This last weekend, I went to the Women of Faith conference in Denver by myself. I've been feeling a little disconnected for the last several weeks and needed an opportunity to recharge and reconnect with God. I came into the conference a little broken because I'm still dealing with the fallout of a recent struggle, and it's been a challenge for me to stay focused on what is supposed to be the center of my life (God, in case you didn't know!). I knew two of the speakers--Sheila Walsh, (who's one of my favorite speakers/authors) and Lisa Harper who is a riot! I didn't know much of anyone else on stage, but just really needed to be in the midst of thousands of women wanting to celebrate Jesus. Anyway, I had the most amazing "God Moment" and I needed to share it with you....
I rode the light rail from my hotel off Arapaho Road by the Denver Tech Center to the Pepsi Center on Friday evening and on my way home, a lady from the conference sat across from me and randomly chatted about what was going on in her life. A client from her office had come in several months ago with pre-purchased tickets to the WOF conference and asked her to take one as a gift! She accepted, although she wasn't sure she would really be able to go. You see a little over a year ago, her daughter died. I don't know how, but I know she was struggling with the sadness of losing her 27 year old sweet girl. And despite her sorrow, she decided to go ahead and come and see what the Women of Faith was about.
I don't know this lady's name, but when I climbed into bed on Friday night, I felt the Holy Spirit urging me to pray for her, so I did. I talked to God about her and told Him what I saw. I asked him to please just show up for her in a mighty way. I prayed that she would KNOW that she was not alone in this struggle and pain. I wanted her to know that God, no matter how hurt she was, was right in the middle of her suffering and was holding on to her.
The next day, Angie Smith got up to speak. She is the wife of the lead singer (Todd Smith) of Selah. I knew NOTHING about her. As she spoke, she began to tell her story of her family. How 4 1/2 years ago, at an 18 week ultrasound, they found out that their sweet daughter, Audrey, was not developing and would not survive. Angie and Todd made the decision to continue the pregnancy and trust God. She went on to say that Audrey was born at 39 weeks, and she lived for just 2 1/2 hours. But she got to see her sweet Audrey and hold her and "love her a lifetime's worth." Then, she asked that if any women felt comfortable, that there was no pressure, she wanted any women in the audience who had lost a child to stand up and be acknowledged so that they could know they weren't alone, that there were people who understood exactly how they felt. So many women stood. It was the one of the most bittersweet moments I've ever experienced.
And right here is where my God moment happened......you see, in that moment, I felt Him. I knew He was there. And I knew He was speaking to her. I knew He was loving that woman from the train. God had not only SHOWN this woman that He was right in the midst of her sorrow, holding her hand, but that she was not alone. And He gave me a visibly answered prayer.
I know He answers prayer, but sometimes in the Christian life, we say "He answers prayers," or "We just need to trust Him," or "God is good," but sometimes it's just words. Sometimes we forget....we say it, but it's because we're conditioned to say it or it's what we've been taught a "good Christian" says. To be reminded in the middle of my own struggles and sorrows that He hears me, to see that tangible evidence.......it was almost overwhelming. He hears me. He hears her. He hears you. And we're not alone. Not ever. Not even for a second.
