What a weekend! Truly, it was a God-infused, all-about-Jesus weekend of which I was SO BLESSED to be a part. THANK YOU to all of you who blessed me with your prayers and support and kind words. I am forever grateful.
I’ve been basking in the after-glow since I’ve been home from the retreat, trying to think of how I would describe it to you. This is what I’ve come up with: I think that when we really get out of the way and let God work through us, we are the recipients of a remarkable experience. We are able to see that we are really insignificant in the equation; it’s no longer about us. We are just the imperfect vessel through which He pours out His Word. Upon that realization, we can sit back with the audience and be awed by Him, blessed by Him, nourished by Him. Really, amazed by Him. The deal is, I would NEVER have been able to get out of the way if not for your covering of prayer. So, again, I oh-so-humbly thank you.
I have a couple of points from the weekend that I will be blogging about over the next couple of posts, but there was one other experience that I wanted to tell you about today; one I’ll remember for a long time to come.
After the last session with our key-note speaker (I was one of the break-out speakers), we had an extended time of ministry. The pastor’s wives and small group leaders were asked to come to the front to pray with anyone who might be in need. I made my way up with that group, and one by one, ladies began to come up to kneel at the altar or pray with one of the leaders. Interestingly, no one came to me. In fact, I was the only one that wasn’t praying with anyone! I quickly realized that the Lord had something different for me during that time. As there was instrumental music quietly playing in the background, I just began to listen. On top of the music, there were quiet sniffles as people wept. Then, there were words rising on the air.
“My divorce…”, “I’m so angry…”, “my daughter…oh, my daughter!”, “abuse…”,
“my husband’s cancer…”, “broken…”, “I’m so lost…”.
Sad words. Desperate words. But then, there were more.
“Heal her, Father…”, “replace her anger with the gladness of Your spirit…”, “Thank You that you have conquered death…”, “You are the Great Physician…”, “I know the plans I have for you, sayeth the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you a future and a hope…”.
I stood there with tears streaming down my face, for there was such beauty in this moment. With each word of desperation that these women placed on the altar, there was a word of healing over their sacrifice. I could almost see the smoke curling up to heaven, carrying the fragrance of their offering; a pleasing aroma to our Lord. Our pain and brokenness is a thing of exquisite beauty to Him, because, once sacrificed, He can replace it with healing and hope.
So, yes, I’m basking in the after-glow, and still carrying a bit of that fragrance in my senses. I pray that you will enjoy a few moments of it yourself this day.
You must present a burnt offering as a special gift, a pleasing aroma to the Lord.
Numbers 29:36 (NLT)
Our lives are like a Christ-fragrance raising up to God.
2 Corinthians 2:15 (NLT)
Great message!!
Also, I love the comparison of Sarah Palin with Queen Ester – that’s GREAT
I can’t wait for the debates 🙂
Love ya
Kim
Oh Melinda,
How that blesses me! I’m just savoring the whole of it.
Aweful good Word, thanks for sharing it
love and hugs,
tammy
Melinda, thanks for sharing so beautifully about the prayer time — what a precious experience! So glad your weekend went well!
It’s hard to put into words the many feelings and leanings of our hearts after such a weekend. I’m glad for yours today. I know that God blessed you as much as he blessed the others in attendance.
So thankful for your time away and your ministry. God is seeding his kingdom harvest in and through you.
peace~elaine
And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”(ROMANS 10:15)
Dear Melinda, As I read your post with tears filling my eyes at the incredible way you were used over the weekend this verse came to mind. Praising God that you were willing to be emptied out and used by our merciful Lord. Love, LINDA
Melinda, thank you for sharing your weekend with us. Love what God showed you. Love that God used you. Oh, to lay it all down as a sacrifice.
Thanks for continuing to encourage me, I appreciate it more than you could know.
-Sheryl
I found your blog after visiting another one and am glad I did! I see we are both fans of Jodi Pecoult. I think I’ve read all her books.
Thank you for a wonderful read–I’ll be back!
I appreciate you and together, we love Jesus.
Lovingly,
Yolanda
So wonderful to hear your report. I have heard sweet things about your workshop and know that God spoke through you and your obediance!
Can’t wait to hear every detail,
p
Two words come to mind right off the bat….
Sweet and beautiful!
I’m praising Him with you tonight.
Keep basking my friend!
Hugs,
Fran
Blessed to read this…
blessed.
Hi Melinda,
So nice to meet you! Just discovered your AWESOME blog!!
So blessed to read about your weekend.
Thanks for being obedient to speak, sounds like many women were truly BLESSED.
I loved when you said:
.. Our pain and brokenness is a thing of exquisite beauty to Him, because, once sacrificed, He can replace it with healing and hope.
AMEN & AMEM~
I'll remember this.
Beautiful! I think I smell that fragrance here..many miles away…
Blessings!
Teresa
God was just all over the retreat. I am so in awe of Him. Thank you for your beautiful words.
You are a tremendous blessing to me!
Love, Jen
I, too, heard those sniffles. Many of which were my own. I haven’t felt a praise and worship like that in a long time. It was so healing and freeing! Praise God!
What a beautiful experience! Our women’s retreat is in a couple of weeks; I pray that God will show up there as He did at yours (I know I really need him to, and I sense I’m not the only one).
I hope that lovely fragrance lingers with you for a long time.
Your insights are priceless! I had goose bumps reading this post. Thanks for sharing what God said to you and for your prayers for me.
Love,
Paige
wow you keep on basking in that
Melinda! I have chills running down my arms and tears falling down my face! This is so beautiful! Praise God for a weekend where women experienced breakthroughs!!
Hope you’re having a great week!
stephanie