I had the privilege of attending a Hearts at Home conference for the first time this past weekend. I had heard about this conference from some friends but this is the first year I took the plunge and signed up for it - by myself! It was a bit intimidating going but I was able to meet up with about 8 other ladies from my church so I didn't feel like such a fish out of water. (Not to mention they ALL escorted me to the car garage at 11:30 pm and fit ALL of them into my carseat loaded van so I could drop them off at their hotel!! Oh yes- one sat in Owen's car seat!!)
We had a main session Saturday morning with Jill Savage- who I was not familiar with but greatly impressed by. Then we chose our own workshops to attend for the remaining part of the day (until 4) Dr. Kevin Leman was the guest speaker at the end of the day on Saturday. I loved my workshops (which I might elaborate more on later), I was challenged, prodded, encouraged and refreshed. I came home energized and excited - my mind brimming with ideas and thoughts.
Then it was Sunday. No more speakers to talk about life in theory or give me good ideas. It was rubber meets the road time- what did I learn and how was I going to apply it? You know what?
I got frustrated about something - impatient over it happening and yelled.
Great. $80 registration fee down the tubes.
I mean- I attended a session about respecting my husband and what do I do the VERY next day? Argue with him IN FRONT OF THE KIDS! Yeah- I'm pretty sure THAT did NOT make my "to do" list notes in that workshop!
Another session was about learning to discipline with love so that you can reach the heart of your child even when they are difficult to love. What do I do? Yell to get him moving... showing my impatience. Uh-huh. Yep- got those lessons learned real well don't I??
Then as Brad took the 2 older boys away I had a few moments to reflect (and write this) and I'm starting to smile. Isn't this just exactly what the enemy of our souls- the enemy of our marriages- the enemy of our families wants to do in us? To discourage, to blame, pass guilt... He wants me to say "oh well- I guess if I can't learn something from an all weekend seminar then I guess I'll just give up." Ooo... He's so sneaky and boy do I have news for him and his cronies. T'aint workin'. Granted I am befuddled that I can be so gung ho one moment and so swung low the next but greater is HE that is in ME than he that is in the world!
Now, I'm going to go apologize for my stupidity - not dwell in it- and team up with his Spirit for a new-every-morning type of evening.
Thank you, Jesus.
2 comments:
I so wish I could have gone with you! It sounds like you had a great time and learned a lot. Isn't it so good that you do have those encouragements and lessons to remember? That way when the devil attacks, which he certainly will do, you have some guns in your belt to throw at him and remind yourself once again that Jesus is that one that can help you do it! Can't wait to hear more details!
okay, so that post is the story of my life!! =/ thanks for writing. i, too, would have loved going to that conference. i love it that you were willing to change the spirit of the day even in the middle of the day and not go to bed that way. cheering you on while i team up with the Spirit too =) love and hugs to ya!
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