Transcript
Tab Lewis: Hey everybody, we are so glad that you have decided to join us today on the overflow podcast and I am so excited about this series. I have been just praying about it for such a long time, and I'm just really thankful that we have had this opportunity to
Tab Lewis: ah make this happen, actually, that the Lord's brought this together and that we're actually entering into this conversation. So we are inviting you.
Tab Lewis: into a conversation that was birthed through a teaching that I did several months ago called Woman of God. And if you have not ever engaged with Overflow before,
Tab Lewis: Our number one. um goal is to guide you towards your wholeness in Christ, and that's in all areas of life. And so we're inviting you into this conversation today.
Tab Lewis: to be a part of this series called woman of god and we are going to be talking about All different kinds of. Things that go into be being a woman of God, how to live like a woman of God. We're going to be sharing personal stories. and just things that the Lord has taught us in our journey as a woman of God. And so.
Tab Lewis: I would love to introduce you to one of my very dear friends um who has so graciously said yes to entering into this conversation with us. And I know.
Tab Lewis: um that everything that she has to say and share with you. on this journey through this series.
Tab Lewis: um will Bless you and encourage you. And I have I've been a part of watching. her journey um for many, many years. so with Without further ado, I want to introduce you to my very dear friend. Amy Hickman.
Tab Lewis: Hey, Amy.
Amy Hickman: hey It's good to be with everyone.
Tab Lewis: Yes, I'm so excited. So, so excited. So I want to give you an opportunity. to share with everyone a little bit about you. But before I...
Tab Lewis: We do that before we move into that. I want want to just say that. Amy and I Met. I meant to know this before we got started.
Tab Lewis: I can't remember how many years ago it's been. but
Amy Hickman: A lot.
Tab Lewis: Yeah. Many years ago. um We met at a pastor's wives conference. And. um We've been friends ever since. Like we found out that we didn't know each other prior to, and we found out that.
Tab Lewis: When we were there that we lived in the same area and. We just hit it off. It was so amazing and we've stayed in contact. with one another throughout all these years. And so it has, you have blessed my life. Just your presence, whether we've been in seasons where we've seen each other frequently and and been connected, or we've just kind of.
Tab Lewis: been watching from afar. It has just blessed my life to have you in your presence in my life. and um Yeah, so I'm so excited that you're here today. So why don't you, Amy, share a little bit about you?
Tab Lewis: um with everyone
Amy Hickman: Yeah. it' ah Uh, quite the introduction thank you for that and it's been a gift to enjoy your friendship and meet like we did but as far as what there is to know about me is ah Yes, like tab said I am a pastor's wife. And so The bulk of my life is...
Amy Hickman: in ministry within the church and outside. facing outward to the people in our community. uh i We have planted our church 20, it'll be 20 years, actually. We're going to have our birthday here in October.
Tab Lewis: That's awesome.
Amy Hickman: and we started our church in our home. and we ah met here for a little bit in our house and ended up
Amy Hickman: moving to a location, went through a church merger where two, our congregation and another one merged together. So ah we had a lot of excitement there at the beginning, but throughout the 20 years, God's been really faithful. to our ministry and just really having a front row seat to see lives changed. i My most important role, the one I felt...
Amy Hickman: the greatest calling to in my life. was to be a mom and so my husband Jeff and I we I have four daughters, and they're all adults now. One is living at home, commuting to college. but They bring us a lot of joy. We love getting to see how God's using them. and One of our daughters has given us three grandchildren, and so that's a fun time in our life that we're getting used to. and
Amy Hickman: enjoying our two grandsons and one granddaughter. It's been a lot of fun, but my day -to -day ministry. just Now that my role has changed a little bit from just the home being the primary focus, it's turned to ah for the past goodness.
Amy Hickman: I guess, 10 years. I have gone to work in our church office every day. and different roles, but right now I serve as Director of Communications.
