I had the honor and privilege of attending the She Speaks Conference in North Carolina this year, for the second time. She Speaks is a speaker/writer/leadership conference hosted by the wonderful women of Proverbs 31 Ministries.
My friend Carmen and I traveled together. We would also be roomies at the conference. She and I met on Compel Training, a membership site for those who want to learn writing and move people with our words. This would be the most amount of time we had ever spent together. How would it go?
Turns out, we are two peas in a pod. We discovered we’re both rule followers. On the plane, we tsk-tsked together when the gentleman in front of us didn’t put his seat in the upright position before take off. We laughed until we cried one night at the blinking light on the TV, which we both knew would keep us awake. Yes, even with our eyes closed. We’re like that. Could God have found a more perfect roomie for me – old me – who is set in her ways? I think not.
At the conference we found out that the P31 staff had been bathing us in prayer. I was so humbled that these busy women, organizing a conference for 700 or more women, had taken the time to pray for each of us – by name! Humbled and honored.
But of course, when an older (ahem) writer is placed in a room full of younger more experienced writers and speakers, the insecurities do kick in. Not to worry, our faithful God had us covered. At the opening session, we each had a scroll at our place setting. As each woman slowly unrolled her scroll, you could hear gasps, tears and shouts of joy. The P31 team had given a unique scripture to each of us.
Mine was 1 Corinthians 1:26-30:
“For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are so that no man may boast before God. But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption,”
God chose me – foolish and weak – to proclaim the truth of His word through writing. How did He know I would need that very verse? Not only at the conference, but each time I ponder this question: Why bother writing?
God showed up in a big way at this conference. And that should be no surprise.
“For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.” Matthew 18:20 (NASB)
Here are a few more inspirations and take-aways from She Speaks 2015:
- We must be with Him before we are sent out by Him. Lysa TerKeurst
- Trusting God is THE most important thing. Liz Curtis Higgs
- The key to boldness is knowing God is with us. Our greatest need is the power of the Holy Spirit. Micca Campbell
- You can only go and tell if you have seen and heard. Liz Curtis Higgs
Until next week,
