Find Faith, Hope, and Encouragement for Your Walk with God

Even though I see God working in my everyday life and the lives of others, I continue to be amazed every time it happens. This week has been a whirlwind with the writing conference. By the time the day is done I am inspired and encouraged and EXHAUSTED! Our worship leaders are unmatched and their personal story is nothing short of inspiring. The classes have provided affirmation on God’s path for me as well as opened doors to follow on projects. I miss my family and I rarely take time to do something for just me-this was the week. Today I scheduled my pitch to the one publisher I selected out of the many available. You have 15 minutes to pitch your project in order to spark enough interest that they want to see more. I selected this publisher by looking at their faculty website, I had not met the editor/representative prior to this conference. At the conference, you select courses that interest you and the “How to write a transformational Bible Study” intrigued me. I have previously shared how my relationship with God grew through my teaching of our neighborhood and church Bible studies. I danced around the idea of maybe writing my own Bible Study one day, so I signed up. The instructor was the same individual that I would be pitching later in the week. I have officially become a “bible nerd”. This class continued to drive me to want to dig deeper into the word and to share the passion for God’s word to others. Wow-I could not wait to get to this class everyday. As the days passed, I knew I wanted to work with her on my first book project.

I am so excited to be at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference this week spending dedicated time on my writing and listening to God’s direction surrounded by a like minded community. One of the speakers this evening, Edie Melson shared that 40 is a key number in the Bible. 40 is the number of trials, testing, and tribulations. The Israelites wandered for 40 years before they would enter the Promised Land. Moses spent 40 days and nights on Mount Sinai. Jesus, Moses, and Elijah all spent 40 days fasting. In those 40 days Satan tempted Jesus time and again. Day 41 is the day of rebirth, our time of preparation and hardship leads to our renewal, our purification. Jesus, Moses, Elijah, and the Israelites all moved forward to fulfill God’s work and promises on day 41. These words resonated with me along with the song sang in worship, “It is Well With My Soul” written by Horatio Spafford. I have been in the 40 days but this week, I welcome day 41. “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1, NIV)

People who know me recognize that I am busy. Most meetings start with thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule, or appreciation for me giving them minutes in a day filled with more critical minutes spent on more essential tasks. These last few days, I have recognized what those words really mean and I the message today is for all that have said that to me in the past, you know who you are. “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens…” (Ecclesiastes 3:1, NIV) I have one on ones scheduled with not only my direct reports, but also individuals that either reach out or who’s leaders reach out for me to “mentor” them. These one on ones are the highest priority on my calendar only surpassed by senior leaders placing time on my calendar. I don’t have these engagements because I have to, but because I want to. I had two of these meetings late this week and I have not stopped talking about either engagement. These meetings fill my cup as much as theirs. It gives me a chance to pay it forward, to share my lessons learned and in doing so, to learn myself. So for those individuals, you matter more than those busy schedules, you are my critical tasks.