Thin Places

Stephanie Garneau’s Thin Place: Seemingly Insignificant

44 Comments 04 September 2010

Stephanie Garneau’s Thin Place: Seemingly Insignificant

Another She Speaks Conference graduate shares a Thin Place experience from the conference. Stephanie Garneau also writes at The Gems Ministry Blog. Here’s how you can share a Thin Place God created for you. Look for Thin Places Thursday starting next week.

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An ornately decorated pink notepad. Seemingly insignificant. Ordinary.

Yet as Karen True stated simply at the She Speaks 2010 conference, God often chooses to do extraordinary things with ordinary objects like Moses’ staff, David’s five stones, and Samson’s long hair.

And that is exactly what He did with my little pink notepad. Extraordinary things.

You see, Diana, my partner in ministry and sweet sister in Christ, gave me this notepad last year as part of a care package for She Speaks 2009.

It sat unused during last year’s conference and all throughout this year. Forgotten.

But God had big plans for my forgotten notepad. After arriving at the hotel Thursday for the 2010 conference, the group of ladies I rode with from the airport all decided to have lunch together. We were earthly strangers but heavenly sisters. As we sat at the round table sharing our hearts, Jeri Lynn mentioned a particular Bible she thought I’d enjoy. The Key Word Study Bible.

As I pulled out my tiny tablet to write down the reference, Jeri Lynn said, “Let me see that notepad. I have one just like it!” And then Elisa, who was sitting next to me, said “I have one of those too!” Three of the four of us had the exact same notepad. We marveled at the sovereignty of God. But the story gets better.

When I pulled out my notepad after lunch to write down the room numbers of my new girlfriends, we stood in awe of God’s power once again.

605, 609, 614, 615.

Out of 608 women from 48 states, God saw it fit to put us all on the same hallway at the Embassy Suites. According to Renee Swope, the Executive Director of Devotions and Radio Ministries for Proverbs 31, even the Proverbs 31 speaker team doesn’t get to be on the same floor!

And then I heard God whisper, “Stephanie. I concern myself with every detail of your life. I am a God of details. No matter what happens this weekend, your times are in my HAND. Don’t ever forget it!”

Maybe today you feel forgotten. Unnoticed. Insignificant.

Never forget that you are God’s masterpiece, created in Christ Jesus to do the work He predestined for you before He spoke the foundations of the world into existence. (Ephesians 2:10)

He has a magnificent plan for your life. He holds every second of your time in one hand (Psalm 31:15). And He loves you deeply.

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  1. Leah Taylor’s Thin Place: Oh, snap! He ain’t here!
  2. Charissa Steyn’s Thin Place: A Literal Thin Place
  3. Have a Thin Place story? Share it!
  4. Rachael McClelland’s Thin Place: Refuge
  5. Emily Freeman’s Thin Place: the bench of His love

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  • Tina

    Stephanie, Thank you for this blog. it's amazing how God knows every detail about our life before it even happens. How he takes the most awful experience or situation and turn it into something beautiful & will use it for good! Only God can do that and will do it. it's amazing how he does not need us to even see the good out of it to use it, but he Loves us so much that he does show us in his timing. How he gives us so much mercy.

    I know as I have been going through a storm at this time i do feel like at times I am forgotten. Thank you for reminding me that we can't always go by our feelings. We need to trust God because he knows all the details & only wants the best for us, so we need to be patient and let him do what he needs to do. Sisin christ Tina

    • http://twitter.com/GEMSMinistry @GEMSMinistry

      You're welcome, TIna! I'm glad you were reminded of God's infinite love for you and that He'll never leave you or forsake you. I'll pray for you as you endure this season of testing. :)

  • Tina

    Stephanie, Thank you for this blog. it's amazing how God knows every detail about our life before it even happens. How he takes the most awful experience or situation and turn it into something beautiful & will use it for good! Only God can do that and will do it. it's amazing how he does not need us to even see the good out of it to use it, but he Loves us so much that he does show us in his timing. How he gives us so much mercy.

