I clicked over to a friend’s blog — I knew it would bring me encouragement, it has for over four years now. And as I read her post + I came upon her final sentence, which was more of a question really, I found myself nodding in agreement with her:
Have you ever had a prompting from the Lord that was clear like this? Did you listen? What was the result? — from Lost but Found, Angie Smith
Almost five weeks ago Kacia + I felt the exact same thing. I had been told for months prior to leaving the country that traveling to Tanzania with Compassion would change our lives forever, that Zack + I would come back new people, that God was going to show us miraculous things. Of course I nodded my head and closed my eyes and said “yes” to them, but really — I wasn’t exactly sure what they were talking about. I mean, if I’m going to travel over 16,000 miles in an aluminum {steel? PLASTIC?} aeroplane vessel, I better come back changed! Snort.
Getting on that aeroplane was scary enough. I was fine flying from Minneapolis to Detroit, but once we got ready to board our flight to Amsterdam I started ugly crying. Everyone else was busy with the meet + greet; I was crying. Fantastic, I thought…
Our week in Tanzania WAS life-changing. I did come back a new person, God DID show us miraculous things.
But it took me some time to figure out what exactly that looked like. It wasn’t an instantaneous understanding; it took time.
I knew I felt all of those things people said we’d feel. I mean, that first day back to Gussy Sews work I stared at the wall, feeling disgusted I had a fancy red tweed couch to sit on and pretty paper on the walls, a wooden floor to walk on, electricity, fresh dairy/meat/water to consume. Still staring. Thank goodness I had the smarts to schedule Cambria + Lisa to come over later in the week ~ I think I would have scared them away for good ;)
But on that first day back I didn’t know how to translate any of these feelings.
The next week, however, I could feel myself beginning to decode things a little more easily.
Then one afternoon I was on the phone with Kacia. She wanted to hear allllll the details from our trip, details I hadn’t shared on my blog. I remember telling Kacia I felt a strong prompting to start reading the Bible daily. I can’t tell you how many times I had said that before — probably over a dozen, to be real with you — but never had I felt like THIS WAS IT, I was finally going to conquer this fault of mine.
Then I told Kacia, If I don’t start reading the Bible every day I’m going to become homeless. I wanted some accountability with how serious I wanted to get with this new lifestyle. Thinking back on what I said it’s like I was referencing being homeless from the Kingdom of God. I know the Bible says,
If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. — Romans 10:9-10 NIV
And then there’s this,
Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” — Luke 7:50
Reading those red letter words daily helps me to keep going with my faith. It helps me to not waver. To be confident I’ll see the beautiful gates of Heaven. And so in the meantime, I didn’t feel like I was doing enough of the things I knew in my heart I should be doing. Reading the Bible would educate me + enlighten me to so much more. I wanted more Truth.
The more Kacia + I chatted the quicker something began to blossom. She shared with me an iPhone Bible app devotional called Soul Detox {can be followed online or on the iPhone} and soon we were tweeting that we were reading it together. Fast forward through a lot more tweeting + soon others were reading Soul Detox, too. We decided to use the hashtag #SheReadsTruth.
Then we decided to launch a website, also called #SheReadsTruth. By the way, we are SO GRATEFUL for Raechel + Jessi who are on our #SRT team!!!! I can’t wait to meet them at Influence!
Now it’s been almost three weeks since we launched #SheReadsTruth. Kacia + I felt SUCH a strong prompting from the Lord to start this site last month, at first we didn’t know why or how or who, but we felt the tug so strongly we replied, OK Lord! We’ll do this!
daily Instagram photos ~ reflecting upon what I’m reading + enjoying the quiet time
We are confident there are thousands of you participating. It started with a tiny mustard seed and now there’s a beautiful wave of women opening their Bibles daily, sharing photos of what they are learning, connecting with others. But please know, our main focus is for women to feel encouraged to read those red letter words + engage in accountability. Sharing, tweeting — these things are definitely extras. However, it doesn’t take away from the excitement to know there are almost 25,000 people actively following the Soul Detox plan {how many are #SRT girls, we aren’t sure}. But we know there are almost 3,000 photos on Instagram + the twitter stream is constant.
It’s so beautiful to watch… We are E X C I T E D and we know the LORD is excited, too!
So five weeks ago I stated reading my Bible daily. It takes me twenty minutes or so to read the devotional + journal my thoughts. Some times I read more, other times I have more quiet time throughout the day. But overall I can feel a huge weight from stress + anxiety + fear lifted from my body. It’s really an amazing feeling :)
Once again we ask,
Have you ever had a prompting from the Lord that was clear like this? Did you listen? What was the result? — from Lost but Found, Angie Smith
PS. We are starting a new devotional study tomorrow morning. We’ve completed Soul Detox — stop by our site in the morning to see what’s next for #SheReadsTruth! :)
LOVE. So excited what God is doing in your life!!!! He’s doing a HUGE thing on the interwebs and it’s a joy to be a part!!!! YAY!
@kk @ the mom diggity, I’m SO SO SO GLAD you are joining us!!!!!!! Makes me feel like I’m not the only one who has important things to work on ;)
I’ve been following at shereadstruth. Love your heart and how you are encouraging others to read God’s Word.
