Magic ~ in ~ Miracles - The Story Behind the Title

We live in a world that is full of grown up 'stuff'. Ever since we were old enough to understand news reports our lives changed in big ways.  Some of us changed even before that because we were born into families that were already struggling. But each one of us needs a place of escape; a place for the positive, a place for encouragement, laughter, and smiles. A place we can be free for a few minutes as we bask in the sunshine and see the world through the eyes of a child.  Nothing makes a child happier than watching a magician do his tricks.  They look on with their eyes bright and glittery while rabbits are pulled from hats, or while scarves are pulled from sleeves.  It's a time of nothing but sweet, sweet fun and escape.  Sure, they know these are tricks - but are totally fascinated nonetheless.  And well, miracles - we all love a GREAT miracle! 

Miracles don't require much explanation.  These are those beautiful things that are brought to us courtesy of our astonishing God!  Miracles can be big or small and if we aren't careful sometimes we may even miss one. But they come in abundance and fill our lives daily.

I sat teaching my beautiful K-5 kids in KidZone a couple Sunday's ago.  Our lesson covered Peter's story.  They sat on their puzzle mat watching the story on the big screen, their eyes were big and there wasn't a whisper to be heard.  They were mesmerized.   As Jesus performed miracle after miracle for Peter they were drawn more and more into the story.  For them it was a lot like magic! To look in their eyes and watch their little brains process these amazing feats was for me a gift in itself.

For a few minutes I simply gazed at those children, my eyes tearing up and glazing over as I watched them experience the works of Jesus.  They were in awe and so was I.  It was like they were seeing Jesus for the first time. And for some of them, it could have been the first time. 

There is absolutely nothing more wonderful and beautiful than witnessing Jesus through the eyes of a child ~ or seeing life through the eyes of a child.  Of seeing a little 'magic' and escaping from the world of chaos and calamity.  It is a bit like witnessing Disney World and getting to walk in a world of make-believe while inside those gates.

In John 11:40-44 Jesus performs a 'miracle'. Telling Mary and Martha, "Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?".  He then raises Lazarus from from death.

Priceless. To see the world through the eyes of a child; to be awestruck every day as you see and experience the beauty of knowing Jesus Christ. To feel that magical presence daily.  To know that He is going to show up and provide blessing after blessing so you can see the glory of God.  Although as adults we know the difference between magic and miracles ~ its precious to be able to live in a magical place with my Heavenly Father every day, as I attempt to see the world through the eyes of a child.

Experience some 'magical' today as you experience Jesus!!!

<3 Kelley

Winding Down SheSpeaks ~ The Sponge is ...........

 

Full with an Abundance of Brand new Knowledge

This is just a TEASER!  No time for a big blog post today ~ however, you can look for them to become more frequent and full of great news regarding the next steps in my personal ministry!  I have been in Concord, NC with an amazing array of beautiful women, from all over the country, at SheSpeaks.  

Every day has been full of riveting sessions by Proverbs 31 staff, publishers, speakers, and one of my last sessions was a literary agent.  The knowledge is vast and my sponge is near full for the day.  In just a few minutes I will head back downstairs to spend 2 hours with a critiquing group as we submit and have articles critiqued.  It is my desire to receive feedback that will strengthen the work that I know God is laying out for me in my personal ministry. The task has been given, now the work is mine.

I head home tomorrow afternoon and will be back here next week to share a series of blogs on the many things I learned this week, the relationships formed, and the amazing God that showed up to walk along side of us as we prepare to multiply His kingdom!

Until then.
Be the Light!
<3 Kelley

Following a Call ~ Attending Proverbs 31 SheSpeaks Conference

Moses to the Lord, “O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled. Then the Lord asked Moses, “Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the Lord?  Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.”  

Exodus 4:10-12

As I write this I am feverishly preparing for the Proverbs 31 SheSpeaks Conference being held in Charlotte, North Carolina next week!   There were business cards to order, a new blog to get up, a website to build, outfits to pull together, and most of all - there's an article to be written.  (it's almost finished! just not quite!)   I made the mistake of pulling out my favorite P31 Woman magazine to  scan the articles there - of course, 'doing the comparison' - allowing Satan to crawl into one very tiny crevice in my mind to plant doubt and negativity.  However, it only took a minute before He was put back into his place...far, far away.  It was then that I turned to The Word - to the one scripture that I hold close to my heart, the perfect scripture, the one that was chosen by God just for me, at just the right time.

Last summer I was planning my 1st trip to SheSpeaks.  It soon became very frustrating and discouraging.  The finances were not coming through and the planning just wasn't coming together.  It wasn't much later I found out that God had a different calling on my life.  He had a divine appointment for me.  I was to travel to Salinas Grande, Nicaragua with some amazing members of my church family to teach values to the children there.  I will never forget the day in church when the trip was announced; I knew immediately THAT was God's plan.   For this mission trip the  financing came through, I was able to get the time off from work, and it all came together very nicely -  it became obvious that I was not meant to attend SheSpeaks 2012.  I wondered at that point, if 2013 would be the year for me.

The modest but beautiful mission house was on the beach, next to the salt mines, built right in the middle of a local village.  To get there, we piled into Safari Land Cruisers and drove several miles down a very rough, sometimes very muddy terrain . We stopped  for horses, cows, handmade wagons being pulled by horses - you name it, we saw it.  Then we arrived!  Hammocks facing the ocean, local villagers cooking delicious meals for us, a very special mission team, who could ask for more! ~ We were in God's country!  

It was here that I had some of the best "God" time I ever had.  However, as I sat down with my bible that first morning, strangely with no idea where to start. I prayed "God, show me what I am supposed to read".  I flipped back and forth a few times when all of a sudden I stopped on Exodus 4 and began reading.  YES, once again - God provided.  You see, that morning we were scheduled to go into the schools to teach the children about values.  I woke up thinking - how am I going to do this?  I have never done anything like this before - I couldn't even focus on what to read for my God-time! Then, our amazing Father laid it out beautifully for me.  He took me directly to a scripture that spoke to not only me but to each one of us on that team that week.  An example of God's amazing grace! 

If we are following His will, He will provide the way.  He will provide us with the words to write or to speak ~ He will not let us falter or fail.  He will provide for all things.   So, when the words aren't coming - your writing pad bare ~ your computer screen empty - when doubt is creeping in without permission - when you suddenly realize that Satan is attempting to take up residence in your head - go to the Word, read the story of Jesus and Moses and let it speak to you.  

When Jesus told Moses to go bring the Israelites out of Egypt, Moses had no confidence they would listen to him or believe he was sent by Jesus.  He felt he didn't speak eloquently enough - he had a "slow tongue".....but Jesus told him, "I will give you the word to speak".  Did you get that!?  He will give us the WORDS!

So as we prepare for SheSpeaks, it is my prayer that you will turn to the Word and remember His promises.  Find your perfect "God's Country" place and pray for the words that only He can give you in order to share His message.  WE are His hands and feet.  May we always remember to get our instructions from Him.  May we not get wrapped up in the commercial aspect of writing or speaking and forget our ministry goals.  May we always make sure we are following His Will for our lives.

Happy Writing!  Happy Speaking!  The countdown has started!

See you next week!

Seeing Jesus thru the Eyes of Babes,
Kelley<3