Women of Faith

I've just returned from the MCI Center and the Women of Faith Conference. It was an amazing event. The place was filled to the rafters with fellow sisters in Christ and loads of uproarious laughter. And, since this event celebrates the depth of the woman's heart and her identitiy in Christ, yes, there were tears too.
For any of you who have never heard Nichole Nordeman or Natalie Grant sing.... I highly recommend you do. They are amazingly talented musicians and Nichole's lyrics are inspired genious. She makes ugly struggles beautiful. Natalie took "It is Well With My Soul" and pulled it through our guts till the incomprehensible peace described in that hymn was absorbed into our blood.
I didn't even know the conference was in D.C. this weekend until I read the Express article I mentioned in my last post. ( So, there is another good thing to come out of a bad article. What the enemy meant for evil, God used for good.) Not having reserved tickets, I wasn't even sure there would be a place for me when I showed up this morning.
I hopped the metro and headed to Chinatown, confident that the day was going to be an adventure, no matter the outcome.
I arrived at about 10:20. A little late, but, not too bad (for me on a Saturday). I went to the ticket office and asked if I could still purchase tickets. They said yes, I paid my money, and walked into the packed house of laughing women listening to Sheila Walsh talking about support hose and other foundation garments. I showed my ticket to the attendant and she pointed to the arena floor. My seat was four rows from the stage!
I found my place and settled in. The woman sitting next to me was kind and conversant. Made me feel comfortable immediately. (You know how it is when you walk in late and feel like you missed the first part of the joke) So, I was very thankful. Anyway, Sheila did a great job and I was laughing along with everyone else in no time.
There was a short break before Nichole Nordeman took the stage. My new neighbor returned with two boxed lunches and asked if I wanted one. She had a second ticket and had already paid for two. I was thrilled. What a blessing. I was not looking forward to breaking for lunch and fighting the crowds, only to pay too much money for something I was going to have to wolf down and not enjoy. This was perfect.
The whole experience reminded me of what it will be like when we finally get to meet the Lord, face-to-face. He will draw us close to His throne and give us a favored seat at His feet. He will feed us and take care of our every need. No matter how late we arrive, we are always welcome. It will be a feast and a celebration. There will be singing and praising. And, one thing that will make Heaven even better...
There will be men there too!