Its because of Shelley that I even attempted doing a blog party (great ideas have to start somewhere..lol)! Last year Shelley surprised me by asking me to join a group of dynamic women for a blog party ! I was so honored that she included little old me, that I couldn't imagine hosting a blogging party without her being a part of it. I hope you enjoy her post. I know that she has inspired me to follow my dreams!
In the spring of 2004 I was facing the most difficult challenge of my life—up to that point anyways. I was faced with a painful choice: allow God to unveil my carefully concealed and tightly locked shame, or continue to keep it under the paper thin wrappings and bide my time until another day. Thankfully, and with the loving support of my best friend and husband (the same person!), I began my journey to healing and freedom. And in that season of deep, humbling, raw pain, I received a gift.
As I turned 30, I also received the call to ministry—the call upon my life. This was the beautiful and wonderful gift my Heavenly Father had been waiting until the right time to give me. The thing I had wondered about and prayed for for as long as I could remember. I had tried so many different things searching for my purpose and had finally settled—happily for the most part— into the roles I filled: ministry wife, mother, Sunday School teacher. If someone had told me in the Winter of 2003-2004 that I’d be doing what I’m doing now, I would have thought they were picking up on someone else’s signals— someone more capable, more intelligent, more of all the things I lack, but wish to possess.
But then, God made it so clear. In a way that only God can, He revealed the call: to be a voice of truth in my generation.
Without going into detail, let me just say that not only did God make this call clear to me, He confirmed it through others, beginning with my husband who said, “God has been telling me that as you’ve supported me (in ministry) all these years, it’s now my turn to do the same for you.” It hasn’t always been easy. It isn’t always easy. But Stephen has definitely supported his wife all these years! And as doors to speak and write began to open—with no promoting of myself to anyone—God began to clarify the call even more.
In the summer of 2007, after I had been traveling to speak at different events and had done a little writing as well, I met with my very dear friend and ministry assistant, Debra. I wish everyone had a “Debra” in their life—especially those in ministry! She is a gem. Debra and I have been through SO much together over the years and we continue to be closer than most women who share our age and background differences. (Sidebar: isn’t is amazing how God does this?)
Debra and I met for lunch. I remember the spot. I remember the table where we sat. We were talking about what we sensed God was doing with this ministry. At the time, I was still teaching a weekly Bible study at our home church. I don’t remember thinking along these lines before that day, but as we spoke, I said, “What if we could take the best of what we see happening in our weekly study with the best we see in special events and combine them for women all over our community?” And as I spoke those words—everything changed. In that moment, God created the embryo if you will that has grown into Church 4 Chicks. And, just as a woman has no idea she is pregnant when the child is first conceived, I had NO idea what God was creating inside of my heart. We had planned to begin the weekly meeting the Spring of 08, but in the fall of 07, I was hit harder than I had ever been hit. It was one of the most brutal, painful and even humiliating attacks I had ever experienced. I questioned God’s call on my life. I questioned whether or not it was even worth obeying Him if He was going to allow me and my family to be attacked so cruelly. As my family and I walked the path to restoration from that experience, and as the spring flowers began to bloom again—both in my yard and in my own spirit—I knew it was time to draw my line in the sand. Would I follow and obey or would I walk away from it all?
I was sitting on my couch, about to open my Bible and journal, and the thought began to go through my mind, “I could put all of this behind me and never feel the embarrassment or ridicule if it fails. I could save myself and my family the accusations that I’m all about building my own kingdom….” And, as God as my witness, as soon as I began to process those thoughts, the Spirit of God within interrupted very clearly and said, “Shelley, I am doing something in the city of Atlanta and I’m inviting you to be a part of it. But if you tell me ‘no,’ I’ll find someone else who will do it.” And that was that. I surrendered to the call. And, I had NO idea what I was actually surrendering to. I just knew to whom I was surrendering—and that really is all that ever matters, isn’t it?
God has taught me over the years that when I dream His dreams for me, I am:Daring to Risk Everything for ALL that really Matters!
I had to come face-to-face with my fears and choose to trust God more than I trusted those fears. I had to get honest about what I was hanging onto as my “everything” and allow God to reveal to me what really mattered. And, as He has so faithfully led me along this journey—bringing amazing and wonderful people to walk this path alongside of—I’m overwhelmed by His tender, yet powerful grace that makes it possible for someone like me to do anything of value for Him in my generation. 
I pray that Church 4 Chicks will outlast me. I pray that as doors open for us to take this ministry outside of Atlanta that God will be honored in such a way through what we’re doing, that many, many women—of all ages and all backgrounds and all walks of life—will find a place of grace to thrive and follow the dreams their Heavenly Father has placed in their hearts!
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