My Friends, My Mirror

Just when I thought I had found my place, reached my potential, was living my destiny, that old voice, the little liar garbed in new clothes returned.

It started with truth. It needed to build the case. Sue, you see it now. She is not who you thought. Those titles, those opportunities - don't be fooled. Her real, her insecure real, her shame hides beneath.

I saw the titles; I saw the position; I saw the rank; I saw the surface and I believed. From my distance, all seemed well, even enviable.

But then the distance shortened, and I observed cracks. Her real oozed out. The not-so-obvious became obvious. 

I was frustrated and cynical. But I smiled, I am not her.

The little liar smiled too. He knew he had me fooled, ensnared, one foot entrapped.

With my one foot snared, I plod on pulling the weight, ignoring the hurt of the teeth clamped to my foot.

The little liar thinks, okay, another angle, another friend. 

The phone conversation is long full of details. Just decide, I think, it's no big deal. 

I tapped "end call". Again frustrated and cynical. How glad I am to not be trapped in the people-pleaser mode like my friends. 

The little liar smiles BIG. The second trap is about to snap shut. 

Two friends, two different chapters, two unique situations. The same response.

I'm exposed.

I too stumble along the people-pleasing, God-pleasing path. The pebbles sometimes slippery, the rocks sometimes trip-able.

I wanted to help THEM see the light. 

Then the still small voice, another whisper aching to be heard, Sue, you need to see the light!

I crumbled and fell. I remembered truth and repented. I crawled through the tall weeds of the pleasing path to the soft grass of the trusting path - a-GAIN. 

The little liar crumbled and fell too; defeated by the still small voice. 

God used my friends as mirrors. For a while the mirror was foggy, but as truth blew across it, I saw myself, not my pretty self. And I knew.

"You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye,

and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye."

Matthew 7:5

A Conversation with Jesus

Sabbath-Living Retreat, March 14 and 15, 2015

What a special honor to walk with 100 friends through a Sabbath-Living weekend Retreat. Oh how I wish you all could have joined us! Next time, okay?!


Part of Saturday and Sunday mornings was set aside for personal reflection. These times are always some of the best. Sitting (or walking) quietly and enjoying a conversation with Jesus.

Our attention on Saturday focused on the story of Jesus washing the disciples feet.

"Having loved his dear companions, he continues to love them right to the end.

Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the feet of the disciples, drying them with his apron."
John 13:1 and 5, The Message

These are some of the questions we pondered ...

What if this is a too hard to believe, too good to be true type of verse. What direction would your conversation with Jesus take?

Remind yourself of how you experienced the love of Jesus in the last week, last month, or last year.

"dear companions" - What name do you hear Jesus calling you?

What would it look like for you to trust or rest in Jesus' love for you?

"continues to love them" - what does anticipating his love look like for you? How would you describe the hope of that reality?

Perhaps these questions might enhance your time with Jesus. 

Would you share what you heard? I bet we could all bless each other.

"The nations shall see your righteousness, and all the kings your glory,

and you shall be called by a new name 

that the mouth of the LORD will give."

Isaiah 62:2 (italics mine)

Thank you to Karma Bradley for sharing her photos.

Spring Break, week 2

Now it's really getting exciting. Our first friends arrive for the Sabbath-Living Retreat today.

Echoes of Grace officially returns March 19 ... but in the meantime, please scroll up to last week's post. The prayer request has not changed and I'd be so honored if you would be praying especially Saturday and Sunday for this very important retreat.

Thank you.

Love,
sue

Spring Break

Hello Friends,


As I'm getting ready for our Sabbath-Living Retreat in just one week, I need to take a two week break from Echoes to concentrate on praying for and the giving attention to the many last minute details an event for 100 ladies requires.

Yes, the retreat is filled, but you can still join us and I hope you will.

Would you please join us in prayer asking God that each women would hear from Him personally during the course of the weekend. My greatest desire is not that we leave remembering the great presenters (yes, we do have wonderful women speaking, leading workshops, and sharing personal testimonies), or that they were awed by the worship music, or the lovely location, but that each one would leave saying they have heard from God!

Thank you!! What a treat to journey with you.

Echoes of Grace will return on March 19.

Blessings and love to you,
Sue