Perhaps you noticed my Facebook Badge further down the right-hand side of my Blog page. For
those who know me, you know I’ve struggled with this media phenom. I’ve written about it several times, on this Blog. And this past summer I deactivated my
“Facebook page” for two months, feeling the need to walk away. Also, I wanted to see if I would miss
it. Strangely enough, while I was
“deactivated”, I didn’t. However, this
story below, tells why I am now re-activated.
See if you agree.
A year ago, in the Autumn months of northern lower Michigan,
I headed to Mackinac Island with a good friend.
We were excited to once again return to Win-Some Women, a Christian
conference that has been in existence since the 1970’s. On a whim, the day before leaving, I posted
on Facebook saying I would be happy to pray for anyone, while on the Island, if
needed. Note, I stated I didn’t need to know
their need. God knows. Having posted, I shut the computer off, and
didn’t think any more about it, until I returned late that night to see if
there were any requests. Upon checking
my Facebook page, I gasped. I was
steadily climbing to 100 requests, some did so with just a click of the “like”
button, some with private messages, and even a phone message. I was stunned, to say the least. And now, what had begun as a whim, turned
into a task. I grabbed a pen and wrote
everyone’s name on my nearby steno pad.
I also noted the specific prayer if they stated it. Ironically, many stated it in the public
forum, feeling no shame or concern.
While writing their names, which took me late into the night when I
should have been packing, I was overcome with emotion. But little did I know, that emotion was to
peak once I arrived on the Island.
Heading north to the Island, the thick wad of notebook pages
tucked in my pant’s pocket, I felt like I was carrying the weight of the world
with me. I had to do this right. People were counting on me.
I enjoyed the drive north, chatting and catching up with my
friend, Lana, and once in Mackinaw City we parked and headed to the dock to
board the boat. Once on board, we
enjoyed sitting at the front, in the belly of the Ferry boat, as we crossed the
straights in cool, windy October weather.
Upon arriving, we took a carriage ride to the Grand Hotel. (No motorized vehicles are allowed on the
Island.) We checked in and began
attending the afternoon sessions. The
conference was underway.
Between each session, I knew I had to complete my task, to
pray for the folks listed. I also knew
God would lead me to do it at the right time, so I wasn’t worried. So I waited.
That evening, after a delicious dinner of many courses, my thoughts
again turned to my “list”. As we walked
past the appointed “Prayer Room”, I would look in, seeking solitude. With 1000+ women at the Hotel for the
conference, I knew solitude may not be the easiest request.
I went to bed that night, looking at the “list” sitting on
the dresser, knowing we would leave the Island the next afternoon, making way
for the new group to come in. This
particular conference is repeated in three sessions, many times “selling out”
all three sessions. I drifted to sleep
knowing I must accomplish this task.
Again, knowing that people were counting on me.
The next morning, after another amazing Grand Hotel meal, I
knew I had to act. We had two hours
before the morning session began. I told
my traveling partner, Lana, I was heading to the Prayer Room and would be
praying for the folks. Upon arriving, I
found the room empty. I took out the
papers, unfolded them, and began to go down the list in prayer. It was then, I realized I needed someone to
join me. The scripture about “…where two
or more are gathered” kept going through my brain like a ticker tape. It was then I realized a woman from my
childhood had walked in and was getting settled. Jane.
I knew her as “Mrs. A”. She and
her “dentist” husband raised their family about a block from where I grew up,
in my hometown. I had actually babysat
for their children once when I was in my early teens. Jane was also very involved in the church I
attended while my children were growing up.
She was always easy to spot, impeccably dressed in beautiful colors,
that made her entire being shine. Now
that I spotted her, I rose and hesitantly went over to where she was in the
prayer room. You know, I don’t even
remember what I said. I just know that
she smiled her amazing smile (you know the kind…Jesus filled) and she
led me to a table nearby. And then it
began. We first began with a
prayer. Then, the names.
I slowly read a name.
Then another. And another. Tears flowed.
I couldn’t stop. I was mumbling
the names through a deep, sob-restrained voice.
When I got to the bottom of the steno-lined page, Jane, with tears in
her eyes, placed her hands on mine and knowing this was bigger than her or me,
suggested we pray after each page. Upon
doing so, I began reading the names again.
Twenty names. We prayed. Another page. Tears flowed. Another page.
Sobs were caught. Over an hour
went by. And so it went, until every
name had been spoken. And more prayer
covered the process. Both Jane and I were overcome with emotion, and for me,
exhaustion. The Holy Spirit was
there. He was full, and enveloping, and
all consuming. And comforting, for he IS
the comforter.
Upon thanking Jane for being there, she suggested I leave
the names in the prayer basket so the folks listed can also be prayed for
throughout the next six months, as the conference leaders do each time. They would be prayed for until the
conference next May. I released my
burden, and left my “list”.
After sharing our story with other conference leaders who
had entered the prayer room, I hugged Jane and left, looking back to my folded
steno-pad papers sitting in the basket, lined with names scribbled late in the darkness several
nights before, taken from my Facebook page.
It was such a blessing to be able to deliver the requests. To bring them to light. Such an honor.
And the blessing was to begin, as the days following the
event, turned into weeks. On Facebook, I
could see the prayers coming true.
Relationships were mended. Jobs
were obtained. The list went on and
on. I was seeing prayers come true before my very eyes. And I knew right
then, that in all the 13+ years I had attended this conference, most years both
spring and fall, this simple task of prayer made it the most important
conference ever. The day there was
prayer on the Island.
Romans 12:15 “Rejoice
with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.”
Until next time, dear friends, Lord willing.
Sherry
