So, how'd it go?

God is good. Amazingly good.

I was a little stiff in my presentation - a little fear of man mixed in with some doubts of the unknown. I don't want to come across that way, but I often do. I tend to script exactly what I want to say, sometimes putting in hours being precise in my thought and language. It's probably an issue of control and pride. No one wants to look bad, and I certainly don't want to mess up. Someday, maybe I'll feel comfortable enough to do things on the fly ... or at least only have an outline as opposed to a script!

I have a friend who has shared with me that he wishes that my personality in one-on-one situations was able to more clearly shine through when I am in front of a larger group. So do I. I fear the critiques that come from people, well-meaning for the most part. I wish I didn't. I wish, like one of my favorite teachers says, that I was more concerned with what God thinks than what you (the crowd) think. But I'm better than I was and God has promised to stick with me - not because I'm so good, but because I'm His. I don't want to disregard others, but I don't want them to become my functional God.

We had a couple of items I expected to generate many comments and even some heated discussion. Amazingly, there was none. No questions on the issues I was concerned about. Now, I have no idea why that is, and I can't even begin to speculate. It would be nice to think that information was truly sufficient to cover everyone's questions and concerns. But I doubt it. I hope people feel like they can raise questions and give comments. I can't read minds and I don't want to expend so much energy trying to figure out what may have been the reason. I will have to trust that the Lord will show me what He wants me to know when He wants me to know it.

It was rather amazing in that I thought the meeting was at least two hours. Somehow it was barely one. That probably speaks to my heightened concern in the midst of the meeting. Someday, by God's grace, maybe these kinds of meetings will be enjoyable ... but I'm not there yet ...