words really do fail me to completely express to you the feeling and atmosphere at IF:Austin. 2,000 women gathered from all over the country in one room. it truly feels like one body…like the church, and we HAD church here last night as Melinda Dolittle led us in “break every chain”. The spirit was tangible, like we could reach out and feel the living God among us.
We are at war, and chains were beginning to fall last night. there is indeed an ARMY rising up, and it starts with us. with you, and with me.
“We are at war and the prize is faith.” –Jennie Allen
this is my personal biggest take away: faith is something I’ve struggled to understand this year. amidst hard things in my own life. what is my faith really in? what is faith? how do I get more faith? how do I make sure my faith is built on something real?
I’ve been trying to muster up enough faith to receive the promises of God.
I’ve had somewhat of a “crisis of faith” this year time and time again – waiting on the promises of God, believing and hoping IN HIM, but also in what he can give me. if I’m being honest.
Last night when Jen said “faith is not the formula to get the good stuff, it IS the good stuff” it wrecked me. FAITH IS THE PRIZE. Even if I go through this whole life journey and never reach the “other side” of healing or the things I’m believing for….HE IS ENOUGH. the journey to grow my faith IS ENOUGH. it’s worth it.
so faith, it “doesn’t demand that God explains himself”.
There have been times this weekend that we pause, turn to our neighbors and go through some great discussion questions. one of those questions for our little tribe last night was “what is faith mean to you” and as I was unpacking my friend Emily said something that also wrecked me. She asked, “so what happens if God does what you want him to, then what?”
quite honestly, I’ve thought through what happens if He doesn’t…He’s taken me on this journey the past 5+ years, but beyond thinking that He would get all the glory in my story, I hadn’t thought through what happens to my faith IF God decides to heal my body this side of heaven.
It makes me think about faith being the prize even more. It makes me want to know the character of God more. It makes me want HIM more, and not the “stuff” He can give me.
I’ve done a lot of confessing this weekend, and I know it was going on around the world last night with women dropping to our knees, raising our hands, and giving ourselves fully to the one who created us, the good father who loves us, and is sovereign over it all.
infertility may always be a part my story. I didn’t choose this path, and at times (like last night) I grieve it, and how it’s made my life look so different than I would have ever imagined. but God….BUT GOD! His plans for me are good, He is a good good father. my faith is becoming stronger, and that is my prize.
what about you? what is faith to you?
some other amazing nuggets I’ve taken away from this weekend:
“surround yourself with the people who speak what they see in you” – Bob Goff
“the broken place is also the breaking free place”- Ann Voskamp
“Somebody is looking at you – and someone needs to see you walk this journey of following God’s calling.”- Shauna Niequist
“Being faithful doesn’t mean you are fearless. It just means that your faith is greater than your fear.” – Christine Caine
“The call of God IS inconvenient” – Christine Caine
#ifgathering [follow the hashtag for more amazing nuggets]
Hey, I'm Wynne!
Hi, friend! First, I truly am so giddy that you are here. I want you to know I believe in you and all the ways you are growing towards living a more intentional life. I genuinely hope you are encouraged from our time together here.
A little about me, I’m a type 7 on the enneagram, a total extrovert + people lover, entrepreneur, connector, storyteller, people gatherer, and passionate wife, mama + friend. I feel most alive when I’m exploring new places and surrounded by people I love. Give me a day in the outdoors disconnected from wifi, and I am a happy girl. I run on oat milk lattes, Jesus, gratitude journaling and kitchen dance parties with my four kids.
Welcome, come on in!
I’ve been watching the conference from my computer screen at home a little lonely if I’m honest but love seeing everyone’s experiences lived out on instagram/twitter/blogs. Hope you are feeling energized and filled to the brim!!!
I, too, am watching from home! So many awesome women sharing such powerful words and truth… I can literally feel the energy through the computer screen. Would love to experience IF:Gathering in person one day! 🙂
Yes, yes, and yes! I felt so compelled to pray for you and all the other infertility girls this weekend. What a powerful weekend! God was with us in a big way all over the world! I’m still processing.
I’m watching the conference online and I love reading how God’s growing your faith through it as well! Praying for you beautiful friend!
I’m slowly processing this weekend hoping to stream some words together in a blog post soon about all the feels. IF truly facilitated a raw encounter with God and I’m so thankful for that in this season.
Would love a chance to sit and talk someday but glad we got the opportunity to exchange quick hellos. 🙂
I started watching the livestream on Saturday night and then ended up buying the session downloads because I didn’t get through them all before they expired. I had gotten through seesion 1 and half of session 2. I took a break just before Ann Voskamp started speaking (had to head to youthgroup). And let me tell you I haven’t had that many goosebumps or cried that much in a long time. I am still processing and JEN’s words were ones that I so needed to hear and need to write on my heart. I hope I can make it to one of the Gatherings in person in the next year or two. Would love to be able to sit with this community of women and soak in God’s Spirit as one body.
it’s been so special for me to be your big sis ( not yo mama, hear that? i’m not yo mama. wink) these last couple years and see all that HE is doing in and through you wynnie. your heart for people. your heart for the world. your heart for stephen asher & camp. i love you & love watching you become all that he has for you <3
Oh I do wish I could have been there. Our family is moving to Austin this summer (God willing..), so next year I am so there!!
” faith doesn’t demand that God explains himself”. – So true! Thanks for sharing this post!
Wynne this post WRECKED me to my soul…. Thank you!!!
[…] the years that the prize is not a baby, nor healing, nor things going the way I want them to: faith is the prize, Jesus is our prize. HE is enough! Sisters,let’s want HIM more than the […]