Hi Friends,
I’m home and I’m tired. But it’s a good tired. When you journey with God, life often feels as if you’re being carried along with the wind. It’s adventurous, mysterious, exciting, and sometimes tiresome. However, being wearied by the adventures of God is worth it!! It’s like holding tight to a fast moving train that weakness the body and steals your breath away, but boy, what a ride!!
I’ve just returned from Colorado where the Lord, once again, was faithful in every way! This trip fell on the heels of She Speaks, but the strength of the Lord– through your prayers– sustained me. Thank you!
I also want to thank each of you for your kind and encouraging words about my talk Sunday morning at She Speaks. I have, in turn, placed those comments before the Lord who is worthy of your praise. As I shared in my talk, it is only by His great mercy that you and I are even qualified to serve Him. With that being said…in our humanness, we often fail. But praise God for His grace and forgiveness.
I’d like to apologize for the quote I used in the close of my talk—which apparently came from a New Age author, Marianne Williamson. I had no clue or else I wouldn’t have used the quote. I do not, I repeat…I do not support or agree with any new age teachings or ideas.
I first heard this quote in the movie, “Lean On Me” in the 1980’s. Desiring to use the quote, I googled for the name of the author so that I could give credit where credit is due. That’s when I discovered it was written by Marianne Williamson. In my search, I did discover that some are not convinced that this quote originated with her. Since I couldn’t find the original author, I used her name—something I now regret doing. Whether she is the original author or not, doesn’t excuse the fact that I should have researched the person I was quoting from. Hopefully, you will learn from my mistake, and hopefully you will extend to me “grace, grace, grace.”
On a happier note, my daughter returned from youth camp a new creation in Christ!!
Peyton asked Jesus to be her Savior and Lord when she was six years old. As she grew, and began to understand in a deeper way what Christ had done for her, she has had doubts about her Salvation. I would tell her to listen to the leading of Holy Spirit—He would guide her. And that he did!!
Often times, we doubt our Salvation experience because, like Peyton, we didn’t fully understand at the time what it all meant—or we are not daily practicing and participating in our relationship with God. Having a passionate love relationship with God is no different than any other relationship we have. We must nurture it, spend time growing it, and getting to know our God or else we’ll grow lax.
At camp, Peyton felt the nudge of the Holy Spirit asking her to make certain her commitment to the Lord. She was baptized last night!
Her testimony is beautiful. I’ve asked her to share it with you. Peyton writes:
“I no longer feel unworthy. I no longer doubt! I will no longer live below the standard God has for me in friendships or dating. I see myself as a beautiful creation. The flaws that once plagued me are now viewed as unique designs—beauty marks given to me by my creator. For I am uniquely designed and gifted to live and bring glory to God. I understand that to keep my passion alive, I must meet with God daily, hide His word into my heart and obey it. Then, my life will be a success…for it will be a testimony to God’s goodness. ”
Well, I don’t know about you but I have snot hanging from my nose. Are tears good for the keyboard? All I know is the Lord has answered my prayer! “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” (3 John 1;4).
While this is fresh on Peyton’s heart, I asked her to write to the “doubting Peyton” and to the “I’m not pretty, Peyton” and the “I feel so unworthy, Peyton” so when those lies come knocking on her hearts door, she will have an answer and be able to speak truth to herself. I would like to encourage you to do the same.
I know that you were encouraged and inspired at She Speaks. Take time to write down these truths. When doubt comes knocking, you’ll have something to return to. In your own words, you’ll find truth and confidence not to lose heart but to press on for the cause of Christ. It’s okay to stir yourself up in the Lord. David did. We can too.
Sweet blessings to each of you!
Charlene Kidd says
Micca,
Your integrity is so obvious. I appreciate your concern for all who have the privilege of hearing you.
Be encouraged, in Christ.
