The Charm Bracelet

This month, I am saying goodbye after four years of leading women’s ministry at our church. I leave with mixed emotions because no one has volunteered to take over the job, but I am confident God is raising up a new leader.

At the farewell Christmas party, the ladies from our women’s ministry team gave me one of the most beautiful gifts I have ever received, a silver charm bracelet. I’d always wanted a charm bracelet, but I guess God was saving such a special gift for this moment. 

Each woman at the gathering presented a charm they believed represented Christ or my life. I opened the ten small packages and was emotional as I read the heartfelt cards. There was a Bible, so important for my daily Christian walk.  Without it, I would not have direction and would be lost. There was a cross as well as a heart with a cross in it, that reminds me of who I love more than any other, and of the sacrifice Jesus made for me. I then pulled a cardinal out of the tissue paper. The redbird carries a special meaning for me at Christmas time, the blood of Christ shed for the redemption of mankind, and I present an entire message on it. 

There was also a book given to me by my ministry partner and co-author on three writing projects, symbolic of my future, and a charm bearing the verse found in Matthew 19:26, with God all things are possible. I believe that verse with all my heart. In my life, I’ve seen God take what appeared to be impossible and turn it into reality. Only God could do that because he wants the glory.

There was a charm in the shape of a gift and I thought, “What a gift it has been to serve women in this way!” We had so much fun, whether it was providing baskets for the graduating seniors at the Methodist Children’s home, raising $2,000 through cookie sales to help women who are victims of abuse or putting on a nearly sold out luncheon featuring the daughter of Billy Graham, Gigi Graham.

When I looked daily at my charm bracelet, it will be a reminder, not only of my four years in women’s ministry, but also a reminder of the love of God shared with me through these beautiful women. I will always be thankful for the time I spent serving the Lord with them. While the charm bracelet will forever be special, they were the gift.