So I’ve been home for two weeks now and I’ve mostly been resting, spending some time with family and seeing some friends. Its been nice having time to rest and be with my family. This weekend was especially awesome though. I went to the Women’s Encounter at Life Center this weekend and it was great to connect with new people and soak in God’s presence!
When we got to the conference and signed in, we all got name tags with our name and a saying with them. The awesome part was that every little saying was unique to the person! Mine said “Bestowed with grace”. Love it! Everyone was also given a pair of comfy socks and a journal- another part I loved! (I think I loved it all though! haha) The worship all weekend was amazing and so was the speaking. Beni Johnson spoke during two of the sessions, and she spoke about fear and supernatural hope. One of the things that stuck with me the most was when she compared fear to a wireless bra. Apparently bras with wire in them cause scar tissue, so its recommended that women wear bras without wire in them (interesting, isn’t it?) She took that and said this: “Things that bind us up, tear us up.” Fear controls us if we let it, but God gives us a supernatural hope. This means we don’t have to live in fear! Awesome, right?? There’s so much I could write about, but I won’t. I really want to focus on one thing that caught my attention today. Let’s be people of hope!
Anne Stock was speaking in the third session about a book her niece has written called “1,000 Gifts”. It’s a book about learning to appreciate all the little things we tend to rush right past everyday- the gifts that God gives us that we forget to be thankful for. In the book, the author lists 1,000 things that she’s thankful for. It’s a great way to notice all the ways that God loves us! I think it’s pretty cool. So anyhow, Anne challenged us to something called a “Love Dare”. She asked us to start writing out the gifts that God’s given us that we’re thankful for. It’s sad what I’ve missed because I rush everywhere- but I want to stay awake every moment of everyday so I don’t miss anything anymore. So here’s the start of my 1,000 gifts:
1. Hugs from friends and family who love me
2. The smell of flowers
3. Letters in the mail
4. Sunsets
5. The way it smells after it rains
6. Godly role models
7. The “a-ha” moments my students get
8. Sisters and sister time
9. A good book on a rainy day
10. Hikes and waterfalls
11. Animals- small and big
12. Brother
13. Talking with good friends
14. Grandmas who love to spoil grandchildren
15. A shoulder to cry on
16. Someone to laugh with
So there it is! Are you going to take the love dare and start your own list? Stay awake and don’t miss out on the little things in life! “In giving thanks for the life I already have, I find the life that I have always wanted.” (Check out this verse—Ephesians 5:20)
During the conference we were given a verse- no one had the same verse. I adore my verse and I think it is very fitting to this stage of life that I am in right now. Isaiah 41:9-10 (NIV):
9 I took you from the ends of the earth,
from its farthest corners I called you.
I said, ‘You are my servant’;
I have chosen you and have not rejected you.
10 So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