Amy Hickman: it allows me the opportunity to flesh out my love of words and just communicating in an encouraging way to those that may.
Amy Hickman: ah need that within our congregation and also those that consider coming. to join our our church body. and I also lead our women's ministry, and so I have a deep passion. and love really in the area of discipling women and making sure that they um feel like they are seen, that they're known, that...
Amy Hickman: in God. They know that they're enough. and So that's really just something that gives me a lot of. spiritual energy in my life. But that that's kind of what my days look like.
Tab Lewis: That's awesome. I love i love it. so There's so much there. that we could just take you know and an on -ramp and you could just keep going with and that is part of what this whole series is going to be about is we're going to kind of step into some of those different areas that that you touched on. and I would just say that. um I have watched you and Jeff be faithful to the call.
Tab Lewis: You know, in the. the highs and lows of ministry.
Amy Hickman: Hmm.
Tab Lewis: And. um You do have some beautiful children and we share we share our love for being a mom. We share our love for being a grandmother.
Amy Hickman: Yes.
Tab Lewis: um It's weird to say grandmother.
Amy Hickman: Is that weird?
Tab Lewis: So weird. um But just... I know we have shared so many things about that. I will say that you do have a beautiful gift of writing and that If you have ever had any opportunity to read some some of Amy's stuff, and we will include her all of her socials on. um um in in this so you can follow her, but um her writing.
Tab Lewis: is Definitely inspired by the Holy Spirit, but it just lands. I don't know if you've ever just read something and you're just like, wow. The Lord gave her the ability to put into words what my heart is feeling, what my mind is thinking. and um I just always feel that way when I read Amy's stuff.
Tab Lewis: And so we're still waiting on the Lord to guide her in whatever else that journey is going to look like for her. Not saying that this is prophetic or anything, but maybe a book or something one day, but definitely worth.
Amy Hickman: Okay.
Tab Lewis: leaning into her gift there. And so. We want to invite you. into this conversation, into this season of Woman of God. And Amy and I, we have ah we're in a season of life where we can be intentional.
Tab Lewis: with one another. So once a month we make it a priority to get together. we usually try a different coffee shops or something in our area and if we just sit down and um just have a conversation. And we just let it roll and let it go wherever, ah whatever. There may be something on our heart that day that we want to process with one another or catching up with life. And so we want to. um invite you.
Tab Lewis: to come sit at the table. with us and just be a part of this conversation with us. And it is our prayer that. no matter where you are right now today.
Tab Lewis: no matter what season you're in. No matter what life circumstance is going on around you, it is our prayer that the Holy Spirit. We'll use something.
Tab Lewis: That he says through us. or that he has taught us in our own journey. to encourage you. ah maybe to challenge you.
Tab Lewis: maybe to shape you or sharpen you or to make you feel. more seen, known and heard and to affirm that you are loved.
Tab Lewis: by your creator. And that he is going to use our conversations here. to um To lead you.
Tab Lewis: Into... your wholeness. In life. And so.
Amy Hickman: right
Tab Lewis: Welcome to our conversation. um So as we begin this series... Amy, you and I have talked a lot about what we really feel like the Lord has done in our own lives. that We can. um pour into others and give away to others and you shared just a few minutes ago about discipleship, being super passionate about discipleship. You and I both.
Tab Lewis: um are extremely passionate about that and we really live our life. um On display, trying to invite people into deeper discipleship and everything that we do. I love what. um Can I say?
Tab Lewis: the name of your church on here.
Amy Hickman: Absolutely.
Tab Lewis: Yeah. Okay. I wanted to be sure. um So at Lifesong Lyman, you guys use this phrasing. um I'll probably butcher it.
Tab Lewis: I'll let you to say it. But your tagline is where you. Live, work, and play. that we
Amy Hickman: To be missionaries where you live, work, and play.
Tab Lewis: Yes. Yep. and i love that i use i actually say that all the time because it's so true all of life, that it is as a believer, as a follower. follower of jesus as a woman of god it is our call our mission of life. is to put God on display.
