Sunday, August 14, 2011

Lazy, Hazy, Crazy days of Summer?

This past week was by far “crazy”…no laze or haze in sight! To set the stage, sports training camps started last week. My three kids were in five different camps throughout the day. Add to that my mother having hip surgery (running back and forth to the hospital), being in physical therapy myself for my elbow, oh and a writer’s conference toward the end of the week. All to be topped off by me being asked to speak for the first time EVER about my book on Saturday morning at the conference. I was scared to death to stand up and talk for three minutes about what I wrote and why! Three minutes is a long time when you don’t know what to say! And my audience was the last group I wanted to speak to! This was a group of many well accomplished editors, authors, publishers, agents, speakers, etc. As I sat in workshops listening to many speakers, I would just pray they would sleep in and not come to hear me speak on Saturday morning! I’m actually kidding, a big part of me was excited, and thrilled for the opportunity to speak. It has been on my heart to reach out and talk on the subject of ADHD, encouraging kids who struggle to fit in AND parents, letting them know they are not alone.

When Saturday came, I felt that stage fright, the butterflies…. I kept praying asking God to help me be calm and just be “Debbie”. That was what two of my friends encouraged me to be….ME. As I arrived at the conference, when I walked in, a friend was waiting for me; she was like an angel. God used her that moment to encourage me, pray with me, and walk that small little journey with me. She sat right next to me up front. I was amazed by her love and kindness, that I was distracted from my anxiety of having to speak!I saw her as a gift from God to me.

The time came for me to speak; I was announced and approached the microphone. I looked out at the crowd and knew I wasn’t alone up there. It all went well, and I’m thankful for that. What blew me away was how God provided for me at a time when I was tired, worn out from the week, and felt insignificant. It’s just like God to do that isn’t it? He cares about all the things that concern us. He is always faithful.

“In the day when I cried out, You answered me, and made me bold with strength in my soul.” Psalm 138:3

Grace & Peace,

Debbie