Listening for the Music of God's Voice

Today we wrap up Dancing with My Father online book study. Although our weekly MomHeart group continues to meet on Fridays at the Heart of the Valley YMCA each week at 9 am. Childcare is available and our small group is open to moms with children of all ages. We currently have moms of preschoolers as well as moms who have already become grandmothers. So we have alot of wisdom in our group and love to spend time encouraging one another and supporting each other through the various seasons of life. Please message me here, via facebook or email if you are interested in learning more about MomHeart.

The button badge shown is promoting this year's MomHeart conferences. I have been a part of these conferences for the past twelve years. Next to my walk with the Lord, the messages of Sally Clarkson have most greatly impacted my parenting journey. I am strengthened in  my faith, encouraged, and inspired to greatness each year as I go and sit under her teaching.

I am inviting every mom who reads my blog to come with me to Raleigh in March. I have asked for the conference fee as a Christmas present for the last twelve years. Some of my greatest memories include  attending these events with like minded moms, staying up way too late, sharing our hearts, eating great food, crying and laughing together. I have traveled to Dallas, Raleigh (twice), Charlotte, Atlanta, Denver, Nashville,  and somewhere around the St. Louis area...can't remember the city...just the beautiful hotel we stayed in and the great time I had with a dear friend. The message each year from Sally has been just what my heart needed and prepared me for what the Father had in store for me to walk through. If you are interested in finding our more about these life changing conferences go to www.wholeheart.org

Most recently in August, I applied and was accepted to attend the first MomHeart Leader Intensive Training at Sally's home in Monument, Colorado. It was a weekend full of training, inspiration, great food and fellowship. I went into the weekend physically exhausted and still grief filled from my loss earlier that year. I was aware that I would most likely be the only single mom there. As overwhelming as my life circumstances were I stepped out in faith believing God had something for me...just no idea what. The MomHeart message had become part of my identity...because it is a Christ based message to moms. Yet, I was at a place where I was literally just putting one foot in front of the other. My joy had waned with the loss of my love. I could not feel anything at all.

As sole provider and caretaker for my kids I knew I was the one to get them up each morning...get them off to school..get them to practices, lessons, etc. I had been just going through the motions wondering if my joy would ever return.

I wasn't angry with God for taking my love and best friend...I just couldn't seem to get over being numb. So, that was the condition of my heart upon arrival in Colorado. Yet, I walked confidently in Christ that He had afforded me this privilege and He would be faithful to sustain me throughout the weekend. I was eager to hear from Him...specifically in how to grow the MomHeart group....reaching many other moms with the same wonderful messages that have inspired me for so many years.

There were many different things I learned through the course of the weekend regarding servant leadership, writing and more.  However, before I ever checked into my room that day I was asked the following question by young men videotaping for the weekend, "What book have you enjoyed reading the most with your kids?" Hands down, Ruth Graham's One Wintry Night came to mind.

At that point God began giving me an idea for outreach at our local YMCA with the after school care kids. The more I thought on the idea, the more ideas kept flooding in for a creative literary outreach to share the Christmas story with these kids from creation to ascension using One Wintry Night. God kept saying, "I want these kids to know that just like I planned for that first Christmas over 2000 years ago, I also planned for each of them. I want them to know they can be a part of HisStory.
It was the first idea I had received for ministry in over a year and a half. Having been filled with grief I had resolved that I might never get an idea for ministry again.

I am happy to say we are in week 5 of the seven week outreach. Our efforts will culminate with a Christmas program performed by the kids on Dec 2. Each week there is a team of us who meet at the Y and spend almost two hours together singing, dancing, and storytelling. The kids there have learned to identify God as protector, creator, promisekeeper, faithful, and deliverer thus far. We are having a blast.
I share this with you from this chapter entitled, "Listening to the Music of God's Voice" because this outreach came from Him. And I believe He gave me the idea because I was choosing to listen and seek Him in spite of my heartache. 

Jeremiah 29 says we will find Him when we seek Him with our whole heart. I have tried life in many ways without Christ only to repeatedly find myself come up empty handed and with an empty heart. So through my faith walk I have learned to guard my heart by only putting in what is beneficial to my well being...the word of God. Also, prayer...daily time alone just to be with God...to be still and wait for Him...And finally, the community of like minded people that I walk through life with.

By practicing these disciplines, the Father continues to meet with me and gives me great joy. I had resolved in my heart that if the Lord never returned my joy in the absence of my love then He would be enough. Although my heart was downtrodden, it was filled with the peace and love of Christ. Never in my wildest dreams would I imagine that He would not only restore my joy but also cast new vision and allow me to serve in such sweet ways...and have such a fun time doing it.
It has been my privilege to share part of my journey as we pressed through this book Dancing with My Father. My daughter Lawren introduced me to a new song which I love called Dance with Me. I have listened to it repeatedly and rejoice that I too have this love relationship with my heavenly father. It is my prayer for each of you as well.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esW85eDJFv0&feature=&p=BA3EE477BD379BB1&index=0&playnext=1
Are you hearing from the Lord. Will you make time...even just a few minutes to be quiet before the Lord...to get away from the busyness of your day and let Him love on you...bless you....and inspire you to greatness. Will you surround yourself with like minded believers who support you and encourage you in your faith walk. May you enjoy the dance with your heavenly Father and  be blessed as you go about responding to His moves and His voice.

The author's prayer:

My precious Father,
     How grateful I am that you are my King, my Redeemer. Open the eyes of my heart so that I may see the bigger picture of history, of which I can play a part. Help me to know you as my lover,my caretaker, my friend, and my king. Show me how to dance in your reality every day. Give me eyes to see the truth of your kingdom and prepare me for the celebration of life with you, which will go on through all eternity. Sweet Lord, restore to me the joy of my salvation. I love you so much. In Jesus, my Prince's name, I come. Amen.