Wednesday, December 10, 2008

40 to 40 (Gratitude 35)

I am grateful for many of the women at P31. Renee Swope is one of them. She is kind and sweet and fun. I've enjoyed getting to know her over the past year through the blogs and then at She Speaks.

She was one of the people who so warmly greeted me this last conference. One thing I will never forget is a small kindness she showed me. I don't know if she was aware or not of how easily I feel left out. She invited me to have lunch with her. When I arrived she told me that some worship leaders were going to be joining us as well as her assistant.

Renee was primed to sit between me and the worship leaders. Suddenly she shifted to the opposite side of me. Her assistant said something to her while they were standing behind me. I don't believe it was meant for me to over hear, but I did and I was blessed. Renee explained her seating choice based on the high probability that if she sat next to the worship leaders I would be left out of the conversation. I was touched by her thoughtfulness and her desire to have me feel
included.




Renee also gave a very powerful talk that night about being in the shadow of the cross. I was moved to tears by it. As part of it we all got scriptures with a pale word behind them that you might miss if you weren't told they were there. Providentially, my word was "blessed." I tend to see the negative of things, so I don't often associate myself with that word. But as I've soaked it in these last few months I realize that I am very blessed.





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4 comments:

Renee Swope said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Renee Swope said...

Amy, I am so honored that I would be counted as one of your 40 blessings! I am so glad I got to meet you face-to-face at She Speaks and that we had lunch together, too! Your heart radiates the joy of Christ and the sweetness of His gentle Spirit.

I am so thankful for your friendship, your prayers and your encouragement!

Have a great day!
Renee

PS. That was my deleted comment. I misspelled my name. Need some coffee or a nap soon!

Cazandra Campos-MacDonald said...

She Speaks changed me. I "accidentally" found out about it and was one of the last people they let in, as it was full.

God's timing is impeccable. God sent you to lunch with an amazing woman and that time was a moment to treasure. He puts the right people in the right places at the right time.

I truly felt that God sent me to She Speaks, if anything, to hear Renee's "Beyond the Shadow of Doubt." It was amazing! I recently sent a copy of her CD to a family member and pray she is as blessed as I was when I heard Renee.

Blessings,
Cazandra

Joyful said...

I'd agree 100% that Renee is a blessing! What an absolute blessing she has been to me since 2005, and even more so since connecting with her in June.

I was actually with Renee when I found my 'word' on my card. The Lord gave me exactly what I needed to hear too.

I'm so thankful for the friends the Lord has allowed to enter my life and speak His truth to me.

Amy, you are blessed, but you are also a blessing to me!
Have a great day,
Joy