Last week I attended Q Women and Calling in NYC.
A friend on Facebook sent me a link just before I headed to South Carolina for Allume. “You should go” she said. At the time I was focused on preparing for my first Christian blogging conference. My plate was full, I really didn’t think about it.
Not until I arrived at Allume and found myself eating cupcakes with one of the scheduled speakers for Q. I thought it was interesting that it came up again but still…I’m at Allume right?
I return home to make connections with all the women whose cards I received. I’m online following and messaging the women I feel led to be in community with, when I get a message. She says she going to Q and asks if I’ll be attending. I told her that I’d looked into it but saw it was sold out. In our exchange she mentions her ticket is for the overflow room. An option I hadn’t considered because well, its expensive and….it’s the overflow room.
But God whispers the idea and I pose the question and get an answer. Affirmative.
So – newbie blogger at 2 conferences within 3 weeks of each other! Besides having a lot of fun, I feel I’m being led blissfully blindfolded on a road of His choosing. It’s absolutely thrilling.
God has placed me in the midst of a legion of women who are changing the world for Him…..with words.
Part of me has no idea why I’m here. When I engage with women at conferences I feel tongue-tied. I wonder about the coherency of my sentences. Can I make a point? I worry if I’m way too old for anything new. I’m in a room with brilliant women who seem to be crystal clear with their vision and message. And yes, again, I walked into the conference apologizing for writing about infertility. Yeah. I know. Crazy. But everyone has a story and I’m walking in faith…I’m still figuring this thing out.
And then I hear and am told….all of this…….
by speakers Rebekah and Gabe Lyons, Kate Harris, Shauna Niequist, Katelyn Beaty, Pete Richardson, Rachel Held Evans, Kathy Khang, Bobette Buster, Kathy Keller, Nicole Baker Fulgham, Lauren Wiener and Deidra Riggs
Vocation is comprehensive, present and is often born of our grief.
Ignite the dream in your heart…pursue the fear.
That despite mixed messages our highest calling is to love. It’s not about what you do but how you do it.
To prioritize your gifts. That there is still time.
We should choose the better thing and encourage others to sit at His feet.
We should aspire to exercise the spiritual muscle of courage and respond to the urgency of His call
We should assist frameworks that will lead young women to their calling
To make room for your calling within the framework of marriage or fully embrace our singleness
To pay attention to what God is inviting you to during this season.
To rest in the calling God has for you.
Everything spoken echoed things I’ve written, or thought, or fought for this past year. The day ended with the deep exhale of a woman (me) who finally gets it.
I don’t just write about infertility. But my blog makes room for it. The part of me that received healing connects with and speaks to women who need encouragement. I’m making the leap and facing my fears. I’m asking and answering the questions. I’m surrendering this season of my life – without hesitation – to the God who calls me.
I wrote this as I sat during the last session….
I write about and support dreams
I encourage women as they wait
I am a lover of women
I inspire
I am a caretaker of hearts
This is my calling. It’s a beginning. My soul says yes.
Are you in transition? Have you considered what your calling might be during this season? What steps have you taken in pursuit of it?
Do you remember Diana Ross in The Wiz? The song “Home” from the soundtrack filled my heart as I wrote this post. Enjoy.
Suddenly my world has changed it’s face
But I still know where I’m going
I have had my mind spun around in space
And yet I’ve watched it growing – Diana Ross
