Good Wed. morning. Val, thanks so much for your kind note.
Tomorrow afternoon my mini writer’s retreat begins. I’ve been helping with the preparations. This little writer family of ours has been talking about this weekend since last year. Really. Right afterwards, we began debriefings—what we loved, what we loved even more. Nobody hated any part of it, but we discovered there’s always a way to make the retreat better than the last.
Like our first night together. Traditionally, we’ve all met for dinner at a local restaurant. That’s been fun but even if we’re seated at the same table, it’s impossible to hear all the conversations because there’s too many of us. We’re a relational lot, and so this year we decided to scrap the restaurant and hang together at the home of our gracious host, where our yearly event is held.
I already know this first night will be a highlight. This is a very fun group of ladies and I know from the moment we gather, we’ll be laughing our heads off. We’ll cry some, too, probably because we’re all a tender lot. Sitting around the barbecue table outside, we’ll be able to see each other face to face, each one receiving our undivided attention while she shares about her life over the last year. We regularly keep in contact through email so we’re not clueless about what’s been going on in the major areas. Unless, of course, there are those who experienced something particularly difficult that they felt uncomfortable sharing through an email. Actually, wouldn’t that be true of most of us from time to time?
But it will be a night of remembering and y’all know how I love that word. We’ll be thanking God for those who have enjoyed publishing success, some for the first time. We’ll be thanking God for bringing us through the year through various trials, health, finances, and just the stuff of life that can wear us down.
We’ll talk about our current struggles and challenges. Some may be writing-related, others may be not. For while it is writing that brought this little section of the Body of Christ together, it is Christ who ultimately holds us together. And we all know, whatever is going on in our lives personally will affect what we write—on some level—whether suspense or sweet romance or anything in between.
Then we’ll pray for each other. That’s gonna be sweet!
For all my excitement, though, I suddenly got a little scared. What are you scared of? I asked myself. I asked God. Surprisingly, it took me no time to figure it out.
In some ways, I’m disappointed because I had a couple of goals that I thought I would have met by now. One I could have achieved if I’d been more self controlled—like lose the weight I planned on. I have all these cute pair of shorts that I could have worn, and I wouldn’t have had to lose that much to be able to wear them. But alas, I didn’t lose that weight so I’m not wearing those cute shorts. There’s a couple of other things to. You know. Just stuff.
I don’t know about you, but for me, maybe because God knows how my brain works, He pays really close attention to when I turn this corner and start thinking about the ways I didn’t change since last year. A bit of self examination is always good for the soul and a reunion has a way of stirring that. But God in His incredible graciousness said, okay, you’re right. So, you fell short in this way and those other ways you’re thinking about. Today’s a new day. You can purpose in your heart—again—to make changes in these areas. But I have a couple more important questions to ask you:
Do you love Me more than you did this time last year? Do you love people more than you did last year? Do you care more about what’s important to Me than you did last year.
I do, Lord, I answered. And I want to love you more. I want to love people more. I want to care way more about things you care about.
Then from my perspective, Gayle—the eternal one, the one that counts—you’ve met my goal. Just keep your eyes on Me and you’ll be just fine.
So I’m encouraged. God’s good at that, you know. He loves to remind me of the good work He’s already done in me. He’s done mighty good things in my life this year. I have a million reasons to be grateful to Him. And I am. It’s just that the devil tries to get us to focus on where we’re lacking, making us feel bad about it. But God says, admit your lack, turn to Me, and I will fill it.
Funny, how a reunion among dear friends could stir all that in my heart, and that’s not even the half of it. I’m grateful that the Lord exposed this potential joy buster right at the start. God is the best at damage control when I let Him. Now my heart is filled simply with the delightful anticipation of seeing all my buddies tomorrow and hearing about what God has done in their lives. So much strength comes from being together.
I will have no time to post Friday morning, so I will see you back on Monday. Probably a little tired but a heart filled to the brim with the joy and fellowship of being with my friends.Have a great weekend! I love this verse for the future “hope” has turned into tomorrow’s reality for us all:
I have much to write you, but I do not want to do so with pen and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete. (2 John 13)