In my previous blog article, Promise and Pain of Change – Part 1, I mentioned that I would share about my last Magnificent Messmaker Workshop in Part 2 of the article, which I will do. I addressed the reality of struggling with staying the course when you feel things are out of “your” control; those times you feel that you neither know nor have what it takes. I’ve been there.
Life Happened
Things had been going fairly well, then life happened (without my opinion or permission). I experienced some difficulties especially as the workshop day approached. I will spare you detail but will say that it involved family, requiring immediate attention and lots of time, energy, strength, resolve, and prayer to resist worry and doubt. Despite my planning efforts, I needed more help than anticipated. This meant vulnerably relaxing my hold and entrusting others in ways I had not anticipated, hence pain of change.
Even If
Workshop attendance was hardly what I had anticipated. While I initially felt some disappointment, God and supportive family and friends loved me through. I knew I had done as God desired, having fulfilled my promise… my “Yes” by leaving familiar comfort zones, letting go, and trusting Him, “even if” it had meant only one participant and “even if” I were that only one. Several people previously confirmed what God had placed in my heart about “remembering the one.” This was later confirmed by the security guard on duty, who also worked at the venue during my first workshop last Fall. She spent quite a bit of time in the workshop. I shared with her that I had hoped for more participants given my heart’s desire to help others. She said that it doesn’t matter how many attend; what matters is that those who need to be there are there, …”even if” there is only one… and “even if” I am that only one! I knew she was Godsend on the spot!
She elaborated sharing about an experience in which she helped a woman and her daughter out of a “messy” situation and noting that the workshop would have been great for them. She encouraged me to keep doing what I’m doing because it is needed. Having said all that, the workshop went well with attendees having transformational experiences, especially through our “I am enough because…” activity, which unexpectedly turned out to be the theme for our creative arts activity.
Gain amidst the Rain
Our openness, engagement, interaction, and collaborative creativity allowed for great connection, discussion, guidance, learning, relaxation, and relationship. We were appreciative of the opportunity to positively affect one another’s lives and the lives of others going forward. Nevertheless, there was much to gain, namely experiencing that there is greater opportunity for creativity and relationship-building when we are open to others’ ideas and receiving help. Thankfully, I am able to transparently share of my experience in hope to encourage you as God desires. This is an answer to my prayer, hence promise of change.
Ultimate Promise of Change
Life is about change. God offers His grace through Jesus because we are imperfect and need to change. He isn’t concerned about quantity. He wants quality of life that comes with receiving His love and grace. Therefore, God’s Amazing Grace is the “Ultimate” Promise of Change, and it is available to you. All you have to do is choose Him. In doing so, you choose love. That includes self-love and love for others.
Faithfulness
I remain true to my commitment to honor God and serve others. God faithfully fulfills His “Yes” to me as abundant blessings pour forth in my personal and professional life in ways I had not imagined. Likewise, creativity is flowing as opportunities abound. I am extremely excited about the future and all that God has placed in my heart. I will be, say, and do as God would have me no matter how I feel; I will remain in His will.
Best of You
I want you to know that there’s no need to seek validation in numbers or wait for the masses such that you procrastinate or pridefully hide. Those who need to be “there,” and even what YOU need, could be in the one… that one person who is there “even if” that one person is you. Embrace the opportunity. Bring on your best game. One of my favorite expressions (by unknown author) and your unique competitive advantage is, “Bring all of who you are into all of what you do.” The best way to flourish and thrive in life is to just be YOU, know that you are enough, and do what you know God wants you to do.
Learning from mistakes and messes, while loving your magnificence and successes!
Triple Threat: Transparency. Transformation. Transition.
Faithfully, Sheryl