The very next morning I was sweetly surprised to see that Renee had commented on my blog. She asked me for my home address and told me that she knew that God had a word just for me, that she would pray and hand pick mine from the stack she still had and drop it in the mail.
That next week I was like a child awaiting grandma's birthday card. I savored opening that prayed-over note from her. It wasn't just that it was from Renee, though that was a lovely bonus, I was truly expecting God to speak to me.
And speak to me He did.
Before I move on, I have to take you back to the last day I was at She Speaks. While at a blogger's reception I spoke with Luanne Prater from P31. She asked me where I was from. When I told her California, I went on to tell her how I knew God's hand brought me there, but quite frankly I had no idea why He needed to tell me something in North Carolina that He couldn't tell me in California. And so far He hadn't told me a thing. I wanted so badly to share with her how the Lord had allowed me to win a contest from the site "Laced with Grace" and a scholarship to She Speaks, how there just happened to be a hotel room available in this sold out conference...oh and how about that my email address has been Proverbs31@comcast.net long before I'd ever heard of Proverbs 31 Ministries. But I didn't share any of that with her. She smiled, gave me a great big hug and said, "It's not an accident that you're here. We've been praying for all of you women by name for quite some time. You must go over to our prayer room and see just what it is the Lord has you here for."
So before my first publishers meeting ever, that's just where I headed.
The room was dim with soft music and candles. Some ladies were praying with a prayer partner, others were on their knees in prayer and there were even some who were just sitting by themselves speaking silently to their creator. Around the back of the room were tables in the shape of a U. As I crept closer, I saw that on these tables were the names of almost six hundred women. First and last names of so many women, these names had been typed, printed, lovingly cut out and softly scattered over the tops of these tables. From time to time there would be a much larger paper beneath, printed out with one of the many names of God. Names such as Jehovah Jireh, Adonai, Yahweh. Most names had fallen in between the laid out pages proclaiming a name of God, but on occasion some would fall on the colored paper.
Mine had fallen on the name of God, Adonai-God is my strength. Upon that page were a couple of scriptures. I fought the urge to take my name and the paper it rested upon and run right out of there. But I didn't think God would be too pleased with my stealing from His prayer room. Instead I quickly wrote the scriptures down. To tell you the truth I was almost disappointed, they really didn't speak to my heart.
Later, only one could I even remember, Habukkuk 3:19 "The Sovereign Lord is my strength, he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights." But even this scripture I'd forgotten when I returned home from my trip.
That is, until I held this note postmarked Charolotte, North Carolina in my hands.
As I now sat in my car, my engine idling, opening up the note from Renee , written in her own precious hand were these words.
"Joanne, I laid my hands over the verses (probably 50-75) and prayed that God would give me His message for you. Here is what He said...
You are ABLE."
As I'd opened up the card, fluttering into my lap was my word from God. Printed in a soft cursive font were the words to Habukkuk 3:19, the very same verse the Lord had given me in the prayer room moments before my first publishers meeting.
"The Sovereign Lord is my strength, he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights."
Behind this beautiful verse, shadowed in grey was the word ABLE.
***
Friends, what is it that the Lord has done for you? What has He told you? What has He called you to do that you are keeping silent about? Don't wait another moment longer, step out in faith and obedience today. It is in His strength that you will soar on to new heights. Where we are weak, He is strong. He wants to bless you so that you can tell everyone of His glorious works. Don't let the shadows of doubt keep you from the light of His breathtaking plan for your life. You can't dream dreams big enough for what God has for your lives.
...and remember you are ABLE because He is ABLE.
"Publish his glorious deeds among the nations. Tell everyone about the amazing things he does." Psalm 96:3
21 comments:
You don't know how much I needed that today. Thanks for being willing to share it.
Hi Joanne,
I praise God for encouraging us to go where we think we cannot possibly go, and for the strength to do what we know we cannot possibly do...apart from Him.
