Colin and I just dropped Mom off at the Atlanta airport.
[Tear]I was secretly hoping the strong rains in Atlanta would last just a day longer so I could hold on to Mom for just a few more hours. And a cleansing of the final layer of inch deep pollen paste that has coated my car and bronchial tubes would have been a nice little bonus as well.
Colin and I took Mom to the Flying Biscuit in Midtown this morning for breakfast. We really wanted to take her for âbrunchâ but her flight was leaving a bit too early for such a special event. Brunch is a big deal to the wonderful folk in Georgia and I have become quite fond of it myself. Admittedly, I had to get over my initial aversion to the word âbrunchâ because it appears to be a combination of the word âbreakfastâ and âlunchâ which sorta-kinda-I-mean-really gets on my nerves. I swiftly got over my petty annoyance, however, the first time those creamy dreamy shrimp and grits touched my lips. Enough about âbrunchâ though. Except for one more thing, the word âbrunchâ is far better than âbruncheonâ on the velveeta scale. My cordiality comes to a screeching halt with âbruncheonâ.
Back to breakfast. In predictable Beth fashion, Mom ordered the Flying Biscuit Breakfast with the Orange scented French toast on the side. Please note that the Orange Scented French toast is actually not a side dish but a full meal. While we were waiting for Momâs several dishes to come out we were talking about really urgent issues, like how complex and intricate the Flying Biscuit motif was on this little ceramic jar.
If I have not said this on the blog before, by far my favorite time to hang out with my Mom is right after some kind of big event like a videotaping, Passion, Deeper Still, or a Living Proof Live. In this case it was the Simulcast that was evidently extended to over 300,000 women. By the way, I told my Mom yesterday never to utter a number like that to me again without a serious warning and that if she even attempted to introduce me during the second session of the simulcast, I would take her to court for her wrongdoing. As you can guess, Mom did not listen and it turns out there really are restrictions on lawsuits. But seriously, Mom is super fun to be with right after a big conference. For starters, right after a big event she hasnât slept in about a week and so after she steps off the stage she plunges into a very advanced case of delirium. If I thought she could handle the stress I would use this priceless state for my own advantage and literally take her from the church directly to a venue for her to do stand-up comedy. Also, since her stomach is usually pretty weak right before she speaks since she doesnât have much of an appetite, usually the first thing she says to us after a session is, âI AM SO HUNGRY!â Then we sit down at the table and she says, âIâm going to order sixteen things.â For some reason, she always uses the same number, sixteen. Iâm not sure why she has this affinity for the number sixteen but she does and it delights me to no end each new time she throws it out there, almost like it is the very first time she has ever come up with this golden number âsixteenâ. You can ask Amanda. I am not making this up.
My heart is so full from such a wonderful weekend. After Colin and I left Momâs hotel last night and had gone on home, Amanda and I called my Mom three-way from my cell-phone. It was like 1993 sans landline. We talked and giggled and carried on and on about little snippets and stories from women we had encountered throughout the day until it was past Momâs bedtime. When we hung up the phone I realized I had a giant lump in my throat. The Lordâs ways are truly remarkable. Â His intricate and elaborate pursuit of each of us just blows me away. Â Yesterday as I sat listening to my Momâs message in the second session I noticed a woman a few rows behind me who quietly streamed tears the entire hour and a half. As I watched her emotionally absorb words that were far too weighty for her to bear without a physical response, the gospel in its most unadulterated form was preached to my heart once again. That God, in the cross of Jesus Christ, has forgiven us and brought us into fellowship with Himself is the most compelling news our ears will ever hear and our minds will ever conceive. That He esteems us and deems us valuable is just beyond comprehension. I mean, weâre pretty bad. Â Okay, we’re really bad, and even a tad bit unlovable a lot of the time.