Tab Lewis: In everything we do, everywhere we go, in the words that we speak, in the love that we extend, in the truth that we speak, the ultimate goal.
Tab Lewis: is to put God on display.
Amy Hickman: that's right
Tab Lewis: and We all do that imperfectly. yeah
Amy Hickman: Okay.
Tab Lewis: Disclaimer upfront.
Amy Hickman: No.
Tab Lewis: We, Amy and I do not have this figured out.
Amy Hickman: okay
Tab Lewis: um We... do it very crippled and you know. walking on crutches a lot of times, but... We do know that the Lord has showed us some things. And the goal here is to say.
Tab Lewis: We want to give away. what has been given. That's what so graciously. and kindly. our creator has given to us, and that is the mission of Overflow. so In order to do that, I feel like we need to start.
Tab Lewis: With. um the foundation. And that is, what is a woman of God?
Amy Hickman: Right.
Tab Lewis: You know, when you hear that phrase. What do you think of if you're listening today? or watching today. What do you think of when you hear woman of God? and Amy, I'd love to hear.
Tab Lewis: hear your thoughts of when when you hear that phrase. What does that mean to you? to today.
Amy Hickman: Today it means... really something much differently than it probably did. early on you know as a young woman who I was becoming aware of what that means.
Amy Hickman: Definitely didn't have that figured out. But now... I believe that. not even attaching the title woman of God. It's really just this.
Amy Hickman: idea of being a Christ follower and being living set apart.
Tab Lewis: Hmm.
Amy Hickman: I. I think a lot about the things that happen in our culture today that It requires great fortitude and determination to.
Amy Hickman: live set apart as a woman who follows God. And it's not easy. It's it's a... everyday decision that It might not be the popular thing to do.
Amy Hickman: but people will know that we're women of God. when we live set apart, which is just simply living. modeling the image of God.
Amy Hickman: And it sounds so cliche and so easy.
Tab Lewis: you
Amy Hickman: to say these things, but... it's It's difficult. to when God has wired us as women the way that he has wired us. And some of that means that you know, knowing that we're loved and knowing that we're seen and knowing that we matter.
Amy Hickman: it It means something to us. And yet when you think of living set apart. Those those things can't be the main things. And so there's a grappling and attention that we live in to really.
Amy Hickman: say okay first of all I've got to know what being a woman of God means for me
Tab Lewis: mm -hmm
Amy Hickman: And if it means living set apart. then I'm i okay with everything that comes along with that.
Tab Lewis: Yeah. I love that I think that that's so important. that you touched on. um that it What does that mean specifically? the way that God created you.
Amy Hickman: Hmm.
Tab Lewis: right Because we're going to put God on display.
Amy Hickman: Okay.
Tab Lewis: We're going to shine the light of Christ that's within. um very uniquely to the way that our creator. created us i think you have your Non -negotiables, you have like the foundation of who we are.
Tab Lewis: are called to be as followers of Jesus. That's ah across the board. It's the same for everybody, you know, love the Lord, your God with all your heart. soul, mind, and strength. I mean, that's that's foundational. But how that...
Tab Lewis: manifest itself through you, how the Spirit of God becomes alive on the outside through you is very unique to the way he's created us.
Amy Hickman: Right.
Tab Lewis: And if you don't know thyself. um uh I learned this in counseling, like intimacy is into. Me, you see.
Amy Hickman: a
Tab Lewis: And. to know thyself, you have to have an intimate, Not just encounter, but in.
Amy Hickman: Let's go.
Tab Lewis: ongoing um relationship and connection with your creator so that you can continue to become all that he's created you to be. And then that's how we.
Tab Lewis: manifest and live out loud. who we were created to be as a woman of God. So you have the foundational things, but then you have the unique unique things that you're talking about and living set apart.
Amy Hickman: right
Tab Lewis: And so the question is, How do I live set apart? based on the way God. Created me.
