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10-11-09 (Steadfast Love)
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Stephanie McIver
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Oct 11, 2009 11:29 PDT
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Steph’s Stuff
10-11-09
(Steadfast Love)
This has been such a busy weekend for me—I didn’t have an opportunity to
write yesterday as I was at the Women of Faith convention in
Portland—and as some of you may have heard, the Friday night session was
cancelled due to a bomb scare at the Rose Quarter. Apparently a
‘suspicious device’ was found in one of the restrooms, but it turned out
to be a false alarm. Even so, because the session was cancelled for
obvious safety reasons, the Saturday sessions were extended by 2 hours
so that all the good stuff that was planned was able to take place. I
was particularly blessed by this little snafu. I had already decided
NOT to attend the Friday night session as my friend, who has some
physical issues, was very tired and I had told her I thought we should
stay at the hotel so she could rest or she would have been way too
exhausted to enjoy the rest of the conference. I had an ulterior motive
as well. My daughter lives only a mile or so from the hotel we were
at—and I couldn’t be there without seeing my BABIES! They came over for
a short visit and charmed everyone they encountered as we took an
exciting trip down the elevator to buy soda from the vending machines.
They LOVED the ice machine—and Lily bonded with my friend Mary—instant
sisterhood when she spied Mary’s leopard skin pillow—and matching
pajamas.
The rest of our group was back after an hour of waiting outside the Rose
Quarter and we knew we would have to get up an hour earlier. We prayed
that whatever the threat was, it would be resolved and no one would be
hurt. We prayed the enemy would be defeated once again—this was clearly
a way he was trying to discourage us. But God triumphed after all—the
conference was fantastic. We laughed and cried and sang and danced. We
spent precious time fellowshipping with our sisters around us in the
breaks. We send meaningful looks to one another during talks that spoke
to our very private hurts. I became convinced, once again, that He has
called me to do that type of work. All around me I saw hurting souls
starving for the encouragement and love that poured from that stage,
from those gifted and talented people who are identified as the Women of
Faith. I have some new books, a new CD and other gifts (from my
sweetie’s generosity), to help me ponder and remember the many lessons
and stories I heard on Saturday.
I am tired this morning. I raced out the door to go to church—and
church is my home where I get loved on more than anywhere else on earth.
The sermon was great, based on biblical prophecies—but as tired as I
was, I didn’t take furious notes like I usually do. The one thing that
struck me that I had to scramble to write down was this: “Christ
provides redemption for us through LOVE, not coercion.”
That is the message He gives me every day. It isn’t about convincing
someone. He is the One who does that. It is about loving them enough
to tell them about that love. To testify to His goodness in our
lives—and the cool thing about THAT aspect of it is that as we seek Him,
He goes further and further to show us that goodness—in every
circumstance. Even the hard ones. If we can get past the pain and
doubt and continue to seek Him, He will show us WHY the hard times
come—and He will equip us to help others through those hard times too.
I was able to spend some time yesterday with some girlfriends I don’t
get to see very often. It was good. We were reminded of the love we
have for one another. We were reminded of the hard times we have helped
each other through. We were reminded to hold onto the relationships of
other women—they help us through those hard times as no one else can—and
God brings the perfect ones at the perfect times.
I don’t have to coerce anyone to accept Christ. All I have to do is
remind you, daily of His steadfast love, His mercies that are new every
morning.
I have to race off now. The rest of my day is busy—but full of
blessings. I will talk to you tomorrow—because it will be a brand new
GRAND new day!
Fondly,
Stephanie
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