    I know as I have been going through a storm at this time i do feel like at times I am forgotten. Thank you for reminding me that we can't always go by our feelings. We need to trust God because he knows all the details & only wants the best for us, so we need to be patient and let him do what he needs to do. Sisin christ Tina

    • http://twitter.com/GEMSMinistry @GEMSMinistry

      You're welcome, TIna! I'm glad you were reminded of God's infinite love for you and that He'll never leave you or forsake you. I'll pray for you as you endure this season of testing. :)

  • http://twitter.com/GEMSMinistry @GEMSMinistry

    Amen Holli! In His presence there is fullness of joy. :)

  • http://twitter.com/GEMSMinistry @GEMSMinistry

    Amen Holli! In His presence there is fullness of joy. :)

  • http://twitter.com/HolliRatcliffe @HolliRatcliffe

    Life is more meaningful knowing that our Father is concerned with the details. It fills my heart with joy to know He loves me that much. Your story is a great expression of just how much He cares.

  • http://twitter.com/HolliRatcliffe @HolliRatcliffe

    Life is more meaningful knowing that our Father is concerned with the details. It fills my heart with joy to know He loves me that much. Your story is a great expression of just how much He cares.

  • http://www.marydemuth.com marydemuth

    My pleasure!

  • http://www.marydemuth.com marydemuth

    My pleasure!

  • http://www.marydemuth.com marydemuth

    Stephanie, I love this story. Thank so much for sharing it.

    • http://twitter.com/GEMSMinistry @GEMSMinistry

      Thanks Mary! I appreciate you providing a haven for writers to share their stories. I know the Thin Place feature has blessed me and many other women. Many thanks to Lexie as well! :)

  • http://www.marydemuth.com marydemuth

    Stephanie, I love this story. Thank so much for sharing it.

    • http://twitter.com/GEMSMinistry @GEMSMinistry

      Thanks Mary! I appreciate you providing a haven for writers to share their stories. I know the Thin Place feature has blessed me and many other women. Many thanks to Lexie as well! :)

  • http://www.plottthis.blogspot.com Katie

    Oh how I love these stories! I sat and read through three in one sitting. One thing I loved about this one in particular is that so often I almost dread the thin place because although it results in sweet fellowship with God, most of the time it happens during something painful. Stephanie's post reminded me that God also meets me in the good times.

    This comment makes me sound nuts but when I look back at my life, I see those special connections with Jesus during my most painful moments. But TODAY, as I was reading these and hoping for a "thin place" moment, I had a sudden panic that I was wishing pain on myself. Ack! I'm not ready for any more pain right now :)

    So that's why this post brightened my day because it wasn't a thin place found in the midst suffering.

    Anyhoo…

    • http://www.marydemuth.com marydemuth

      Really great point, Katie. Thin places can happen in joy or pain. And for the record, I'd love more connected to joy!

    • http://www.facebook.com/smgarneau Stephanie Miller Garneau

      Katie, you don't sound nuts at all! Our thin places often occur as a result of trials. The pain sears those moments into the depths of our sub-conscious, and we never forget them. But I love how God also uses the ordinary moments of our lives to draw near to us…to remind us that He will never leave us or forsake us!

  • http://www.plottthis.blogspot.com Katie

    Oh how I love these stories! I sat and read through three in one sitting. One thing I loved about this one in particular is that so often I almost dread the thin place because although it results in sweet fellowship with God, most of the time it happens during something painful. Stephanie's post reminded me that God also meets me in the good times.

    This comment makes me sound nuts but when I look back at my life, I see those special connections with Jesus during my most painful moments. But TODAY, as I was reading these and hoping for a "thin place" moment, I had a sudden panic that I was wishing pain on myself. Ack! I'm not ready for any more pain right now :)

    So that's why this post brightened my day because it wasn't a thin place found in the midst suffering.

    Anyhoo…

    • http://www.marydemuth.com marydemuth

      Really great point, Katie. Thin places can happen in joy or pain. And for the record, I'd love more connected to joy!

    • http://www.facebook.com/smgarneau Stephanie Miller Garneau

      Katie, you don't sound nuts at all! Our thin places often occur as a result of trials. The pain sears those moments into the depths of our sub-conscious, and we never forget them. But I love how God also uses the ordinary moments of our lives to draw near to us…to remind us that He will never leave us or forsake us!

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  • http://twitter.com/GEMSMinistry @GEMSMinistry

    Absolutely Heatherlea! I am grateful you're walking this road beside me as part of the GEMS leadership team. So thankful God ordained us to share such an amazing weekend together at She Speaks this year!

  • http://twitter.com/GEMSMinistry @GEMSMinistry

    Absolutely Heatherlea! I am grateful you're walking this road beside me as part of the GEMS leadership team. So thankful God ordained us to share such an amazing weekend together at She Speaks this year!

