Fields rolled by and I wondered which farm was her’s. I took photos just in case that was the one. It wasn’t. But we were getting close. Leah and I had been ministering at a women’s event in Ontario all weekend, and now we were on our way to visit my sweet friend, Ann Voskamp.
Leah, Ann, Me
I couldn’t wait to see Ann and meet her family – who were all as unique and wonderful as she describes on her blog. Two boys hid (and giggled) under the porch while we visited. The girls sat on the swing and listened. Flowers bent in the breeze behind the white picket fence.
And a zip line waited for us in the backyard. The kids told me all about it. How their dad created it and how much time it took. Voices echoed excitement. I asked if I could try it. Big smiles stretched across their faces. I don’t think they were expecting a city girl to go on the zip line. But this city girl is a farm girl at heart, and I love adventure!
I even talked their momma into trying it for the first time!!
Later we sat on the porch and talked, and we captured our conversation on video so we could share it with you. I shared earlier this week how we talked about naming things like our doubts and fears, as well as the beauty He brings that we easily miss. How naming them can bring clarity to our thinking and invite God into our everyday moments. Then we talked about framing the moments and messes so we can see God in them and worship Him there. Here is the rest of our conversation:
I have a few gifts to share… I brought home 3 signed copies of Ann’s New York Times Best-Seller, One Thousand Gifts. To enter to win, we’d love for you to be part of our conversation. Simply slip a note in the comments below this post by clicking “Share your thoughts.”
And, since we talked about overcoming self-doubts, I’ll tuck a copy of my book in with each of Ann’s for the three of you who win. Winners will be announced on Monday. To be notified, you can sign up for email updates in that little box at the top.
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To say that Ann Voskamp’s book and your blog came in a timely manner into my life, would be the biggest understatement of the year. I was seeking some form of fellowship with women, that would fit into our busy lives. Marriages are dissolving around me, families being torn apart, tragedy, grief, pain…..so much negativity, and despair.
“What Lord?? What is my role in this supposed to be? How am I to reach out when there are days I can’t cope with my own LIFE? How? Why? I am supposed to be grateful..here? in this mess?”
His answer….”Share it…say it out loud…”
A wednesday morning date was chosen, an email sent out…”please come…”
A week later, 8 women at my table and well over 15 children in the backyard. Coffee, Bibles, discussion, tears, laughter, and maybe, just maybe…an opportunity to bless, share, and find Grace.
Long story short, a week or so later a package arrived on my porch from a friend I adore and don’t see nearly enough. Ann’s book, which has lead me to you, Renee, and all this WONDER. Now our every other Wednesday morning, is spent discussing articles from your site, snippets from Ann’s book, and lots and lots of scripture and GRACE. I just had to say it out loud…to share it! How many women around are suffering in some degree with the AGONY of life, the mundane, the feelings of despair and emptiness….They are just waiting for someone to say it out LOUD! To be honest, I did it for myself, at the beginning, and now these relationships have become so incredibly important to me, and MY relationship with God has improved dramatically, as a result. No judgement, no criticism, it’s your own personal journey, and everyone is in a different season….self doubt ROBS us of gigantic joy! And let’s face it, “sometimes your only mode of transportation, is a gigantic leap of FAITH.”
Thank you for sharing yourself, and encouraging me to take that leap!
The encouragement and TLC you provide me with are like essential vitamins for my soul; you really know what women in today’s world NEED to live a vibrant and healthy existence among all of the diversions and distractions (many of them dangerous) that we all face within this world filled with superficiality and materialism. It is always a blessing to read your daily devotions that remind me what is really important to spiritually grow and thrive. Your topics always hit the mark of a recent concern I have worried over. Thank you for being such a touchstone of God’s Word and creating peace in womens’ hearts everywhere!
Thank you for your words of encouragement. I have been blessed to be on my job for about 16 years. It has been a struggle to overcome the many obstacles within my life experience. I struggle often with doubting what the Holy Spirit is trying to say or lead me to do here on this job. I have been overlooked many times for level of promotions or my family understanding. Coming to work on time, working over and being very productive has been unnoticed. I have been held by all emotional attachments while accepting all negative comments other throw at me. I’m a single mother of one child (a daughter) and caring for my mother. At times I feel as if, I’m cheating my child out of her time as her mother. Where do I limit myself in order to accept God’s blessing?
I believe the lies of the enemy too often, telling me that I’m not good enough, strong enough, unloved. It’s those times my eyes are off Him. I am a daughter of the king and I am His. Thank you for this post and reminding me with scripture of His promises.
one thousand gifts, has been my favorite gift to give this year, for birthdays, hostess gifts, thank yous, I wanted evereyone to experiece the joy in really seeing and counting God’s goodness, his power and his healing. I am so excited Renee about your book, because, oh how we need to hear and know that we are His workmanship, and He is our creator, (artist) How we can trust Him in and for all things. to Him who is able to do immeasurably more….. Praying now for you and Ann
Renee,
I read Day 5 of the 7 day Doubt Diet and could so relate to your story. I am almost 50 years old and I still feel that way when asked what I want to do or what I like to do….frankly I don’t know.
You mentioned that you had read some books about gifts, passions, etc. that helped you figure it out. Could you recommend those to me or make suggestions. I would so appreciate it!
Thanks and God bless,
Teresa
thanks so much, i have so needed this encouragement.
