Thank you all for your prayers! I am beyond blessed to say God allowed me to not be nervous while I was sharing the poem at the So Long Insecurity Connecting the Dots party Saturday evening in Woodstock, Georgia! Thank You GOD!
The peace of God was experienced – thank you for interceding for me.
The peace of God was experienced – thank you for interceding for me. The weekend was an amazing God adventure and I will share more as the week progresses; but I’ve been asked to share the poem and since it is already in the computer and I think God is worthy of some praise for doing what only He could do through me, I’m sharing it first.
I wanted to share a little bit of our fun evening together: Stephanie led us in worship and sang a song she had written about the LORD speaking to us. I was so glad I had already shared the poem, because I cried as I listened to and agreed with the words she sang.
Precious Angela shared her sweet testimony. She reminds me of my pastor’s wife in North Carolina – precious!
The speaker was Lisa McKay. She shared a devotional about being ransomed with a very personal and heart wrenching story about her son. Yes, I cried again and was very thankful again that I didn’t have to stand up after Lisa because I would have had no makeup on.
There was a sweet, sweet group of Siesta’s at the party.
We ate and had a wonderful time visiting.
Have you read Beth Moore’s book So Long Insecurity? I picked it up to read after being asked to be the poet laureate for this little gathering of Siesta’s. The poem that follows is my own journey with insecurity and what the LORD gave me to share:
When asked if I’d share a dotty ditty
My first thought was, “Oh no! What if it’s not pretty?”
What if it’s like what I heard in Houston? Purse on a Chain…
Oh my, I can just imagine the disdain.
What if I stand and say: I’m Lora from By the Lamp Light
I can’t speak because I’m too insecure and filled with stage fright.
So started my conversation with the LORD
About sharing here, something I thought I abhorred.
LORD, YOU know my knees will knock.
And then, Oh my – What to wear? Capri’s or a new party frock?
I’ll be just one lonely dot at this Siesta party,
And You know LORD, I am not a smarty.
My heart started racing in a thousand directions
Without seeking HIM with thoughtful reflection.
So in my mind while I’m walking to the podium and taking a tumble,
In quietness at night, I heard Him speak like a distant rumble,
“Read the book and then just tell your story.
I will do all the rest and get all the glory.”
I knew immediately which book He meant for me,
Beth had been smiling from the shelf at Walmart (somewhere near aisle 3)
He said, “Dear One, I’m bringing other dots
Tonight to this party, to this very spot.
Don’t be insecure and think you are alone
Among the many dots, you can feel at home.
As each lovely dot connects
And views the other with respect,
A lovely picture they will see
The body of Christ in Me.
I’ve brought each dot on their own journey to this very place,
An act of gracious mercy and abundant and tender grace.”
But LORD, I so want to know the final picture.
He says, “Rest, don’t speculate or conjecture.
You may not know in full your earthly destiny
But will you dear one, just rest in ME?
As I direct, in faith, go from dot to dot
The journey with Me is part of our story plot.
Hold our time together dear.
Be attune and ready to hear.
Do each thing I ask you to
Don’t question; just do.
I will be with you when your life looks like it has no purpose or form,
When you feel discouraged, one dot, alone and forlorn.”
So as I read, at times I thought it was my own story written upon the page;
But God graciously and tenderly took me through the journey, stage by stage.
When I read about those who “never fulfill their destinies because of their own insecurities”,
It was like God drew the circle clearly and solely around me.
I would recommend this book to anyone; but along with a tissue box
Because it’s not a fairy tale, like The Three Bears and the trespassing Miss Goldilocks
Our enemy too long has encroached on our holy ground,
And as dots we unite and say “he is no longer welcome to hang around!”
This book required action, change and work
And I’m certain, it is why so long, I avoided it with a shirk.
As dots read it and do it, we are changed.
No longer a single dot, but in His plan we are already eternally arranged.
The tears and pain this book unearthed,
I am confident, are fertile soil for His new works to be birthed.
Because deep within me as sins were uprooted, I know,
That as I released insecurities, HIS Spirit within me did grow
The freedom and the joy of saying so long to insecurity
To some of the *things* that for years have tormented me,
And made me feel like one isolated and totally disconnected dot
Has brought me, us, each dot, here tonight, to this very place and spot.
Dearest Jesus,
We turn our fears into
WE TRUST YOU.
Send each dot through Your cleansing wash where our sin turns to passion
And insecurity is totally washed out and no longer in fashion
We pray, that more of You we will intimately know
As on our dotty path, with Your security now, we go.
Connect us LORD, as the unified body of Christ,
And help us be willing to make personal sacrifice.
The enemy CAN NOT take what we’ve been given
So in the Mighty Name of Jesus we say, “So long insecurity and hello abundant living!”
Amen.
Lovely!! It was such a delight to meet you, Lora. I only wish we had had a lot more time to visit. Maybe one day there will be another event at which we can sit down over a cup of coffee and really chat.
Leah
Lora!!! I am SOOOOOOO glad you posted this poem! It was beautiful, and I loved listening to you and watching you read it to us, the dotty bunch.
Precious, that's what you are!
Love and hugs,
Adrienne
You are a picture of Grace. I am so thankful God has allowed me to be your friend and blessed me with TWO trips with you this year!! He is so good, and so faithful. I know what this required of you, and I am inspired and encouraged by your obdience. The poem is amazing, you completely captured the theme of the gathering. I am so grateful to have been a part of it.
May blessings abound for you, sweet friend 🙂
ps. you are a "smarty"
Thank you for sharing from the depths of your heart. Thank you for allowing GOD to use you and for being HIS living vessel. I am blessed to have traveled by here, this evening!
Hugs,
andrea
PS: Thank you for your sweet note on arise 2 write.
Oh Lora, I love it! God was smiling as you obeyed Him and read that poem. He has blessed you with writing and you do it beautifully.
Love you friend,
Patty
Thank you so much Lora for sharing your poem with us! It was a blessing.
Tammy T
Sounds like a great time! And yay for you for getting through your poem so nicely! And you looked beautiful, too! 🙂
Lora,I was so excited when I saw you walk through the door at Pappasito's! I prayed that we would be able to meet. God is so good. Just wish we had been able to spend more time together. Meeting you was truly one of the best parts of the weekend!
If you don't mind I would like to copy and paste your poem so that I can print it out and put it in my "So Long Insecurity" book. It's a beautiful poem written by a beautiful woman, inside and out.
Love,
Cindy
I loved listening to you and watching you read it to us, the dotty bunch.
home based data entry
Lora,
You are a beautiful dot, and I'm grateful He has destined our Dots to connect. You are an incredible woman in the Faith. You encourage me so much.
Lovingly,
Yolanda
Thank you for sharing this poem with us. So glad you were able to go and give others a glimpse into your heart. And for the record, you looked darling!
peace~elaine
Beautiful…beautiful…beautiful…
I knew all would be well because GOD ordained this!
Love you.
thank you for the life you live in and out of blog world. your authenticity and huge heart for Jesus show in ALL you DO and say! So glad we 'connected' in San Antonio, discovered our St. Louis links and again in Georgia. Waiting with great expectation for where God leads you next!
big ((hugs))
your dotty friend and sister in Christ!
This was such an awesome poem! You have such a great heart and I am so glad to have met you in person. What a wonderful night! I was so very touch by all the people who participated. What a blessing you all are!
Lora: I love your sweet heart and gifted writing. How far is it to your house??? Too far for me!
I can't wait to see you again soon.
Pray for my two new grandbabies on the way in May.
Love much,
Jan
Hey…are you flooded???
Came by to wish you a blessed Mother's Day! Love ya!