Amy Hickman: right
Tab Lewis: And I would say. and you can you can chime in on this too amy i would say That is a process.
Amy Hickman: that's right
Tab Lewis: You know, if you want to use... ah theological terms. It's sanctification, which is Becoming.
Amy Hickman: Right.
Tab Lewis: It is becoming and. That is a process that happens. through life, you know, from You were born, you're a toddler. you're a young adult.
Tab Lewis: you know then you move into pre -teen teen and then now you're an adult you're an adult woman and you're on a journey. From the beginning of time.
Tab Lewis: of becoming and being transformed. by the renewing of our mind, but also... as we continue to walk with God.
Tab Lewis: He. Shapes us and transforms us into. uh the woman of god that he created us to be so would you say that looks different.
Tab Lewis: has looked different. you know, in the different seasons of life. that you have been in. We knowt we don't have to talk about age.
Amy Hickman: ah
Tab Lewis: ah I'm not afraid to talk about age.
Amy Hickman: We're grandmas, but we're young grandmas.
Tab Lewis: I love where I am today. That's right.
Amy Hickman: so
Tab Lewis: um But would you say that you have been able to see? the tangible evidence of that. through all the different seasons of your life.
Amy Hickman: Yeah, I really have. I think a ah lot in the beginning. for me and You know, ah it's always confounded me that this was such a. um a thing for me. Because I grew up.
Amy Hickman: in the church. I was saved at the age of seven. i Really? God put great people in my life to guide me along the way.
Amy Hickman: And yet. my understanding of being a woman of God, being a follower of Christ. A chunk of it was spill spent living at a guilty distance.
Tab Lewis: Mmm.
Amy Hickman: You know, it was like. um as a kid, that imagination of. If I make a messed up. God is the one. and the sky that's got the hammer in his hand and he's gonna you know He's gonna whack me over the head because I'm not Living.
Amy Hickman: perfectly.
Tab Lewis: Hmm.
Amy Hickman: And. how that really Just... it just dug a deep trench into my heart and my mind that um I could never measure up.
Amy Hickman: And it. I spent many years just... when comparing my relationship with God to Women that I shared life with that I wasn't good enough. I wasn't doing as much. I wasn't ever going to make an impact in this world. and you know And I hear myself saying that now and the the thread and all of that was me, me, me.
Amy Hickman: And it really had not become him, him, him. It was.
Tab Lewis: Hmm.
Amy Hickman: ah It was not what I said earlier about living in the image of God. And when I began to see. and learn his character. in my life.
Amy Hickman: Everything changed for me. um that really my heart was craving simplicity. And knowing that simplicity in my relationship with God. That's not weakness. That's actually great power.
Tab Lewis: Hmm.
Amy Hickman: And I had to. to learn and live that. and experience that. to realize. He's not punishing every step. and And you said it. It is a process. and And.
Amy Hickman: For sometimes things that we do process can feel very... Oh, like. Exasperating.
Tab Lewis: a
Amy Hickman: But. This... i hear process in a relationship with god and i think wow that gives me relief You know, like I haven't arrived, but I am.
Amy Hickman: On my way, I am... a process Really? it holds within the word itself that you're moving forward. you know There's an action step.
Tab Lewis: a
Amy Hickman: that's being made and so you know i think for the woman that's listening That feels just so burdened and so overwhelmed with that. that um Am I a woman of God? You know, it doesn't look like, you know, so and so that I share life with.
Amy Hickman: but you know are you sticking to the process are you stepping into it and committing yourself to just walk with Jesus. um there's a lot of relief in that and knowing that he's he he is He is transforming us, and it's beautiful.
Amy Hickman: that He does that.
Tab Lewis: Yeah. i love that thank you thank you for sharing that part because You saying that about... It's real easy to look at someone else.
Amy Hickman: Mm hmm.
Tab Lewis: And go. I'm not measured. I must not really truly be a woman of God because I'm not measuring up to that.
