Him Who Strengthens Me

Feb. 26, 2013

Last week, I went to my fourth Christian Counselors of Texas conference.  This year it was held in San Antonio.  With the exception of my grandmother’s funeral (which I had forgotten until just now), it was the first time I’d been in San Antonio in about thirty years.  I have bad associations with that city connected to my childhood so I seriously have no desire to go there, ever.  But with the conference being there, I wanted to go and surely it’s past time to get over this avoidance.  Besides, after thirty years, what can be familiar?

A street name, that’s what.  As I was driving, I noticed an exit for Thousand Oaks Drive and I had a moment of internal panic, muttered, “Oh God, Thousand Oaks Drive,” and before I knew it I had changed three lanes to the left.  I guess it was an instinctual avoidance much like when someone yells, “Snake!” and you jump to the side before you even think about it.  I quickly recovered, especially since I was being directed to move to the right so I could make my exit for the hotel.  Looking back on it, I can’t help but chuckle at the ridiculousness of my reaction.

Regarding the conference, I have to admit that it took me a couple of years to warm up to the organization.  The first year I went to the conference, I went alone and that just doesn’t work well for me.  But the following years, I went with Sharon who always introduced to me people, plus having a roommate is a great thing!  Now, I really love this organization.  It is a great group of people who want to build relationships, who encourage you, and who push you to do more than you think you can.  For example, I am now Secretary-Elect on the Executive Committee.  Who would have ever thought that of me?  Surely, not me.  I’m stretching.  I’m doing it.  And, best of all, I’m really enjoying it.

This year’s conference, for me, is summed up in one statement.  Someone had come to the board meeting and expressed her discouragement.  The board members took the time to fully listen to her and then they ministered to her.  At the end of it, she said, “Only in this group can you walk in feeling like a total failure and walk out feeling totally encouraged.”  That is the true beauty and value of this organization.

That encouragement can only come from God working in the lives of everyone there.  The healing that I’ve had that allows me to see the humor in my moment of panic can only come from God.  The confidence that I have to stretch in ways I never would have before comes from knowing that my self-worth comes only from my identity in Christ.

“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”

~ ~ Phil. 4:13