Paul told the Corinthians in his second letter, âFor God, who said, âLet light shine out of darkness,â made his light shine in our heart to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christâ (4.6). Godâs work in us through Jesus Christ is nothing short of a new creation. The same creator who sculpted the sun shined his very own light into our hearts by means of the knowledge of Christâs gospel. This is not the kind of news one just sits and coldly anticipates with a forced half-smile but one that should be absorbed in a manner that cannot be controlled, contained, or folded up neatly like linens in a closet. I thank my dear sister who was sitting several rows behind me, wherever she is now, for reminding me how vast, enrapturing, and beautiful the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ really is. It is a profound experience to ponder the gospel anew in the face of someone who has just internalized Godâs indescribable gift. The gospel is not safe and predictable, although we have most often rendered it such. It should turn every aspect of our lives completely upside down. Jesus has thrown everything utterly off balance. Perhaps more often than not the Gospel should completely undo us to the point that we cannot act altogether civilized. It sounds a little bit unsettling or even grotesque for those of us who are especially self aware but the bright side is that the community of God has been a peculiar people from the beginning, so we really donât have all that much to lose.
“The gospel is not safe and predictable, although we have most often rendered it such. It should turn every aspect of our lives completely upside down. Jesus has thrown everything utterly off balance. Perhaps more often than not the Gospel should completely undo us to the point that we cannot act altogether civilized.”
WOW!!!! Melissa, can I say you just don’t write nearly enough for my liking!! This post is powerful and this quote above should be published somewhere!!!
When I read this quote in particularly, I was carried back to something someone else said recently:
“A secure woman is UPENDED BY GRACE! Grace takes up the space in a secure woman.”
Thanks for delivering a powerful Word of God to me this morning!
Blessings,
Dori
love you both! what a precious relationship, I am sure she shed a tear too…. what a blessing! Great picture of you two! What a legacy! Hope you have an awesome week walking in freedom with our Lord!
Beautiful!
WOW Melissa, that was awesome. I can hardly wrap my mind around the truth you just spoke. But it is so true. Might I add that you have so much of your mother in you.
Melissa, Saturday was my first Beth Moore conference and it was outstanding. I received such a blessing. I was so excited to see Beth live in person and to get to see you was well Icing on the Cake!! Thanks for your post, it reminds me of my relationship with my girls..
Melissa! Thanks for sharing about the time with your Mama…and the picture too.
The words “orange scented french toast” sends my imagination into overload. I would have ordered that too! đ
I am sharing your pain regarding the pollen. I am 2 hrs. north of you just off I-85 in Greenville, SC and we are choking on it here too. Yuck!
Again….so good to hear from you- thanks. Have a blessed week! â„
I attended the simulcast at a church in Westminster, MD with my two sisters. It was a joy and a blessing. Melissa, I very much enjoyed your reaction to your mom’s description of you as a child with a strong will. Priceless!
Melissa what a gifted writer you are! I always use the number 9. Like “I am 9 kinds of fed up!” Thanks for the reminder of the Gospel. Sometimes I take it for granted.
Hi Melissa, thank you for sharing.When put like that its difficult not to feel emotional. I don’t have any daughters but I am blessed with 3 sons. I want to be secure for my daughters-in-law & my granddaughters – whenever God sees fit to bless me with those. Not just yet – my eldest is only 22!.I live in South Africa & wonder if a DVD was made of the simulcast? I am nearly finished reading the book & looking back at the responses on the blog. Would love to have been part of Saturday! But maybe I can share it after the fact.
Would love to know. Bless you all. Have a good rest, Beth. Amanda, hope Curtis is well on the way to 100%.
Love
Colleen
“So Long Insecurity” – the book and the simulcast – really blessed me. On Sunday, I was able to attend a step-grandchild’s birthday party, knowing my husband’s ex-wife would be there, without feeling insecure. I have avoided family events for several years, despite the awareness that my insecurity was creating even more stress for my very sweet husband. Yesterday, after reminding myself several times that I am clothed in strength and dignity and that My Lord loves me, I was able to attend, and even enjoy (sort of), the family event.
Thank you, Beth, Travis, and your colleagues, for your teaching and worship ministries. Through your love for Our Risen Savior and your spiritual gifts, you are blessing and encouraging many lives.
Paige Szajnuk
Oh sweet Paige! I am so happy that you were able to step out of that insecurity and all it has robbed you of. I am a step-mother to 3 beautiful children, and there were times over the past 5 years that I have had to FORCE myself to go because it was about “my” kids and not about the ex-wife! Praise God! đ
In Him,
Andrea
OH how I love that verse!!!! Too much to take in. In recent days I have read it over and over again, trying to wrap my brain around it. Love it! Thanks for sharing.
