Patient, encouraging, wonderful, gentle, composer Joel
Yesterday morning I had so much on my to do list that I awakened at 4:33 just wondering how I was going to get it all done. Nate gone, Joel still here for 10 days, Joy to organize, conferences to arrange........ I had neglected Joel a bit to get everything done for Nate. Anxiety began to gather in my body, bubbles in my stomach as it tightened and my head and neck tensing up.
More came to mind....Articles due, a blog to write, hotels to call, meals to arrange, a dinner at my home in the evening, about 25 phone calls to make. All had stacked up over the past week. A little cloud began to hover over my heart and whispered, "You won't be able to do it all. You don't have anything worthwhile to say at the conferences. Things are going to fall through the cracks. People will be dropped and disappointed."
Thus, a familiar cloak of stress was wrapping itself around my being. But, I climbed into my large, soft quiet time chair, and mentally climbed into the secret place of His tent, (For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle; In the secret place of His tent He will hide me Psalm 27:5). "Hide me away, as your child, today. Place me in your care and in your defense. I need to know you see and hold my burdens." I asked Him to show me His way for my day.
Just then, Joel, my delightful, gentle, patient, composer son came up the stairs to the den. The Lord immediately put his finger on my heart and nudged. "He is your priority today. And I am your priority today." And so breakfast out, alone, was suggested and we both threw on our jeans and got ready in minutes.
As we climbed into the car, Joel said, "Let's not have any music today, Mom. I just enjoy being able to talk without any distractions."
The thirty minute drive to our favorite breakfast place, gave me time to ease my soul. The sun sparkled on the crystal snow, atop the mountain, reflecting the majesty of Pike's Peak in hues of purples, pinks and blues. "I am here. Seek me. All will be well," now a voice whispering away the previous hovering dark cloud.
Joel and I talked about how we didn't even know we had a desire to be noticed and heard. We didn't want to feel invisible in the universe, but as though we mattered.
A heart to heart--dreams, stresses, thoughts, goals, values, fears shared intimately with no one else around. He had needed my attention and my focus, and in the busy-ness, and crowds of our home, neither of us had noticed. Having your adult children as best friends is such a gift of grace and peace. I had not realized that in my serving and giving and washing and straightening, I needed a personal touch, before I even began to start my pile of "to dos"
How comforted I was in the presence of this very alive, passionate, intelligent young man. His words of life encouraged me. My sharing his dreams and affirming his worth heartened him. A walk around a local lake together sealed the time.
When I arrived back home, my piles of duties and chores were still there. But I was different, and my perspective was healthy as I entered back into the fray.
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YOUR MOM HEART MATTERS--MOM HEART CONFERENCES COMING!
Personal, up close and intentional--that is going to be one of the themes this year in the Mom Heart conference. God keeps showing me that it is relationships that knit our hearts together, not information or facts or philosophy.
I am getting more and more excited about the conferences as the Lord keeps pouring into my own heart through the story of my living every day.
Be sure to register soon. The early registration deadline is coming up soon, so be sure to save your $10 if you are planning on coming.
We will be hosting teas at all of the conferences this year, again, for those who want to be involved in or find out more about the Mom Heart Movement and groups. So be sure to sign up for this if you are interested.
Mom Heart Giveaway Also, you are not too late to send out notices to your friends, in an email, blog, face book or to your support group, or twitter! You can still be entered into the giveaway. We are giving away 2 free conference registrations, again, on January 15 or a $50 in books. For more information go here: http://www.wholeheart.org/giveaway-signup/
Colorado We are filling up quickly but there is still a little bit of room. Be sure to register soon. The hotel does not have many rooms left, so if you want to join your friends for a getaway/retreat, be sure to sign up soon. http://www.wholeheart.org/mom-heart-conference-2011-front-range-co/
California This year, we will be hosting the California conference as Mariner's Church. But since so many of you love the retreat experience and will be coming from out of town, Clay and I have arranged to stay at a lovely Hilton Hotel in Irvine. It has a shuttle from the airport and will also be available to shuttle those who will not have a car to the church. They have also thrown in 2 free buffet breakfasts for everyone who attends--a first for any hotel we have arranged before! The Hotel where Clay and I will be staying is offering a drawing for a dinner for 2 for those of you who register at the hotel by January 7. http://www.wholeheart.org/mom-heart-conference-2011-marinersoc-ca/
We will be having a tea at the Hilton on Friday morning for all of the mom's interested in learning more about Mom Heart Ministry and how to start or become a part of a Mom Heart Group. We will also be having a time of fellowship and sharing with all who are at the hotel with Clay and me on Saturday evening, a sort of pajama party. So be sure to join us there.
Texas Please help us get the word out to your friends in Texas. We always have a great time there and will have some extra speakers and lots of people joining us for a very special time there. http://www.wholeheart.org/mom-heart-conference-2011-dfw-tx/
North Carolina This year will be at a lovely Hilton Hotel with a porch lined with rocking chairs and a beautiful place to getaway. However, since it is a smaller hotel, we are expecting the hotel to fill up, so be sure to register there, soon! http://www.wholeheart.org/mom-heart-conference-2011-rdu-nc/
My sweet group of staff and helpers here met last night and prayed for all of you! Something so special happens at these conferences. To be in a room of hundreds of like-minded women, and to share, laugh, cry and become spiritually energized for the Lord is such a blessing to all who attend. Hope you will join us. Can't wait to see you!