These were the first words guest speaker, Dava Lee Russell, asked when she took the stand at the Women’s August Affair this past Saturday. Some ladies gasped and others laughed. I was of the latter group, having heard this before and totally getting it. How many times have you heard people say you should be happy? After that introduction, we knew we were in for a bumpy but inspirational time. She pulled no punches and took no prisoners. She was hard, but fair, loving, but stern.
Dava would go on to challenge us about how we start each day. Every day begins with a vote. Do we vote to choose life over death, good over bad, rich over poor, or sick over health? Now do not think about these items literally–what she was asking us to do is–regardless of what is going on in our lives–are we going to see the joy and blessings in our lives, or are we going to succumb to old habitual attitudes by making matters worse? So if you have $2 dollars in the bank, you need to count your blessings and lay this aside. God is sovereign whether you are living in a shack, or in a 5-bedroom mansion on the hill. God is sovereign if someone is dying, or if you feel yucky due to a summer flu. God is sovereign if your kids are being rebellious, and when they are acting like upstanding individuals. He does not change. We, as women, need to start behaving the same way in our lives especially in situations we know we can’t change. It really is pretty simple and basic common sense. However, add the emotional side of our femininity to the mix, and you can get an uncorked blender full of emotional residue spilling over into everything else. Yes, God knows what you are going through. He has been there before and He gets it. The question is: are you going to own your faith and stand strong?
The unique part of this session was that Dava would spontaneously break out into song and encourage us to join her. The room was full of melodious harmony. Old and new hymns that we knew by heart, but sung in a whole new light. At the end of the session, she asked us to take hands and she said a prayer over us, walking in and out and in between the aisles of the room. I had tears running down my face because I fully realized how we women have to come together to strengthen each other and share our laughter as well as our joy. That is part of the role of the Church. We can’t be bystanders acting like everything is okay all the time. We need to get in there and get our hands dirty. It’s okay…chances are the person sitting next to you probably has the same issues. How cool would it be to have that objective sister to listen to you (and vice versa)?
I am still reeling from the amazing morning I got to spend with my peer group. And I encourage all you ladies out there: get involved with a women’s ministry. You will not believe how much it will encourage and strengthen you. And you get to meet many wonderful sisters in Christ, too. So that’s definitely a bonus!
God bless,
Rebecca
All photos courtesy of Lisa McCoy Pharris
