Ain't no need to watch where I'm goin'; just need to know where I've been.

Lightning McQueen: Will you stop that?
Mater: Stop what?
Lightning McQueen: That driving backwards. It's creeping me out. You're gonna wreck or something.
Mater: Wreck? Shoot! I'm the world's best backwards driver! Just watch this right here, lover boy.

Mater: Ain't no need to watch where I'm goin'; just need to know where I've been.

With 4 boys under the age of 8 in our home we watch a lot of the Disney Pixar hit movie Cars & to change it up we can now watch Cars2 lol:)  But my boys and their obsession with all things that run, fly, race, smash, blow up, or just simply have wheels is not why I felt like writing today.

I've been reading an Historical Biopic type book lately called "God's Generals: Why They Succeeded and Why some Failed" by Robert Liardon and this week I've been learning about and have been profoundly inspired by the women who despite social, cultural and religious constrictions of their day still impacted not only their generation but the generations that have since followed. 

Three weeks ago I had never heard of Maria (Mar-iah) Woodworth-Etter or Aimee Semple McPhearson, and though the name Kathryn Kuhlman was vaguely familiar I knew nothing of their histories.  Now that I have a snap shot of these women I simply want to learn more.  I am in awe of their perseverance, their grace under persecution and unwavering love, passion, commitment and servant hearts.  I'm not going to re-write what I have read, you can pick up the book, but I will say that even though many decades separate me from these amazing women and I by no means see myself even in the same sphere spiritual maturity and certainly do not have the influence that they had in their time, I still feel so deeply connected to their call.

These deep stirring, churning waters within my soul that never cease is the only way I can begin to put words to this incomprehensible love I feel for my Saviour Jesus that overflows into a love and care for people, all people, to see them healed, restored, delivered, and trained up and released into the things God has planned for them.  It's not complicated, it's just love that transforms lives, and it's not even my love, it's His.

We sometimes get to witness the transformations but we can never take credit for it.  I often tire from the work and the call can seem over whelming, but I refuse to run from it, even when I don't get it right and even when my judgement lapses and I get it wrong.  The vision remains the same even though like the oceans it may change shape but never the less it is always the same and it's power remains....  Love.

I don't want to be the next sister Etter or Semple McPhearson, as great as they were.  I do want to experience the level of intimacy and relationship they had with the Father, and operate within that atmosphere that is so charged with the electricity of the Holy Spirit, where physical and emotional healing just happen because you are in the Presence of the King. 

I have been honoured to have seasons, with many amazing Godly women (My mom, Jean Knox, Shirley Matthews, Brenda Harrison, Tamara Winslow to name a few), who have poured into my life, our lives in and through, prayer & intercession, Godly counsel, teaching and equipping and just hanging in there with us through all the seasons of our lives, I am grateful beyond words.  Though no one may see their names in the newspaper headlines, and they may not fill football stadiums, they are still making and have made a Global impact some on the front lines and others behind the scenes in their prayer closets shaping Nations.  If Elisha can ask for the double portion of the Elijah anointing, yet still begin himself, I want the same of these great women.  (Not to diminish the impact of men in ministry either, we need them!!!!)

I love how the author of God's General's has illustrated the strengths and weaknesses of these incredible men and women not for us to judge but for us to learn, which is why I thought of the starting quote from Tow-Mater the tow truck in Cars, we can embrace all that these people brought to the Charismatic movement and church in their day, they were pioneers they didn't back away because of persecution or criticism, they simply followed the call of God on their lives and when they kept their eyes on Him, amazing things happened.  We don't have to repeat their mistakes, but we do have to recognise them so we don't fall prey to the same old tactics of the enemy.

"...Aimee Semple McPhearson had run from God and was suffering from depression and plagued with illness, then in 1913 her only son was born, and as a mother she began to realise that an emotional maturity and stability was being built within her that would benefit her future....she began to clearly hear the voice of the Lord, especially when she was cleaning the house!...The sensitivity to the voice of God's spirit Aimee developed in those years would eventually shake a sleeping Nation..."

Anyhow I've learnt so much these past few weeks and this is just a mere highlight of some of my ponderings.  I have been so encouraged by their tenacity, courage and grace that maybe just maybe some of that will wear off onto us and we can do this after all.  I can believe that a mere housewife and mother can help shape and change the Nations, beginning with her own family.