Hi, my name is Trish Anderson. Women’s ministry and encouraging women has been a priority to me for many years. It will continue to be a priority, for I long to be a conduit through which the love of Jesus Christ is made known to others who are struggling and are in pain, both Christian and non-Christian.
Like you I have challenges and blessings in my daily life. God is always so full of surprises. My children are now young adults who no longer live full-time in my home. At this point in my life I figured I’d be footloose and fancy free, with the majority of my time spent counseling women, leading Bible studies, or in some other way serving outside my home. God had a totally different plan for me, however. Currently my husband and I are raising our granddaughter. Talk about an unexpected change in season of life! I went from thinking I was going to be an empty nester to spending my days playing pat-a-cake and having tea parties with teddy bears. I wouldn’t trade a moment of it for anything!
My heart aches for women who are struggling with issues in everyday life, including who they are in the Lord and what it is that God would have them to be. I desire to be an encourager and an encouragement to women who are looking for their place in this world. God has give me special insight to the difficulties and challenges faced by those who have experienced abandonment, abuse, adoption, and identity crisis, as well as those who have loved ones with drug and/or alcohol addiction or who suffer from mental illness.
There are two Scripture passages that are my constant companions: Isaiah 61 and Jeremiah 29:11-14. They speak directly to my heart about who God is, no matter what kind of situation you are in.
Jeremiah 29:11-14 says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”
My blog, A Joyful Heart, can be found at www.joyfulheartblog.com.
