I made a big mistake today.
I was scheduled to speak to a wonderful group for their annual women’s luncheon. Months ago the event coordinator and I decided on a theme and speaking topic. I took careful notes and we have emailed in anticipation for today’s event. About a week ago I began the final preparations for my talk.
Only I had one problem. I couldn’t find my notes. Now you should know that I carefully document every converstaion with event coordinators so that I won’t forget when to be where, who to speak to and on what topic. But this documentation was no where to be found. Not wanting to be remiss I emailed the coordinator and asked for the missing details. I read them carefully and headed to today’s event.
But a funny thing happened on my way to the auditorium. I spoke on the wrong topic. Yep. You read that right. Wrong cotton pickin’ topic.
The phrase “God’s Gifts to Women” was plastered all over the venue and I spoke on “You Are Not a Paper Plate”. I could have SWORN that’s what the email said to speak on. It wasn’t unil I was back in my car after the event that my mistake truly hit home. I couldn’t even turn the key in the ignition. I sat motionless in the driver’s seat wondering how on God’s green earth I got my wires crossed. I read her email carefully. I even told my husband about my topic. I planned, prayed and prepared. And as I planned, prayed and prepared I had the strongest sensation that today’s message was specifically meant for someone in the crowd.
Just as I was about to leave the event a darling gal approached me with tears in her eyes.
“Your message today was just what I needed.” She went on to explain, “My husband recently left me for another woman and I have been feeling like nothing more than a worn out, used, dispensible paper plate. I needed to know that the truest thing about me is not what I feel. It’s not what other’s say. The truest thing about me is what God says – that I am loved and valuable. I’m not a paper plate. I am fine china.”
Today I was scheduled to speak on “God’s Gifts to Women”. Instead I spoke on “You Are Not a Paper Plate”. My “mistake” was God’s gift to a precious woman Jesus knows and loves and cares about. I guess it’s true; God’s gifts sometimes come in usual packages – even in the clever disguise of a mistake.
“God causes all things to work for good for those who love the Lord, for those who are called according to His purpose. ” Romans 8:28
P.S When I got home I recieved an email from another woman at today’s event. She scheduled me to speak at her church’s women’s luncheon next spring. Leave it to God to turn my bubbling efforts into something useful for His glory!
