Good and Perfect Gifts

Sometimes I mistakenly think that being a Christian means giving up the things I want for God. That's not it at all. It's being WILLING to give up the things I want for God.

This weekend I got to go to San Antonio for a writing conference. I wasn't planning to go because I'd chosen to attend other conferences this year. But I've wanted to go to San Antonio for decades, and when my friend Melissa Ferguson said, "If you can fly for free, why don't you just come down for a day?" I wondered if I could possibly make it happen. (Though she also suggested that rather than fly home afterwards, I just fly to Hawaii, so I don't ALWAYS listen to her.)

Davy Crocket said, "Come and take it." But the Bible says, "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above."

There were a number of factors standing in the way of my trip to Texas. While I knew I could force all the pieces into place, I put it in God's hands instead, completely willing to let the desire go. This is how He blessed me:

1. It was my weekend with my daughter, so I wasn't going to go unless my ex agreed to trade me weekends, and he did.

2. I was able to get a sub for my yoga class.

3. A friend filled in for my shift at the airport.

4. I'd planned to go to a fund-raising dinner with a friend, and I didn't want to leave her hanging, but she actually made alternate plans, as well.

5. I thought I would have to fly home early to attend my church mentorship group with our pastor's wife, but she rescheduled, allowing me to stay and explore the city after the conference.

6. My sister agreed to take care of our pets since my hubby was also going to be out of town on a motorcycle ride.

7. I was offered a free hotel room.

From left to right: Cynthia Herron, me, my editor Miralee Ferrell, the Carol-nominated Linda Thompson, our agent Sarah Freese

This was a gift. Going to the conference was a gift. I've been feeling so dry lately, but this weekend God showered me with love. I'm filled up and overflowing.

Besides getting to attend the awards gala where I cheered for fellow Mountain Brook Ink author Linda Thompson, I was able to meet with my agent and and editor and help encourage other writers. The best thing that came out of it was a conversation with Casey Apodaca and involves the non-fiction book I'm writing.

I told Casey how I feel more weight in writing Prayers of an Abandoned Wife because of the scripture about how teachers are held to a higher standard. I don't want any of my own blind spots to lead readers astray. She responded that I should focus on another scripture. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4.

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God."

I can offer comfort. That's not scary. That's my jam.

If nothing else comes from the connections I made at the conference, this is enough. God's comfort is enough. God is enough.

Being willing to give up the things I want for God makes it so much sweeter when God gives me the desires of my heart.