Healing Words
Good Morning Girls! I promised you Monday that I would share with you all how I was healed at the cabin. Before I do, let me tell you this, you all have this same power to heal others that I experienced. Today each and every one of you can heal a family member, co-worker or even a stranger. It will not cost you anything. You will not be inconvenienced in any way.
Back to the cabin. This "girls weekend" happens once a year. This year there were 7 of us. Within the 7 of us, there are different "levels" of friendship. There are "best friends", and there are friends that I really only see at the cabin or at church. The awesome thing is, when we are at the cabin, it is as if time has stood still, and we pick up from the previous year. Our hearts are all shared, and our guards are down. There are no friendship levels. We are all free to be exactly who we are, and we get to be girls. We are without the 18 kids that would normally accompany us on a playdate! I walked into the cabin on Friday night, with my heavy bags, and my heavy heart, and the first thing that is said to me is "I love your blog. I read it every day!". This came from one of the girls I haven't seen for months. I had no idea she even knew I had a blog, let alone was reading it. I felt so encouraged! Earlier in the week, while I was attending one of my many mini pity parties, I was whining about my blog. "Why do I even bother with this" "I don't even know if anyone is reading this." "I hit send and it goes off into cyberspace and is lost with everything else" I am embarrassed to admit that I even had the "what's in it for me" thought. Before you start yelling blasphemy please understand this: I know that even if no one were to read this blog, the benefits I receive make it worth it. I also know it is in fact a blessing and a privilege to be used by the Lord in this manner. I also know full well that it is not about me. However, the devil hit a button with me last week, and it wasn't until I was waist deep in lies that I realized I was entertaining thoughts that were not my own. The Lord helped strengthen me by using this girl to assure me that I was in fact still being obedient, and my time is being well used. I told her how much that meant to me and confessed that I had been having a crummy week. They asked why, and I told them I was working on my Body for Life entry kit, and everything that could possibly go wrong did go wrong. Their response was not to pay attention to what things went wrong, but to show genuine excitement for me, and to want to see my before and after photos. They expressed how proud they were of me, and acknowledged what hard work it was. Again these encouraging words came from 2 girls I haven't seen in months. Now, if you are one of the many who have been encouraging me all along, please do not feel dissed. I needed every single word you told me, and I would not have made it without you. I also cherish every word you have said along the way. It's just that sometimes, when you are in the midst of a fight, it is easier to receive an encouraging word from someone who doesn't know you as well. It is easier to dismiss the compliment of a loved one because, well, because I know you love me, and you are supposed to say encouraging things. To hear words of encouragement from someone who hasn't been there the whole time was easier for me to hear. To really, truly hear. To hear all of the encouraging words at the cabin was truly as sweet as if the Lord himself said "well done, my good and faithful servant". To all of my "cabin buddies": in addition to the best relaxing weekend ever, please know that all of you were used by the Lord to heal my heart, and get me back on track. You all said things to me that I cherish in my heart, and if I hadn't already gone 1000 words over in this blog, I would list them all! Thank you Jesus for these godly, obedient women!
1 Thessalonians 5:11 So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.
Love you all-
Jen
Back to the cabin. This "girls weekend" happens once a year. This year there were 7 of us. Within the 7 of us, there are different "levels" of friendship. There are "best friends", and there are friends that I really only see at the cabin or at church. The awesome thing is, when we are at the cabin, it is as if time has stood still, and we pick up from the previous year. Our hearts are all shared, and our guards are down. There are no friendship levels. We are all free to be exactly who we are, and we get to be girls. We are without the 18 kids that would normally accompany us on a playdate! I walked into the cabin on Friday night, with my heavy bags, and my heavy heart, and the first thing that is said to me is "I love your blog. I read it every day!". This came from one of the girls I haven't seen for months. I had no idea she even knew I had a blog, let alone was reading it. I felt so encouraged! Earlier in the week, while I was attending one of my many mini pity parties, I was whining about my blog. "Why do I even bother with this" "I don't even know if anyone is reading this." "I hit send and it goes off into cyberspace and is lost with everything else" I am embarrassed to admit that I even had the "what's in it for me" thought. Before you start yelling blasphemy please understand this: I know that even if no one were to read this blog, the benefits I receive make it worth it. I also know it is in fact a blessing and a privilege to be used by the Lord in this manner. I also know full well that it is not about me. However, the devil hit a button with me last week, and it wasn't until I was waist deep in lies that I realized I was entertaining thoughts that were not my own. The Lord helped strengthen me by using this girl to assure me that I was in fact still being obedient, and my time is being well used. I told her how much that meant to me and confessed that I had been having a crummy week. They asked why, and I told them I was working on my Body for Life entry kit, and everything that could possibly go wrong did go wrong. Their response was not to pay attention to what things went wrong, but to show genuine excitement for me, and to want to see my before and after photos. They expressed how proud they were of me, and acknowledged what hard work it was. Again these encouraging words came from 2 girls I haven't seen in months. Now, if you are one of the many who have been encouraging me all along, please do not feel dissed. I needed every single word you told me, and I would not have made it without you. I also cherish every word you have said along the way. It's just that sometimes, when you are in the midst of a fight, it is easier to receive an encouraging word from someone who doesn't know you as well. It is easier to dismiss the compliment of a loved one because, well, because I know you love me, and you are supposed to say encouraging things. To hear words of encouragement from someone who hasn't been there the whole time was easier for me to hear. To really, truly hear. To hear all of the encouraging words at the cabin was truly as sweet as if the Lord himself said "well done, my good and faithful servant". To all of my "cabin buddies": in addition to the best relaxing weekend ever, please know that all of you were used by the Lord to heal my heart, and get me back on track. You all said things to me that I cherish in my heart, and if I hadn't already gone 1000 words over in this blog, I would list them all! Thank you Jesus for these godly, obedient women!
1 Thessalonians 5:11 So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.
Love you all-
Jen
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