After the first retreat that Four Oaks did, I was sitting on my patio and a big red wasp landed next to me on the couch. Usually, I would have jumped or swooshed it with my hand. I’ve been known to run! I even remember when I was in my early twenties, a wasp, bee or some dangerously threatening bug with a stinger was making a lot of noise against my back window. He was fighting to get out of the car. I was driving down the road with the windows rolled down and he must have flown in at some point. I remember hearing him, seeing him, and then jumping from my car. Yes, I got out of the car!! I was coming to a stop sign so I had already started slowing down but didn’t even take the time to apply the brakes and stop the car. I just opened the door and jumped out! My car was still heading for the stop sign. I had to run to catch up with it. I jumped back inside, stopped the car, put it in park and then jumped out again. I stood there blocking the intersection until it found its way out of my car. So you can see how scared I would normally have been of a wasp landing so close to me. But, for some amazing reason, I wasn’t! I wasn’t afraid at all!!!
It crawled up on a pillow and just sat there. Finally, I bent down to examine it more closely. Obviously, I had never been that close to one before. I was amazed at all of its intricate little parts and how they all seemed to work together. I wondered what it was planning to do. I wondered why it didn’t fly away. Then I thought; its wing must be hurt. It can’t fly!!! I began to have compassion on this once frightening nuisance. I picked up the pillow and began to walk over to the grass knowing full well that if someone stepped on it they could get stung. For some reason, I had total peace about assisting this little guy to freedom. I sat the pillow down next to the grass, picked up a twig, and gently gave him a push. He suddenly flew! I gasped out loud, “You CAN fly!!!!!”
I was so stunned and excited when he flew off!! I had prayed about it when it first happened but really didn’t get anything. However, I thought of it again a few days ago and began to pray again. This time when I asked the Lord, I felt like He said, “If you set them free, they will fly.”
There are so many hurting, confused women who need someone to believe in them!!! Someone who will set aside all pre-qualifiers and judgments and take the time to look past the outward appearances and gaze at the inward beauty found deep inside. They need to be accepted, embraced, mothered, loved, mentored, stretched…. They need someone who can take them to the grass, give them a little nudge and celebrate how high they fly!!
Isaiah 40:31
But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.
Who can you edify, encourage and strengthen today? Someone who needs validating, a confirming word, or maybe they just need to be seen. It is healing to be seen! God is El Roi – the God who Sees!!! Ask God to show you someone to reach out to, be watchful and let’s help each other fly!!!!
