The Difference Maker

When something significant happens in my life, I take my time unpacking it because I don't want to miss anything, a lesson, a revelation, even an emotion. This past week I unpacked the last tangible item I had from the conference on October 17. Shannon, the facilitator and organizer of the conference, gave me a thank you gift for attending and speaking.

I remember her asking me my favorite color about a week before the conference, but beyond the color, the words on each gift spoke to where I am and what I needed. "Never forget the difference you've made." "Difference maker, noun, a dedicated person who can make a big IMPACT even with just a small action or a few words in an area or team. Someone who IMPROVES the lives of others. One who rallies or ENCOURAGES others to propel themselves forward and bring about CHANGE."

It was so encouraging and affirming because those gifts represent my heart towards people. I write, I share, I am transparent because I want to have impact. If one blog starts the process, encourages someone to keep going, or if what I say or do brings change, my experiences have produced purpose.

It's also the reason I willingly said yes to speaking at the conference. When God shared what He wanted to say through me, the last 4 years of my life had fresh purpose.

Some years ago I shared what happened to me on October 17, 2022. The Lord told me to grieve the life I thought I would have and that He wanted me to carry something. He did not tell me all that we would lose or what I would carry, but God in His love and infinite wisdom took me through a season of preparation.

Three months after that our lives changed and we experienced spiritual attacks on our family, people attacking our character, and some heart breaking decisions that were God lead. When God tells you He already has provision for minds that are made up around you and over the course of several years he confirms it, you learn to trust Him in a new way.

In all that chaos, His instruction was to build it anyway. He still required me to move forward with the plan to create Mom Dreams, launch it, write the book, share it, host events, encourage and pray for women, and show up in purpose. I'm sure you can relate. Even with preparation and a plan, God rarely provides a timeline. For me, this process lasted for 4 years to the date.

At the conference I talked about building in oppposition. The enemy will save his biggest attacks for when we are about to walk into the door of purpose. What can be shaken, will be shaken, and what remains is what God uses. I talked about how easily doubt can set in in the beginning. Opposition can make us believe we are moving at the wrong time, but we have to remember when God gives instructions, it is intentional because He already knew what was coming.

We forget about the strong friend who makes hard things look easy, but that strong friend gets tired, sometimes wants to quit, and it looks easy because they are graced for that trial. God knew so He prepared them, but it doesn't mean it's not difficult. When that strong friend looks the strongest, he or she is probably the weakest.

I talked about the need for support and community, especially when a person has had to fight for an extended period of time. My close friends did not experience my pain directly, but they were graced to carry me in prayer and encouragement throughout the process.

Building in oppposition comes in phases; preparation, the initial attack that tries to keep you from starting, the ongoing fight to try to get you to quit, and the peace and rest that comes when the trial is over and the task is complete. I would not have realized we had won if I did not take the God directed pause that started in February of this year.

First He had me look at what had been completed inspight of the enemy and his attempts to steal, kill, and destroy. I had not slowed down to see what the Lord had done through us. Then He showed me my wounds and healed them because sometimes you don’t realize the severity of your wounds until you stop fighting. Then He told me to rest so that He could renew me. He did not tell me how long it would last, but I have followed Him long enough to know His timing is perfect.

This conference signified the end of the pause, October 17, 2026, four years exactly from the day preparation started through a word from God. I appreciate how intentional God is. Even through doubt, heartache, mistakes, and a whole lot of tears, He showed me obedience will make sure you arrive exactly where you should be on the day and at the time you need to.

This gift called me a difference maker, and I can take a compliment without taking God's credit. While he allowed me to make a difference in others, He is the difference maker for me. He fills in every gap. He makes up the difference. Where I am weak, He is strong. When I have questions, He has answers. When I have problems, He has solutions. When I get lost, He has directions.

I have journals filled with things He said, and dates that they were completed. My life is a witness of God's love and faithfulness. My relationship with Christ is evidence of how He changes our hearts and desires so that we can become who He intended. He uses that process of becoming to show others that there is nothing too impossible for Him.

I am still unpacking this experience. The last four years of my life were not easy, but I see the fruit of difficult no's, painful yeses, and a faithful God. Life is hard enough on its own, but doing it with God and His way is a life insurance policy you don't want to skip.

I am watching my life unfold just like you and I am excited about what my God is going to do with this surrendered life. The foundation for Mom Dreams is laid, the book is written, and that four year chapter is complete. God has more and He is going to do more with what remains.

Dont rush through preparation. It is designed to equip you for what's ahead. If you are experiencing doubt, remind yourself of what He said. He cannot lie and He will not fail. If you are still in the fight of your life, allow Him to strengthen you. And if He has instructed you to slowdown or pause, do it. Healing and restoration is here.

Let Him use what you have left because a story backed with His power is a difference maker.