Woman of Faith. . .I Am

This weekend, I was blessed by the generosity of a stranger and attended the Women of Faith conference in Anaheim.  It's not everyday that tickets are just passed out and uncles and parents are able to watch kids all day and night, so one can attend.  But that happened this weekend and I was so blessed by it.

It was on such a large level, being held at the Honda Center, that I was unsure of what to expect.  The line up of speakers made me know I would not be disappointed.  Lysa Terkeurst, Ann Voskamp, Anita Renfroe, Rick Warren, and Mercy Me. . .to name a few that I knew of.  A car ride with a sweet sister who has dealt with multiple problems that could have crumpled her, but she holds on to faith started the weekend off.  A suite to put our feet up and enjoy the speakers with ample leg room and televisions to see and a great sound system were ours for the weekend.  It was such a blessing.

I always remember loving the act of going on retreats.  Our local Catholic church had an incredible Teen Group that I was a part of growing up.  It's funny one voice in my head hears, "Save it for down the mountain." And another says, "Hold on to that feeling, that high as long as you can."  Both voices  meaningful and so true.  I feel like I've been on the mountain this weekend.  I went away to worship and be filled up with inspiration and joy and was hit in the head a few time with statements that nourished my soul..

Lysa Terkeurst, sweet lover of all things Jesus and Chick-fil-a, reminded me to, "Always keep your eyes on the Master."  We know this.  We do.  But the mundane gets to us.  In our foolishness or tiredness or whatever. . .we take our eyes off the prize Himself.  And when we lose that focus, we lose our lives to all the things of this world.  I've been wanting to lead her Unglued study. But then, for some reason, I felt like I'm not the right one for the job.  I didn't want other sisters in Christ looking to me for answers I didn't have.  So I sat on it.  Until this weekend when His voice couldn't have been any clearer to, "Do this!  Do this now!"  So I sent out an email and we will meet Friday to iron out the details of our six week study.  I see, when I really keep my eyes on the Master--he does reveal himself.  And within minutes of that email being sent--a sweet friend, who orchestrated this whole Women of Faith experience texts:

And I'm humbled.  I'm grateful--she took the time and filled me with God's word.  Friends like that are a gift.  I so wish she could do the study too, but her mama hands are busy building His kingdom with her family of soon to be five littles, and homeschooling one of them.  Her walk grows me.  She is such a blessing to me.

Ann Voskamp, whose study we finished this Spring was. . .amazing!  Her voice and words are like poetry lifted to glorify His name.  I'm not a huge fan of all the elements of poetry.  I always hated teaching that chapter because it feels intimidating to the novice to be able to pick apart prose and rhythm and literary devices.  I choose to look at poetry like a gift from the holy spirit.  You write what he inspires you to write, and seriously Ann Voskamp sounds like she could be the Holy Spirit herself--every word is such a gift.  I loved this mantra:  "The hard gifts will be for good; the good gifts will be forever; the best gifts will be forthcoming. "

I think it's not by chance  these tickets were given to me.  God sees me.  He knows my heart.  He knows my struggles. And He also knows how to reach us. . .when we call out to Him, when we place it all at His feet, when we trust His timing and ways of doing things.  He knew I needed refreshment.  He also knew as much as I enjoy meeting with my girls, sometimes I don't feel like we're holy enough, focused enough, or a cross between the two.  I struggle because like all that I do, I want to do it right.  This weekend reminded me that the true effort is enough.  His mercies are new every morning--and I don't need to aspire to be like anyone other than myself.

Finally, the tears flowed when Mercy Me performed this song because all we are doing here can not compare to our final resting place.  That thought fills me with JOY and ANTICIPATION and utter EXCITEMENT that this lifetime is only a vehicle to get me there.  I have one long life of losses to live--but only gains when it comes to Him.  I  love being a Jesus girl!!!!!

And if you have a minute,  Check this out because you might need to hear this message loudest today: You're Beautiful