The first night we paired up to ‘get acquainted’ with the delegates. I was with, Kjell, from Sweden who blessed me right away by saying he wants people to know him as someone who ‘wants to love Jesus more.’ Simple, but that’s it, isn’t it? During a half night of prayer, I asked Osmi from Finland, a beautiful retired officer, to pray with me. She had these words for me, ‘God’s gifts are complete.’ And I watched her often as we were praying. I was drawn to her lovely face because it glowed with joy and peace. I even wished I had a camera to try to capture that look. And I thought 2 things: 1. I want that!
2. When I’m retired will people see joy and peace or a grouchy, bitter, tired and lonely woman?
Our times of worship were one very powerful way the Lord spoke to me. During that same night of prayer these words were especially meaningful:
“Take not thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of my salvation”
“There is none like you. No one else can touch my heart like you do.”
I have been reading Ephesians and these words stuck with me through the week. I used them when I led morning devotions. From chapter 1:7b-8a “the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us.” I felt like God was pouring grace on us (me) all week. We took a pilgrim walk one day. We were given directed prayer themes. I walked and prayed and wound up at the sea sitting on a big rock with my feet just inches from the water (it was too cold to be in it!) As I was praying, the words to the Chicago Staff Band chorus song came to me “He gives you peace like a river, washing away all your fears.” I had my eyes closed, listening to the gently lapping water and feeling God’s peace wash over me. With no warning I suddenly heard a big wave come crashing to shore and my feet were covered with the freezing cold water from the sea. I think God was teasing me and reminding me that He had control over the water and my life, too! I laughed with a few tears in my eyes. As I sat there I felt so filled up with the presence of God that I thought I would burst. Across the fjord was the city with factories and apartments – the world. I realized I needed that filling so that I could come back and face the world.
I had several helpful and precious conversations, many of them with the delegates from Denmark. (I think I’ve been unduly influenced by Henrik and Lisbeth!) We talked about the future (mine and theirs), about using spiritual gifts, about the Army and our place in it and much more. The Lord sent those people to me just when I needed them and directed our conversations. And I think maybe I was sent to them, as well. It’s great to be part of the body of Christ. From those conversations one of the most helpful and important and maybe even prophetic comments was, “You need to be yourself.” Interesting…
One of my personal highlights was teaching for a couple of hours about worship, personal and corporate. I struggled in my preparation because I wanted to be appropriate for these people and this conference. It all came together and I had so much fun! They listened and participated and it seemed to be relevant. Also, I received a lot of affirmation which is admittedly an ego thing, but I needed it. Finally, for tonight anyway – I received an insight into my relationship with God and what He means to me. He is my “Eternal Teacher.” He will never be done teaching me new things and I will definitely never be done learning.
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