Bravery isn't knowing all the answers. It's standing on the promises we have from God, knowing HE has all the answers and He loves us very much. (Tweet that!)
A retreat was what I needed to clear my head and start fresh. Six weeks away from a conference many had poured blood, sweat and tears into and I was still wracking my brain and Bible for a specific and timely word from God.
We trekked upstate and a little to the east, arriving at the beautiful Lake Tahoe. The next day we drove around the lake, wide and vast and still. "What do you want me to tell them," I asked of God. "There are 400 girls coming to the conference hear from you and I don't know what to tell them."
At that moment and for the next 2 hours, my mind flooded with memories and stories, verses and quotes that my life was being built upon. Middle school, high school, college and a tiny bit of marriage was the only life experience I possessed, but somehow I knew it was enough.
I couldn't grab my iPhone quick enough. Typing on those little buttons like a mad woman, I knew the Holy Spirit was reminding me of things that would connect with the hearts and experiences of those girls.
I cried with awe. Oh how He loves us.
I wept with overwhelm. Oh how He's shaping us.
By the time we'd wrapped around the bend, I had something to say. It wasn't my message, but I was living it. It wasn't my design but I was wearing it. It wasn't my idea, but it was my hope to give.
This is what He said:
Tell them I love them.
Tell them to love me with everything in them.
Tell them My love does not depend on theirs.
Tell them to not be afraid.
Tell them the world needs to hear their story.
Tell them they are precious to me.
Tell them I see them where they are.
Tell them I will meet them there.
Tell them My grace is deep enough to cover their hidden regrets and it is wide enough to cover their future mistakes.
Tell them it is time to awake. To be fully awake.
Tell them to be courageous.
Tell them, to be brave.
Today I pass on this message to you. Whoever you need to be today, whatever you need to do, be awake, be courageous, be brave. (Click to tweet that!)
