A Grand New Day

This past weekend I spent all day Friday and Saturday with my sister, her mother-in-law and sister-in-law. We attended a Women of Faith conference. I am not sure if any of you have been to one before, but I highly recommend it to all of you!

There is nothing quite like gathering with 6000 women in a huge arena to worship our Lord and Savior and hear amazing speakers and singers. This year the speakers and singers included special guests such as Lisa Welchel (from the Facts of Life), Lisa Harper (she was so funny!), Mandisa (from American Idol), Sandi Patty, and Steven Curtis Chapman.

As my sister put in her blog, there really are no words to describe the event. And I am not sure that I can put it into words either, but I will try to sum it up as best I can.

The theme of this year’s event was A Grand New Day. When I was in high school, I can remember going to church one Sunday and being so upset about something that had happened (and I know I was probably being over dramatic..but to me at that moment it was a big deal) that I was crying. I will never forget getting a pat on my shoulder and turning around to the person behind me ( I am not sure if she even remembers this) and she looked me straight in the eye and told me… It’s okay…tomorrow will be a better day. I have never forgotten that statement and every time things seem to be bad…I think back to that moment and remind myself that tomorrow will be better…it will be a Grand New Day.

I don’t know everyone’s circumstances. I don’t know what all you are going through. What I do know is that you are not alone in any of it and that it can be a Grand New Day for you. I am so confident of God’s promises to us and I know without a doubt that without him and the sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross for me I would not be here in this place and at this moment typing this blog. God’s plan may seem unclear at times, but it doesn’t mean he isn’t with you. He is listening to your prayers. It's okay to vent, feel upset and frustrated at times. We all have to deal with things in our own way. But once you have vented...LET IT GO....give it to God...he will take it from you and carry you forward. I don't know how he does it, but he does and he wants to do it for us.

Mandisa is an amazing singer who was kind of enough to sell her newest CD that isn’t available in stores yet at this event. I just had to buy one as I knew I would LOVE it. I have been listening to it since Saturday evening and there is one song that I think might just some up what kind of encouragement we received during the event.

He’s With You

There’s a time to live
And a time to die
There’s a time to laugh
And a time to cry
There’s a time for war
And a time for peace
There’s a hand to hold
In the worst of these

He is with you when your faith is dead
And you can’t even get out of bed
Or your husband doesn’t kiss you anymore
He is with you when your baby’s gone
And your house is still,
and your heart’s a stone
Cryin’ God, what’d You do that for
He is with you

There’s a time for yes
And a time for no
There’s a time to be angry
And a time to let it go
There’s a time to run
And a time to face it
There is love to see you
Through all of this
He is with you in the conference room
When the world is coming down on you
And your wife and kids don’t know you anymore
He is with you in the ICU
When the doctors don’t know what to do
And it scares you to the core
He is with you

We may weep for a time
But joy will come in the morning
The morning light

He is with you when your kids are grown
When there’s too much space
And you feel alone
And you’re worried if you
Got it right or wrong
Yes he is with you
When you’ve given up on ever finding
Your true love
Someone who feels like home
He is with you

When nothing else is left
And you take your final breath
He is with you.

May each of you today be reminded that you are not alone in whatever circumstances are taking place in your life. He is with you always.

If you have a moment...please lift up Shawndra Turner's family in your prayers. She passed away with her family by her side yesterday afternoon. I have followed her blog since she began it over 2 years ago and she fought a tremendous and courageous battle with cancer. She leaves behind her husband and 3 year old daughter.

Auntie D