  • http://www.facebook.com/heatherlea.hopson HeatherLea Hopson

    Stephanie, thanks for the reminder that God can, does, and will continue to reveal Himself in the ordinary stuff and subjects of our lives! Don't we serve a MARVELOUS and AMAZING GOD!

  • http://www.facebook.com/heatherlea.hopson HeatherLea Hopson

    Stephanie, thanks for the reminder that God can, does, and will continue to reveal Himself in the ordinary stuff and subjects of our lives! Don't we serve a MARVELOUS and AMAZING GOD!

  • http://amylsullivan.blogspot.com/ Amy Sullivan

    Stephanie,
    I'm always amazed when I see that God IS interested in even the smallest details of our lives.

    • http://twitter.com/GEMSMinistry @GEMSMinistry

      He IS Amy. What a beautiful truth to rest in…

  • http://amylsullivan.blogspot.com/ Amy Sullivan

    Stephanie,
    I'm always amazed when I see that God IS interested in even the smallest details of our lives.

    • http://twitter.com/GEMSMinistry @GEMSMinistry

      He IS Amy. What a beautiful truth to rest in…

  • Paige

    I am so glad I serve a GOD of detail! Praise Him! Thank you, Stephanie, for being pliable in our Maker's hands and for being faithful to share how He is molding you.

    Through your sharing, GOD is teaching.

    • http://twitter.com/GEMSMinistry @GEMSMinistry

      I miss you Paige. Maybe one day you'll meet Mary since you just moved to Texas. I wonder… :) Wouldn't that be awesome? She's the perfect writing mentor! Thank you for being a friend who encourages me to be pliable!

  • Paige

    I am so glad I serve a GOD of detail! Praise Him! Thank you, Stephanie, for being pliable in our Maker's hands and for being faithful to share how He is molding you.

    Through your sharing, GOD is teaching.

    • http://twitter.com/GEMSMinistry @GEMSMinistry

      I miss you Paige. Maybe one day you'll meet Mary since you just moved to Texas. I wonder… :) Wouldn't that be awesome? She's the perfect writing mentor! Thank you for being a friend who encourages me to be pliable!

  • Kerri,

    Morning Steph,

    I never tire of hearing how God has marvelously reminded us of His intimate, infinite love and care in our seemingly ordinary lives. He is just that involved every moment of every day – we just have to learn to use our spiritual eyes to find Him at work. Thank you for sharing how our Amazing God is whispering to you. I love your heart, spirit and ministry for Him. You are so precious to me and of course to Him!

  • Kerri,

    Morning Steph,

    I never tire of hearing how God has marvelously reminded us of His intimate, infinite love and care in our seemingly ordinary lives. He is just that involved every moment of every day – we just have to learn to use our spiritual eyes to find Him at work. Thank you for sharing how our Amazing God is whispering to you. I love your heart, spirit and ministry for Him. You are so precious to me and of course to Him!

  • http://www.glynniswhitwer.com Glynnis

    We serve a God who loves to amaze us with His attention to detail … if only we will watch and wait. Thank you for seeing the hand of God Stephanie, and for sharing it with us is such a beautiful way.

    • http://twitter.com/GEMSMinistry @GEMSMinistry

      Glynnis, I absolutely agree! Watching and waiting is key! I'm learning so much about God's timing during this season of my journey. Thank you for being an instrument of God's blessing in my life!

  • http://www.glynniswhitwer.com Glynnis

    We serve a God who loves to amaze us with His attention to detail … if only we will watch and wait. Thank you for seeing the hand of God Stephanie, and for sharing it with us is such a beautiful way.

    • http://twitter.com/GEMSMinistry @GEMSMinistry

      Glynnis, I absolutely agree! Watching and waiting is key! I'm learning so much about God's timing during this season of my journey. Thank you for being an instrument of God's blessing in my life!

  • Julie

    What a powerful way you have encountered our Lord. Thank you for sharing your heart with us. It is an amazing testimony, Stephanie.

    • http://twitter.com/GEMSMinistry @GEMSMinistry

      Thank you Julie! God is so kind to show Himself in tangible ways!

  • Julie

    What a powerful way you have encountered our Lord. Thank you for sharing your heart with us. It is an amazing testimony, Stephanie.

    • http://twitter.com/GEMSMinistry @GEMSMinistry

      Thank you Julie! God is so kind to show Himself in tangible ways!

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