A faithful blog reader (my mom) recently brought it to my attention that I have never told the story of how my blog recieved it's name. There is a story and it all began about a year ago . . .
A few posts ago, I talked about coordinating the annual women's retreat at our church. As much as I enjoy this ministry, it has left me a bit "unretreated." My mind is so focused on the details of the retreat, that I am not able to wholly focus on seeking God during that time. A few months before last year's retreat, I began to pray for some time away, a personal retreat of sorts. I didn’t really know what that would look like, but I persisted in my prayers. God eventually led me to Colorado Springs for a Women’s Ministry Conference and Beth Moore Event. You have probably noticed that I like to plan and organize, but as this trip began coming together, I felt very at peace about allowing God to take care of the details. In the end, I went on the trip alone. I left on a Wednesday morning and returned late Saturday night. While in Colorado Springs, I sat under many great speakers, learned so much about women’s ministry and was fed like crazy from the word! Everything I learned was amazing and God is using many of the things I learned in my life, but when I look back on this trip, I think the biggest thing I learned is what can happen when I come to God with "Great Expectations."
From the moment I booked the plane and reserved the hotel room, I began to dream of what God would do. An entire weekend, just Him and I. What would I learn, who would I meet, how would I be changed? While sitting at OHare airport waiting to board my plane, I got out a small spiral notebook. I turned to the back page and wrote: "Cool Things God Did." Before my journey even got off the ground, I was expecting God to work and move in a mighty way. From that moment on, it was one thing after another. I praised God for an entire row of seats on the airplane all to myself, a great time of fellowship with my cousin Ashleigh and her family, the opportunity to talk with Beth Moore and even a ride home from the airport on the "party" bus! I filled that entire page easily. What if I entered each new day, each new hour, each new minute with such "Great Expectations."
Great Expectations
by Stephen Curtis Chapman
The morning finds me here at heavens door
A place I've been so many times before
Familiar thoughts and phrases start to flow
And carry me to places that I know so well
But dare I go where I don't understand
And do I dare remember where I am
I stand before the great eternal throne
The one that God himself is seated on
And I I've been invited as a son
Oh I I've been invited to come and
Believe the unbelievable
Receive the inconceivable
And see beyond my wildest imagination
Lord I come with great expectations
So wake the hope that slumbers in my soul
Stir the fire inside and make it glow
I'm trusting in a love that has no end
The savior of this world has called me friend
And I I've been invited with the son
Oh I I've been invited to come and
Believe the unbelievable
Receive the inconceivable
And see beyond our wildest imagination
Lord we come with great expectations
2 comments:
Yes...it's good to have great expectations with God! :-)
Glad you were able to spend time with Ash and family, too.
We loved spending time with you while you were here!
By the way, loved this post. Any interest in turning it into an 800-word article for Ungrind? We have a theme coming up that looks at getaways. If not, that's fine. Just thought I'd ask. :)
Post a Comment