‘Overflowing Joy’ Women’s Event

Hi Ladies, Here’s some amazing Bible verses from our ‘Overflowing Joy’ women’s event this weekend. I’d also like to share my unexpected emotional rollercoaster at the end while listening to Katie’s funny story. I confess it surprised me. Overall, the event was fun, inspirational and JOY-filled. A lot of ladies worked hard on this event and I’m really glad I went. Honestly, I’ve not always felt comfortable with other women – but slowly, through the years, I’ve learned to value godly sisters in Christ. And hey, they need me … I make them laugh! 😀

Having JOY does not make us immune to feelings of fear, sadness, confusion, anger, despair, frustration, or any other emotion. God does not expect us to stuff our feelings down or pretend they do not exist. On the contrary, even through your red-hot anger or ice-cold indifference, God wants to hear from you.

FROM DESPAIR, DAVID CRIES OUT TO THE LORD:

Psalm 6:6 / Psalm 31:9-10 / Psalm 55: 1-7 / Psalm 69:1-3

I am worn out from my groaning.

PSALM 6:6

Be merciful to me, Lord, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and body with grief. My life is consumed by anguish and my years by groaning; my strength fails because of my affliction, and my bones grow weak.

PSALM 31:9-10

Listen to my prayer, O God, do not ignore my plea; hear me and answer me. My thoughts trouble me and I am distraught because of what my enemy is saying, because of the threats of the wicked; for they bring down suffering on me and assail me in their anger. My heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death have fallen on me. Fear and trembling have beset me; horror has overwhelmed me. I said, “Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest. I would flee far away and stay in the desert; I would hurry to my place of shelter, far from the tempest and storm.”

PSALM 55:1-8

Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold. I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me.  I am worn out calling for help; my throat is parched. My eyes fail, looking for my God.

PSALM 69:1-3

TOMORROW … VERSES ON LISTENING AND PRAISING

---

KATIE TELLS A REALLY FUNNY STORY

Only mom’s can make a really funny story out of their youngest child’s vomit and diarrhea. I’ll spare you unnecessary details but let’s just say it was eventful for Katie’s sleeping husband, the shower, washing machine and outside hose. The entire episode sounded like something from a sitcom – everyone was laughing and I discovered there were actual holes in breastfeeding garments. Who knew? Katie’s husband helped of course, but this little sick one was not letting go of mom for anything. The vomiting began as Katie was holding Hannah with her little legs wrapped around mom – so regardless of the outcome, they were going through this together. A fantastic analogy for the next set of scripture verses I’ll share tomorrow. In the end, what made me cry was Hannah looking up to Katie and saying, “Thanks Mom.”

And in that moment (going from laughter to slow, silent tears) I grieved for the little girl inside me who lost her parents and her own “Thanks Mom” or “Thanks Dad”. I also grieved for being single and not ever receiving my own “Thanks Mom”. Additionally, I thought of the Apostle Paul and his ‘thorn of flesh’ which was used mightily for God’s Kingdom:

Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. ⁸ Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. ⁹ But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. ¹⁰ That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Corinthians 12

So in the end, I’m choosing to allow Father God (YAHWEH) to use my brokenness for healing of other ladies in Kingdom yieldings. In the meantime, I’ll continue to enjoy my relationship and peace in Christ along with blessings like having a safe dwelling place where I can drink milk straight from the carton!