Saturday, March 29, 2008

Iowa

God's timing is perfect. He is never late. But most importantly, He is never early. Did you get that? He is never early. Have you ever been waiting patiently for something and it just never seems to come? I was to leave on a 7:10am flight to Sioux Center, Iowa on Friday morning. I didn't make it.

At 11pm Thursday night I got sick. Violently sick. The stomach-virus, food poisoning sick that you can't stay in bed for because you are running to the bathroom kind of sick. All night this went on...I didn't sleep, I couldn't, because I was in the bathroom. I have not been this sick in a very long time. So when 7:10am came and I lay in my bed feeling like I would die with pain, there was an event coordinator in Iowa getting ready to come to the airport to pick me up. Bev, I suppose, woke up in great anticipation of the women's event she had planned for almost 9 months. She was so excited because as of Thursday they had sold nearly 200 tickets. News of the event was on the radio, in the papers and advertised all over town. So as she was getting ready, her phone rang. It was me. Sick.

I had to give her news I'd never had to give another event coordinator before....that I might not make it. Dave, my husband was on the phone with the airlines at 4am checking on later flights and all were sold out, but they told him if I showed up, they might be able to get me on one. IF I showed up. IF I could get out of bed. I prayed, she prayed, she got her prayer team on it, I got my prayer partners on it, I got the Proverbs team on it. We prayed. I knew that if God wanted me there, He would heal me. He has the power. I don't. You don't. And satan doesn't. Hear me on this...satan doesn't. Because God ALWAYS has the final say. I was miserable, yes, because I couldn't keep anything down, but mostly because I was letting down nearly 200 women who were waiting on God's message that was being delivered thru me.

I said to Dave that, really, there was only one way to make that conference not happen. Take out the speaker. Think about it. It could go on with no food, it could go on with no music. But no speaker? Yep, take out the speaker. I received a text from my friend, Heather, who said these words, "Rest. Don't fight. God is in control." These words settled me as I remembered it was she who once told me, " God is never early, He is always on time." So all I have to go by as I sit here on Saturday night under the blankets still, is that, for whatever reason, the conference was too early. It wasn't supposed to be today. Perhaps we won't know the reason why until we cross from this side to the next and Jesus reveals it then, but I know, that I know, that I know, that God is in control. And with those words, I will rest. And I thank God for the grace that Bev and her team extended to me in postponing the conference till early Fall. Perhaps then, we'll know why it was too early. So for now, there were no cows for me in Iowa, no women to help dress and feel better about their appearance, but God knows why...and in that, finally, I will rest.

10 comments:

Family O'Foxes said...

I'm so sorry!!
You are a blessing to us in the blogging world.
We love you and you have helped us dress better.
Praying you feel better soon!
~Amy

Holly said...

"Rest. Don't right. God is in control." LOVE that!
I also love the cute Coach shoes in the previous post!
love,
holly

Charlene Kidd said...

I am so glad you are better. God truly is in control of whatever we will let Him be in control of. So do rest and let Him handle it in His timing.
Blessings,
Charlene

MelissaTaylor.org said...

Shari,

I'm so sorry you were so sick. But I'm glad you are feeling better and I love your insight and peace you display from your experience. That's the way we should look at everything because God does truly know best (although don't you WISH He could've found another way to stop this event...I HATE THE THROW UPS more than anything!).

Love you!
Melissa

Van said...

I wrestled when the prayer request came in - "Oh God - this is an event planned for. You gotta maker her better." Then when it didn't happen I thought of you all weekend. All I could come up with was "we serve a gracious King and we can do no less for one another." Thanks to the ladies in Iowa for their understanding. Now I can't wait to see what God has planned for that event! Rest, Shari.

Judah said...

praying you get well soon. So sorry you are sick. I had that kind of sick back in Janaury it was horrible. Even in your sickness though God used you to touch many through your blog post.

Wrinkled Shirts said...

Shari,
Still praying for you and knowing that you are feeling better today. God's timing is so amazing. Thursday we (me, hubby & 2 little boys) flew to Oklahoma City. We were on a Boeing 737 out of Houston. We landed in OKC on time and things were great. That aircraft was reloading and returning to Houston. When I sat down to read my emails and company updates Thursday night I discovered that the very plane we had flown in on landed back in Houston and blew all of it's tires on landing. Everyone was safe but it was a very frightening situation. My heart goes out to those passengers who had to experience that but I am so thankful that it was not my little boys going through it.
Paula G.

Jodie Wolfe said...

Hope you are feeling better.

If you have a few minutes, I would love your input on my blog in regards to the ten struggles that Christian women face. Thank you!

Anonymous said...

Shari, Keep on Truckin' in the things God has called you to. He has already worked out your bump in the road from Iowa. (Thank you Lord) I have a question, an important question. I am new to your blog and I read about your purse matching your hair color. I am a highlighted brunette and my main purse is always black. I have been a fashion DON'T for many years and I knew it not! Help me on this because I am coming to She Speaks and do not want to get in trouble. :) I wear black shoes more than brown. Is it okay to not have your shoes and purse be in the same color family? Can you do a post before She Speaks so those of who lost their fashion handbook will not be walking around with a big X on our outfit? Thanks for sharing! Barbara

Shari Braendel said...

Hi Barbara, I am hoping you get this answer and will do a post soon on it just in case you don't! You don't have to match shoes and purse anymore...but if you always wear black shoes, then you might consider a black and brown mixed purse. Or a bold, bright color for spring/summer. Or a metallic one that blends with your hair color. I am so sorry I didn't see this post before now. Something happened with my comments and they used to be e-mailed to me and now they're not and I have to go thru each post and make sure I'm not missing anyone..so sorry! love ya! Shari