You Won’t Believe What God Did This Morning…

Last night, I went to the drive way and proceeded to pull my lemon tree back into the house.

I forgot about the lip on the garage floor.

So I had a whole conversation with myself (ever do that? 🙂 ) I thought, “I’ve done this before, I can probably lift it… but my hands still hurt, so maybe I should ask my son for help… but he already does so much for me, I don’t want to add to his burden…”

After about a minute of deliberation, I started to lift the heavy pot over the lift.

And something in the small of my back on the right side tightened, then S*C*R*E*A*M*E*D in pain. I couldn’t move.

Shooting pain with every step, every lean, every small movement. It took me over five minutes to walk the 10-20 paces  into the house.

So my kids took care of me last night, as my husband is away on business. Nice thing is my college student son is home on spring break this week, so things may work out alright.

This morning, I couldn’t get out of bed easily. The pain was ridiculous, dagger-style.

I’m used to dealing with chronic pain on a daily basis. I have premature advanced arthritis in my hands, bone-on-bone-style that can’t be helped surgically because of the connective tissue disorder I deal with. I get tendonitis in my hands that leaves me unable to dress myself, drive, brush my teeth, pick up anything… and I was just recovering from a bout of that… and now THIS.

And I didn’t know what to do. I had never seen this before – so I got on Facebook, and asked for help.

The response overwhelmed me and brought tears to my eyes. Good info, great help, and a phone call from a physical therapist friend in another country, even.  After praying, I made a decision, then made an appointment.

Then I saw the instant messages popping up like crazy… so many people wanting to drive me somewhere to help. So beautiful is the body of Christ!

I “just knew” who was supposed to take me. So I called her. You won’t believe what she said.

“Oh, Nina! You are an answer to prayer! I had just got done asking the Lord for someone to serve today at the end of my time with Him, and then I got on Facebook and saw your plea! I’d love to do this!”

How cool is that?

Isn’t He so good?

This was one of those times when our human definition of “good” and His matched up. 🙂 (OH! And I have a couple of really good things at the bottom of this, so stick with me for a few more minutes!)

But then I wondered, “Is it good that I am suffering and in pain like this?”

The answer is YES, and here’s why: He uses all things  for good for those who are called according to His purpose, for those who love God. (Romans 8:28)

But note:

• it’s for those who are called
• it’s for His purpose, not necessarily ours, although they can be the same when we know Him well enough to know when we’re walking in His will
• it’s for those who love Him – which means we are obeying Him

This also got me thinking, too, after I found a way to sit that didn’t cause my back to feel like a sword was slicing through it.

For those of us who are called, we get to this place in our calling when to walk away from the thing He’s doing through us is disobedience.

Check John 14 for the details. It’s hard stuff – it essentially says that if we disobey God, we don’t love Him. OUCH.

I thought about the next thing that we’re doing at Greater Impact. We’re having a Boot Camp for The Respect Dare and Daughters of Sarah and women leaders in general. We did it last year, and had 17 women from 6 different states come meet with us – and they met us on the internet! Who does that? Who invites them in the first place?

Those that are called.

As the person carrying the vision for Greater Impact, I also see a future where He’s developed other women as a result of Boot Camp, who will be part of our ministry in a huge way someday. We’re growing like crazy, doubling impact every year – and please don’t think I’m bragging – He has done all this! In 2014 He reached over 300,000 people as a result of what He has us doing.

And I’m wondering… you’ve been here a while… are YOU called?

Are you called… to be a Titus 2 woman, one who pours into other women?

Are you called… to impact marriages and families for His glory?

Here’s what a few women said from attending last year:

I attended Boot Camp in 2014 and it overhauled my leadership of small groups! I had led The Respect Dare® and used Nina’s Small Group Guide, but this training? Changed everything. So here’s what I’ve used and seen big results with: The affirmations. These are game changers for my groups and people. Telling people the positives you see just … does something to them. The conflict resolution model. I keep it with me all the time and review it often! I use it so much. It works great! Nina’s timer has helped me keep my groups orderly and free from dysfunction. Story telling. OH MY GOSH. This has changed everything for me with being able to speak confidently and emotionally connect = effective talk. Again, feedback was I rivaled national speakers. So this stuff you taught us? It was gold. PURE GOLD. ~Melissa, TX

We’re in Session 2 of Daughters of Sarah – I’ve led The Respect Dare Small Group with the videos. I can tell you I grew up in the church, my father is a pastor, I’m a Christian counselor, and I’ve been leading women’s Bible studies for years – but there is nothing like Daughters out there! I’ve literally NEVER seen anything like it – and I’ve seen a LOT. The women bond quickly and lives begin to change in just a few short weeks. I can’t wait to come to Boot Camp and I’m bringing friends! This needs to multiply. ~Laurie, NJ

There are a ton more, but this should give you a flavor of what you can expect from Daughters and Boot Camp.

Please don’t think I’m bragging – I’m not. it isn’t me. It’s the method we use. I hope you are called to join us. We’re beginning something amazing – the fruit just keeps coming. I hope you want to be part of it.

We only do this once a year right now because we’re stretched so thin with everything else ministry-wise, we just can’t do it more often. So if He’s pricking your heart, if you think you might be hearing a call, mark your calendars for the end of June. I’ll have the details to you soon.

In the mean time, to make sure we cover everything He wants and you need, can I trouble you to fill out this short 5 question survey? I’ll let you know this week how things turn out.  Please share it with other women leaders that you know, too. We need lots of feedback! 🙂

Leader Survey Link – Click Here

Apparently, I’m going to have a ton of time for writing and reading this week, since spring cleaning and working on my garden are completely out of the question thanks to my back. OH! Tuesday, March 17, if you’re around at 11am Mountain Time in the USA, I’ll be on the Miracle Channel. It’s a Skype interview. This is one of the few things I’ve done that takes callers.  I hope you can join us! 🙂

Glad you are on the journey with me! 🙂 You’re not alone.

Yesterday, I sent out an email to some folks asking what they thought of the video for Daughters. Here it is if you’re interested in giving some feedback, too. (oh, and thanks so much for taking the survey above) 🙂

Love to you,

Oh, and if you got this as an email forward from a friend who cares about you and your marriage, know we’d love YOU to join us on this journey. The road is long and hard, and often paved with tears, but worth traveling – and you’re not alone.

You can get marriage TIPS! articles and a free copy of my eBook, 101 Ways to Respect Your Husband, and other marriage info here. We promise not to share your email with anyone, ever. You’ll get just one TIPS! article a week, plus a blog post or two here and there.