Heart Connections

This past weekend I experienced heart connections. I spoke at a woman's retreat in Phoenix, Arizona. A retreat organized by women who had never gone to one before, but brave enough to plan one. It was wonderful! I came home with a heart full of love for a group of women who showed me how we come alive when when we connect beyond the surface. Many of these women came hungry for time with their sisters in Christ where they could laugh and share their stories. We laughed and squealed as we heard stories of adventure and joy. We also shed tears as we shared stories of loss, discouragement, and loneliness. We all walked away knowing each other more intimately than before. We made heart connections. The result of which brought about great compassion and a call to action for these women. You see, part of the retreat's purpose was to explore the needs of the women in order to create new ministry opportunities. As the information gathering began, instead of women voicing what they wanted, they began sharing what they could offer to each other! Women heard the needs of other women through their stories and began thinking of ways to meet those needs. It was beautiful to watch. Women caring for each other; wanting to share the burdens of life. This is how it was meant to be! We are to make heart connections and care for one another. We are meant to walk this road together, loving and encouraging each other. Beautiful! I can't wait to see what God has planned!