Proverbs 31:26 says, "She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue."
This is the verse I use as my guide in my speaking ministry. It describes the words of the Proverbs 31 woman. Am I a Proverbs 31 woman? Well, I do my best. I'm not perfect, not anywhere close to it. But perfect is not what the Proverbs 31 woman is all about...thank God!
The Proverbs 31 Ministries "She Speaks" Conference is only one week away. This is a conference where dreams come true, God's calling becomes real, ordinary women realize their extrordinary purpose.
When I first began speaking, I truly wanted all of my teachings, talks, and messages to be filled with wise words and faithful instruction. I tried so hard to make them perfect and I wanted to appear flawless. And I failed.
I learned that there was no way to appear flawless because I'm not! I have a messy past. In fact, I have a messy present! But I love the Lord and I know He loves me too, NO MATTER WHAT! And He has used every bit of my life, successes, failures, flubs, celebrations, fears, mistakes, marriage, motherhood, friendship, etc. I've learned that I don't always speak with the best "wisdom", but I'm willing to share what the Lord teaches me. Often when I share with the intention of teaching others, I'm the one who ends up getting the greatest lesson. Sometimes I wonder if God has me sharing messages for me or for the audience I'm speaking to. Either way, it's okay. He works it for good. I pray that I will speak with wisdom. I pray to be faithful and instruct others according to God's Word. I want so badly to be a woman who speaks with wisdom. I am the vehicle. I allow God to use me in that way. I don't have the wisdom, but He does.
This conference teaches that "God doesn't call the equipped, He equips the called." And that's the truth. It's not up to us to have the wisdom and faithful instruction. On our own, we have none of that. With God, we have it all.
If you are reading this and are attending this year's She Speaks Conference, welcome! I can't wait to meet you. I am excited for what God has planned for you. If you are in my evaluation group, I know we will get to know each other. We will be divinely brought together next week for a purpose that only God knows. I can't wait for that either. And if you stumbled to this blog and are not going to She Speaks or know nothing of it, that's ok. I'm glad you are here too. Feel free to share your thoughts.
Please take the time to comment, ask questions, post encouragement. I'd love to hear what "She speaks with wisdom..." means to you.
The conference is only 10 days away. 10 days and counting.....
Blessings,
Melissa
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18 comments:
Melissa,
I can't wait for next week. Last year when I came to the confrence, I felt like I was home. God called me three years ago. I know he wants to use me to share my experience, strenght and hope with other women. Knowing this and staying on the path, I must remain real, teachable and true to his purpose.
I was reading today and it said "battle scars can be turned into beauty marks with God's hand and a willing heart." I know about scars mentally and physically. But just as it takes a process for the scar needs time to form, so do we.
See you soon.
Love ya,
Diane
I am attending She Speaks! I am excited beyond words. This opportunity has been a long time coming. I would love to hear everyone's stories because the ones I have heard or read rather on blogs are so awesome, God is moving already! Can't wait to "meet you".
Melissa I was smiling as I read this because that verse from Proverbs reminded me of a situation last Fall.
I had been asked to be one of 3 speakers at an "Inspiring Women's" conference. They asked me if I would speak on the topic, "God use my mind". Well, feeling VERY inadequate for that title, I began to research like crazy.
A week before I was to speak, I was going over my notes, but even I was bored. Oh, it was amazing. It had profound thoughts that would have astounded the listeners, Biblical references that would have amazed the ladies and more than enough quotes from great minds that would have left everyone with their mouths hanging open I'm sure...but it also would have lulled them to sleep! It was intellectually a work of sheer genius - boy, were these ladies going to know that God was using my mind. The problem being...it wasn't what God wanted me to share. In preparing the message I had done the very thing I warned against in the message - I had become "Wise in my own eyes" (Prov.3:7).
As God called my attention to this, the following morning I surrended my "wise" message to Him and opened up my Bible for direction. The very first words I read from Acts said, "I am sending you to them to say...." The Lord then proceeded to give me a new outline - one filled with His truths and my personal journey.