Melissa-
I really loved reading this blog today. It sounds like you had such a great time with your mom. I just wanted you to know that I really love reading this blog. I am a new follower to your blog. It is so awesome to see the relationship that you and Amanda have with your mom and how well you all work together. May God continue to bless you and strengthen your relationships. Thank you all for your inspiration to me. đ
Melissa, so wonderful to hear from you. Thank you for sharing your “special news report” post SLI simulcast. Your funny words and beautiful reminders of the gift of our gospel has set the tone for my entire day. Mondays are a little hard for me…not today.
Going forth in Jesus and His saving grace,
Christian
I have to tell you what I experienced at the Simulcast on Saturday. Being that I am now a more secure woman, I ventured to the host church alone, all my myself. (Before reading the book I would not have gone alone.) I went, speaking to myslf as I entered the church, “I am clothed in strength and dignity” asking God to place me where He wanted me to sit. I found my spot (next to 3 women and a lone woman who strayed in late) and started the process of praising and listening to the message from our sweet Siesta Momma. Made it through the first half truly blessed and excited, looking forward to the second session. During lunch time, the three ladies left the table and I moved over to the lone woman who appeared to be very unsure about the situation, to discuss the 3 questions we were given. After talking a bit, she shared that there had been some abuse in her childhood that made her very insecure. I asked if she had read the book and she stated that she had not. It was at that point that God showed up and had me ministed The Word to her and encouraged her to be clothed in strength and diginity. I encouraged her to go and get the book and to read it very slowly, especially Chapter 9 where God does His healing. God wants us to be secure! Oh how that resonates now with me. Never in my right mind would I have thought that the Lord would have me minister to someone that day, but He did! I’m so glad I had read the book and read all/most of the post from the blog. Thanks to all for being transparent and secure enough to share your insecuritie with me. I only got her name and will continue to pray for this dear sister in Christ. Thank you, Beth for sharing your heart and your struggles. Through your book and simulcast, Jesus has radically changed my life! I am a new creature in Christ Jesus.
Tammy
Oh how I needed to hear 2 Corinthisns 4:6 this morning, I didn’t know it until I just read it. Thank you so much for sharing. I just love this blog!
Blessings,
Michelle in VT
Thanks Melissa. Beautifully written. My 20yr old daughter got a big kick out of your eye roll during the simulcast. I appreciate you keepin’ it real. So did she. I’ve had the honor to be involved in your mom’s Bible studies since this chick was 9yrs old, and she just now came to the realization that, “Hey, she’s funny.” Like I’ve said before, “a spoon full of sugar…”
“This is not the kind of news one just sits and coldly anticipates with a forced half-smile but one that should be absorbed in a manner that cannot be controlled, contained, or folded up neatly like linens in a closet.”
this is exactly how i have felt about so long insecurity. to say it is an amazing book is such a gross understatement. it doesn’t come near to what i really feel. this has changed my life in ways i didn’t even know that my life needed changing!! this huge weight that has been lifted is unbelievable. i can’t even tell you how cool it is too look back at a situation and think…i didn’t act out of insecurity, and not even that, i didn’t even have those thoughts! i didn’t size myself in the crowd and i wasn’t even aware of self 99% of the time. only maybe when i thought i had something in my teeth, but even that didn’t phase me. but, i probably don’t have to tell you at all because some of you are experiencing the same thing! this freedom that i didn’t know existed. how amazing!!
you are so right! the gospel is not safe or predictable. Jesus has thrown everything off balance. my whole world has changed. it should turn our lives upside down – and not just at the moment of salvation.
i absolutely love how you are spuring me on to Christ melissa. thanks sister!
Melissa,
Thanks to you and Amanda both for sharing your mother with the rest of the world, we are definitely better for it. I’m also glad that you got to spend some time with her before she came home. As a girl who grew up in church it is easy to forget how impacting the gospel really is and that the words of the Bible should undo us and should never be taken for granted or tied up neatly with a bow. Thanks for the reminder. I am still processing all of the information from Saturday, still very full!!
