Conference

I think it was early Fall when my eyes spotted an announcement for Kathy Troccoli's conference "Among Friends" being held at a local church in the spring. I called my friend to see if she wanted to join me. We ordered our tickets and waited. Weeks went by quickly, even if it was the longest winter I ever witnessed. Then the weekend was here. To be honest, as the weekend approached I had mixed thoughts. I was still excited and glad I was going, but I also had many things to accomplish and thinking of those things made it harder to think about sitting for several hours in a service. However, I still went. It was pouring rain on Friday as I drove and I got wet going to and from the garage and then the parking lot to the church.

I found my seat and settled in for the evening. It was a two day event. I would be returning in the morning as well. The evening went by quickly. I was glad I went. It was nice. I had a headache all day from allergies and weather changes. I was distracted, but still thankful I went. I woke up several times during the night with the headache still very present. I prayed I could still be able to go. Within minutes of my hot shower, my headache was leaving. I got ready and went to the church. Met my friend, took my seat, and hoped the headache was finally gone. The next three and half hours went by quickly. I felt great. I thanked God for taking the headache away. I also know that Satan didn't want me at the conference and he wanted me distracted. He was almost successful. But I had prayed that Greater is He that is in me, than he that is in the world. I asked the Lord to clear my mind and help me focus. I knew I was to be there. I just wasn't sure why.

Friends, He loves us. He loves you. He knows you and he knows what you need when you need it. The conference was an answer to prayer. The theme was planned out months in advance. The speakers were chosen for that moment. I needed time with my Savior. I needed reminded He is real. I needed a moment where if I reached out I would touch him. I needed refreshed. I needed a new spark. My life is busy right now and I have not been in His word for weeks. I have read highlights. But being in the word to me is highlighting, taking notes, praying, asking questions, and searching for answers.

As I listened to the guests share their hearts and speak Truth I made the connection that God had quietly been speaking to me for weeks. He had some things I needed to hear again and again. I needed to hear how much He loves me. I needed to be with sisters in Christ who had one purpose and one purpose only. To draw us closer to Him and not them. One of her guests was Karen Kingsbury. I could write many things, but I want to keep this shorter this week. She read a poem that she wrote for her kids. It is about if I had known it was going to be the last time would I have enjoyed it more? It was about those times we tucked them in for their last nap, we washed that jersey for the last time, we helped with homework, etc. It ends with the child heading off to college.

That is where I am at right now. Many of you reading this have done this and many more will be doing it in years to come. We have twin daughters and there have been times when we have had to deal with two at one time. Most times it is awesome, but a few times it makes it harder because there are two. This is one of those times. We don't have older and younger, we have same age. So we do it once. We get one shot. Both are graduating. Both are getting ready to live adult lives. I truly couldn't be happier or prouder. I could write many things, but I was struggling this week. I was dealing with the haunting questions of did I do enough, did I say the right things at the right time. Did I finish the list of things we wanted to do before this day came? On and on. As Karen read her poem, the tears ran down my face. It was my heart. Did I enjoy the time God gave me with these two precious girls? They will no longer be under our direct control. They are adults. They have proven themselves ready and so we celebrate. Life has changes. I hate change. Yet, good comes with change. I can't live with regrets. I need to embrace the future and be excited. My heart felt lighter.

The final speaker was Donna Van Liere. She is the author of the "The Christmas Shoes". She spoke truth. The kind of truth we don't hear often enough. She reminded us that we need to be reading and knowing God's word. Many will be deceived. Many will seek, but few will be chosen. She reminded us many saw Christ heal. But few were chosen to go into the room to heal the daughter of Jairus. Two to be exact. She also reminded us that we are no longer sickened by people breaking God's moral code. In other words, nothing shocks us anymore. We are becoming numb to what society does. We also allow people to water down God's word to meet our needs. We read the verses we want to read. Do we know His Word and then in turn recognize when it is being changed? She spoke of two people who were desperate to see/talk to Jesus. They were so desperate they didn't care the consequences for doing so, and believe me they were serious consequences.

I walked away on Saturday, refreshed, renewed and excited. I want to be chosen. I want to live a life that if Christ had to pick a few people to join him in a miracle experience that I would be found worthy enough to be chosen. I want to know His Word, so when I come across the watered down versions I can flee. I want to be desperate. I want to be so desperate for Him, that I will serve Him regardless of the consequences.

Why do I share are all this? Why should you care? It was my experience, it was my challenges, it was my weekend. True. However, the same can happen to you. I want to encourage you to take the time to spend with Him. Go to the bible studies. Listen to the worship music. Dust off that bible and dig in to it. Write your own commentary on a book of the bible and share it with others. Tell what you are learning. Pray. Pray for protection from the enemy. He can't steal your soul, but He can distract you and make you feel weak. Trust. Trust with all your heart that where you are and what you are going through is for a greater purpose. I needed this weekend. God knew I would months ago. He had me see the small advertisement announcing it. He met me with the needs I had. 

Have a blessed week and I pray you will find some quiet time with him. He is waiting to shower you with His power, presence and His love. Seek Him and you will find Him. Ask and it will be given. He is crazy about you!