With Purpose In Our Hearts

After months of planning and praying, the weekend finally arrived.  Women from across the country converged on the tiny town of Sneads, FL for the bloggers retreat this past weekend.

Our speakers and leadership team were finally together, most of us meeting face to face for the first time.  It felt as if we’d known each other forever!  It’s hard to even explain the deep bonds that developed immediately between us.

Kneeling: Lynn Donovan, Lisa Shaw, Alecia Corbin, Angie Knight

Standing: Aimee Douglas, Susan Baldwin, Connie Haile, Marsha Harwood, Tiffany Stuart, Mary Snyder and Joanne Kraft       (Notice how many of us are Laced With Grace Writers!)

Eleven ordinary women, called to do something extraordinary by the grace and strength of God.

We all knew vaguely what the other was speaking on, but no details.  As the retreat unfolded, each speaker’s message built upon the other.  Scriptures connected, blogging tips all different. Hearts, lives and blogs were surrendered over the course of two days.  We were surrendered scribes, each with purpose in our hearts to live and write the story the Lord has uniquely written upon our hearts. (Ephesians 2:8,9,10, 1 Peter 4:10,11)

It reminded me of a parable I heard many years ago called The Parable of the Pencil.

The Pencil Maker took the pencil aside, just before putting him into the box.

There are 5 things you need to know, he told the pencil, before I send you out into the world.  Always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best pencil you can be.

One: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in someone’s hand.

Two: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, but you’ll need it to become a better pencil.

Three: You will be able to correct mistakes you will make.

Four: The most important part of you will always be what’s inside.

And Five: On every surface you are used on, you must leave your mark.  No matter what the condition, you must continue to write.

The pencil understood and promised to remember, and went into the box with purpose in its heart.

Now replacing the pencil with you; there are five things you need to know.  Always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best person you can be.

One: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in God’s hand.  And allow other human beings to access you for the many gifts you possess.

Two: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, by going through various problems, but you’ll need it to become a stronger person.

Three: You will be able to correct mistakes you might make or grow through them.

Four: The most important part of you will always be what’s on the inside.

And Five: On every surface you walk, you must leave your mark.  No matter what the situation, you must continue to serve God in everything.

By understanding and remembering, let us proceed with our life on this earth having a meaningful purpose in our heart and a relationship with God daily.

Lord and Master, We surrender ourselves to You. May we live, breathe and use our giftedness for You.  It is through You we live each day with purpose in our hearts.  In Jesus Name, Amen.

Marsha’s Musings

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