The only Source of all wisdom and knowledge is God. To me, "She speaks with wisdom" does not mean she's (I'm) an intellectual genius, but that I have surrendered my self to God and am allowing Him to speak through me.
See you soon,
Joy
I too am so excited about She Speaks! As for wisdom, I think what you said "messy past, messy present" is wise! You see, if we say we are without sin, we deceive ourselves and God is not in us! But we know the truth, that our messes are fixed in the power of Jesus Christ! Amen!
Can't wait to meet you. Praying for the P31 team.
Melissa,
I often remind myself of this verse. I am not on the front lines as you are as a speaker, but I think of it as I am leading ladies Bible studies and as I am talking to my husband and kids. There are many times when I mess up, but pray that each time it gets a little easier to speak with wisdom.
I am praying for the conference. I also will be praying as you minister to your group. I know they are going to love you! :) May you feel His loving presence in a special way as you prepare.
Blessings,
Pearls
I can't wait!!! I'm so excited and so nervous about the whole thing!
I just wanted to let you know that I'm praying for you and all the P31 women, it sounds like the attacks have been many lately and I just wanted each of you to know that I am praying!!! Can't wait to see what God does!!
Hi Melissa,
I'm back! Lysa encouraged her blog readers today to let the team know that we are praying for you - so - just in case you didn't already know :o), I'm praying and claiming Psalm 91 for you.
May you find your refuge, hope and strength in Him,
Love & hugs,
Joy
Melissa,
This was a great post to read today. We are flawed and God calls us in our weakness so that He will be made strong through us.
I am praying for you as you prepare for the upcoming She Speaks Conference! Hope to meet you there.
Hi Melissa..I am not coming to She Speaks..but I did want to let you know that I am praying for you and the team!
Melissa,
Thank you for this wonderful post! I am attending She Speaks and although I am extremely excited I have begun to get nervous over the last couple of days. I feel under prepared and under connected. I am trusting the Lord that this will be "where dreams come true, God's calling becomes real, and ordinary women realize their extraordinary purpose". Thank you again for your encouraging words!
I am praying for you and for the P31 Team as well. I am coming to the conference -- on the writer's track, so I don't know if I'll see you, but I do know the devil's been distracting many of us -- attendees and presenters alike. Something big is gonna happen next week! I just know it!
I am so excited about next week. I will be praying for you and the entire team as we prepare to meet from all the corners of the country. I so appreciate your willingness to be His servant - so He can work through you and change me!
Lysa asked all the proverbs 31 readers to pray for the proverbs 31 speakers so hear I am, I'm praying.
"K"
Melissa,
This post is exactly what I needed to read!! I never feel like I "appear" or "sound" like I want to when I am speaking and that has frustrated me. Thank you for sharing your experience, it helps me to know what I am feeling is normal. You have been such a huge encouragement to me regarding She Speaks and I am so looking forward to meeting you at the conference!!
Kelley
As Lysa requested I have been praying today for all you ladies on the She Speaks Team. I pray that God will wrap His loving arms around you individually and also as a group. You're in awesome Hands!
God bless you!
Marilyn in MS
I am praying so hard for SheSpeaks and the P31 ladies! I know God will use you in a mighty way through this event! Bless you for sharing of yourself in this way!
I needed to read this post. Every time I remember that She Speaks is next week, I get a bit nauseous. I'm excited but really nervous. I needed the reminder that it's God in me, not just me.
I'm praying for you: that God will bless and inspire you as you prepare for the conference, that He will bless your family for their willingness for you to be gone from them, and that His peace will surround you through the next week and a half. Thank you for being used by Him!
Deanna
I am feeling today l like I am standing at the side of the ocean and I can feel a huge wave approaching. I sense the POWER of it!
I know that it's the Spirit already descending for the SHE SPEAKS conference. I can feel Him, Lysa and the P31 group! He's waiting for each and every woman to walk through those doors, and P31 ladies,
God is so very PLEASED with each of you!
See you there! I'll be the introvert wondering around looking for coffee!
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