advice. But I can’t replicate or replace what was with a reasonable facsimile. There are leadership invitations I’ve declined.
I did what I did because I knew it was what God wanted for me. You can’t manufacture a right fit.
So here I sit with my Bible open in front of me, writing out the book of 1st John in preparation to commit it to memory.
Why?
It’s what I do.
The repetition of the truth soaks into my spirit, and informs my will of what to do.
Easy?
No way.
It feels right.
And just maybe this crappy Wednesday will end on a better note then when it started.
Please leave a comment or share your story with Jocelyn at the bottom of this page. Thank you.
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There are those of us who grieve “yesterday’s Wednesdays” too! I didn’t actively participate in tons of those Wednesdays, only occasionally being a table leader or participant in the ladies bible studies, but it was always comforting to know that I could have. Just like COVID times, I’m having to get used to a “new normal”….I kinda hate “new normals. I miss you Jocelyn!!
Hey Jocelyn!
Your raw honesty is one of the things I’ve always loved and appreciated most about you.
With you I always felt that if I asked a question, I was sure to get an honest answer. So I didn’t always ask haha.
You were the first (among only a few) woman who told me THE TRUTH about child birth! I’ve thought about you often since then.
Keep being you! Anything less just won’t do. Love ya!
Jocelyn, it was so good to find your post this morning. Reading your post brought back many happy memories. It was so exciting to see you take on the role of Women’s Ministries at North Pointe, and to see the way God blessed and used you and your special talents. Then the way you have memorized so many large portions of scripture has been so encouraging. Truly I am so proud of you and the way you have faced life. God’s continued blessings be yours, is my prayer.
Hi Jocelyn,
Thank you for sharing your Yesterday’s. I loved and looked forward to Wednesday Morning Ladies Bible Study with you, and you always shared a story and made us feel so Welcome and you cared about us and we all cared about you as well. Things and circumstances change an we must go with the Flow.
Looking forward to more of your Blogs.
Take care.
Judy McDonald
Hi, Jocelyn, I was happy to see your post. I’ve missed you, you made me feel at home when I first started attending Northpointe. You certainly fulfilled your calling with the women’s ministry, your love and care for the women, your enthusiasm and love for Christ shone through. Grieve what you’ve lost from leaving the women’s ministries but celebrate all the achievements you had there, you touched so many and influenced so many. God bless you. miss you lots!
Hi Jocelyn,
I’m sitting here pushing back the tears – it caught me off guard this morning and awakened something deep in my heart. It is as if you were writing just for me. Thanks so much for sharing …please continue to write. I love the tag line ” because Words Matter ” because yours sure mattered to me today ❤️ Sending love and hugs from the East.
Thank you for your words, thought it was just me who didn’t like Wednesdays because we have gotten more snow on this Wednesday, but your words inspired me. I will get memorizing, love you Joc.
I miss those Wednesday’s too, Jocelyn.
The sentence that jumped out as if in bold for me is: “The repetition of the truth soaks into my spirit, and informs my will of what to do.” Without doing that intentionally and continually my responses will be shaped by circumstances, culture and how I feel at that moment.
Dear Jocelyn, i agree and concur with all these ladies thoughts and prayers for you, love you and miss you, it was so fun to work with you in women’s ministries, Your sense of humour and honesty was always so refreshing! I never forget the time when you asked me to facilitate a group and i told you I was so green…………and you said without skipping a beat….how are you ever gonna get brown! You are uniquely yourself and you always encourage everyone to be themselves fully devoted to Jesus! We appreciate this venue we all get to hear you and your smart husband’s REV words of wisdom, love Joy
It has taken a while for me to respond to this post because my emotions are still raw in missing you. I am so grateful for your leadership and consider you a mentor in my life. I totally understand how your emotions and grief are wrapped around Wednesday mornings. While I am grateful for the legacy you have passed on to our current courageous pastor in Women’s Ministry, I do miss our Wednesday morning chats about life and family. Plus, I always looked forward to seeing the new theme and decor for each season of study! You are called by God and I trust Him for your future. your wisdom shines through in your post but even more so for those of us blessed to have you in our lives. I love you Joc!