Howdy! (That’s both Tennessee and Texan lingo!) I love that Texans speak a lot like Tennesseans. I felt right at home there!
I’ve been spending a lot of time in Texas lately. A few weeks ago I was in McAllen, TX located at the bottom of the state just 9 miles from Mexico. This weekend I was at the top of the state in Perryton, TX.
What an awesome conference! Women surrounding this area look forward to this conference every year held by Community Church in Perryton. They drive hundreds of miles to be there. I was honored to be with them and to share God’s truths. Many received Christ for the first time! Others were encouraged and strengthened in the faith walk. The Women’s ministry team, led by Debbie Symons, goes all out to love on these women. If you’re looking for a church home in this area, this is one to visit!
This weekend I was reminded how God calls me to live out what I write and speak about. I had just written a devotion on pruning that ran this weekend as I spoke on the subject fear and faith in Perryton. It amazes me how God can simultaneously use me as a vessel to grow others and grow me at the same time. But, He can!
I was supposed to fly home Sunday out of the Amarillo airport, but thunderstorms and heavy fog grounded all planes. I had to stay over an extra night and fly home yesterday. It was a real bummer.
My kids were home on fall break and my husband had taken Monday off from work as well. I longed to be home with them especially since I’ve been traveling non-stop for the past several weeks. I felt anxious and unsettled.
Flying into Amarillo was no breeze either. I boarded my connecting flight in Dallas, settled into my seat, and prepared for takeoff when the stewardess informed us that our plane was broken. We quickly de-boarded the plane and were escorted back into the terminal. We were told that it would only take 15 minutes to “fix” the plane.
I don’t know about you, but I rather not fly on a broken plane that’s been fixed in record time as if it were a race car in the pit. So, I began to pray that they would exchange the broken plane for another plane. About 30 minutes later, that’s what happened. We were assigned to another plane. Tension seemed to ease a bit among the travelers. We gathered our belongings and headed to our new gate where we waited an additional 2 hours for takeoff. Tension, once again, heightened.
Oh, the joys of traveling! They are as unpredictable as life. I realized that God will use anything and everything to shape and prune our characters—even as I go out to minister. I could feel Him craving patience into my being as I waited and waited for a new plane to Amarillo. God was/is also working out contentment in my life. I discovered this as I sat alone in the Hotel Sunday while wishing I were home with my family. God’s sheers were also at work removing fear and anxiety as I trusted the broken plane situation to His care.
I appreciate all the comments made about my devotion, “A Set-back or Cutback” over the weekend. I can identify with them all! While this weekend appeared to be full of “set-backs” for me, I was able to see the reality of it all. My “set-backs” were actually “cut-backs” in God’s pruning process. Pruning is not an easy process, but it’s a worthy one. How can I say that—because I want to be like Jesus more than anything!! I know you do, too!
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