I think part of this is hormones and depression relapse talking, but just last night, I met up with some friends, and struggled to be part of what was happening. It was like I was on the other side of a window, looking in on them and listening in on their conversations, but never being a part of the event myself. Below is an excerpt from a note I wrote last night about 1:00 a.m.–when my words were a bit more unguarded:
“It was so good to get together with the girls again last night. I felt like the weak, silent type, but sometimes, that’s all I can do. Sit, listen, ponder. I have so much trapped inside, but don’t even know where to begin. Words aren’t even adequate.
Sometimes, I look at my Asperger’s Autistic son, and I don’t understand him at all, yet at other times, I understand him all too well. He communicates, but not in a way that most people relate to, (or even WANT TO relate to for that matter!).
I sit at work all day, and sometimes have some relevant words to say, but more often than not I realize that the words that I could say or may even want to say would not be something others would be interested in hearing. So I stay silent. Or on a particularly frenetic day, my words may spout forth like a fountain, without regard for whether my word fountain is desirable to others or not. I can feel my own annoyance at myself at those times.
That’s how I feel lately…like I don’t relate to others, at work, at home, even with my friends. I flip-flop between wanting to be invisible, and wanting to be seen, between silence, and wanting to scream!
I don’t even know why I am even sharing this right now, except that I feel compelled to put words to paper, and have SOMEONE see them. It sounds desperate and pathetic, I know. Sometimes, I wonder just how much less of a freak I am now, than back when I was in Junior High.”
Friendships have always been a challenge for me, but I long so much for the companionship. This is why it frustrates me so much that I pull back when I am with friends. However, I also struggle with not fitting in with their conversations. I don’t have the things to say and contribute, so I just fade into the background. I know that this stems partly from insecurity, but also I still struggle with getting past prior rejections.
God has given me some wonderful friends and acquaintances, but I don’t feel that I don’t have what it takes to be a good enough friend in return…
-RJ
Can I count this video as gift #1019? I’ve reached one thousand and have only just begun. Thanks so much for sharing this attitude-changing, life-changing mindset.
Thank you for sharing these videos. I suffer from anxiety/panic disorder and depression. Ann has been such an inspiration to me.
It is wonderful to see your faces light up as you share the truth.
Captivated by HIM as He speaks through you!!!
Dear, Renee,
I have recently been laid off and this sparked in me a quest to find the job that fit the calling the Lord has for me. Little did I know it would also open a door to the Lord breaking down my strongholds. Some days, I feel like he’s taking a shovel and digging and digging and prying and prying. He’s revealed to me things I didn’t even know lurked under the surface. He used your 7 Day Doubt Diet to reveal to me one of the biggest strongholds in my life—doubt; huge, gaping, overwhelming self-doubt that leaves me self-focused and living in constant fear. When you instructed us to pray for awareness of these thoughts and also write them down, I realized that almost every thought began with “You can’t,” “You aren’t,” and “You will never.” My struggle gained a name and a face. But God had gone before me, directing me to Micah over and over since last year and then one day He gave me a verse.
7 But as for me, I WILL watch expectantly for the LORD; I WILL wait for the God of my salvation. MY God WILL hear me.
8 Do not rejoice over me, O my enemy. Though I fall I WILL rise; Though I dwell in darkness, the LORD IS a light for me. Micah 7:7-8 (Emphasis mine)
The enemy can drag us down in the darkness with our doubts and fears, but the Lord will always be our light.
Thank you for your conversation. I struggle often with doubting what the Holy Spirit is speaking over me and the daily events in my life. I enjoyed your conversation as a word from GOD in what HE is currently working in me. Accepting conflict and words others throw at me often cloud my dependence on GOD and I get stuck in a myriad of negative, critical thinking.
Again, all I can say is Thank You! Naming my issues and concerns and allowing God into the process is so wonderful! Thank you again!
Framing the moments makes it so much easier to see the blessings. When they are framed I don’t get distracted by everything surrounding them.
Hello Lamp-Lighter(s)
Loved your bench-talk, as you excitedly share insights and recent ‘bright spots’ with each other!
Just finished our weekly 2-hour sharing time here, with 2 sisters who’ve met with me these past 6 months, to eagerly digest, taste and see with freshness, God’s goodness, by reading and discussing Ann’s book together.
Thank you both for sharing so transparently and lovingly,
Elly
Thank you Renee for the message in these videos. It has been so eye opening for me. Your message has blessed me in so many ways.
I love the idea of framing 🙂 Sometimes if I don’t have my camera handy, I just sit and try to absorb as much as possible in a mental picture…so I don’t miss out on it while grabbing the camera…
Our pastor has been speaking from Galations and shared a “Child of God’s creed: I live this life by faith (confidence) in the Son of God who LOVED me and GAVE himself for me.” (Gal 2:20)…
That’s a great frame 🙂
Life is tough right now, but GOD is faithful. He is teaching me to trust Him through these heartbreaking trials.
I have not read either of your books yet, but they both sound very nice, GOD gave me something to think about recently through the writing of another…paraphrased it said, Faith is believing that GOD can do what HE says HE can do. Trust is believing that GOD can do what HE says HE can do, better than I can.
Thank you for these ministries that point women back to our first Love, our True Strength, and our Faithful, Trustworthy Father. May GOD bless you both and keep you growing in HIM.
Thankful for God’s blessing of finding you and Ann. A frame work that I can not take a physical picture but a mental and spiritual picture that will keep evolving and growing. Thank you both for touching our lives especially mine. M.