Last fall I heard about a new women’s conference being planned for February to be held in Texas. I jump at any opportunity to leave the Minnesota tundra during the doldrums of winter, so I’m game for ANYTHING in Texas in February. This conference was set to feature national speakers, prayer, worship, and dreaming together how we, as women, can facilitate an awakening in the Church.

In summary: Texas. February. Kingdom stuff. Hubby said I could go. Pinch me.  I couldn’t wait for registration to open.

It sold out in 15 minutes.

Fellow sisters in Christ nationwide howled their protest to the organizers.  We banged on the door screaming, “Let us in! Somehow! Let us in!” So those sweet organizers opened it up via web streaming and I immediately signed up to host a gathering. I’m not gonna lie, it felt a little like a consolation prize. My girlfriend and I figured it would just be us, our pillows, and some chocolate watching the speakers but we opened the door for others to join us. After all, we weren’t even sure what the heck it even was so why not invite a bunch of women to join us? And women are coming. And I am thrilled. Because as the RSVP’s rolled in I became aware that we, the small local gatherings, were given an enormous gift. Even those of us stuck in Narnia. Here is why…

I am eager to hear what the national speakers, authors, and leaders have to say from the conference. But I am more excited to hear from the women on my couch. These are moms, local church leaders, grandmas, friends, sisters, career women, and lay leaders. These are the women living it. Breathing it. Slugging out what it means to be a Christian, a woman in our society. And I am excited to hear what they have to say.

I am excited to dream big. But I am also excited to dream small. After all, our small dreams and steps have big impact in our families and communities. I sometimes think about what it was like to be a woman, a Christ follower in the early church. These women had hard lives. They loved their families. They had to make ends meet. And yet they were also following Christ’s call to serve, whatever that meant in their lives. And often that meant faithfully doing the small things.

So yes, I want to dream big. But I want to know what that means as a mom, a wife, a friend. How do we work that out in our daily life of schedules, responsibilities, church, ministry involvement, and career. Where is the balance? When do I forge ahead and when do I pull back? How do the seasons of our lives play into our role in God’s Kingdom? What does God expect of me? Of you, my sisters in Christ?  How do my plans and dreams fall in line with God’s will? Because all of our plans and dreams fall flat without God, the Giver of dreams and the Planner of plans.

This is why I am excited about my gathering. Women of all ages and walks of life from MY community will be in MY house. Ready to talk, pray, share, encourage one another and wrestle with these questions. And I am ready. I believe small gatherings such as this add up to big impact. So I am glad its not 1000 women in my living room. I am so glad I am going to be sitting on my floor. Because as I said, God gave local IF leaders and participants an immeasurable gift … each other.