@Southern Gal, Renee — thank you :)
SO excited to see what the next study will be. :)
You guys are so amazing for following God’s calling. It’s truly been wonderful to be a pet of this and I can’t wait to see what’s to come. Many blessings to all!
Beautiful post Gussy! I am so thankful for she reads truth and I can’t wait to see what is next!
I had to start over. I’m only on Day 2. But I plan on reading that and starting your new one tomorrow so i can follow along with y’all. It truly is a blessing and what an amazing plan God once again has/had for YOU…a voice with such influence, to share with others. He’s doing great big things Maggie! It just takes some waiting!!!!!
I LOVE YOU!!!!
THANK YOU FOR BEING YOU!!!!!! YOU! Wonderful YOU!!!!!
@Annie, You’re gonna get a double dose of blessings by reading both plans at once ;D Love you so much Annie friend!!!!!
This is beautiful! I’m so grateful to have found SheReadsTruth, it has forever changed my life!
WOW! I love seeing how God is working in your life. I thought you were so brave going to Tanzania. :) I will definitely be looking more into She Reads Truth!
@Julie S., {giggles nervously} You know what? I want to go on another trip!!!!! Am I crazy or what??? :)
I’ve loved being part of #shereadstruth!! It’s so nice to be learning in a community, plus more than once the daily reading has directly coincided with things going on in my life. Thank you for all you guys have done to create and promote this devotional. ^_^
I have been so incredibly encouraged by this emerging community. Thank you for your faith & obedience to the Lord’s calling. He is so good and so faithful! His name is being glorified & I am being transformed :) Blessings to you!!!
This came into my life at a time I really needed it too. Thank you for all you did to get this community going. Blessings to you and can’t wait to start the next plan! It feels so good to be in His Word EVERY DAY!!!!
I am not sure you and Kacia fathom how much you have done with SRT. You are changing hearts for Him everyday! I was just talking to a friend who asked me about She Reads Truth and what it’s all about. She kept calling it “Sharing Truth,” which really is what it’s all about. Thank you for sharing truth and for helping me share it with others as well. Meet you in Indy! <3
@Sarah, OH I LOVE THAT, sharing truth. Yes. That is exactly what this is :)
Wow! You took the words right out of my mouth, Maggie! I’ve had the burden to be opening my bible every day because the Lord was just pressing on me to do it! And I didn’t even know where to start. This devotion for women you girls have came up with is the best yet! Your blog, products & posts are just so colorful & enchanting.
What a beautiful inspiration you are.
Lots of love to you.
@Miranda, I have no clue where to start either. Ecclesiastics is a beautiful book, if you ever want to read it beginning to end. I don’t think it’s very long :) Anyway, I am so glad you are doing this with us. YEOW! xoxo
SO. great!
” But overall I can feel a huge weight from stress + anxiety + fear lifted from my body. ”
I love that that is something He PROMISES He’ll do…lift our burdens, ease our stress, stomp on our fears. It’s amazing seeing how the word has affected (effected? BLERG! I can never remember) your heart and body, lady. So encouraged!
@kim davis, It’s like getting a forever effective massage! :) And a close second to why this is so great: guaranteed quiet/relax time every.single.day. {wink}
Awesome Praise the Lord!!
Amen!
And thank you for sharing this community with the rest of us – it has been a blessing to me as well. Love you friend!
“Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” — Luke 7:50”
….at a time in my life when I had nothing left…nothing but faith…I was saved and my life has been blessed ever since
I have always felt I had a close and personal relationship to God…he always finds ways to communicate to me. Today, when I saw that phrase above….well, I just knew God was reaching out through you to “tap me on the shoulder” and remind me once again that He is here…..He is always near by…..and I feel safe and warm and loved!
Thanks Gussy!
@Debbie Goode, Isn’t that verse BEAUTIFUL! Ahhh, it’s so simple yet so profound. So glad you commented here… I hope you’ll join us with this new devo! XO
SO happy with these posts. Thank you so much for sharing your experiences and your journey. IT’s very inspiring.
@Lauren – @Hippie Dog Company, It’s kinda scary — how will others react? will I have enough confidence to post it? But it has been amazing, even more amazing than I imagined :) And I’m so glad to read others feel that way, too! xoxo
Maggie, this was so beautiful. I’m so happy I could scream. Wow, wow! You are such an amazing, inspiring friend!! Excited about this website and how it will impact women everywhere! Blogging about #shereadstruth tomorrow!!
@lindsey, YIPPEEEEEE! YAY! YEOW — thank you Linds :)
I’ve been so blessed by this community! I’ve been a Christian for almost 11 years and this is the first time I’ve finished a Bible study, beginning to end. Also the first month in my life where I read the Bible every single day. Like you said, Maggie: “…overall I can feel a huge weight from stress + anxiety + fear lifted from my body.” I’ve used those same exact words in my own conversations and journaling. Thank you so much for following the Lord’s prompting to begin a study and to share it with all of us. The Lord is honoring that for sure!
Gussy, I love reading your blog. I glean much inspiration from you! I think you’re fabulous :) Have a great Tuesday!
So cute!! Isn’t it funny how that works? It’s hard to imagine you have aynomre room inside you to love someone, but somehow it just happens and you make room.