This past Saturday, I hosted my first “gathering” under the Full Circle Women’s Fellowship umbrella in Nashville, Tennessee. It was a tea party. I chose a pretty girly backdrop, because, well I’m a girl; I like girly things, and I think every woman should have a couple of hours every now and then to simply enjoy being a girl!
We’ve “chatted” about faith quite a bit here recently, right? Well, the Saturday morning tea gathering was my humble effort to mesh my faith with my works and take one small step towards at least one of the things I believe I’m supposed to do with my life. This was a small step that took great BIG courage!
You can’t imagine how many unsuccessful attempts darted the path towards this gathering. The first event was originally scheduled for December 6, 2009. I had already selected the perfect location for what would have been a private event. However, because I didn’t receive enough participation to meet the required dollar minimum of the establishment (for a private event), I was forced to cancel. I would go on to repeat this insane cycle of booking, inviting, and canceling at least 2 maybe even 3 more times, with other proposed dates for earlier this year.
Sadly, I must take responsibility for these multiple failures to launch. My irritatingly faithful rival, Mr. Fear, caused me to drag my feet (remember that “fake limp” I talked about in my last post) in each of those instances, hesitant to step out boldly and to trust God totally for the outcome of His choosing.
I finally got tired of the box. The walls were closing in on me, and for those of you who don’t know, I’m a pretty space conscious kinda girl. I knew it was time to take a step, at least one small step. I could do that, right? I would just nervously place my “small” feet into God’s BIG shoes and surrender to go wherever His Spirit would lead me, to the outcome of His choosing, to the place where my steps alone were too timid to go.
So, I prayed and emailed a preliminary, “are you interested”, email to 12 of God’s daughters – selected from the Full Circle Women’s Fellowship Facebook page and from lists of names given to me by others. Slowly, a few responses trickled in, with most women emailing their “regrets” that they would not be able to attend. I could have been discouraged, but I reminded myself, “Monica, you’re in His shoes remember.” And so I was.
As the “no’s” were trickling in, I still had to call this tea room and make yet another reservation. Believe me, friends, I am not a glutton for punishment. I simply knew this was the backdrop I wanted for this time of fellowship. Standing firm in my shoes of faith, I made the call. The young lady on the other end of the phone took my name, the date for the reservation, and the estimated number of attendees. Then she politely placed me on hold. My gut told me she was going to retrieve the manager, and sure enough, she did!!! I’d been blacklisted, y’all!!! LOL!!! I am not kidding! How embarrassing!!! Lovely Ms. Lindsey, the store manager, proceeded to inform me that if another group wanted to make a reservation on the date I’d selected, they would have to bump me! LOL! Today it’s funny, but that day I truly fought back tears.
That’s ok. In the Shoes I was now wearing I was able to walk past this smudge on my good name and continue planning for the ladies who would attend, because I KNEW someone WOULD attend. And I had promised the Lord that, no matter the head count, I was available to Him to be used to bless His daughter(s).
The final head count was soon confirmed.
When Saturday morning arrived I seized a little time in the Word before preparing to leave. This was my precious reminder from Dad:
Mat 18:20 NKJV – For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”
You see only two very special ladies responded with a “yes” to the invitation that had been extended. The three of us had a WONDERFUL time of fellowship Saturday morning. I was honored to host them, to see their smiles, and to listen to their hearts. I learned a lot. Our time together was scheduled for 10:30 am until 12:30 pm. However, we did not part company until somewhere between 2:30 pm and 3 pm. If you’re thinking that sounds like God was in our midst, you are absolutely right! 🙂
God already knew what Saturday would look like. He already knew how many would attend. He even knew whether I’d cancel using the low response as my excuse (and believe me I thought about it) or whether I’d keep moving forward, taking faithful little steps toward a much bigger picture. The small step of faith by one little ol’ me afforded me the opportunity to host two of God’s daughters. The three of us came together on a Saturday morning, and God kept His word. Number “four” was actually number ONE that day, and I love Him so for His faithfulness.
I’m guessing the journey was more about faith and obedience than anything else. What do you think?
Speaking of you, is there a faithful small step you’re supposed to be taking? Leave me a comment and tell me about it. I will be sure to pray that you will take that step, whatever it may be, and surrender to the path God chooses.
Until next time…
P.S. I enjoyed that step so much it gave me more courage for the next step I’ll take. I already know what it is, and I’ll share with you later.
As my sweet friend, Janette, always says, “Bye for now…” 🙂
I couldn’t help but laugh about you being blacklisted but I certainly understand about it being funny now but not then. This was such an encouragement to me. And yes I believe it was a faith & obedience step. I’ve been on an assignment this year and the numbers has not always been to my liking but I believe that He’s refining me and teaching me how to obey Him. He who is faithful in small things will be made ruler over much.