the Uncomman Woman.

Saturday, I had the wonderful opportunity to attend the Rise & Shine Retreat at Orchard Hill. It was exactly what I needed to hear. I'm going to jot down my thoughts while they are fresh on my mind.

Lately I have been very immersed in the Word. I have not always been good at this (at all!). I like to think it's a priority, because in my mind it is. But, for example, when I had time to train for the triathlon, I didn't miss the alarm clock to get up and run. However, I would easily shut it off it all I was going to do was get up and read my Bible. The "I just don't have enough time" is a silly excuse. You DO have time for what you want to have time for. I get most of the things done in my day that I really want to accomplish. Reading my Bible hasn't always been one of those things. (there ya have it, my dirty laundry).

Having said that, the last couple weeks I have been on fire! I have a powerful study going with our small group, am involved in a Promises study Tuesday morning, plus am memorizing scripture. Along with being on fire, comes the nasty ol' Devil. While I feel grounded, I also feel under attack every single day. It's easy for me to: feel lonely, feel resentful of my husband who has been around home very little, get very weighed down by all the sadness around us (accidents, sickness, etc.), feel discouraged and mad at/by people, feel impatient with the kids, on and on. The more in tune I am to HIM, the more in tune Satan wants to be with me. It's a battle.

Saturday, Susie Larson (my favorite speaker, ever!) spoke just what I needed to hear. I want to be exactly what she was talking about: the uncommon woman, making an ordinary life extraordinary.

Some of the things she said that radiated within me:
-You came from Him, will end with Him, and have things to do for HIM in between.
-You may not be qualified, but you ARE equipped.
-Salvation for heaven would have been plenty enough! But he did so much more than that. He offers great opportunities for a fruit-filled, glory lived out life, HERE.
-Everytime I say "I love you, Lord," turn that around and say, "You love ME, Lord." Let that sink in.
-You should walk, every single day, with holy confidence and humble dependence. You are no better than, but no less than anyone else. We are everything with God, but nothing without Him.
-Our past is forgiven, our present is filled with power (love this), and our future is bright wit hope.
-You are not a civilian passing through this world, you are in the armed forces of heaven!
-Don't live in reaction to your circumstances. Live in response to His love.
-If we could not be so worried about "saving face," we would see a lot more "saving grace." (YES!)
-Renew your mind! What's your pattern or thought life like? Train your mind so scripture is instinct.

Lastly, she talked about how you can't point to circumstances in your life as to why you are not bearing fruit. Fruit is made off of a connection, alone. Think about trees. The leaves/fruit/nuts do nothing to be produced. The vine and its branches are connected, and that alone produces.

Without connection to HIM, you will not bear fruit. And we will be known by the fruit we bear. I want to bear fruit!

Susie talked about over and over; the pettiness of women, even Christian women. There is so much gossip, hurt, competition, and degrading. I want to be the uncommon woman. I want to hold up my shield and say, "no!" I am no better than the woman next to me. I struggle the same struggles, and battle every single day. But with HIM I can be uncommon.


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