Unmerited Favor

Each of us is a minister. If you are a Christian, a Christ-follower, you have a ministry. You may not be labeled a minister by profession, or you may not be paid for your ministry work, but every person that has the Holy Spirit residing in their heart is acting as an agent or instrument of Christ, which by definition, makes you a minister.

I feel like God has called me to many ministries. First and foremost, God has called me to minister to my incredible husband and my three precious children. In fact, it's nice to see what I do in my home, for my family, as a ministry. It gives me a better perspective on the mountains of endless laundry. And it helps me find more joy in playing Barbies or Babies for the 562nd time. :) What I do at home...is definitely my most important ministry.

I also know that God has called me to ministries outside my home. I am called to ministries within my church, my community, my job- wherever I may be. Be that as it may, within the last few years, God has started to reveal a focus point for me.

Looking back on my life, I now recognize that I have always been drawn to teaching and caring for girls and women. I didn't identify it as an "official ministry" or "calling," I just became passionate about God and His purposes, and then I created ways to share this with others. I think my first 'women's biblestudy' to teach was when I was 18 or 19 years old. I had read a book called, "Lady in Waiting," by Debby Jones and Jackie Kendall. That book changed my perspective on God's love for me, specifically as a woman. Those authors taught me how to value myself, as God's beloved creation, and value my purity. These beautiful, biblical concepts were life-changing for me, and I knew they could change the lives of others, hence, my first group to lead in study. Teaching those younger girls in that group about God's love, and caring for them as they learned and grew was a life-changing experience.

When we are in the middle of God's will for our lives, and we fulfill the purposes He has marked for us, it is intensely gratifying.

Thankfully, in the 14 years since then, God has given me many more opportunities to teach and encourage. As He continually unveils more of His life-changing truth to me, He continually gives me a deep desire to share it. I've had the privilege of leading groups of women in study and discussion. I've had the honor of speaking to groups of women about Him. And perhaps most importantly, He has placed specific women in my life for me to act as iron on iron and lift up as we walk this journey together.

He has given me a "women's ministry."

Proverbs 31 is an organized, international minstry that God uses to reach women in many different ways. One of the ways Proverbs 31 spiritually equips women is through an annual conference called "She Speaks." It is a conference for women who want to maximize the effectiveness of their ministries. For this reason, I want to go to this conference. I want to learn practical ways to fulfill this calling God has put on my life. To learn about this conference you can go to: http:shespeaksconference.com/

I am writing this entry in hopes of receiving a scholarship to attend this awesome conference. http://reneeswope.blogspot.com/2011/03/she-speaks-womens-ministry-leadership.html I know there are many worthy women. And we all could use help in learning how to minister to God's people better. So, I understand that I am asking for unmerited favor. But if it is God's plan for me to receive this privilege, I will be incredibly grateful.

Super Hero

For the past four days, we have had sickness in our house. It started with Adelyn on Wednesday. She coughed, and coughed, and coughed. Then came fever and throwing up, etc. Her diagnosis was pneumonia. Then, Ellie and I got sick on Thursday night with a stomach virus. So there were three down, and only two left standing. Thankfully, one of those was Dawson Wayne.

He is always a wonderful, caring husband and father, but in times if stress and sickness, he truly shines. He had to act as Super Dad, and as Super nurse for over 48 hours. And he did it...without complaint. Thankfully for us, he has inherited his mother's incredible bedside manner. He was so sweet, and thoughtful, and caring. He handled the whole situation with a calm gentleness and never-ending patience.

Right now, he is on the couch with the two older ones, rubbing their backs while he tells them stories. He amazes me. He is my super hero!