Skip to Main Content
Women of the ELCA
  • Donate
  • Shop
  • Tools For Leaders
  • Publications
  • Daily Grace
  • Contact
  • Ministry & Action
    • Discipleship
    • Justice
      • Human Trafficking
      • Racial Justice Advocacy
      • Racial Justice Advocacy Network resources
      • Domestic Violence
    • Membership
    • Stewardship
      • Thankofferings
      • Faithful Friends
      • Katie’s Fund
      • Gift Planning
    • Special Initiatives
      • Raising Up Healthy Women & Girls
      • Dear Friend in Christ
    • Scholarships
      • Lutheran laywomen
      • Lutheran Ordained Ministry
  • Resources
  • Blog
  • Events
  • About
    • History
    • Executive Board
    • Staff
    • Get Involved
  • Donate
  • Shop
  • Tools For Leaders
  • Publications
  • Daily Grace
  • Contact
« Back to All Daily Grace

Are you an Orpah?

4.20.2015
|
Daily Grace

“I believe I have known many Orpahs and will meet others. You know Orpah, too. The first Orpah I recognized is a woman I met in 1997 when I was trying to become the rector of a beautiful little Episcopal church in Maryville, Tennessee. I don’t remember much of what she said in our initial conversation on the phone, probably because I was babbling and trying very hard to be charming, dignified, holy, available, like that. I do not think I fooled her, but it was the beginning of what turned into a real friendship.

It took me a while to hear Orpah’s story. I often found myself talking to her about me, while she listened quietly, attentively. This is the thing with Orpahs. They do not grab center stage.

Just like the biblical Orpah, we all have been blessed by people in our lives who have made important and brave choices. They listen with compassion when others do not. They do what needs to be done without thought of self. If you are an Orpah, please thank God for yourself today. And if you know an Orpah (and you do) please thank her and God for the gifts she brings to the universe.

This message was adapted from “Orpah’s Choice” written by Martha Sterne that first appeared in the September 2008 issue of Lutheran Woman Today (now Gather) magazine.

Share
No Comments

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Sign up for Daily Grace

Daily Grace is an on-the-go companion for your journey, offering a faith reflection every day. Encounter God’s extravagant, boundless and often surprising grace by signing up for a daily email message. You can also download the newly updated app for your IOS and Android devices.

Women of the ELCA
3h
Women of the ELCA
@WomenoftheELCA

As we continue celebrating the lives and stories of bold African Descent women this month, today’s blogger writes about Sojourner Truth and reminds us to continue to the work she began. womenoftheelca.org/blog/post/… #BlackHistoryMonth #mondaymotivation #livingherstory pic.twitter.com/R7LNZ5dsjS

Expand reply reply retweet retweet favorite favorite
Back to home

8765 W. Higgins Rd.

Chicago IL 60631

800-638-3522

[email protected]

Stay In Touch

Sign up for the WELCA Newsletter

Explore WELCA
  • Ministry & Action
  • Daily Grace
  • Resource Library
  • Events
  • Blog
  • News
  • About WELCA
  • Tools For Leaders
  • Publications
  • Donate
  • Shop
  • Photos
Explore Publications

Bold Cafe

A Lutheran perspective for women of Christian faith or any woman who is interested in how faith relates to the issues facing women today.

Gather Magazine

A mix of articles, theological reflections, devotions and stories of comfort and challenge that help readers grow in faith.

Cafe Podcast

Subscribe to our podcast:

Click to subscribe

© Copyright 2023 Women of the ELCA. All Rights Reserved.
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap
  • Contact
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube
© Copyright 2023 Women of the ELCA. All Rights Reserved.