There’s something about being surrounded by women that feels a lot like coming home.
{Sixteen of our (in)courage writers photographed by Amie from Wild Olive Tees}
And for someone who lives on the see-saw of homesickness, that is a profoundly comforting thing.
Because while I feel like I walked miles between conference halls at the Blissdom Conference last week, while my ankles are still swollen and my legs still ache, while my eight month belly protested and tightened and weighed heavy – my heart – my heart was dancing.
Because for me it wasn’t about blogging or a conference or networking but rather about being sunk soul deep into a place that felt like home. Women can do that. They can open their arms and laughter to you and welcome you into safety and familiarity even when you’re meeting them for the first time.
{Me, Jessica, Angie, Jen, Nester and Melissa almost all sporting Gussy Laptop bags}
When women do friendship right, they are a safe place. Where dreams and crying and hope and fear are all welcome to be sifted through tender fingers. Where they don’t compete, they encourage. Where your success is their success – amplifying what we accomplish together rather than diminishing any one of us.
That is the Jesus kind of beautiful. And it shines out of the women I spent last week with.
Being around them is like cupping fingers around a cup of steaming hot chocolate all bobbing with sweet marshmallows, warming the nooks and crannies of one’s insides. And there have been moments when I have wondered at all that they do, all that they are capable of, and wondered where I fit in. But I have learned since then that our Father’s Kingdom is vast with more than enough work for each of us. That worrying over one woman’s plot of land, her garden, her fruit trees is to miss out on an area as vast as Texas that we may have been called to go and tend ourselves.
There is enough work in the Kingdom for each of us.
And we need one another if we are to be productive in the special plot given just to us.
We need to be loved and encouraged and laughed with. We need to hear the stories of our sisters walking alongside us and those who have gone ahead. We need to see what Jesus has done through them to be reminded what is possible for Him to accomplish through us.
We need someone to step back and say, “My but you’re beautiful and brave, and what you’re doing – your business, your blog, your laundry, your dishes, your car pooling, your Bible study, your grocery shopping, your book, your dental training – that’s Kingdom work sister.”
And oh my, but it’s worth photographing – with camera, head and heart!
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Oh, LJ, this is the best ever. This is exactly why I go to these conferences and why I stay up too late and talk too much and listen long and give hundreds of hugs and cry happy tears.
When we women do friendship right, from a place of true, unconditional Jesus-love, we paint a picture of beauty.
I love your heart. So honored to count you a friend.
~Bunnie
Yes, exactly! Because while no one can hurt women quite like women, no one can love on them and restore them quite the same either. Can NOT wait to have you be a “round-the-corner” friend, Bun!
you are an incredible blessing to me. i could sit here and say “thank you” forever and it still wouldn’t be enough. {hugs}
Great post!
And we do get to see your beautiful self in some pictures :)
I love these women. I’ve only met some of them. But they have changed my life.
And I’m forever grateful.
Thanks for telling us {again} that what we do {WHATEVER it may be}, matters.
{It never gets old}
:)
Good – because it’s one of my favorite songs to sing :)
Oh the blessing of fellowship in the Lord! It is a glorious thing to see the Body being the Body. :)
“When women do friendship right, they are a safe place”…Ah! How right you are! And its a message that I will recount over and over and over again- to counteract all the stereotypes that exist (and the ones that are justified) of woment that can hurt. Women can heal, women can help, women can have strong and loving friendships.
So glad yall all were together!
“When women do friendship right, they are a safe place.” A true gift indeed.
You amaze me, Lisa-Jo. You’re eight months pregnant and yet you worked tirelessly to encourage others and set a beautiful stage for (in)courage to host others…our sweet sistahs :). I’m so thankful for your role with DaySpring, you serve the company and all of us well.
It was precious to hug you AND your bebe!!! Pregnant tummies (gosh, yours, Jessica’s, Amber’s and???) bless mah heart. The beauty from within cannot be contained.
Love to you and all.
x0
I LOVE IT, and I wouldn’t trade our conversations for much of anything. We’re not alone in this crazy life, and I am just so grateful that I share womanhood with you.
I love this post… you are so right! It was a wonderful time with amazing women. New friendships were forged and existing friendships were strengthened.
P.S. I love seeing you in these photos!
I’m so glad y’all had such a lovely time. And I’m really glad you got to meet Amie. She is a lovely, lovely person.
And Colleen! And they were as wonderful as I imagined they would be! Just wait till you see the bee-ooo-tiful T-Shirt they designed for (in)courage – Swoon!
I LOVE that group photo! Such beautiful faces! I’m envious (in a good way!) that you all got to hang out with each other…seems like a fabulous time!
What an adorable group of women. :)
Oh, my stars how I love that pregnant tummy! And your smiling face and flaming red hair reflect your Jesus glowin’ beautiful spirit! Oh the love!
Beautiful post, Lisa-Jo…one of my favorites so far! I know I always say that, though!
I missed you! It’s not the same without a Kristen in the bunch!
I loved this! All kinds of beautiful, this world of women you’ve introduced me to. Someday soon, when little Zoe and you and me are all cozy in a messy living room or at Himalaya, I’m going to tell you with my face and hands and heart just how much your words, your stories, your hugs have meant. Even from far away (in the middle of ANOTHER blizzard!) I can feel them. I love you, Lisa-Jo! You’ve just got His love written all over you.
Love,
little sister-daughter
Can’t wait to have you over for hot chocolate and babysitting, Hilary! :)
What a beautiful pregnant belly!
You told me a while ago something similar, that there is no need for competition in the Lord’s house b/c He gave each of us work to do, our work. I really thought that one over, as the tendency to compare and try to live up to all these amazing women is great, especially in the blogging world. And since really focusing on this truth and trying to stay faithful to what He would ask of me (and not stats or followers) I’ve been better able to enjoy the women around me and find contentment within myself.
Thank you for your encouraging heart!
“When women do friendship right, they are a safe place. Where dreams and crying and hope and fear are all welcome to be sifted through tender fingers. Where they don’t compete, they encourage. Where your success is their success – amplifying what we accomplish together rather than diminishing any one of us.”
how beautiful…I long for more of this…thank you for giving it through all you do with (in)courage…and i join the chorus singing love of your preggers tummy…honestly, that’s my favorite here:)
It’s great to see your beautiful, pregnant self, LJ!
The “seesaw of homesickness” –I know that place. Thanks for this.
You are the cutest thing! Glad to hear the conference was a success!
I’m so glad you enjoyed the conference, the photos looked lovely. I’m happy for you to have the fellowship and sisterhood. What a special gift from the Father to use your gifts to bring you together with the Body of Christ in such a powerful way that’s ministering to so many of us. God bless you Sis!!
Be sure and let me know when you’re coming to SA. Cause I want to enjoy fellowshipping with you too! xx
What a beautiful group of ladies you are- and shining for Jesus. I love it and to put more faces with words- just makes me like the blogging world that I’m getting to know even more!