The event was a large one with more than 500 ladies in attendance. As the evening ended I began to search for Lisa. I didn't see her but Betty and I got in line at her book table (I had one of her books but wanted the other and wanted her to sign both of them for me).
Now I religiously read Lisa's blog and comment often on her blog posts. I was thrilled to know she was coming to Houston and had even emailed her to find out details. Much to my joy she had even visited my blog a few times and I knew she had read that I was planning to attend last night.
But as I stood in line waiting to get her to sign my books, I began to think in my head..........
Okay, so this is THE Lisa Whittle- author and speaker. I am certain that she hears from tons of women every day and is not going to remember who the heck I am or that I was even planning to come here tonight. So.......instead of looking like a big old dork by saying something like........Hey it's me Shannon. I read your blog, remember me?........ I will just get her to sign my books and be thankful that I got to meet her and hear her speak.
So as we walked up to the table I was telling the lady selling the books that I only needed the one book because I already had a copy of Behind Those Eyes and Lisa was finishing signing a book for the lady ahead of me. As I spoke to the book lady, Lisa looked up at me, stopped and said.........You aren't Shannon are you?
I was so pleasantly shocked I immediately said Yes! . She quickly handed the signed book off and excitedly ran around the table to hug my neck. She yelled to her husband who was nearby "Look, it's Shannon!" and asked him to get the camera so he could take our picture.
I was so blessed to get to chat with her for a few minutes and to thank her for her message and for her writing. I was truly tickled pink that she was looking for me and that she knew me. I know it's silly but I was so excited and absolutely shocked thinking that someone famous in my eyes was as excited to get to meet me as I was to get to meet her.
As I've thought back about the events of Sunday night, I am struck by how often I feel the same way that I felt about meeting Lisa (not wanting to be a bother and thinking she had more important things to do than meet me) with God. How many times do I think (urged on by Satan of course)...........
Oh, this need or want or problem of mine is so silly and in the scheme of things I am so insignificant to Him that I'm not going to bother taking it to God. He has better things to do, more important matters to tend to, and doesn't need me bothering Him.
And instead of going to meet and share my burdens and fears with Him, I keep it all to myself and try unsuccessfully to fix it- by myself. Alone.
And how often is God there waiting for me to come to Him, as excited to meet me as I am to meet Him- and yet I fail to show up? I can't tell you how it grieves me to think of all of the times I have missed out because I didn't reach out to the one who loves me more than I could ever imagine.
And so I pray this morning that God will continually remind me and you that He is waiting for us.
Always.
Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!
Isaiah 30:18
Isaiah 30:18
