I haven’t been to a woman’s conference in years - COVID got in the way - of so many things really! But when I heard that Beth Moore was coming to Toronto - my sister - Brenda - and I got tickets immediately. That was last April. For the last 7 months, we’ve anticipated the gathering. (Gather is my word for 2025 so it seemed fitting to “gather” with a large group of women before the year was finished). Almost 2,000 of us in one large auditorium to sing and be encouraged.

I’ve been to several women’s conferences in my day. A few in particular stand out. Once I travelled with Brenda and two Cambridge friends to a Women of Faith conference in Columbus Ohio. It was 2009! It was just months after Randy and I were “let go” from our church and we’re enjoying a sabbatical year in Westport, Ontario. The conference was a healing weekend - laughter with my “sisters” and tears of release or the pain and humiliation. The music and speakers poured God’s love into me that weekend and I came away refreshed.

The second conference that comes to mind - was shortly after Randy passed away. My friends encouraged me to attend a smaller, more intimate weekend in the Muskokas. It was only 4 months! My heart was so tender and the grief was plausible. From the very first song of the evening - I knew I wouldn’t last. From the opening remarks of the speaker (not her fault but she was speaking on marriage and the husband/wife relationship) I was doomed. I didn’t last. My friend packed up my suitcase and drove me home. I wasn’t ready. It was too much.

Beth Moore! You may wonder who she is. She is a wife - mother - author - and bible teacher. She founded (along with her husband, Keith) Living Proof Ministries - an organization meant to teach women. She speaks at arena events and has written countless books and Bible study guides. The Toronto event was her last engagement for the year.

Part of the weekend was spent seeing and visiting with friends I hadn’t seen in years……having pastored in 4 different communities over 35 years of church ministry - I’ve met a lot of people - 1980 - 1987 (Orillia) - 1987 - 1998 (Listowel) - 1998 - 2009 (Cambridge) - 2010 -2014 (Alliston). The churches we served in provided friendships that last to this day.

Beth Moore spoke on 1 Corinthians 13. “Love is patient. Love is kind. It does not envy. It does not boast. It is not proud. It is not self-seeking and is not easily angered. It keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects - always trusts - always hopes - always persevere.”

The title of her weekend message was - Love Amid No Pretty Little Life! Love is not an option and not many of us have a perfect life. In fact - most of our lives are messy. Most of our lives have difficult seasons and most of our lives have messy and difficult people to deal with. Sometimes the messiness and difficulties are right inside of us.

In the midst of this messiness - Beth encouraged us - that while our hearts may be fragile, our love must be fierce. It is not without emotion. It is not without passion. It is not without sentiment or reaction. But it is resilient. Strong. Tough. Hardy. I’m reminded of the story Jesus told of a Dad - who gave an inheritance to his youngest son. The young man left home and squandered all the money on parties - women - and wild living but soon was penniless. Meanwhile the Dad was back home - watching and waiting - for his son’s return - not knowing if it would ever happen. I imagine that evening after evening - he sat in his rocking chair - on his front porch - scanning the long driveway - hopeful - watching for his beloved to return. And then one day it happened - the prodigal returned - but instead of scolding - the Dad threw a celebration. His heart had been broken but his love remained sturdy.

Next Beth showed us - that a love so inclined is of no human origin. We must pursue love as a hunter chases after his prey. This kind of love doesn’t come naturally. It’s easy to love the lovely. It’s easy to get along with the nice ones. But - what about the prickly ones? The crabby ones? The ones that irritate? Crochety? Snarky? Snippy? Ah! Loving those takes extraordinary love. It may not be easy but it is doable.

Before Friday night was over - Beth shared - that this love is first received not achieved. We cannot extend to others what we don’t possess ourselves. We read out loud together - all 1600 women - 1 Corinthians 13 - as a prayer - receiving the words as if God were speaking them directly to us. Beth encouraged us to receive these words from Scripture as a gift. We can’t earn them. We can’t buy them. We can’t steal them from someone else. They are given to us in order for us to pass on to others.

That was Friday night.

Brenda and I went to our hotel for the night. We laughed and talked but soon dimmed the lights and were fast asleep. Once in the night I woke to hear Brenda mumbling something - I wish I could have understood her garble. It was such a joy to spend the time together. It doesn’t happen often enough anymore. I love her. She has always led the way for both of us.

Saturday morning!

It doesn’t matter that there are some people who don’t like me - some who don’t love me. It’s okay. It’s absolutely okay.

I am loved by the God of the universe. Can that be enough? Absolutely. Everything else is gravy!

Love has to recognize that sometimes you have to withdraw for a time. That’s also absolutely okay.

Deal with differences immediately. Don’t go to sleep at night if you are in a disagreement with a loved one. Once the difficulty has been talked through - dealt with - never bring it up again. It’s done! Never keep a list of wrongs! God doesn’t! Why should we?

Love has a face and one day we will see Him - God our Father! Heaven awaits.

There are 32 days left of this old year. Time enough to change some habits or reinforce these life lessons. Perhaps live different than the last 333 days. Live them realizing how precious your life is and the lives of your immediate family and close friends. Finish this year strong. Don’t focus on the past - mistakes that were made - harsh words were spoken that perhaps were better left unsaid! Focus on now. Give yourself a blank slate and colour it with love.