Women of Faith 2010

I enjoy any excuse to blot out distractions and just focus on God. I enjoy retreats of any kind and look forward to more mission trips when Matthew is older. This is my 3rd year to go to Women of Faith when they came to Dallas. God just plans it perfectly when I (and thousands of others) need it most. This year was an even more special blessing in one way since last spring when people are usually planning and talking about it I was still in newborn transition mode. Friday afternoon an email came across our church prayer list that someone couldn't make their slot for Saturdays sessions. Billy very kindly postponed his movie with a friend to Sunday afternoon. I was a very last minute addition to this incredible group of women.


Billy and Matthew got a day to themselves. Mommy got to be around estrogen ;-) I adore both my boys and am very thankful to have a husband willing to adjust his schedule at the mention of the possibility of going with out me asking for something I didn't have to even say how much I needed.

What did I take away from this day? I met a few new women, ( I did miss my WOF buddy from the last two years, Amy though....) got the encouragement of sitting there with thousands of others around the metroplex trying to be like Christ and got a powerful reminder of the spiritual warfare for the battle field of my mind. The theme was Imagine.

"Imagine what it would be like if the God who created us was willing and able to provide exactly what we need. Why would He do that? Because He loves us. He loves YOU. Imagine that."



We all have different spiritual gifts and struggles. Through a spiritual gifts class I took several years ago, mine is mercy. My struggle is doubt. God stretched some stiff muscles with the reminder of how to approach the emotions and thoughts knocking at the door of my heart. Just like I wouldn't let anyone in my home that would emotionally or physically attack me. I would look through the peep hole and see who is standing there. Do I know them? Are they someone I want to be around? I need to remember that not every thought and feeling is from God. I need to stay on guard filtering everything through the truth of God's promises. If something makes me turn inward and focus on self I need to very careful where that label is originating. While biblical knowledge of stories, facts, times and background are good to have, that knowledge is not the foundation of my faith. My faith is about trusting God no matter what. I think trust goes deeper than just knowing or having a relationship. Trusting him with my past, present and future here on earth and after. I need to be very cautious of the subconscious promises I make to myself while hurting.

The lesson continues now having a child. It's trusting that no matter how much I love and want to protect my son, God loves Him even more. I must trust his unknown future to my known and loving God. God has His own specific and precious plan for this child he's entrusted me. I don't necessarily trust this world that's full of immaturity, lack of self control, selfishness, unresolved hurt, the need to control. I do want Matthew to see this world full of possibilities and caring people. Is anyone going to love him as much as Billy and I do and the way we do? No, but he'll learn something from everyone he comes in contact with and will be a better person for having known them. I trust God with his heart, his future and the way He will use Matthew for His purposes. Success for my child isn't about college and a career. It's about Christ..... Which leads me to my next entry. The day after WOF was Baby Dedication Day at my church.