“God is constantly finding new ways to bless His daughters.” Lisa-Jo Baker, Community Manager of (in)courage
This weekend I attended a conference with thousands of women from all over the world. I laughed. I cried. I learned so much from the stories of women just like me. {Women, they tell the best stories, right?} The whole weekend was focused on staying in community even when it is hard. It was such a blessing. It all happened online through the ministry of (in)courage and looked something like this:
Saturday, I walked out my front door, and met some of the sweetest new friends who live in or around my little red pen in Central Florida. They look like this:
{Jen, Shelsy, Chris, Brittany, Val, Kimberly, and Erica}
We laughed. We listened. We talked about how God made us to be in real live community and why it is a blessing and sometimes so hard. I also ate the most amazing brownie in real life. Yes, I did.
As it turns out, we all have a story about community, staying or not staying, the blessings, and the challenges attached to the people we let in and out of our lives. Each of us could talk about this topic for hours because God made us to fit with other people in one way or another. He made us to need it. He also made us to learn from it.
“The choice to stay has been the choice to pursue even when it’s hard.” –Annie Downs
Yes it is hard. Sometimes. Yes it is beautiful, most of the time. But guess what we get when we pursue it?
“God will meet you, and when He asks you to stay in the hard times, He will be your ever present help and strength.” -Terilynne Underwood
To be sure we don’t miss it, He gave us this promise:
“For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.” Matthew 18:20
Girls, not only do we get community, we get His presence in the midst of it and that is so precious.
I saw it this weekend. Online. Locally. And globally. See, Jesus isn’t limited by time, zip codes, computers, or distance. When we seek connection with His daughters, He is the thread that binds us.
:::
So, I’m wondering, did you attend the (in)courage (in)RL meet up this year? What grabbed your heart?
If you didn’t have a chance to attend, what have you learned in your own life about staying in community even when it is hard? I’d love to hear from you because you girl, are amazing.
xo,
Stacey
P.S. What else is amazing? This image frozen in time forever by Kaitlyn who said I was not old:
Myself and Lisa-Jo Baker making it proud into the (in)RL blooper reel doing our warm ups, aka High School Musical.
What a weekend. What a team. Holy ground.
I am so grateful for you Lisa-Jo and your big heart for God and His daughters.
I am the the one truly blessed. Thank you for being faithful and brining us along!
Holy ground. Indeed. Giving thanks for Him in you both.
Love you, girl. Hoping to hug your neck in real life soon…and feel free to bring one of those brownies 😉
Isn’t it crazy that I’m convinced you live down the street and really it is thousands of miles away? God knits our hearts in the most beautiful way!
Oh Stacey! So, so thankful He allowed the threads of our lives to get all knotted up together. I cannot I aging my life without you. xo
I love this line, “Girls, not only do we get community, we get His presence in the midst of it and that is so precious.” Yes! Amen! And where are you in that picture, dear? <3
I hosted this year…and what I loved was seeing women encouraged and challenged exactly as we are, exactly where we are. To have a place to connect and be real…with heaps of (in)couragement poured on top…that was my favorite part of it. Thanks for sharing and for being a big part of something that is blessing women around the world! Have a great week! 🙂
I was so thankful to attend a meet up this year! What a tremendous blessing! I linked up and shared my story although just fraction of what took place. Blessings!
I totally loved that blooper!!!
I’m in love with the same line as Michele-Lyn…”Not only do we get community, we get His presence in the midst of it…” Yes, Yes, Yes! And He was moving in the hearts of women all around the world this weekend, and I believe we may never know the immensity of the impact of (in)RL on the hearts of women…to feel seen, and loved, and made whole in community. With much love to you as you lead….xoxo
In real life meeting women who share a love for the Lord is always a special place of fellowship. The thing that grabbed my heart was why were there not more women there!? We live in a huge city…I guess we have many benches to pull up before next year rolls around!
I know there were a couple of other meet ups nearby, but let’s hope we can find some more friends! It was so nice to meet you! I had a great morning with you all!
majorly disappointed I didn’t get to make it – glad it was so fun!
Missed you Stef!
Hey girl! It’s been a week and I finally got around to checking out your blog. I love it and I’m looking forward to getting to know you better by reading it. It feels a little like cheating, though, since I don’t have one too. 🙂 Thanks for being so awesomely welcoming at the meet up. It was so great meeting you. I’d love to get together with you again sometime!
So great to meet you Shelsy! What a wonderful weekend!