Amy Hickman: here
Tab Lewis: And so we place someone else. as our standard
Amy Hickman: mm -hmm
Tab Lewis: instead of our Father who... who is the standard, right? And then he, like you said, he's shaping us. into emolding us into exactly.
Tab Lewis: How he wants us to put him on display. That reminds me of. um I.
Tab Lewis: Undoubtedly. met the Lord when I was nine. like there was I've never doubted that.
Amy Hickman: see
Tab Lewis: moment of surrender to him as much as you can at nine. Right?
Amy Hickman: yes
Tab Lewis: Um. And I remember I had. a Sunday school teacher at the time who um She was just beautiful and she had an amazing marriage and she loved Jesus. and I just adored her.
Tab Lewis: And I remember. in at that age going. um I want to be like that.
Amy Hickman: Mm hmm.
Tab Lewis: That's what I want. you know I want to love God like that. I want to live out loud like that. you know.
Amy Hickman: Yes.
Tab Lewis: Probably some, ah you know. idolizing her to an extent that ah I didn't know what my marriage to look like that all of those things.
Amy Hickman: Right.
Tab Lewis: And as I continued to move throughout my life. I have a lot of the same background that you do, that it was all about workspace.
Amy Hickman: so
Tab Lewis: It's what you do and what you don't do.
Amy Hickman: Mm -hmm.
Tab Lewis: And God will love you.
Amy Hickman: Yeah.
Tab Lewis: And. Nothing. about relationship. with him. And I remember. I became a mom at a young age, and I remember after my first daughter was born.
Tab Lewis: For whatever reason, the Holy Spirit chose that moment to give me a revelation. that it was time to fully enter into an intimacy with him.
Amy Hickman: Mm hmm.
Tab Lewis: And he took me on a journey. of that.
Amy Hickman: Yeah.
Tab Lewis: And I would say. that that was probably when my um That I had the first encounter of. this process.
Tab Lewis: this transformation journey that he was taking me on began.
Amy Hickman: Right.
Amy Hickman: Mhm.
Tab Lewis: And man, it was it's been messy.
Amy Hickman: Mhm.
Tab Lewis: It's been fruitful.
Amy Hickman: Mm hmm.
Tab Lewis: You know? um It's been a lot of dying to myself. um It's been a lot of. Taken. you know, 10 steps forward and 20 steps back.
Amy Hickman: Yeah.
Tab Lewis: You know, it's been pivoting a lot. It's been ah closing the doors to to dreams. um It's been failing.
Amy Hickman: Yeah.
Tab Lewis: a lot and letting him pick me back up. I mean, it has just been such a process. And i was as I was preparing to to teach this Women of God series,
Tab Lewis: I kept having this reoccurring thought because this is the cry of my heart. like When women encounter anything that the Holy Spirit wants to do through me or that is doing through me um in their life, what what they're what ah what I pray that they're drawn to is Him.
Amy Hickman: here
Tab Lewis: So it's not when we look at other women and we go, man, I want what she has. I want to, I want to be like her. i want to you know, live out loud like her, whatever. No, we don't want what that individual has, what that other woman has. We want who.
Amy Hickman: who
Tab Lewis: they have.
Amy Hickman: Right. That's right.
Tab Lewis: We want the who. And and so I've I constantly with women that I'm. given the privilege and honor to walk with and mentor or you know just have a conversation with I am always thinking with that goal in mind is.
Amy Hickman: mm -hmm
Tab Lewis: constantly keeping the focus and the attention on Christ.
Amy Hickman: That's right.
Tab Lewis: Christ in me. Not me, because if what you see of me, anything good that you see in tab.
Amy Hickman: mm -hmm
Tab Lewis: is because of Christ. It is not me.
Amy Hickman: Right.
Tab Lewis: because Aye. MMSN nature. And I... Have. Thoughts that I shouldn't have. And I get angry and all of these things. And so I always am thinking about.
