Hold on to Your Socks!

Mar 27

Friends, can I tell you how good my God is?  My God is GOOD!  You know those crazy looking sock holders that hold up men’s socks?  Well, I think I need a pair because God just keeps blowing my socks off!

I’ve mentioned before the blessings that came when I completely submit myself to God.  I promised to tell you more about them so here goes…
Last year, my friend, Amy, and I attended our first ever writing conference.  It was completely a God thing that I went.  Let me tell you the story.  I read about a writing conference in Glorieta, New Mexico.  It sounded fabulous, and my heart beat a little faster just thinking about it, but I didn’t think it was a possibility.  It was expensive, and it was far away.  But the more I thought about it, the more I really wanted to go.  I mentioned it to Amy over Sunday lunch.  She was excited, too and thought we should pray about it (and see how much we could sell on Ebay to raise the funds! LOL).
That afternoon my quiet time reading was about waiting for the Lord.  In my head, pops Road Trip.  How perfect, I thought.  Waiting on God is like going on a road trip.  I wrote a devotion about it.  Pleased with myself, I went to talk to Alan about Glorieta and ask him to read my devotion.  He thought me going to Glorieta was a great idea.  Now that alone was a God thing. Alan and I had only been apart three nights out of ten years of marriage.  His suggesting that I go away for five days and leave him with our three and six-year-old was nothing short of a miracle.
As Alan sat at my computer to read my devotion, I read over his shoulder.  In the back of my mind I could hear a quiet voice say, “Yes, that’s a great devotion, Carol, but what I said was road trip.”  I gasped, and Alan turned to see what my problem was.  Did the Lord just speak to me and tell me that I am going on a road trip?  No, certainly things like that didn’t really happen.  That was just me imagining it.
Look at your devotion and read it again – the words popped into my head, and so I did.
While writing about how waiting on God was like taking a road trip, I used one specific family trip I took as a child for an example.  I didn’t mention the destination just details about the trip.  As I re-read the devotion, my heart skipped a beat.  The trip I had just described in this devotion was a trip my family had taken by car from Atlanta to New Mexico. After further discussing it with my mother, I found out we even drove into Glorieta.  There was no denying that God was speaking to me then.  I breathlessly explained everything to Alan, but thinking about the money and the plane trip (Did I mention I’m afraid to fly?), I still questioned whether the trip was meant for me.

Two days later, I called to check on my ninety-three-year-old grandmother. I heard about my aunt and uncle’s kayaking trip, my cousin Clark’s newest musical debut, my cousin Jordan’s latest funnies from pre-school, and the new steeple on the church.  After catching up on all the latest family happenings, Grandmother told me that my mom had been reading her my blog and my devotions.  She told me how proud she was.  

When she mentioned my writing, I thought of the conference, knew my grandmother was a prayer warrior, and thought this was a good time to get my prayers really heard.  I asked if she would pray about something.  I told her I had an opportunity to go to a Christian writer’s conference, but was a little unsure about it.  Before I could get out any of the details, she said, “I’ll pay for it.”  
 
“No, no, grandmother.  I don’t want you to pay for it.  I want you to pray for it.  Now just listen,” I explained to her.  In a matter of minutes, I had detailed the whole story of what God had been doing in my life.  Grandmother waited until I was completely finished talking.  Then she said, “I will pray for you, but I will also pay for you.”  I tried again telling her no, until her next words stopped me.  
 
 
She said, “Carol, every morning I get up and say ‘Lord, let me be useful to somebody today.’  My eyes don’t work any more.  My legs don’t work. My hands only work part of the time.  This morning I got up the same as always and said ‘Use me, Lord,’ and then you called.  I knew after listening to you talk, that today God had answered both of our prayers.  He is doing a good work in you, and by allowing me to pay, you are allowing me to be blessed, too.  I want to have a part in God’s plan for you.”
By the time she finished, I couldn’t speak.  My throat had closed, my eyes were wet, and my heart was full.  Finally, I managed, “I am so overwhelmed, Grandmother.  God is so good.” 
 
The story doesn’t end there.  Amy and I both went to Glorieta and were completely blessed. But y’all, there is no stopping God’s goodness.  Amy and I have been invited to come back to Glorieta this year as presenters!  We have been asked to present a workshop on journaling.  We are also presenting a footnote session on time management.  Is that unbelievable or what??
So, if you are a writer and live in the New Mexico area or want to take a road trip, sign up! Click HERE to go the Glorieta Christian Writer’s Conference website.  It is October 22-26 in Glorieta, New Mexico and is put on by CLASServices.  I would love to meet some of you there!
I’ve got more exciting things to share.  So come back tomorrow, but don’t forget the goofy sock holder-uppers.

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  • Cheri Mar 27 at 11:54 am

    Man, what an awesome story. I love to read things like that…how everything just comes together!

    Can’t wait to hear more!!

  • Darlene Mar 27 at 2:06 pm

    What a beautiful story of how God works in our lives. I think it is great how God used your grandmother to help you…and both of you received a blessing.
    Then to be asked to come back it truly wonderful. I have always wanted to write but, I feel so inadequate(sp?). For one thing my spelling and grammar is horrible. Maybe one day….
    I really enjoy reading your blog.
    God is so Good!!!

  • Michelle Mar 27 at 3:00 pm

    Congratulations! That is so encouraging to me. I registered for She Speaks with the support of my husband and have been battling concerns over the cost. Whenever I begin to question if God really spoke to me to attend, I come across something that reaffirms the commitment. Thank you! I look forward to hearing more.

  • Stephanie (Ocean Mommy) Mar 27 at 3:26 pm

    I never tire of hearing this. Especially the part about your sweet Grandmother…it makes me cry every.time.!!!

    (We were at Asian Fusion last night for Emma’s birthday….)

  • Sarah Mar 27 at 3:43 pm

    Congratulations! What an amazing God we serve!

    And I can’t get that story you told me last night out of my head! Just AMAZING.

  • Sita Henderson Mar 27 at 4:05 pm

    Carol, I started my blog when God started to reconnect my spirit and heart to His after an extended period of ‘disconnection’. Some days, like today, there is a fog. Then I clicked on your post, and hope reappeared and a strong reminder to go before Him and to listen. I would appreciate your prayers as I seek to find His purpose for me. Be blessed.
    ~Love, Sita~

  • kmom3 Mar 27 at 5:17 pm

    Amazing, amazing, AMAZING!
    So, when He says all things are possible with Him, I’m thinking He means ALL!!!! I need to start believing He can do and wants to do miracles in my life!
    Thanks, Carol! You always encourage me! 🙂
    K

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