A WRITER'S PARADOX...NO WORDS

They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty, and I will meditate on your wonderful works. They will tell of the power of your awesome works, and I will proclaim your great deeds. - Psalm 145:5, 6

I believe I contracted a virus strain last weekend. It's called Awestruckastreptacoccus. It temporarily renders its victims from formulating complete and coherent sentences. This particular strain type lies dormant in its intended awaiting to attack the vocal chords. It's only triggered by a question and answer response. And yes, it is contagious. If that weren't enough, it renders its victims relatively speechless. The most one can come up is a simple 2-word response to the question, "so what do you think about the conference so far?" The answer - "No words!" Add a deep sigh and a glazed over stare and you have the makings of She Speaks 2009!

Okay, so there's no such virus, but there should be! I went to this writer / speaker / ministry leader / blogger weekend event with absolutely no expectations. I had no hidden agenda, no grandiose ideas of book signings and fat advances. Nope. I listened for God to speak if and when He did and I responded. When I met a sister in Christ, I allowed the Lord to connect us. From the elegant, yet informal networking dinner hosted by heart-of-gold newbie Tracy Vinson to the pre-conference marketing seminar on Friday conducted by founder, Rob Eager of WildFire Marketing; from the dedicated Proverbs 31 prayer team that matched the names of all 600 registrants with the names of God and even right down to the inspiring words from national conference speaker, Jennifer Rothschild, there were no words to convey the awesome display of God's faithfulness toward His daughters!

By weekend's end, I connected with so many gifted women. My assigned roommate, Lesia Glick, is no longer a stranger as she honored me with a critique of my article. The music of worship leader, Cheri Keaggy ushered me into the presence of God. I connected with gifted women like Laurie Jeron, Carletha Ward, Wendy Mueller, Wendy Blackwell, Julie Gillies, Susan Weagant, Jackie Gilbert, Tracy Jenks, Tanya Morrison, Sandy Cooper, Dawn Camp, Sanya King, Deb Brown, Charlie Hester, Lee Merrill...oh my! Woman of beauty, character and purpose themselves, they infected me with a deeper awe for our God. The pinnacle of this blessed time found me partnering with several other women to form an on-line writer's group we prayerfully called Sisters In Ink. As an aspiring scribe, the experience has me lost for words. Thus, the ultimate writer's paradox!

If you are one that desires to follow hard after the purpose, plan and direction of God, may I encourage you to consider joining me for She Speaks 2010! God willing, you'll find me infected with awestruckastreptacoccus. Feel the freedom to share in the virus for it is truly contagious!