A New Experience

I am a part time stay-at-home mom. I get to run a nonprofit corporation I founded several years ago - SAMmy's (Strength Among Moms Ministry) from my home. It is a part time job, with no pay, fueled by my passion to help moms in the Midwest. I work with a talented and devoted volunteer staff.
I also volunteer as a Director of a SAMmy's group here in my hometown. It has helped me make lots of friends with moms in my area from all walks of life. I don't think I'd have as many deep friendships if I hadn't stepped out and started a SAMmy's group when I moved here four years ago.
Another business venture I dabble in now and then is freelance writing and speaking at women's conferences. They kind of go hand-in-hand. I write Bible study curriculum for SAMmy's, Inc. on a regular basis, but it's fun to write for other publications. I also speak at our SAMmy's, Inc. annual retreat and I speak weekly for my local SAMmy's group, so speaking at other conferences is pretty much second nature for me. It's really fun!
So, a few weeks ago when a friend from SAMmy's asked if I would speak at her church, I thought that would be great - SAMmy's could always use a little promotion in the area. (Her church is in a neighboring town.) She shared that the women of her church were putting on the service, and they wanted to know if I would come and share a little. If there's one thing I can do, it's share! She was unsure of all the details, but she did tell me I would be asked to come up during the sermon and share. Okay, I figured, the pastor must be speaking on women in ministry. He will call me up during his sermon, and I'll give my "commercial."
Well, last week somebody from that church contacted me and I asked to hear more about the specifics. I asked when during the sermon would I be asked to come up and share. Well, here's the thing...
I was the one giving the sermon.
Oh, of course...
So, I imediately pretended that's what I meant all along and went with the flow and was inspired right away with a great sermon. REALLY!
Yesterday was the church service, and what a GREAT DAY! The sermon was SO MUCH FUN! I usually enjoy speaking to groups, anyhow - it was exactly like doing a women's conference, just with men mixed in. (I had never spoken to a mixed audience.) I wasn't nervous or anything, like I thought I would be. It was just FUN!
My husband Mike and son Aaron were out hunting with Mike's side of the family, which was a good thing. If my hubby Mike was in the audience, I think I would have been nervous (don't know why). But, my daughter was there - and she was beaming, and it was priceless! Bridgette and I went out for lunch afterwards and the boys came home with their deer and while they were processing it Bridgette and I went shopping and I found the perfect purse...just a charming day, overall!
I wished I could have called my dad and told him all about it, but two months ago we buried him. Although, my heart tells me that he is part of the "great cloud of witnesses" the Bible tells us in Hebrews 12:1 that have been faithful and died and are cheering us on. He would have been proud. Heck, I know he is proud. I could tell he was watching. :)