I was still in my robe and wet hair on the bed, eating breakfast from the room service tray when the phone rang. She apologized for what she was going to ask before I even knew the request. Said she knew it was last minute but they had some changes in the schedule and could I, would I please be willing to introduce Kay Warren before she spoke in a main session this morning.
Stand up in front of a couple thousand people in a ballroom and introduce her.
And the night before, the way God showed up in a hotel conference room among friends in a chance meeting with the son whose father led me to Christ thirty years earlier, it gave me the courage to say yes, I will do it.
Because if God can bring your past to collide with your present in a matter of moments, to show how much He loves you, then He can give the courage to do something you feel incapable of doing.
I met Kay in the ready room, holding the paper with a few lines about her life, just in case someone didn’t know the woman who is a household name in the Christian world. And I thought, is this all I am to say about someone that sells millions of books, travels around the world, touches countless souls for Christ?
We all stood quiet among the bottled water and fruit trays watching three assistants pull wires through her suit jacket, around hair sprayed perfect, while going over notes at the same time. All the while, she stays focused mentally between questions, like being saturated in the afterglow of His presence in the holy of holies.
Jesus pulled back the veil, let me see behind the stage of the mantle of spiritual authority that he gives to those He chooses, and I understood the fear of the Lord in a new way.
An assistant asked us to gather for a photo, like something checked off the to-do list. Afterward, we stood in a circle holding hands, asked God for His will to be done. And when I closed my eyes, He said, “You’re a writer Shelly, just introduce her the way you would write the first paragraph of a story.”
I stood at the podium, light blinding the view of the crowd beyond the first two rows in the expansive room. I could see her clearly seated there to my right. She looked at me with a confident destiny smile.
My voice echoed loud through the microphone, but I didn’t care. For some reason, standing there at the podium, I felt more like myself than I ever had.
Linking with Lisa-Jo for Five Minute Friday with the one word prompt: Loud. And it is always so interesting to see what comes to mind with one word.
Thanks so much for sharing. I would love to know more about that “chance” meeting with the son whose Dad led you to the Lord. You got me hooked. And . . . what a neat honor . . . to introduce Kay . . . I just spent some time with her early this AM. 🙂 And her husband too . . . (for my quiet time). Thanks for sharing!
I re-wrote that story about meeting him recently and plan to post it soon. It is quite a story! Love that you spent time with Rick and Kay in your quiet time, that made me chuckle. Nice to meet you through FMF!
“Because if God can bring your past to collide with your present in a matter of moments, to show how much He loves you, then He can give the courage to do something you feel incapable of doing.” I get this! Very nice 5 minutes.
His miracles that look like our circumstances give us courage don’t they? Thanks Eileen.
I bet you and your words shined just brilliantly. {and to think…he can do that to you while you eat breakfast…bet even God knows to let me finish my coffee first 🙂 🙂 } xoxo
I’m sure no one but me remembers it Tara. But I am grateful for what I learned that day more than anything.
Bravo! Brave girl. This reminded me of a moment I don’t like to remember… A public panic attack. And just reading about you preparing for this had me sweating. Least favorite thing. Least. The whole public speaking thing. I have said yes in advance to anything, however. To God, I mean. So if he asked me to do the same, I”d have to. Well, not have to, but would. Thanks for sharing! It’s a good reminder that everyone feels afraid of this kind of thing, but we can all do it if God asks us to. H
I am not fond of public speaking either Heather, but when I have been asked I felt his presence carrying me. So grateful for that. And I just can’t imagine having a public panic attack, it makes me feel trembly just thinking about it!
My goodness, Shelly, this just made me weep, especially the last lines….
“I felt more like myself than I ever had.”
I was telling someone the other day that in the last 3 months since I’ve been obedient to write, using the gift God gave me as a young girl, that I have felt like this is what He’s created me to do. It’s been like opening the door to a room of bright treasure that was waiting just for me.
Oh, how he redeems everything–you are beautiful in every way-inside and out!
Jody, I know how you feel. When you step into something you didn’t even know you were gifted to do, it’s like walking into freedom and feeling like you found yourself for the first time. What a gift, so happy for you. And He does redeem everything, we just need redemption eyes to see it when it comes. Thanks for your kind words.
Love how God knows you’ll show up when needed! He simply has to ask and you are more yourself than you have ever been.
so blessed to be getting to know you through this crazy world of words, Shelly!
Enjoy your weekend, friend.
All for Him,
Nikki
Full of fear sometimes Nikki, but I’ll show up anyway! Thanks friend, I feel the same way.
You encourage me with your five minutes today. Whether it is a crowd of women or some unseen hearts you connect with, you are gifted. Thanks Shelly.
So glad he connected us Celeste, grateful you were encouraged by this.
We are always our truest selves when fully yielded to His Spirit, aren’t we?
What a moment! Unforgettable!
Have a blessed weekend.
~ Debra
http://debrasblogpureandsimple.blogspot.com/2012/03/those-peculiar-people.html
I think so Debra, well yes, I know so.
Great story of how God surprises us and then equips us for what He calls us to do…I’m sure you did a superb job, Shelly. Happy weekend to you and yours 🙂
It’s happened many times, too many to count Dolly. Being asked to do something I didn’t think I could do and then he nurtured me along the way, giving me the courage and grace. I am thankful.
I wish I had been there to hear you…I love your words.
Thanks for being a fan Kim, you bless me big.
I agree with God. You are a writer. 🙂
🙂
Shelly these days I am needing the encouragement (and prayers) so I am grateful for when you write because some days I just need another perspective instead of my own thoughts swirling in my head causing me grief. I am grateful for my long distance friend.
It is good to link arms with you Celeste. We do need each other. The community of saints, we hold each other up under the arms, and sometimes carry each other. For that I am grateful.
Hmmm… I wonder if you are more than a writer…perhaps speaker is in there somewhere too. I love how God meets us memorably in unexpected places. And I love that you watch TV!
sometimes he meets us while we are watching tv – imagine that! I don’t know about speaking, I do know that when I obey God and what he has for me, I am most myself.
What an exciting time you had! God is so good to bring it all together and I am sure what was really loud with the Lord shining through you with joy! Loved this fun story 🙂
God seems to be full of joy gifts. And I am happy to be the recipient when he knocks on my door to present one.
God is amazingly able to interrupt our plans with His purposes of greatness!
Cristal, still thinking about your socks under the bed story. That one stuck with me. Thanks!
oh i love that you did this friend. i love how the Lord spoke to you in your hour of need. we don’t need to fear, the Bible says, for he will give us the words… a beautiful example of faith, here. xo
And I know that is true in you Emily, He does give you words. Inspiring words I am grateful to read. Thanks!