"Peace is not the absence of chaos but the ability to
persevere and thrive in the midst of the confusion."
Taken from Upper Room Disciplines, 2008
We’re praying for five hundred women. Before we even have a date for the first Sisters Today Conference, we’re praying for those five hundred – before we even know their names. We’re praying that God will begin to work on their hearts, preparing them for the day we’re setting aside to serve and minister to them. We’re praying that God will love them right into his arms and that he’ll direct our steps and our plans as we prepare for the first conference.
When I was ten years old, a voice whispered loving words in my ear – “Shelley, I have something for you to do.” What do you suppose ten year old Shelley had to say about that? I said, “But I’m only ten years old. What can I do?” The answer was, “You’ll know when the time is right. Just prepare.” So I’ve been preparing. I’ve followed my heart and taken on a plethora of skills and adventures. My life's journey wasn't always pleasant, but those stories are for another time. Looking back, I can see that God was watching over me and loving me in spite of my circumstances and, sometimes, in spite of myself. I married my soul mate at the age of 18 - Roy. We traveled the world together, adding three children to our family. I had an opportunity to fly a T-37 over the Rio Grande River – upside down. The pilot permitted me to take the stick, so I flew in loops and rolls, getting to experience what it was like to pierce the clouds. I went on survival training in the everglades, dropped off by helicopter. I’ve lived and traveled abroad, been everything from a loan officer to an Air Force officer. I’ve been a choir director, Discipleship instructor, Sunday School teacher, and youth director. I was trying to “prepare”. For the past four years I’ve owned a small (very small) film company. I admit that I wonder if God really called me. I wonder if he would want someone like me, who has let him down many times. I’ve wondered how all these disjointed experiences I’ve had could possibly be of any use.
The first weekend of May 2008, I spent seventy-two hours at West River Camp participating in something called “Walk to Emmaus”. It was a life changing weekend. It was like going to heaven for three days. The down side was that on Sunday evening, I had to go home. I would love to have stayed forever, but the spiritual director for the weekend told us that we meet God on the mountain top, but the work that needs to be done is down in the valley. So I went home. That night I had a dream that Jesus was standing behind me. He put his hand on my right shoulder. I sensed that he was saying it was time for me to move forward, but that he would keep his hand upon me, guiding me.
So here I am – introducing myself to you. I’m going to take all the things I’ve learned and experienced and I’m going to walk beside you, serve you, love you, and support you, my sisters in Christ. I’m going to trust that the Lord will guide me and show me what I need to do and when. Right now I feel lead to find five hundred women who are hungry to be fed and loved and lifted up. Are you one of the five hundred?