Notes from the Heart

This weekend, I was scheduled to travel to Ohio to speak at a women's retreat. I'd been looking forward to it for months, preparing, praying...and then of course it was postponed along with everything taking place in everyone else's lives.

At first the retreat organizers planned to go ahead, even after group sizes were limited. The size of this group was small enough that it shouldn't impact us. But then the group size went down to ten, and restaurants were ordered to close. That was the end of the retreat at this time, and as I agreed to move forward with it at a later date, when gatherings are safe again, I asked the retreat leader if I could craft an email message for those who planned to attend the retreat. She gave me permission, and I thought maybe someone else might need the words I shared with that group. 

So here were my thoughts - and I'll allow them to apply to you in whatever way you need best.

The theme of the retreat was to be (and will be, when we can reschedule it) Your Story Matters. I have so many exciting thoughts to share with you about the truth of that statement – things the Lord has taught me over the span of my life. And of course, I will save those snippets and stories to share with you at that time, but I asked if I could send a message to you as a pre-retreat morsel that I hope is helpful and encouraging to you!       

     

This story that we’re all living right now – this wildly confusing, uncomfortable, disruptive story we are living as a collective world – matters. It does. 

These are not easy times. Some of you are home from work and not being paid – and you don’t know how long that might last. Some of you are home with children that you didn’t expect to have home with you just yet, and you’re scrambling to find routine and a way to teach them things you hadn’t felt prepared to teach. Some of you are wondering where the provisions will come from, because you’re down to your last…something. Some of you are sick with worry over aging family members or friends – or children with compromised immunity. Or maybe you’re scared for your own health’s safety. 

But this time matters, because even in this, God is working and moving, and this chapter of our lives counts for sure in the grand scheme.

A couple of days ago, the music pastor at our church said to me, “This is hard, but on the other side of this, I want to be able to look back and be proud of the way I chose to handle it. I want my faith to show even in this.” She didn’t mean proud as in boastful. She meant it appropriately – in a God-enabled satisfaction. 

Is it okay for me to offer a suggestion to all of you, even though I haven’t officially met you yet? As you walk (plod, stumble, crawl, whatever) through this season of life, jot down the things that boost your faith. Maybe a song you hear, a verse you read, a financial provision God makes, an act of kindness you witness…anything at all. Watch for Him to be at work and keep a list. When the hard days press in (as they’re bound to do) pull out the list and read it, reminding yourself that God has shown Himself faithful in your life’s story. And make a fresh determination to show yourself faithful to Him! When we’re on the other side of this very hard time, may you look back with gratitude and God-enabled satisfaction for how you chose to handle it.

May you sense the Lord especially near in this time!