I just recently got back from a women's retreat. The speaker was Kori de Leon who also is the author of the book Adoring Christ.(order it and read it, you WILL NOT regret it!) I felt the tug on my heart from God to get out of my comfort zone and go, and whenever he tugs I always tug back with my whining. It is a scenario I see a lot in my kids when they are asked to do their chores. God is funny like that showing me my own attitudes in my kids, anyway I digress. Everyone knows I am an introvert so retreats are really not my thing. A group of people usually equates to panic in me. It often makes me feel like I am in the 8th grade again and I am the new girl walking into the lunch room. (not that I would know anything about that since I was homeschooled but it's how I imagine it, HA!) There was also the financial aspect I was worried about but God worked it out financially so I went. I thought God was calling me out of my comfort zone and of course that happened as well but I don't think it was THE reason God wanted me to go. There were actually many but here is one of them I wanted to share as it pairs well with what God has been doing in our life as a couple.
God is so Great and funny knowing what Eric and I have been experiencing these past few months with the call to ministry. I wrote a few months back about how God has been calling out to both of us to pursue him and maybe even change career paths. You can find that post here The Miracle God is working. One of the first opening statements from our speaker Kori de Leon was, "What makes God so great that people leave their careers and relationships for him?" and it was then I knew "Yes God has something to say to me this weekend."
This year God has been speaking a lot to Eric and I. At the retreat he found me in the bathroom of all places, brushing my teeth, he is never loud but he does have his way of grabbing my attention. Have you noticed that? Very quietly God said "I am going to give you a platform and you are going to tell your story." My reaction was very different from when Eric told me about his call to ministry. I wasn't shocked but in awe. A platform? What does that mean? What kind of platform? I don't know what it all means but I know it confirms to me again that this journey my husband and I are on is headed in the right direction. God is using my weaknesses helping me become more social. I am much comfortable in my own corner and my story has a lot of components, a lot of hurt, a lot of devastation, a lot of tears, and a lot of questions, a lot of shame because of expectations I could not attain but it also holds a story of redemption and restoration and God wants me to tell it for the only purpose that it will bring glory to Him. Whether that platform be one person or before a crowd I can no longer keep my story to myself. For the first time in my WHOLE life I am excited to tell the story of Carissa because I now know the purpose in my imperfect story is to bring my Savior glory.
