Dear BR (Blog reader):
Would you like to join me on a little retreat, right here at this location?
As you may already know I have a little retreat I’ve been invited to be the speaker/leader/teacher at Camp Lutherwood for the weekend and as I’ve prepared, I’ve come to understand that this message goes a bit deeper for me and for you and is meant for more than just the ladies that are venturing to CAMP LUTHERWOOD. AND my near and dears (blog readers…here on out will be known as my BR’s) will not be able to attend the retreat. Not one of you (insert sad face).
I am praying that the ladies who join me this weekend will join you as a faithful BR and the group will grow and the messages God hands me in the secret places of our time together will stretch into the unknown and fill the hearts of many who need just a little bit of what I have.
I don’t have much.
As a matter of fact when I was asked to join this retreat and bring a message that might somehow communicate GOD’S STORY in OUR STORY, I was completely unprepared and had nothing to offer. This year of our Lord 2014 is a year that the locusts are really eating up in my life. Its been a season that time has been stolen away, resources are being eaten up, the crop is not plentiful and the future is dismal. BUT….there is God and with God all is good and right and correct and allowed and just as it should be. So I rejoice in it!
Moreover [let us also be full of joy now!] let us exult and triumph in our troubles and rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that pressure and affliction and hardship produce patient and unswerving endurance. And endurance (fortitude) develops maturity of character (approved faith and tried integrity). And character [of this sort] produces [the habit of] joyful and confident hope of eternal salvation. Romans 5:3-4 AMPLIFIED
**Side note: if you’ve never taken a season to read out of the Amplified Version of the bible, go get yourself one and start right away. Rich, deep, explanatory rendition of the word of God. So good.
I don’t have much.
Yep that was my first response to the invitation. I have nothing to offer these ladies that will pay good money and come expectantly to the outdoors, to hear a message that will change their life and alter their path and bring them some bit of grace and mercy to carry them along this journey of life.
And God said, “GOOD”
I was like, “What? Good? This is not good, I have nothing to offer”
And God said, “GOOD”
I was like, “Ya, not good, hello….going to lead women at a retreat without anything, NOTHING, ZIPPO to offer is not good, dear Heavenly Father, not good”
And God said, “Give them Jesus”
I was silent.
And so it went, and so it goes, and so you will join me at this Double BR (Blog reader blog retreat). And I will give you all that I have.
I will give you Jesus.
Humbly,
Tracy
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