Good Morning

It is a good morning indeed. Indeed. I am home following the most inspiring weekend of my life and my brain is ping-ponging with all I have been blessed with over the course of the past two days. I attended my first Women of Faith conference in downtown Pittsburgh and what an experience! Amazing speakers with incredible, heart rending life stories that touched me, taught me, tore open old hurts and brought me to tears but also blessed with healing and hope, encouraged me and motivated me, and opened my eyes and my heart to the greatest gift we've been given: God's limitless love.

Attending a function like this, immediately the verse that comes to mind is Matthew 18:20, and I am not usually a fan of the Message, but I have to say I like this interpretation the best: "And when two or three of you are together because of me, you can be sure that I'll be there."  Over 8,000 women gathered in Pittsburgh this weekend because of Jesus, and you couldn't possibly deny His being there.

I'm always amazed and humbled when I hear God speak to me. He-HE-speaks to...me. Me. So often I feel like such a nobody. Invisible and lost in the immense sea of people that fill this huge world. Like I contribute nothing...have nothing...to contribute. Who am I that HE would speak to me? It brings you to your knees. But He spoke to me this weekend about my dreams and my goals and washing away the fear and the doubt that cripples me, hinders me, stops me dead in my tracks. How could I doubt His love when all around me I am blessed with His incredible gifts: my husband, my son, our home, our family and friends, every day showered with blessings and joy. How could I doubt He would carry me through to fulfill His plans for my life?

The theme of the conference this weekend was 'Imagine', with the verse from Ephesians 3:20 (and this is the Message again) ^"God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams!" It goes further in verse 21: "He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, His Spirit deeply and gently within us." God can do anything in us. We just have to say yes. God can heal this world--through us! We just have to say yes. Stop being afraid. Stop doubting--you can't doubt the One who created this world, who gives us breath and life. We can't do much on our own but you can't doubt that HE can!! And, how great is it that He wants to do it through US! He could do it Himself--in a heartbeat. But He wants to do it through us. Healing this world, healing each other, with God, through God, heals us.

So I'm willing to trust, to try, to step out in God's grace. I know He'll lead me so long as I let Him. Wherever You want me Lord, I am willing to follow...I say yes.

I'm in there somewhere--can you find me?? Haha!