Rosa
Melissa,
It is so wonderful to hear you talk of the relationship you and Amanda enjoy with your mom and I pray that my almost 10 year old strong willed daughter and I will be able to enjoy that kind of relationship when she is your age. The simulcast was was definitely on target as many of the women around me including myself were in tears especially toward the end and I realized that all these years of bondage to insecurity was actually my own inability to realize I’m who God says I am not what others have said. I’m so greatful for this very timely message so that hopefully I can prevent my daughter from falling into the same trap.
Today I am, “clothed with intention”, and I can’t wait to see whats going to happen!
In His Love,
Barbara
Philippians 2:5
Amen, Sister!
May the truth of the gospel and the story of redemption never cease to amaze.
Loved by Him,
allyson
I would love a copy of the thing we repeated to our friend Saturday in the Insecurity Conference. My Friend and I work together as teachers, some days we need to repeat this to each other. Great Conference, Thank you, God bless
Betty,
Check the blog post before this one. Amanda put it there.
Have a blessed week =).
Oh, I loved reading this 16 kinds of ways. Thanks for sharing this…I fear I’ve tried to neatly fold up Jesus lately and I’m shaking that off right now! Peculiar, here I come! (Again.)
I love Brunch, because I think I can eat twice as much because it is two meals in one.
This magnificent, wonderful God we follow brings us to places beyond our comprehension. It is a “wild ride” as I have heard your mom say before.
I was at one of the Simulcast locations in St. Louis where a woman sitting behind (and to the side of me) had tears streaming down her face for the last part of the session. It was so engaging/inspiring to witness. It drew me closer to Christ myself. I found myself praying for her, for myself and for all of us women who are pursuing security in Christ. Thank you for this post – well said, Melissa!
So beautiful Melissa – love the pics, moments of randomness and the detailed discussion of the Gospel. I truly needed that – and the reminder that I am in that group (it gets confusing sometimes).
I love the last part where you say, really we have nothing left to lose…the world already thinks we are wierd, go with it!
Love you guys!
Warmest greetings Melissa:):)
A blessing to hear from you, I enjoyed this post:) I agree, shrimp and grits is a southern living phenonmenon, love the stuff:) Your poor momma, all that went on, I’d be delirious too:) The simulcast was such an experience, it was mind blowing to think that all of us women were worshipping at the same time, all across the country! There were about 500 of us at my location, and the worship was a BLESSING! When you really think about what the Lord has done for us-each drop of that blood was to pay a ransom, and like my pastor said last night, not just for a “friend”. Before salvation, we were enemies of Christ! BUT, in His great mercy and love, He died for an enemy, a wretch like me! That is overwhelming, and powerful. Thank YOU soo much Lord. It motivates me to love Him, I fall soo short! I want to love Him more.
Hey Beth, Amanda, Melissa and ladies,
It is amazing how the Love of Christ is forgotten when you have been a Christ follower for so long and then GET the love of Christ afresh on you all over again. I was sharing with a gal I am mentoring and then I was saying “Do you know how much God loves you?” Then my question, Do I KNOW how much God loves me? Our insecurity will ebb and flow but as I put one foot in front of the other it gets less and less every day. Lastly Melissa that was the best when your Mom talked about you because I do that to my daughter all the time when talking about Autism. I share stories all the time. She would love that she is NOT the only one who gets embarrassed by her mom or at least has to listen to her mom talk about her. We love all of you so. Oh and Amanda did anyone ever tell you that you look amazingly like Meryl Streep on this blog page. Anyone else think so?
All My Love to all you Seistas from a Sister in Christ here in Wyoming
I use the number 25 million. I have 25 million things to do. Husby makes fun of me about it. đ
I was so blessed by the simulcast this past weekend and it was wonderful to see you make your appearance, Amanda.
I had to laugh at myself as I realized over lunch that I had spent most of the first session thinking about how insecure I felt in comparison to your mom. I got a hold of myself and focused on the next session. It really spoke to me and I was so glad to have my sixteen year old daughter with me. I am hoping she caught the message and that I can be a better example of what a secure woman looks like.
