Bouquets of His Love

"I Found Joy in a BIG God" Part Eight

Having a blog has opened up a whole new world to me. My friend Carol was the one who encouraged me 3 years ago to begin sharing my thoughts and life through this avenue of writing and I'm so thankful that she did. I never could have imagined the friendships and connections that have developed as I've poured my heart out, unchecked, sitting at my computer in the comfort of my own home.

That's why the first event at the "She Speaks" conference filled me with excitement. A "Blogger's Reception" was hosted for those of us who have connected through cyber space.

I was thrilled and delighted to meet Lynn. She and I are fairly new friends. She is a speaker and writer and has an amazing ministry with teenage girls. She has God sized dreams and is following and trusting His leading. She has been such an encouragement to me. Just two days ago Lynn sent me an e-mail inquiring how she could be praying for me right now. That's friendship!



Lelia, led a study I participated in on-line. Every Tuesday I would share my respone to Lysa TerKeurst's book, "What Happens When Women Say 'Yes' to God". It was great to meet my faithful leader face-to-face.




Another member of that book study was Pamela. We were able to share a lovely visit Saturday afternoon. Her sweet and quiet ways blessed me abundantly.



Susan was a surprise friend. While I was waiting in the lobby of the hotel Friday afternoon, this lovely girl approached me and sweetly asked, "Are you Joy?" She then explained that she was aware of how nervous I had been to fly from Canada to North Carolina on my own and she had been praying for me throughout her entire drive to the Conference! It was so wonderful to be able to share with her all that God had done. She was such a special blessing.



Last, but not least, my Kansas friend Kelley. Kelley was the first new blog friend I met across my computer screen. I would have loved the opportunity to have spent more time with her. We had been e-mailing almost daily prior to the conference, trying to hold each other accountable in certain areas of our life. So often her messages to me were, and still are, just what the Doctor ordered as she points my heart to the Great Physician.



Before closing today I must share a God-story that happened while attending this bloggy gathering. When speaking with Lynn, a gal approached us. I assumed she knew Lynn as I didn't recognize her at all. We turned to say 'hello' and she reached into a bag and handed me a single daisy in a small, glass vase. I was stunned. Why, out of all the women in this room, was I receiving a daisy? I asked her if she knew that daisies were my favourite flower and she said, 'No'. She quickly walked away and I was left standing there in awe.

You see, I call daisies God's "I love you" flower. If you've been visiting my blog for any length of time, you know that this blog design, (a gift from my sweet friend Kelley) reflects the knowledge that God loves me. With God it is never, "He loves me, He loves me not", but always, "He loves me, He loves me, he loves me..."

God was delivering me His personal message of love. I had stepped out in faith and obedience and followed Him to North Carolina and He was showing and proclaiming His love for me.

Know today that He has a bouquet of love for you. If you happen to see a daisy today, linger in His presence and promise knowing God is saying, "I love you".

(Be sure to visit my other blog "Pondering in His Presence" to see the amazing truth God was teaching me this morning!)