I was given the amazing opportunity to speak at Every Man’s Battle this weekend in Denver.  If you aren’t familiar with Every Man’s Battle, you can learn more about it here.I realized yesterday that I actually wasn’t allowing myself to acknowledge what a big deal it was to me.  Such a big deal, it almost scares me.  The opportunity to walk into a room full of men, about 80 to be exact and to possibly be a voice to their wives pain and to their hopes.  Did I mention, it’s a big deal?  I sat in the back of the room as Jason was wrapping up the “wives talk” session, as he calls it.  First, just watching him do his thing was incredibly powerful and redemptive for me.  Seeing him do what he loves to do and does well (although I’m not biased) brought tears to my eyes.  Listening to him saying my name as he talked about different parts of our recovery.  It was surreal.  And then he invited the men to welcome me so that they could hear the other half of the story.So, I walk up there, worried that everyone would see the perspiration soaking my clothes.  I sit down.  And I say “hi”.  The rest is a bit of a blur.  I do remember the man on the front row nodding off (one of many ways God keeps me humble).  I remember the scuffle in the back of the room as some men needed to get more Kleenex.  I remember telling the men that it isn’t too late, its never too late to make things right.  I asked them to write down Joel 2:25.

Joel 2:25  “I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten.  The threshing floors will be filled with grain, the vats will overflow with new wine and oil.”

And then it was over just as quickly as it started.  And I ask myself now:  why me?  Why did I get this opportunity when there are so many other women whom are so much more qualified than me?  Who don’t cry, spit, let snot ooze down their face?  And it scares me even more.  But I loved it and it was such an honor and a privilege and I’d do it again every day if I could.  Because its God’s story.  It’s hope.  It’s what each man in that audience can have.  It’s redemption for Jason and I.