Thanks to you all for your ministry.
You are beautiful inside and out. I copied and pasted the last paragraph of your post to my Facebook page.( gave you credit of course).. I wanted to share it with as many as I can.
My own Mama and I had a great weekend in the ATL. Hope you don’t think we’re crazy but we even took your previous recommendation of the Floataway Cafe on Friday night and we were not disappointed! I’ve been to the Flying Biscuit near West Paces Ferry and it was great.
We were so blessed to be at FB Woodstock on Saturday. I hope all 869 location felt what we felt and that was the overwhelming presence of our Lord and Savior!! I am tearing up in remembering it! It was like even the air in the room was different because of Him.
My Dad asked us yesterday what had the most impact and that was the first part of my answer and the second part was Beth’s deep sincerity and earnestness in saying how important this subject was. That we are not just going to be bopping on to the next topic. She said it much more eloquently of course. But truly, what could be more important than the Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ?! And knowing we are secure in Him! I praise the Lord for how he has used your Mom, as well as you and Amanda in His glorious service! 300,000?! Hallelujah!
Sorry, I meant Melissa. I had Amanda in my head from reading the previous comments. Please forgive me. And now I am feeling all insecure about making a mistake…
No worries!
You’re so cute “Pasto’s Wife Unmasked.” Today at work I was thinking about Melissa’s fun post. Then I thought to myself, “I hope I referenced Melissa & not Amanda in my reply.” Since we hear a little more often from Amanda and probably type her name more, it would be easy to have that typo. (Hint, hint Melissa ; ) )
I think Mrs. Fitzpatrick should be sharing more of her photography skills as well! (That’s hint #2) In the words of Napoleon Dynamite Melissa, between your writing & pics, you’ve got “SKILLS!”
Bye all!
: )
Christian
Such a moving simulcast, and so glad we found tickets. Even if it meant driving to Canada!! Well worth it. I’m so glad you shared about hanging with your mom afterward. What a hoot~!
When your mom was telling the story of having her ears pulled by her chiropractor friend and how she was sure they stuck out a foot, it struck me that she definitely has a Lucy McGillicuddy-Ricardo quality about her. I hope she has her very own Ethel Mertz. Thanks for the simulcast, y’all!
I agree totally with your last few sentences! Civility is the enemy of passionate praise!
Melissa, it is fabulous to hear from you. You reach down to some of my deepest parts! I think you had better get used to being on the camera & speaking in front of hundreds of thousands…you bring the Word in a profound way. SO grateful for you!
I will be 41 in June. On Saturday, with Beth’s help and God’s word, I said goodbye to insecurity! It has not served me well in the past and I refuse to carry it into the future, or to pass it on to my daughters. My prayer from this day forth is that I am clothed with strength and dignity and can laugh at the days to come, knowing I am fearfully and wonderfully made in the likeness of a Savior who knows me completely and loves me immeasurably. May we bless all the women in our sphere of influence with the truth of this knowledge and FREEDOM we now have!
The simulcast was wonderful! One of my favorite parts is after the simulcast…I get the notes out and God’s Word and just spend time going over the notes and just spending more precious time with God alone. I am truly blessed with a daughter as well. She is my only daughter and quite special. She and I were at the simulcast together and afterwards got pedicures and had a good supper! We did get drenched while out and about but well worth it. It was such a wonderful day!
Thank you so much for sharing those times with your Mom. They are so very precious. My Mom lives about 5 hours from me and I would give anything for her to live where she was 5 minutes away like she was 6 years ago. I miss her so much.
Thanks again for sharing and for your ministry and your Moms ministry.
I will tell you that I was at the Simulcast in Greensboro NC on Saturday. I walked in as an insecure woman. I walked out a Secure Confident Woman in Christ My Savior. God is so good!!!!!!
Secure In Him,
Pam
Thank you all for sharing your stories of the Simulcast here…I was unable to attend and reading all of your comments I can truly take part in the glorious work that God did there. Thank you Melissa for using your gift of words to share with us about the woman in tears – moved me to the same point.. I am so glad you were able to enjoy time with your Mom as I know she was!! I havent been fortunate enough to see you all three together but from what I have read here I know it has to be triple the fun of what I can imagine! Praying for you, Colin and all the rest of the MOOREs.
