Letter to Women of Grace

January 2012
Dear women of Grace Pasadena,

Please bear with me as I attempt to share some thoughts that God has been pressing upon my mind these past few weeks as I have prayed for you, as the women of Grace, and my role with and among you. 

Planting this church alongside Brannin has been such a sweet privilege, and with it has come an unexpected disappointment.  As the church has grown over the course of the last year, it has been difficult for me to get to know each of you in the way that I desire.  There are some of you whom I know well, many whom I know relatively well, and a growing number of you whom I don’t know at all.  That is sad for me. I wish to know you each of you well. 

Prior to planting this church, I had a beautifully crafted vision and plan for my role as Brannin’s wife and co-planter.  I desired to teach a practical theology course, engage in Bible studies with our women, serve our city together, and meet with, listen to, and pray for you.  Then life brought a few twists and turns that have caused those dreams to look different than I expected. 

As I begin to dream about 2012, I have decided not to hide behind the circumstances that take away my time, but rather begin to ask God how I can serve Him amidst those circumstances.   How could I help you as the women of Grace to grow in your relationship with Jesus and encourage you in His Word and prayer?  He gave me an initial solution that I am pleased to share with you. 

There are times, as I meet with our Lord early in the morning or late at night, when God enlightens His Word for me and encourages me specifically in my time of need.  When this happens (possibly weekly, possibly a few times a month), I will share His insights with you.  Although I am not able to teach a study now, I can send you encouragements from His Word.  My hope is two fold: 1) that you would be encouraged to sit before God as well and feast upon His Word in prayer, and 2) you would be able to get to know me better through hearing what God is teaching me.  I will title these emails, “streams of living water”, from Psalm 1. 

It has been my greatest desire that we, as women of Grace, would be rooted and grounded in His Word and prayer.  May Psalm 1 characterize us this year.

“His delight is in the law of the Lord;

and on his law he meditates day and night.

He is like a tree planted by streams of living water

that yields its fruit in its season

and its leaf does not wither.

In all that he does, he prospers.”

I look forward to walking near Jesus together this year.

Tanya