On the wall in my office is something I cut out of a Joyce Meyer magazine. It reads: "You're No Wimp. You've Got What It Takes."
Amen.
We are ABLE, because He makes us able.
Blesings!
What a testimony. Thank you for sharing it. It's amazing when God works in such a way - both empowering and humbling at the same time!
Hi Joanne,
I just wrote a long comment to you and it vanished as I hit the button. Makes me wonder if a rat was involved. I will respond again later. Enjoy your vacation with your family.
B His Girl,
Barbara
This is so beautiful Joanne! Just beautiful.
He is more than able.
Thanks for the most encouraging word today.
Hugs and blessings~
Fran
What a beautiful part 2. Thank you for sharing that though your flesh said you never would.
What a wonderful blessing to us readers as we are encouraged that God is able and we are able through Him to do all things. He tells us that in Phil 4:13.
Yes, I agree there is no dream too big for our extremely big God. We must step out in faith and remove Him from the box in which we place Him. He is so much bigger than we could ever imagine. He provides more than we could every imagine or think per Eph. 3:20.
I am dreaming big. I am hoping big.
Thanks Joanne.
Love,
Paula
thank you! what a great story of how God cares about us and for us. you asked "what has called you to do"...He has asked me to stand for my marriage and pray for restoration even though it appears beyond hope and too late. but I am standing!! thanks for the encouragment.
love ya
sheryl
Wow that gave me the goosebumps!
God is so amazing!
You are Able my sweet Joanne -
God bless
Kim
Thank you for sharing how God so graciously and personally spoke to you and then again confirmed His Word to you... isn't our God just amazing. It is so good to be reminded that it is our God who is able to do through all of those things He calls us to do.
Can't wait to see what else God has in store for you! Keep seeking and keep being obedient, no matter how hard it is!
Praising Him!
Tricia
I love stories like this! They make me smile!! :)
Joanne,
It seems just when I really need inspiration, you have it. You have an amazing ability to share God's word. I am grateful to you.
Amy
Joanne,
God is so good to us! He patiently reminds us that He will equip us for the tasks to which He calls us.
Thanks for sharing your incredible encounter with God. You are such an encouragement and blessing to me and others. And of course we will help hold you accountable to follow through with God's calling. That's what friends are for!
Praise God!!!!!! I am all choked up!!! He is amazing and I am so happy for you!!! What a reaffirming word!!!
Hey girl...just wanting to make sure you got my e-mail. Didn't want you to think I forgot you. :-)
Joanne---it is well after midnight. I am to GET UP again in just a few hours...I came here for THIS. I received the same card with ABLE on it. SAME verse. Picked up by my sweet sister Aimee and handed to me.
God is able. SO ABLE. HE is incredibly ABLE.
Joanne---I love and miss you girl!
I posted 3 slide shows (all don't work right either--but click on the link and go to my picasa site)--but I thought of you SO MUCH!
The Holy Spirit moved in a WAY that I NEEDED for such a long time! I can't express what He did for me this past weekend! Whew!
I have GOT to go to bed!
Thank you so much for sharing this!
I love coming to your blog and I can't wait to read about all of the wonderful things God is going to do through you!
[praising Him]! - love you friend.
I have tears in my eyes and goose bumps on my skin. What a powerful, beautiful post. Thank you so much for sharing...you have given me such an important reminder that God is always in control.
p.s. I just sent you an email earlier.
What a beautiful post. I love to hear how God works in the lives of His children. Thanks for sharing.
Blessings,
Linda
Joanne, thanks for visiting my blog. I loved this post. I attended the Conference as well and was so blessed by the Prayer Room, but missed seeing this aspect of it. THANK YOU for posting pictures. It was so beautiful to see these names.
My word behind my verse was "FREE" and it was exactly the word that I needed to hear from God too!
Blessings,
Joy
I love how God moves and speaks in ways we could never hope or imagine. He is calling you, you are able. I look forward to what His will is for you.
Please keep me posted.
Thank you for sharing your journey.
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