Melissa – Well said. Well written. Indeed, He has put everything off balance. And I love the Flying Biscuit. (Have ordered that same “side dish”)
Melissa,
I have to say the look you gave when you realized the camera was right one you was completely priceless:) Gotta love moms huh:)
It was an amazing time:)
Melissa,
I have missed you so much on here and always love to hear what you have to say. I often tell my kids if we don’t look “weird” or different to the world…then we are the world! I am so grateful for the weekend you had with your mom and I know it must have been hard to put her back on that plane and send her back home! Love you and thanks for your insights!
In Him,
Andrea
Thank you Melissa! I love reading your posts and the insight you share. I was thinking the other day, I sure do miss the recipies too! đ
I can’t wait for the day the three of you do a Mother Daughter simulcast…… just sayin’…… are the subliminal messages working? Love you all!
Thanks to all of you who made the simulcast possible! I am a mother of 4 young children including 2 girls. I sat in the the auditorium at Parkway Christian Center in Grants Pass, Oregon on Saturday with tears streaming down my cheeks. The struggle with massive amounts of insecurity is going to stop with me. My girls are Princesses, Children of the KING and need to be secure in that!
On the way home on Saturday, after picking up my kids, my 5 year old daughter asked me what I learned at Church when I was there “ALL DAY LONG.” I told her that I learnt that Jesus loves me and He will always love me NO MATTER WHAT. She looked at me, rolled her gorgeous eyes and said, “I could have told you that Mum!” Priceless.
Sarah,
you are right, that is priceless.
Deirdre
We were so blown away to be able to have 55 of us go together. The Lord reminded me during worship that when we started the church 35 years ago there were only about 15 adults. Needless to say I bawled through the whole day. The Lord kept asking me to take off my shoes as I was standing on HOLY GROUND right there in Folsom, CA.
Thank you Beth and Travis for being a vessel Christ could use to reach our insecurities.
May Christ be praised!! Shara, Somerset, CA
Praise God, Melissa! Thanks for sharing all of that with us.
oh. my. Shrimp grits sounds sooo yummy to this non-southerner!!! Must get thineself to the ATL someday for “brunch.”
You and your mom are so sweet! I want to foster that kind of relationship with my daughter. I would love to know how y’all do/did it! Mostly, I love how you, Amanda, and Beth all love Jesus so much and do so *together*…what a treasure to serve women that way.
Thank you for reminding me how much He esteems me. I pray I would remember how valuable He thinks I am, even in the midst of the craziness that is my life right now. Perhaps I’m like so many who forget to give myself some grace when seasons are harder than others. What an encouragment to press on, for the sake of the gospel.
good to hear from you, Melissa! Hope your allergies are better after the storms this weekend!
much love,
rachel
Thank you so much Moore Girls (Women)
The simulcast was a wonderful experience for me. I feel something “broke through” in me and a huge burden has begun to lighten. Thank you Lord!! I love the relationship the three of you have with each other. I pray I can have that with my daughter, especially because she reminds me so much of Melissa. (Strong-willed, brilliant, gorgeous, maybe slightly cyncial :)). God Bless you all!
Dear Sista Beth, I thank my God for You. The Gift that God has placed in You, to be a blessing to the body of Christ is just Awesome. The Simulcast “So long Insecurity” that was watch here in Lakewood Washington was the Balm. Thank You for your faithfulness and dedication to the Body of Christ. Those of Us who have been delivered, saved from the abuse of childhood and ‘Yes’ even abuse in adulthood, have forgiven those who harmed us and are now strong powerful secure Women of God. Thanks for being an open book to ‘US.’
I have in the pass been ridicule because of telling the family secrets, but the God that lives in me said I needed to let the world no and by doing this “I” would be set free and sure enough that’s exactly what has happened. God’s Word says …’the truth shall set you free…” so God’s truth and the truth in my family’s closet has been revealed so that the person or person’s who have been forgiven will not get the chance to abuse another person. Thank You and may God continue to shine His face upon You and your Sweet Anointed Powerful Beautiful family…your sista in Christ Jesus…Christine