For The Love

I was unfamiliar with Jen Hatmaker* before the If: Gathering last year. After hearing her speak and loving her style, I added one of her books to my Amazon list and was blessed to receive it for Christmas. It is an easy, fun read with some good insights and a quote by one of my favorite authors (Brene` Brown) so she's good.

My favorite new thought was from chapter one. She started off with an analogy of a balance beam. What is on it? Who chooses what goes on it? Can I take stuff off of it? Can I put new stuff on it? Do I compare my beam with others'? If it doesn't work for me, I need to let it go even if other women keep it on their beam. I need to be me, not some super woman who only exists on Facebook. Now this thought is not necessarily new to me, but the analogy of a balance beam is, trying to walk the beam and do my tricks without falling, dropping anything or looking stupid. I don't need to please anyone but Jesus...and He is always there to hold me up, catch what I can't hold and remind me of my inherent worth.

* You can purchase the book here.

Musings...

So during the first few months of the year I hibernate. I binge on sewing, reading, crafts, activities with the kids and Netflix television shows. A couple years ago, a character in one of the shows I was watching really touched something in my spirit. She is brave, strong, determined. She faces darkness with light and hope. She goes into every situation giving 100%, holding nothing back, because lives are at stake and there is no price too high to pay. One of her co-worker's refers to her in one episode as Wonder Woman, as he admired her tenacity and bravery.

I didn't think much more about it until that fall when a friend referred to me as Wonder Woman as we worked on life together. Something perked up in my spirit and I remembered the character. I want to be brave, to shine light in dark places, to fight for life...but I am no super hero. I clean house and cook meals and teach kids and feel exhausted. I pay bills and try to keep up with the ever constant laundry piles and try to stretch the budget to feed ever growing appetites. I told myself to let it go...it just isn't who I am. But every time I hear a reference to Wonder Woman I think of this brave, strong woman.

Then I recently received this cup from the same friend, who had no idea the spirit talk I'd been having about this identity. I spent some time processing and journalling and came to an amazing revelation...or at least to me and I think I can be brave enough to share.

The character isn't a super hero, she is just a woman, a hero, a warrior. A warrior is someone proficient in warfare; strong and brave. Strength and bravery can be characteristics of any woman in any situation...changing diapers, caring for a home, working a job, living life. Spiritual warfare is certainly a worthy skill to develop. A warrior feels like something I can strive for, work towards. I can be brave in the face of fear. I can be strong through Christ. I can take the light of Christ into the darkness. I can share hope with those who cross my path. I can pray and intercede for others. I can be a warrior.

If:

Last weekend I had the opportunity to attend a local simulcast of a women's conference called If: Gathering. It is multi-generational and multi-denominational, with the focus on our relationship with Jesus and each other as sisters-in-Christ. I thoroughly enjoyed the conference last year, as a time to rest, reflect, hear from women struggling and learning and growing and connect with fellow sisters.

I was looking forward to this time as I greatly needed rest, I even took advantage of the opportunity to stay at the House of Hope as a guest stay so I would not be driving back and forth and would give me more time to process. I once again, was not disappointed by the time of learning and reflection and connection.

There were about a dozen wonderful speakers and I would like to share a couple of the pieces that spoke to me. Jo Saxton shared from John 1 and if you've ever heard her speak, you can appreciate the enthusiasm as she shared..."Jesus moved into the neighborhood." The Word became man and then He moved into the neighborhood, into each of our neighborhoods through us. But He didn't stop there, he then went out and interacted with His neighbors, connecting with them, meeting needs, sharing love and hope. If He is in us and working through us...then are we out there in the neighborhood as His hands, feet and voice?

Jennie Allen shared from John 13...Jesus washing the disciples' feet and Peter resisting. Jesus is symbolically cleansing them, but Peter says "I don't need you Jesus. Here, let me be here for You...You need me." Am I holding my feet, my dirt, back from Jesus still believing that I can cleanse myself?

Rebekah Lyons shared from John 15...abiding in Christ. But what touched me was pruning. Sometimes what God prunes is something that is currently growing and bearing fruit. I currently have some areas of my life I have felt are being pruned, but they are still bearing fruit. I hear myself saying "Wait! God, see the fruit! You made a mistake...this needs to stay!" I felt deep conviction as Rebekah shared these words. "Sorry, Lord. I am Yours, I am in You. If you say it is time for this piece to go, then I release it to you."

The conference ended with dominoes...if each woman present fell into the next step God was asking of us it could change lives, homes, communities. I will share more about my answer next week, but I have been feeling challenged to risk more, to hold back less, to acknowledge fear and be courageous anyway...to give God 100%.

Sewing: Margo Handbag

I have been spending this first part of the year finishing projects...and this is one I am really excited to see through to the end. I found this pattern while on the All Iowa Shop Hop last June in Ottumwa. It is a cute little bag with lots of custom pockets and some unique design pieces. I bought this fabric, which was designed by a friend of mine (Melissa Marie), at Fern Hill in South Amana. 

I didn't get the seams with the interior pockets quite the way I wanted, but I found enjoyment in piecing this bag and look forward to making more. I am envisioning different fabric combinations and pocket arrangements. I gave this one away to a very happy recipient.

* You can find the pattern here...