The Be Still Workshop Part 3

Maybe you’ve read the workshop and retreat stories we’ve posted in the past, and have wondered if it’ll ever be possible for you to attend a Delight event. Maybe you even read Abby’s story about the Be Still workshop, but today’s something special, because we’re sharing the story Abby sent us even before the workshop took place. It’s a story of God’s provision, so celebrate with us the God who provided for each girl in July, and is faithful to provide for you too. If you have any questions about our events, reach out in the comments!

Hiya, guys!

Today I wanna share a little story on God’s provision for me. I was a little unsure of whether or not I should, but the Lord has laid it on my heart to share a little bit about what He’s teaching and doing in me. I hope you can be encouraged by it.

So, a little backstory on myself. My name is Abigail Rose, I’m 16, and I live in a suburban area of Seattle, WA. I struggle with depression sometimes, and Lord knows I have issues with putting all my trust in His plan for my life.

I saw many posts talking about this Be Still intensive, and every time I saw them I felt a little tug at my heart. I wasn’t sure if it was from the Lord or just a desire of my flesh. (it’s funny, because I was actually looking at my saved posts on Facebook today, and sure enough, right at the top is a link to the Be Still info page…)

Then, on May 9th, Kristin posted in Delight and said that if any of us felt led to be at the intensive, we should reach out to her. So, I did! I was very quickly overwhelmed by her response, which said that she had just wrote my name down on a piece of paper that morning because I was one of the ladies she thought should be there.  She said she prayed that Christ would prompt hearts of the girls who were meant to be there to reach out. I was floored! I didn’t know what to think. So I talked to my parents and they told me they’d think about it. I left the house to go to a play rehearsal. As I did, I told my friend Peter about the intensive and explained how I felt led to go, but wasn’t sure if it would happen. I didn’t think much of it at the time.

I went home after play practice and was told that the answer was no. My parents had good reasons for that decision, but of course I was still disappointed. However, I still felt like God didn’t want me to give up on it just yet. I went up to my room and decided to pray every day that God would do something to change their hearts, and make a way for this to happen.

Here was my problem, though. Every day, I would pray something along the lines of: “Lord, show me something TODAY.” Every day I was doing everything I could to try and control the Lord’s will for my life! Although I do believe in making your request known to God, we are also to pray for HIS will in our lives. Not our own.

A few weeks later, and still nothing happened. I watched a livestream in the Delight group of Kyann Raye and Taylor Kaderly who were just taking questions and giving advice. One of the questions I asked was, “How did you trust Christ to provide the funds for a retreat or intensive and not try to rush it?” They told me their stories of Christ opening and closing doors for them, and it was such a blessing to hear. But at the end, Taylor said, “Keep us updated, though, and I can’t wait to see pictures of you there!”

That actually made me laugh because I was thinking, “Well, at the looks of it now, I won’t be there.”

After I heard what they said, I decided to continue to pray, but only for His will over the situation.

Then, Tuesday, May 24th, my friend Peter showed up at my door. He handed me some money and said, “I feel led by the Lord to donate so you could go to the Delight intensive.”

I was so shocked and amazed. I showed it to my mom, who was confused for obvious reasons because they had already said no. Then, I explained that I had been praying for God to show me something to prove that I should go, or at least try to go. I remember telling one of my friends that same night that if God didn’t want me to go, He wouldn’t have answered this prayer like He did.

My parents had a few conditions for me, but by the next day I had been given permission to start fundraising. I set up a GoFundMe account and the funds had already started pouring in by that night. I was blessed with opportunities to work for people, donations, and was putting things on Facebook garage sale groups within just a few minutes. By Saturday, just 3 days later, I crunched numbers and just like that I was fully funded. The Lord provided every dollar I needed to be there. I was ecstatic. I’ve heard the stories of Christ providing, but I had never personally experienced it. I’ve always been able to look back and see how Christ provided, however, I have never experienced Him work so radically and quickly. I am still in awe.

Currently, I am praying that God will provide whatever it is that each girl who is meant to be there needs. I am praying that Christ would clearly show each one of those girls what they need to do and provide them with opportunities to do so. God is so good, and I am so excited to see Him work at this intensive (and all the future intensives!!) Praise be to the Lord, for He is our help in time of need! Read about the results of the workshop in Part 1 and Part 2!

Abigail, or Abby, is a 16-year-old high school senior living in Watertown, WI. Her passions are singing, acting, and hand-letting, and she loves anything involving fruit or hedgehogs. She’s been in Delight for 2 years, and says it’s been one of the biggest blessings ever. Follow Abby on Instagram, or connect with her in our Facebook community!

Image by Bekah Wriedt.