No Mask Needed
Tomorrow, I leave for the She Speaks Conference. Thanks to the amazing women of Proverbs 31 Ministries, my experience of preparing for this conference has been unlike any other.
I’ve been to many writers’ and speakers’ conferences.
Some emphasized having our pitches and proposals perfectly prepared and polished. Others urged proper outer appearance, resulting in multiple shopping trips to find just the right outfits and–of course!–matching shoes.
In the weeks and days leading up to each one, I’d stay up later and later each night, working harder and harder to be “ready.” By my departure date, I was always sick, grouchy, and beating up on myself for everything I’d failed to do.
She Speaks has been so different!
“Spend far more time in prayer than any other form of preparation,” we’ve been urged from the start. And this isn’t just talk; Sheila prayed for me over the phone when I called to tell her my publisher appointment preferences!
“Don’t go shopping for new clothes!” we’ve been told. “Pull from your closets and borrow from friends.” There’s even a huge clothing swap happening the first night, with leftovers going to a women’s shelter!
“Start in scripture and let God speak; don’t go looking for verses to support what you think you’re going to say.” This advice was especially hard for me to take, as it meant tossing out several great ideas and spending months with no idea what I was going to do for my 5-minute evaluation talk!
Until last Thursday morning, that is, when I was re-reading a Bible story I’ve taught, preached on, and written about. Sure enough, the Holy Spirit has been waiting all along to show me something totally new that I’m so excited to share!
What does any of this have to do with “taking off the mask”?
Simply this: I feel safe.
For once, I’m not preparing out of fear.
I’m not trying to be someone I’m not or even pretending to be more than I am.
I’m going to be my get-it-done Choleric + fun-loving Sanguine self.
No mask needed!
Your Turn:
- Have you ever prepared for an event out of fear rather than anticipation?
- What external causes led to the fear?
- Have you ever prepared for an event at which you knew you’d feel safe and be able to be yourself?
- What made you feel this way?
You actually make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this topic to
be really something that I think I would never understand.
It seems too complex and extremely broad for me.
I’m looking forward for your next post, I will try to get the hang of it!
Also visit my web blog – Asset Management Software
Somehow, whenever I have had a job interview, I have been able to feel safe and not prepare out of fear. My philosophy has always been – if this is part of the Lord’s plan for me, I’ll get the job. If it’s not, I won’t. And it doesn’t matter what I do or say otherwise.
Everything else? I prepare out of fear.