So, I went to a conference recently.
It was a Christian blogging conference and I have to be honest, I was seriously asking myself what I thought I was doing. Going to a blogging conference when I have written five posts in 18 months? Every time I would try and stress myself out (please tell me I’m not the only one), I would get this peace that only God could provide.
I went and had a blast. Met and got hugs from some awesome ladies in real life from my online world. I was hoping for clarity and direction for this blog and I received it.
God was up to something big from the beginning and everybody there knew it. The air of expectancy and openness to hear from God was tremendous. For me, it was a chipping away of wrong beliefs about others and myself. Each keynote speaker addressed another piece of the puzzle in a way that only God could orchestrate.
Saturday night was a time of worship. As David Walker opened the night describing praise in the Hebrew and to just lift up our hands and, for me, my heart to the heavens. As I stood there with eyes closed and hands upheld, the phrase “You Are Enough” kept going through my head.
For me, that phrase was symbolic. I have lived in a world where I was pretty sure I was NOT enough. I have lived in depression for most of the last three years. God has released me from the actual depression but the chaos that it created is still wreaking havoc on my world. I have not been the wife, mom or friend I would have liked to be. But God has given me enough grace and strength for the job He has given me to do. The job of encouraging other women to walk the healing journey of discovering who GOD says you are.
On an ending note, we each received a necklace in our goodie bag from the conference. What do you think mine said?
Sara it was so fun meeting you and having dinner that first night!! I too felt His presence that weekend and was so blessed to be a part of it!!
Thank you so much for letting me tag along for dinner that first night. It set the open and expecting tone for the whole weekend. I am so glad we got to meet in(RL). Looking forward to possibly seeing more of you in the coming year.
No lie; meeting you was in my top 10. You have no idea how blessed I was to hear you say “MsLorretty!” and to turn around and be recognized by *somebody* when I thought I’d been desperately invisible for so long. God really IS up to something and I know for a fact, give it ALL to him, write from there and watch the healing pour forth. Bless you SarahVee
I do not usually do that but I had seen ermergersh recently and loved it. So thankful God gave me you and the others that weekend. May none of us ever think we are invisible. Many blessings to you to MsLoretty!
Every minute with you was so precious to me. I sat by you and watched God call you, fill you, and love all over you. I was waiting for this post. Excellent, and cant wait to see God use you to help so many.
You just made me cry. You and Loretta are some of God’s best blessings to me. Thank you so much for your encouragement and I know there were prayers too. It was greatly felt and greatly needed. Much love.
Hey, travel buddy! I am so glad that we got to spend some time together. Thanks for listening to my story and sharing yours with me. It’s awesome how God moved that weekend. LOVE the necklace you got!
It was awesome that we got to be travel buddies. Thanks for listening to my ramblings. I didn’t even look at my necklace until after I got home but it was definitely a sentiment that God has reiterated numerous times since I have been home. Been praying. Hugs to you.
So wonderful to read how the Lord met you and freed you there. Loved our time together walking the beautiful street of Greenville. … Felt God’s favor on us in every way that weekend.
Rich blessings! 🙂
Thanks Kathy. I definitely felt God’s favor that weekend and have felt His prompting ever since. Blessings to you too!
Thanks for writing your thoughts. It reminded me of what a good time we had. SO gonna keep writing?
I’ll follow you! 🙂
You are too funny Miss Julie! I am going to continue to fight the good fight and keep writing. Thanks for the “follow”. I am very glad that God allowed our paths to cross that weekend. Blessings to you dear one.
Dear Sara,
First of all, you have a gift to put into words, written and verbal, many things that others, me, are feeling and thinking – thank you. Please keep writing. You may not know this side of heaven how valuable your gift is to someone else!
Secondly, I’m so happy to have the opportunity to get to know you through community. You and I have more in common than you know. I look forward to learning from you and with you. God puts people together for a reason!
Blessings! Mary Jo
Thank you Mary Jo! I am feeling more peaceful. I pray that my words did and will encourage. This has always felt bigger than me and I know that means I can’t do it on my own, only with God. I am also looking forward to growing together in community. Blessings!
Beautiful! Stepping out of our comfort zone seems to pay off a lot these days, doesn’t it? Yes, do let your light shine. You have a gift with words!
Thank you so much Tina! There does seem to be a lot of stepping out these days. I now need the discipline to use my words consistently. Thanks for the encouragement.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Thank you for that great reminder!