She Speaks Conference Reflections
Three years ago I attended the She Speaks Conference. I was insecure, filled with great anticipation, and felt kind of lost in a sea of well-dressed women. It was near the beginning of my writing journey and I had great hopes for how my publishing appointments would turn out. I longed to be known and to have my writing validated by experts.
My roommate Lee prayed with me before my meetings as I carried my heart on paper—in the form of a book proposal.
My time at the conference did not unfold like I envisioned but it was even better than I could have planned. You see, despite my narrow focus and hunger for recognition, God met me and redirected me as only He could. He reminded me of what’s really important, He equipped me to walk out my calling, and He supplied me with jewels of truth to sustain me for the road ahead.
This past weekend, I returned to She Speaks. As I walked through the doors leading to the lobby of the Embassy Suites, I was reminded of God’s faithfulness throughout this journey, in the form of:
- A squishy tummy, evidence of Baby #5 (a key piece in the journey from striving to settledness).
- A tired mind, evidence of three months of intense book writing and turning in a manuscript to my editor last month.
- A wide-eyed smile, evidence of the encouragement welling up within to bolster others as they walk their path.
God speaks life to dead places and brings about His will in spite of our wanderings, and we are compelled to declare His goodness.
…the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not. -Romans 4:17d
My roommate Lee (from three years ago) attended She Speaks again this year and God has taken her on her own journey, marked by His incredible faithfulness.
A few days before the conference, Lee’s upcoming book, Brave Moms, Brave Kids: A Battle Plan for Raising Heroes went on sale for pre-order (I got a sneak peek and its message is already reshaping the way I parent).
When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness. -Proverbs 31:26 #SheSpeaks17 Share on X
So what’s my point? Well, I want you to remind you afresh that God can do the impossible.
He can part the seas whenever He is so inclined, He can redirect us when we’re ready to fall off the edge. He can hold us up when we are falling apart. He is faithful when we are faithless. He is strong when we are weak. He is so kind to keep us on course as we walk out our calling.
Wise Words from She Speaks Leaders
God extracts things in our character that can destroy us.” -Susie Larson
What an honor to sit under the teaching of women who have walked ahead of us and glean from their experience. If you are an older woman, are you taking time to teach younger women? If you are a younger woman, are you willing to be taught?
Are you writing for your reader or to get your name on the cover (of a book)?” -Blythe Daniel
It is easy to get derailed as the world tells us to make a name for ourselves. But we are to focus on making Christ known, trusting Him to take care of us as we do.
You don’t have to write the best book, just your best book.” -Liz Curtis Higgs
I am so thankful for women like Liz Curtis Higgs and Carol Kent who are willing to invest in others and help us navigate the path ahead. These women are living out the truths found in Titus 2 as they mentor others with God’s Word and time tested insight.
I am willing to disappoint you in order to obey God.” -Lisa Allen
I want to do a better job, discerning His voice above my own and experiencing the joy and peace in knowing that my Good Father knows what is best for me.
At the end of the day, as we lay our head on the pillow at night, let’s rest, knowing that we obeyed God. We can’t do this without Him. We will fall short, yet in Christ, we are forgiven, sustained, and righteous—not because we always get it right, but because Jesus righted us through His blood, by faith.
Our identity is completed in Christ not our accomplishments.” -Glynnis Whitwer
Don’t ignore your pain, address it so you can make the whole trip well.” -Chrystal Evans Hurst
Chrystal gave an inspiring message about what’s truly important on this faith journey. Many of us need to face our pain instead of plowing through to our destination. Some of us need to focus more on who is with us instead of what we are doing or where we are headed. And some of us need to focus again on the main thing and not the side deals that take up most of our attention.
If you want to change the kingdom go home and love your church.” -Whitney Capps
And last but not least, I’ll leave you with these powerful words from Whitney Capps.
These were the words God hit me with at the She Speaks Conference, reminding me of the importance of being a part of a local Bible believing church.
It’s a dangerous game to be isolated in ministry. We need others who know us well enough to point out our blind spots, to help us get back up when we fall, and to cheer us on when we succeed.
Community is hard but it is a most necessary avenue for accountability and growth. Share on XChurch attendance doesn’t make us holy but it sure helps us grow. It is not a “have to” but a “get to.” Not an obligation but an invitation to be a part of something much bigger than ourselves.
We can impact our communities in profound ways as we rub shoulders with those in our local church…and learn to extend and receive grace to others and ourselves. The local church provides great opportunities to learn commitment and selflessness as we mature.
God speaks to us in many ways, through the Bible, through community, through His Holy Spirit gently correcting us when we stray. I’m thankful for how God has used the local church, conferences, and dear friends to remind me of what’s really important on this faith journey.
How about you? What wise words has God spoken to you lately?
P.S. If you aren’t a subscriber yet, enter your email address in the box at the top right of the blog so you can stay in the know (I just told my subscribers my book title last week).
