Recently, I led two seminars on "Discovering the Song Written in Your Heart" in Chilton, Wisconsin at the annual Ladies' Breakaway. Speaking there is always a highlight of the year for me. I try to do it on what is close to my heart that particular year.
The book, The Grand Weaver by Ravi Zacharias, given to me by my friend and mentor Kay Dickey, was pivotal in helping Tom and me and in inspiring this message. He is an outstanding communicator and clearly helps people see how God is weaving every intricate part of their lives into a beautiful tapestry. Accepting your DNA, circumstances, gifts abilities and even limitations and difficulties and yielding them to our awesome Creator is the starting and restarting point of developing into these special masterpieces. The book helped us see how Tom has special aptitudes, personality traits and gifting to do chaplaincy work. I felt he was a great shepherd/pastor too, but circumstances have seemed to direct us this way. I once again saw how my life is being spun in a special way (in more ways than one:)) and that I continue to love to teach and encourage.
Tapestry - picture one. Picture two: a daisy. All the gifting, talents, abilities, passions..can be used in many special ways to express ourselves and help others. They can be used directly and indirectly to "surround" Christ, who has given or bestowed us with them. When I moved here, I chose to find places to use what I believe mine are. Encouragement at the food pantry, sometimes prayer with the clients if they want it and and teaching at a little after school Bible club were my first opportunities. I had success using the Weight Watchers' program and eventually was retrained as a leader and receptionist. It helps with the bills and once again, I do the things I enjoy - helping others succeed as well and being up in front as a coach. I have also been able to meet with a couple of younger girls at my church a couple of times and we just formed a small ladies' Bible study group. Expressing myself through these blogs, thanks to the persistence of our daughter Katie, has also been a song in my heart that I can now voice.
Bouquet of Praise - picture 3. Corrie Ten Boom, known as a survivor of Nazi concentration camps where she witnessed her sister being killed, used to speak on forgiveness all around the world. She actually met the man who had murdered her sister. His life had changed and he was truly sorry and she was able to greet him. She would go home after her speeches, get on her knees and offer a bouquet of praise in thanks to the Lord. I do praise God for opportunities that are opened to me - even that I am trusted with a key to the Weight Watchers' meeting places:). In the Bible, we are called the "aroma of Christ" as well. That is what I want my life to be! I am stressed as I sometimes have to pull up by boot straps in new situations and find where I fit. When I choose to find those places, I am blessed.
