Teens, Ilinois and an Army guy

You know I love fashion and all things related. But I've come to realize that God wired my brain towards teen girls in the most amazing way. And not just any teen girl.

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This weekend I spoke in Monticello, Illinois and from the minute Patti (my assitant) and I boarded the early morning plane on Friday to the time we landed back in Charlotte on Saturday night, it was a struggle. A struggle because God had some BIG things for us to do and ugly satan was trying to get in the way.

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Seriously.

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If you ever thought that ministry only happens when you speak from a stage, you are so wrong. On the way to Atlanta, on the first leg of the trip, I got to sit between 2 wonderful women (yes, I got the middle seat and was completely crunched with my long legs on my 5'11" body) but God had some plans I didn't think of. I got to listen to a woman's struggle with her 16 year old step-daughter. It's not a mistake that God would want me to encourage her and give her a few ideas that worked for me as I was raising my triplet teen step daughters.

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Patti sat in "her" middle seat behind me and got to talk to a guy who was going thru some things she had already gone thru and encourage him. He got to give her some tips on handling one of her children that he had dealt with, therefore, encouraging her.

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Our plane was delayed in Atlanta so the event coordinators got a little worried if we'd get there on time.

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My husband and I argued from early morning and seemed like every phone conversation was a struggle. Right before we were to get picked up at the hotel to head to the event, I had a phone conversation with my husband and I was so upset I cried when I hung up. I felt so upset I didn't even think I could minister that evening. But, you see, God had someting else in mind and satan knew it. He was mad so he tried to throw me off guard.

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In the audience that evening, were 12 girls from a place called Teen Challenge. I don't know what happened but the minute I stepped on the stage, my eyes found them and I could see their hearts. And thankfully, they could see mine. We connected.

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Patti told me later that she could tell I was on a mission. She said the look on my face was a give away. During the break, I went up to her and with a deadpan look, I announced I was giving my testimony.

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You see, that wasn't part of the plan. That was for Saturday's event, with a different audience. But God had a different idea.

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So, I gave it.

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And oh how we cried afterwards with these girls. And prayed. One girl had gotten pregnant at her young 18 year old age and had an abortion because her parents made her. She couldn't get over it and felt soooo guilty. One girl didn't know why her parents had sent her away. She was unwanted. The stories go on.

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They wanted to know if they could write to me...and if I would answer.

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Patti and I layed hands on them and prayed over them. We took pictures. We laughed, but mostly we cried and shared the love of Christ. Because you know, that's all they have to cling to in this world. And honestly, that's all any of us have to cling to.

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I was exhausted and then had to do it all over on Saturday. And again, ministry happened. A woman came up to me with her newborn, and she was crying, hard. She had a past filled with regrets and decided that day to lay it at the cross. There were little girls that committed to a life of purity. There were several who laid their eating disorders at the feet of Jesus.

They laid down sexual abuse, affairs, money problems, obsessive relationships, self hatred.

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On the way home, I was so sick to my stomach all I wanted to do was lay down. And then God sat me next to a guy dressed in an Army uniform, heading home for 20 day leave.

And again, God asked me to share the love of Christ with him. The entire flight, in the dark airplane, we talked. And talked. And talked some more. I don't know what he'll do with the information I shared, but all I know is God wanted me to do it. I was tired. I didn't feel good.

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I told him the truth about Jesus. I was bold, but motherly. He was 19 years old. His earthly mother had rejected him. He had been physically abused by his step father. He didn't see his father much. And all that matters is that he knows Jesus. I had to tell him. I didn't have a choice. And that's what God asks me and you to do. I promised I'd pray for him. His name is Christopher. Will you pray for him sometimes, too?

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Today I'm pretty exhausted. Tomorrow as my son heads to Washington DC with his 8th grade class, my husband and I are going to take a few days off and go to Myrtle Beach and reconnect and spend quality time with each other and with God.

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I know I haven't written much lately, and as you may or may not know, I travel every single weekend speaking somewhere about fashion. Oh yes, and God. Without God, there would be no ministry for me. He just happens to let me use my passion for fashion to reach others for Him.

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How cool is that?

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I have a challenge question for you today.

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What is your passion? Did you ever think that God could use it for His glory?

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He can. And you can.

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Blessings y'all,

Shari