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This was my first “She Speaks” experience and I left charged and changed! It was such an amazing experience to sit with hundreds of other like-minded women and the speakers….wow…just amazing.
Thank you for linking up today over at Salt and Light, Katie!
Hi Shannon! Glad you had a great time too. Great is His faithfulness. 🙂
Dear Katie, the “wise words” you captured from the conference are so affirming and inspiring. Thank you for sharing them! Prayers for your journey…
Hi Alice! Thank you for reading and for your encouragement. Glad the wise words spoke to you as they did to me too. 🙂
Thanks for sharing about the conference, Katie! I love your testimony of the Lord’s faithfulness between your first one and this one!
Hi Bethany! Thank you, so full of gratitude for what only He could do. 😉 Hope you’re doing well.
Thank you for sharing your experience. I hope to attend in 2018. I am grateful for the women who attended the conference and share their experiences with their readers. The photos are great as well! And, I also “want to do a better job, discerning His voice above my own and experiencing the joy and peace in knowing that my Good Father knows what is best for me.” Thank you for sharing your heart!
Hi Robin: I hope you can go in 2018! You are most welcome.
One day I hope to be able to attend the She Speaks conference! I sure enjoyed reading about your experience and the wonderful wisdom you shared.
You should go! It’s an investment for sure but well worth it. 🙂
Hi Katie. I saw you here and there at the conference but never had a chance to say hello in person. This was my first year, and I’m glad you shared here what your first year experience was like. Mine was somewhat similar–I was overwhelmed by God’s presence among so many worship-filled women. I love your collection of quotes! Blessings to you as you journey toward publishing!
Hi Sarah! So sorry we didn’t get a change to connect in person. Glad you were there. And blessings as you take the next steps forward as He leads.
Love this and She Speaks! Praying about a return next year! Blessings as you walk out what you learned!
Hi Liz: What a conference, eh? Thank you…one step at a time. 😉
Thank you so much for sharing your experience and for these great snippets from the sessions. I’m looking forward to attending someday!
Hi Rebekah: You are most welcome. I hope you attend sometime. 🙂
Hi Katie! Visiting today from #LiveFreeThursday!
Really enjoyed your take on SS! Such important reminders… the growth our local churches provide & not being isolated in our ministry! Congrats on your growth as a writer since your first SS 3 years ago! Such encouraging words for this newbie writer. Prayers for your book!
Wish we could have chatted more at lunch last Saturday, but glad I was able to get to know you better today!
Would love it if you’d be willing to share this awesome post in the SS 2107 Link Up! Just head to my blog, go to my SS 2017 post (“She Hopes”), click on the little blue button, and enter your link! Blessings!
Whew! That ended up being waaaay longer than intended!
Hi Allison: What a great conference, huh?! Glad to connect. 🙂
Great reminders! God is so able, despite our weaknesses. May the Lord bless you as you write for Him!
Hi Amy! Praying you are encouraged today. Keep on!
You very much encouraged me, Thank you! Sounds like a great opportunity. My favorite quote was, “I am willing to disappoint you in order to obey God.” -Lisa Allen
Thanks for sharing!
Hi Debra! You are most welcome and yes, isn’t that great advice via Lisa? Have a great week.
Thank you for this eloquent recap, Katie. It was also encouraging to read about your journey and what God has done in your heart and life over the past three years. This was my first She Speaks, and I had a similar experience to your first experience. I was reminded that a kingdom calling begins with loving the one person right in front of me, and I was reminded that God’s timing is absolutely perfect. May we continue to offer our lives as living sacrifices to him! Bless you for your wise words!
Thank you, Stacey. Beautiful reflections, thank you for sharing your heart.
Loved your takeaways, Katie. It was great to meet you and chat for just a minute. Wish we could have had more time. Hugs
So nice to meet you too, and yes, more time would have been lovely! It was a whirlwind. 🙂
Katie! What a joy to remember meeting you at She Speaks 2014 and to read what God has done in your life and glean from your takeaways this year!
You are a treasure, Betsy! Thankful for you.
Hey lady! I am so glad to have stumbled upon this post. I was so blessed to be in your networking group and you really challenged me to get moving and think outside the box. I’m not there yet, and I have not even reached the point of writing a blog yet about what I experienced at She speaks. You put quite a bit of it into words for me! Looking forward to getting to know you better! Thanks again!
So nice to connect at She Speaks!
Hi. I am part of the Compel training. Your post was shared by our leader. Loved reading about your experience. Also loved the wise words you captured. Thank you for taking the time to share this with us. Blessing to you and your family.
Hi Reyna: Thank you for your kind words. I’m so glad this post encouraged you. Enjoy Compel!
This is beautiful. I love how you shared the quotes and framed up such full and beautiful weekend at SheSpeaks. That’s hard to do! : ) Looking forward to the journey ahead. May the Lord bless the work of your hands this week. love, d
It was a joy to meet you at She Speaks, Danita!