The man in Seat D & Speak Up Conference

Before I even got on the plane for Speak Up, I knew him. He was at the counter, making a fuss over something, and he clearly didn’t get enough of what he wanted. When it was time for those needing board early, he did, but then I found him … you guessed it, in the seat beside me. He had laid out his belongings as if he was having a picnic … or sending a message to anyone who dared take the open aisle seat beside him. My seat. Without eye contact, he said he would need a minute to put his things away “now.” I smiled.  I LOVE airline travel just for moments like these.

And with all confession on the table, I admit that I secretly hoped the fumes of gasoline that I suspected might still be wafting up from my right arm (from when the fuel pump overflowed on the way to the airport) might knock him out and put him out of my misery.

Maybe it was the sight of my crocheted Kindle cover or my “thank you so much” or the gas fumes, but he seemed to resign himself to being friends for the 45 minute flight from Detroit. He extended an olive branch in the form of a question, “What takes you to Grand Rapids?” Mentally, I came to a screeching halt as I stared at the unexpected question from the man in seat D. “I’m going to a conference about speaking and writing and leadership. You?” He was going to see kids/grandchildren, “To try and make for happy relations,” he said. Outwardly, he felt about the same about his toddler grandkids as he did the woman who took the “free” seat beside him.

He went on to say, “You must be into that women’s lib stuff.  You know, about women’s rights and all that. Right?”   Mentally halted again. He was begging to be blogged about.

Maybe it was the gas fumes, but I answered right away, “Oh no. I really don’t have time for that. I know who I am and that God has called me to invest in people’s lives, and that’s pretty much my focus.”

• “WHERE is this conference?”  (Insert basic information)
• “Well,” he said, “I hope you have a good time at your conference.”
• “And I hope you have a great time investing in those grandkids.”    (Insert smurk/put newspaper over face/emerge 45 minutes later)

Maybe Seat D’s question wasn’t for him. Maybe it was for me, to remind me why I went to Speak Up, why I love to write and speak and lead. Those are ways to invest in people’s lives because of who I am, and I am a disciple of Christ.

This was my first time to attend Speak Up, and there were so many things I loved about it. I was refreshed, equipped, and encouraged. Here are some of the things that made it such an awesome investment in my life:

• My family was so supportive of my going
• My pastor encouraged me to go
• Friends prayed for me as I went
• Sweet Cindy informed, helped, and encouraged me to come
• A pre-conference phone call with CAROL KENT was so uplifting and encouraging!
• Man in Seat D reminded me how some people in the world feel
• I made new friends, including 2 roomies, and women from around the world
• I was blessed to be on the receiving end of the hospitable hearts of John and Cindy Bultema
• Bultema teenage son even gave up HIS ROOM for me to enjoy over the weekend!
• My spirit enjoyed the worship
• God’s word was taught in memorable, inspiring ways
• I picked up new resources
• Did I say it was just so good to worship the Lord?
• Excellent communication was modeled for me to follow
• Excellent communication modeled by my gal pal Cindy – “Be hot. Be cold. Be something. Be of some use!”
• I enjoyed meeting with multiple professionals in the fields of writing, speaking, and leading
• I met so many people with life stories and messages that point to God’s glory
• I received expert feedback about my speaking and writing and leading that will help me be more effective
• I was encouraged and affirmed, and I didn’t realize how thirsty I was for that
• I came back with new sister-in-Christ friends
• I got a little taste of heaven

The Lord used the conference to encourage me to keep doing what He has called me to do: invest in people’s lives because of who I am, and I am a disciple of Christ.

So now that the wonderful conference is over, I’m linking this post up to the celebrations of others.  I’m also praying that one of the publishers who took samples of EXPECTANT and another book proposal might FALL IN LOVE WITH THEM!  🙂 God will have His way, and it will be best. And I’m praying I’ll be able to return to Speak Up next year. God will have His way, and it will be best.

Thanks for reading about my journey, and if you ever sit down by me on a plane, we’ll have such a great time investing in each other! 🙂