I started writing this post on October 24, 2017 at the encouragement of a friend, who was at the retreat mentioned below. I got interrupted (probably by a child:)) and never finished the post nor posted it. I think, in my heart, I determined that I would write again when the kids were more independent. This same friend texted me tonight (April 23, 2019), encouraging me again to pick up my blog. So, I am posting this in honor of her...we'll see what God does with it...
It's been just about 3 years to the day that I posted last. In those last three years we have completed Foster Care training and received our first placement (a six week old boy), who lived with us for 18 months, until we adopted him about a year ago. And the last year has been spent "recovering" and getting my feet under me while homeschooling and rearing these four precious ones the LORD has entrusted to us. They are now almost 10, 7 and a half, almost 5, and 2 and a half.
I love coming alongside them, helping them learn, and getting to witness their development.
I also had another love kindled two weeks ago. I spoke at our church's Women's Retreat. The topic was "How to Guide Our Emotions by the Gospel of Jesus Christ." The theme of our retreat was "Intimacy with Christ." Friday night's speaker spoke on "Intimacy from Above: Our relationship with Christ," then mine was "Intimacy Within" and the Saturday afternoon speaker was "Intimacy Reaching Out: How to Love Others through the Gospel of Jesus Christ."
It was so refreshing to fellowship with these 40 ladies through the Gospel-centered messages.
And it was humbling to be one of those speaking God's message, especially since the other two speaker were ladies who were decades older than me, had children my age, and clearly had life experience and wisdom I did not. God kept reminding me of 1 Timothy 4:12 - "Do not let others look down on you because you are young, but be an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity."
It has been 15 years since I was regularly giving messages on what God was teaching me during my time on staff with The Navigators collegiate ministry.
And the opportunity to teach from the journey the LORD has had me on regarding emotions, re-sparked and fanned that flame. I love when God teaches me something, I percolate on it, form the thoughts into something transferable and then have the opportunity to come alongside ladies in their faithful journeys by sharing that God-given message with them (whether to one person, a small group, or a large group). I didn't really let anyone know that I liked public speaking because:
1) I feared it would feed my pride
2) I thought others (more seasoned women) had better things to share
3) I didn't want it to seem I was hungry for the limelight
4) I didn't want to take the opportunity away from others who might want to speak
My recent experience has taught me:
1) This is an opportunity to count "any gain I had as loss" (Phil. 3:7), remember that I am God's workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works (Eph. 2:10), and have God refine my heart to one that remembers I am the clay.
2) When you know God and know His Word, You can share His wisdom no matter your age (1 Timothy 4:12)
3) He is the Potter, I am the clay, He fashions me as the instrument He wants to use and then uses me whether that be in the home, in the office, in the hospital, or in the limelight.
4) Most people don't WANT to speak to a group of people! (It is a uniqueness God has granted me).
5) I was able to look back and see how God has been preparing me for this talk in particular and these lessons since 7th grade.
6) Preparing for the message, giving the message, and processing the feedback from the message has continued to refine me in ways I wouldn't be able to without it!
7) I am excited to see what God may do with this flame He has fanned in the near or more distant future.
