This must be the season for great guest bloggers! This week, I am featuring Lynn Cowell of Proverbs 31 Ministries as my guest. Lynn is a national conference speaker who is passionate about helping women of all ages understand the importance of Christ confidence. She is the author of several books including her newest for women Make Your Move: Finding Unshakable Confidence Despite Your Fears and Failures, and Brave Beauty: Finding the Fearless You just for girls ages 8 – 12. I hope you are encouraged and have a “Yup. I totally agree” moment as Lynn shares her thoughts on “Where’s My Atta-Girl?”.
You’ve just completed a major project or prepared a simple dinner. At the end of all your work and effort, there was silence. No applause. No thank-you. Not even an “atta-girl.” How does that make you feel?
Honestly, when I find myself in that situation, I wish I could say I’m fine. More than fine, since I’m doing all I do for the Lord alone. I’d like to think I don’t need others’ recognition. Unfortunately, I’m not all the way there yet. This “getting-past-performing” girl still gets stuck if the thanks or compliments never come.
A Woman like Deborah –
I am so grateful for a woman like Deborah who models what it looks like to be a woman who doesn’t have to have the pats on the back. I encourage you to read this strong woman’s story found in Judges 4:1-16. God chose Deborah to fill a military leadership role in the Bible. She was the only woman to fulfill not only that role, but she also served as judge over all the Israelites. (This was in the days before the nation of Israel had a king.) Co-leading an army of 10,000 against an army with 900 chariots, Deborah, together with Barak, defeated the enemy.
Following this major victory, we read Deborah’s proclamation in Judges 5:2-3, “When the princes in Israel take the lead, when the people willingly offer themselves — praise the LORD! Hear this, you kings! Listen, you rulers! I, even I, will sing to the LORD; I will praise the LORD, the God of Israel, in song.”
After such an amazing accomplishment, I don’t hear Deborah singing her own praises. No, not here, not in the verses before nor in the verses after. In fact, not only does Deborah not shine the light on her own success, but centuries later when the New Testament book of Hebrews was written, her name is actually missing.
“And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions” (Hebrews 11:32-33, NIV).
The Hall of Faith –
Here in the Hall of Faith, Deborah’s co-leader is listed; meanwhile Deborah, a very important playmaker, is left out. If Deborah could somehow have seen this New Testament passage, how do you think she would have responded?
After looking closely at her life, I think I can say Deborah would not be like me, wondering where her appreciation was. She obeyed God and did what she was called to do. Accolades and applause were not part of the package.
Isn’t it refreshing to see a woman who accomplished what God called her to do and give all the glory and praise to the Lord for His unfailing love rather than her own abilities?
Thanks, Lynn, for your candor and insight and encouragement.
Be sure to stop by Lynn’s blog page and say “Hi.” http://proverbs31.org/speakers/lynn-cowell (It’s okay to give her an “Atta-Girl.”)