Women’s Auxiliary luncheon offers encouragement from Proverbs 31

“Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she smiles at the future.” (Proverbs 31:25)

The theme “She is strong” was reflected throughout the Fort Worth Women’s Auxiliary luncheon, Oct. 19. There, on the campus of Southwestern Seminary, women were reminded of the strength that comes from trusting in the Lord and the resultant ability to rejoice in time to come.

Monica Patrick, wife of Southwestern Vice President for Strategic Initiatives and Communications Charles Patrick, spoke during the luncheon on Proverbs 31. She shared her own family’s story of following God’s call to seminary as well as those of other Southwestern women who displayed strength as they followed God and trusted in His plan for their lives.

“As I thought about our story, God reminded me of so many women who came to seminary whom I know,” Patrick said. “God has been so faithful to them, and they have been strong.”

Patrick recounted how, after she and her husband were married and had their first of four children, God called them to move to Fort Worth so that Charles could attend Southwestern. Arriving in May 2008, Patrick shared that, at times, the move and transition were not all she anticipated. However, through each challenge and unexpected circumstance, she and her husband were constantly reminded of God’s goodness and faithfulness.

“We honestly didn’t know what God had for us after seminary,” Patrick said. “We just prayed, ‘Wherever You want us to go, whatever You want us to do, we are available and we are willing.’”

In considering where God might move them, the Patricks ultimately discerned that God’s plan for them was to remain at Southwestern. “God, in His wisdom and really in His goodness to our family, chose to plant us here at the seminary and to allow us to be a part of what God is doing in this place and around the world.”

Patrick proceeded to share stories of three of her friends and God’s call on each of their families to move to Fort Worth for seminary. Each woman, she said, reflects characteristics described in Proverbs 31.

One of these women was her friend Maribeth. Although Maribeth initially was skeptical when God called her husband to Southwestern, she trusted in God’s plan and followed His leading.

“Sometimes we think about what surrendering to God’s call looks like on our lives, and it looks too hard,” Patrick said. “But Maribeth says some of her forever-friends were made on the front porch of her home, she learned about being in a healthy church, she learned how to serve her husband, and she learned to always have an open door.”

Patrick said Maribeth now sees the call to seminary not only as her husband’s, but as her own. “God brought them together and brought them to seminary,” Patrick explained. “Although it was not always easy, He was faithful, and she was strong, and God is being really kind and gracious in their new ministry.”

To conclude the luncheon, First Lady Dorothy Patterson reminded attendees of the importance of utilizing their strength by praying for Southwestern’s students and faculty. “We are proclaiming the wonderful works of God to the next generations,” Patterson said. “God is working. He is giving us open doors, and He is providing us the students to equip and train.”