On Friday night, I went to a breakout session at She Speaks with pen poised and legal pad blank and waiting. Cecil Murphey, a man who has written countless books and is beloved by the publishing community, was the speaker, and I was sure that I was going to receive the magic formula for success in publishing.
Surely he'd talk about building a platform. The key to success is the number of your blog readers, the number in your audience or the number of your proposals that are accepted by publishers. Right?
The key to success is found in your degrees, the number of conferences you've attended and the number of hours writing. Right?
I prepared for wisdom and rules to be imparted. (Since I'm one more rule-following fool, a list of rules is something I can get excited about!)
Cec took the stage and began to speak unexpected words but words that my heart longed to hear.
Who would have thought?
Who would have thought that a book like Practicing the Presence of God would dwindle to a stack of 100 molding away in a warehouse before an impassioned pastor began recommending it to everyone within earshot?
Who would have thought that a book like The Shack which was self-published and so controversial would make millions feel the love of God?
Who would have thought that a book about 90 minutes in heaven would ever have made it among all the "near death" books and novels around us?
Who would have thought?
Cec's whole message was that God is in control. He is the one who chooses, and all the blog posts, positioning and preparation in the world doesn't change things. God changes things.
Many of you may be reading this, and your response is "Duh!" I know. But for a girl with a highly over-developed sense of responsibility, Cec's message was a place where my heart could rest. So I started my own list that ended up looking a whole lot like thankfulness.
Who would have thought...
- I'd have a husband that would make coffee and buy doughnuts the morning after a conference from which I was left comatose?
- A rule-following girl would be embraced by Grace?
- My friends from my two worlds would collide and make a bigger circle?
- My youngest would say, "It's not the same without you here, Mom"?
- I'd see and hear the stories of the faith of 11 amazing women?
If you reflect, do you have some "Who would have thoughts?"
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9 comments:
Who would have thought....
....I would be celebrating my 21st wedding anniversary this year with the most perfect man for me (God knew what he was doing).
....I would be blessed to have 3 happy, healthy, energetic boys after experiencing 3 miscarriages that left me wondering if I would have any more children.
....I would create my own blog -since I'm technically challenged- and be writing and sharing with others what's on this mama's heart.
....I would be blogging with some wonderful women at Proverbs 31 Ministries gaining such wisdom and insight.
Boy am I blessed!
Who would have thought...
...that God would bless me with a wonderful God-loving husband who loves me totally.
...that God would bless me with two beautiful girls who want to serve him with their talents.
...that God would love me and use me, as imperfect as I am.
Thanks Amy for making me think today! Carla
Great! Who would have thought...
*That I would read blogs, much less have one.
*That I too am married to a godly husband for almost 20 years (wasn't godly until the last 8 years - both of us actually)....
I could go on - but maybe I will post that on my blog...I really enJOYed what you wrote!!!
Who would have thought....
At She Speaks....
I would meet(in person) girls I had prayed for, chatted with, followed their blogs, and girls that followed mine! Now, this blew me away when I just happened to sit next to a girl I did not know. I had no clue! I just took a seat! Shelly had MY name in her notebook! She prays for me and follows MY Blog! She assured me that I ministered to her on a regular basis! WOW! No doubt God was there when I took that seat in that classroom!
God is amazing!
I would have the opportunity to go to the She Speaks conference, and meet you. That God would bless me with a God fearing husband, and two beautiful children. That I didn't crumble into a big mess, but that God has held me up during the hardest times in my life.
And who would have thought that my simple words would impact you? I tried to open my heart to those of you at SheSpeaks and encourage you--and to remind you (as you so well stated) that this IS God's business.
You got the message--and you blessed me by your comments.
Thanks.
Cec
Who would have thought...
...that I would have to travel to Concord to meet such a lovely new friend (YOU) who lives so nearby!! He is good!!! Can't wait for our coffee date!
...that my husband would still love me after I said, "Honey, do you have plans for our anniversary?" and he said, "No, what would you like to do?" I said, "Well...it doesn't exactly include you...." And he encouraged me wholeheartedly to go to She Speaks!!! He has blessed me like that for 28 years!!!
...that we would share wonderful friends like Tara Furman and Wendy Pope!
...that you know and love my Pastor too!
God sure loves us, doesn't He!!!
I love this post. I need to ponder Cec's words. Oh how I wanted to hear them...but who would've thought I'd be leading the WM track with my mentor and spiritual mom, MaryAnn Ruff on Friday night instead after God moved her so far away years ago.
Love you big sweet Amy!
Amy, I am 54 and I have gotten into Facebook in last year. I love the "closeness" of my kids, nieces and nephews and mostly that fact that I can praise GOD in my status and no one removes it! I love the fact that so many hit "LIKE" to GOD posts too!
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