When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look,
God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!”
And Moses said, “Here I am.”
“Do not come any closer,” God said.
“Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.”
Exodus 3:4-5
It wasn’t a long drive. Just under 2 hours.
It was a little rainy…OK, when I left it was a LOT rainy. But traffic wasn’t bad and I was able to set the cruise control and drive.
I began to pray. “Lord, be with me this weekend. Give me the grace to stretch myself outside my box. Give me the courage to sit with people and talk with people and seek out people…that are different than me.”
And HE did.
And I did.
And I was on holy ground. Ground sanctioned by Him. Ground that was ready for seeds to be planted. Ground that was watered. Now it is up to me to nourish the planted seed, continue the watering and watch it grow.
I am not talking about watching my blog grow, my friend. No. I am talking about watching ME grow in HIM. Using this space for HIS glory. For HIS honor. My story is not remarkable, but it IS my story.
I don’t know that I can put into words what I learned from this panel. The big thing I learned is MY WORDS are OK. Yes, they gave tips for improving my writing, but they encouraged those of us in the workshop that our story is just that. OUR STORY.
Lisa Jo said, “We don’t need another Ann Voskamp.”
She is right. God created one Ann Voskamp and he created me. My story is important to HIM.
Sara and Sarah spent a few minutes with me after the workshop. They reminded me that what I say matters.
If I reach one person for HIM through this blog, then that is all that I am called to do.
And that is OK.
And that is OK.
Lord, thank you for the weekend of learning and growing. For meeting new friends. Thank you for the three young ladies that had this vision and dream a couple of years ago. Thank you for the supportive families of the organizers and presenters. Lord, you were present in the conference this weekend and I am so grateful for the privilege of attending.
In the next days and weeks, I hope to share pictures and stories. I learned so much. Met so many…it will take a while to process.
I was attending The Relevant Conference. What did you do this weekend?
Have a great Monday.
Mary, I am so excited about your adventure with people and God and looking forwad in the days ahead to hearing more and seeing your pictures.
Have a lovely week.
Much love,
D.
Hi Mary! You are so right! I gained the same thing at Relevant. It's so easy to compare, but so deadly to your soul. Thanks for the reminder. Blessings this week!
Shannon
Oh Mary,
I'm so happy to hear this great report and look forward to hearing more from you.
Hope your Monday is fantastic.
~a
There are no words to tell you just how much fun it was to meet you, and to hang out with you this weekend. I'm SO glad you came to Relevant11, and that Michelle and Nancy found you in the lobby.
Blogging, in our own words, and witnessing for God, is important because we never know who is reading what we write. Maybe, someone, somewhere, gets to read what we write and, perhaps for the first time, finds God.
God bless.
What a wonderful conference you attended!
Mary, so excited that you were able to go ~ how I would love to have gone! Maybe one day & one day to meet you. Looking forward to hearing more from you weekend.
My weekend consisted of hosting our couples Sunday School Party here Saturday night & a Sunday afternoon drive enjoying what the Lord had painted for me! :))