I had the privilege to attend the She Speaks Women’s Writing and Speaking conference this weekend.
Saying it was amazing is an understatement.
This was not my first in person attendance as I had attended in 2017.
I marvel at and with God at how much has changed in my life since then.
As I showed up to the conference, things had not gone as I had expected. Flights had been delayed due to a major storm. My attitude was terrible at a few things that had happened, until I realized just how much worse it could have been.
A storm in Toronto that left the streets flooded shifted my perspective and once I let go of my bad attitude, it was as if my eyes were opened and I was reminded that I could look at other options.
Those other options took me to a different airport going and getting back into a better airport on the way back. There was such a lesson for me in this, but I had to let go of my bad attitude to be able to experience it.
As I got to the conference and started thinking some things and finally taking the moments to consider the reasons I was at this particular conference this year, I asked God to show me.
When I opened my eyes at 1:30 in the morning, fully awake, I knew that it was time for my answer. That used to be the time that God spoke to my heart in the early days. I didn’t have my Bible, so I used the next best thing – my Bible app, asking Him to still speak.
Almost at the time I was ready to go back to sleep, the reminder came ‘Keep Showing Up’.
Later in the morning as I sat in the first session, I needed to make sure I captured the words before the first speaker said anything. I didn’t know the topic but, I wanted to make sure I was reminded of what God had whispered to my heart before the first words were uttered. I wrote it down, along with the date and the current time.
And, through her message she confirmed ‘keep showing up’.
When we show up, God does the rest.
As I now have some quiet moments, I realize this is not the first time God has shown me to keep showing up, no matter what the situation looks like and no matter how hard it feels. He asked me to keep showing up, until I got the green light that the assignment had changed.
Friends, I don’t know what season you are walking through. I don’t know if you are disappointed with how things have gone, even when you felt so strongly that this was the next thing you needed to do. If I can offer you a word of encouragement. If you know you are walking the path that has been set for you, would you join me and ‘keep showing up’? The outcome may blow your mind away.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for all you’ve done. Thank you for the doors you opened and the provision you gave so that I could attend this conference to be poured into and refreshed for the work that you have called me to do. When I get weary and frustrated at not seeing the outcome I expect, would you please remind me to Keep Showing Up – even if I may never see the full outcome on this side of eternity.