Blessings,
Shari Braendel says
Micca, your innocence in God is what makes you so beautiful…as Jesus forgives us, we must forgive each other and ohhhh Micca, thank you for being so ‘real’!!! God is smiling on you. And oh my goodness….Peyton is darling…I may quote HER in my teen conferences….will you ask her permission please? She will be reaching many thru her beautiful words….love you, Shari
Amy Carroll says
You are amazing, my friend! I love that you walk in the Truth and beckon all of us to follow Jesus with you.
Hugs to you!
Amy
Samantha @ the Listener's post says
Yay for Peyton! Welcome to the family, sister!
Thank you, thank you, thank you for being such a good mom and having her write those things – what an amazing gift that is going to be for her for years and years to come!
Your obedience blesses me, Micca – both on the podium and off. I’m thankful for you.
In Him,
Samantha @ theListenerspost.
Kelley says
Micca,
I enjoyed every minute of hearing from you. So much of what you said could have been taken from my life. Forgetting your children, your MIL thinking you were a “Jesus Freak, Bible beater”, and your shock at being called to speak for God. There is more but I don’t want to make this a novel.
Your personal encouragement on Saturday was just what I needed to keep me going. At that point I was “wrung out” and you helped me a lot!
I was telling some women at dinner how much I wanted that Andy Stanley book and one of the ladies offered to mail me her “gently used” copy. I received it today and can’t wait to dig in.
Thanks again for your honesty and your transparency, you are a blessing!!
Love,
Kelley
{Karla} says
Micca —
I had wanted to locate you after the session was over on Sunday, and didn’t have the chance.
But I wanted to let you know how much you blessed me with your talk. And your transparency is beautiful.
Thank you for all you do for the Kingdom of God.
Blessings,
Karla
(A fellow Nashvillian)
Sharon Sloan - Joy In The Truth says
Micca: God is so faithful! He is so good! He loves you! He keeps us on the narrow road, doesn’t He?
I am so thankful He revealed this to you. 🙂 This is a sweet answer to prayer. He is faithful.
Thank you for your humble and honest heart. You love Him and His Word! Love you, dear sister and friend! You rock!
For His glory!
Sharon
Sharon Sloan - Joy In The Truth says
Micca:
We are so rejoicing for Peyton! Praise the Lord! Happy dances here for “y’all”! Glory to God! There is no greater joy for sure! (hence the name of our family blog!) It’s every Christian parent’s prayer and hope!
Hugs and happy dances!
Sharon
Lisa B @ simply His says
Hey Micca,
I’m one of the 500+ women but we didn’t personally meet. I *loved* your talk on Sunday morning — it was so encouraging! Don’t stress the quote thing — I could not even tell you what you quoted! I just remember how real you were, how much I related to you, and how much you love Jesus.
And YAY Peyton! Gosh she wrote some great, insightful things to be so young. I so desperately wish I had mentors when I was a teen. I was so very lost and so very much in trouble most of the time! What she wrote has some great truth in it for even lil ol’ me (and I’m beyond teenage years!).
Dawn Ward says
Hi Micca. We met after your talk. I shared with you how God had recently revealed to me that my inability to move forward in His calling was not borne out of fear but of pride. You may or may not recall that I shared I nearly fell out of my chair when you said virtually the same thing in your talk.
Your message was anointed and your love for Jesus very evident.
I have to echo what Lisa said. I don’t actually remember the quote, so I had no idea there was an issue!
Please don’t worry about this. God is so good, and He used you to bring an encouraging, inspiring message, quote or no quote.
And praise Him for what He has done and is doing in Peyton’s life. I again echo Lisa’s words. What profound, insightful thoughts she shared with us about this. Amazing! I, too, wish I had had that at her age. Perhaps some of my bad life choices would not have been made. Either way, I know God has forgiven me, and He loves me just as I am.
Love and Blessings,
Dawn
Angela @ Refresh My Soul Blog says
Oh Micca-I am praising God with you about Peyton! Yeah….
You did wonderfully.
Much love,
Angela
Carol says
How awesome about Peyton! I am so happy for you!