Tab Lewis: No, you don't want what I have you want who I have. You want more of who I have because that's when
Amy Hickman: That's right.
Tab Lewis: You become. all that he's created you to be, and he becomes greater. in your life.
Amy Hickman: That's right.
Tab Lewis: End. Yeah. that's But definitely. When you've talked, we've, talked I guess we've talked a lot about like how that's changed for us over the years to what a woman of God um should look like.
Amy Hickman: Mm -hmm.
Tab Lewis: um I'm wondering, would you be able to just share with um the the ladies listening, or even the gentlemen, if there's any gentlemen listening, you're not excluded.
Amy Hickman: Yeah.
Tab Lewis: This is applicable for you too. um what is What has helped, who or what has helped you? in this journey. of the becoming, um to grow.
Tab Lewis: spiritually. Is there anything specific that comes to your mind?
Amy Hickman: Yes, I... have been very I think probably in the beginning as it pertains to ministry. you you're kind of naturally in environments where you're sitting under great teaching.
Amy Hickman: And. you know i really believe that there has been this uh innate part of me I remember even in college, just. craving.
Amy Hickman: knowing what I believed. and Not really. depending on oh, you grew up this way, you grew up with these beliefs, your parents instilled them in you. But I had to decide for myself.
Tab Lewis: Hmm.
Amy Hickman: What is it that you believe? And so there there is this innate part of me that wanted to learn and wanted to grow. And so... I remember just always being on a c search. for you know who is Who is going to write a book?
Amy Hickman: that I can read that is going to teach me who is offering a coaching group that I'm going to teach, that I'm going to sit under and they're going to teach me.
Amy Hickman: And. So some of that is just... uh I think I've always kind of been wired that way uh to to read and know and grow.
Amy Hickman: But I also... had an opportunity recently to just share with our church. congregation. There were certain. women in my life.
Amy Hickman: That as I look back over my life now, and I am 52. um years old and i um I'm okay with saying that.
Tab Lewis: yeah out.
Amy Hickman: Yay. but They're... There has at every significant season of my life. I can... Name. a woman.
Amy Hickman: to you now that has influenced me. And they took time.
Tab Lewis: a
Amy Hickman: and set the busyness of their life aside to meet with me. much like you and i do you know this once a month that we have it's
Tab Lewis: Mm -hmm.
Amy Hickman: It goes back to that simplicity. um aspect that i crave personally in my life is that um You know, our women's ministry at Lifesong is called The Table because I have seen.
Amy Hickman: The gospel lived out and hearts changed doing exactly what you and I are doing today. Just this notion of us sitting at a table.
Tab Lewis: Hmm.
Amy Hickman: And. How much God uses relationship. to speak. And so, yes, I mean, I could probably you know, just give the accolades to so many women in my life that.
Amy Hickman: The. the Risa's, the Melody's, the Joanna's that met with me. and just had simple conversation, but it did exactly.
Amy Hickman: what you were saying it pointed to christ it wasn't about them and it birthed the hunger in me to be the Joanna and to be the Melody and to be the Risa.
Amy Hickman: for someone else because it has
Tab Lewis: mm -hmm
Amy Hickman: It has made such a difference in my life to have an earthly example. Of what Christ looks like. And how he sees me. and how he knows me.
Amy Hickman: I got to see that through the lens of other people. And so, you know, that that takes a lot of intentionality. and We're... We're living in a day and age where You know, it's like what does it take to be an influencer?
Tab Lewis: Mm hmm.
Amy Hickman: And. The fact of the matter is we're all influencing someone. it's It's really what do what do I want to influence them toward? And.
Amy Hickman: you know, you referenced our church mission statement of go be missionaries where you live work and play And I love our statement because it holds within it.
Amy Hickman: that. We're not all created to be the same. Some of us. God has put us on a ball field. to be a coach. Or a teen mom.
Amy Hickman: And we get to share Jesus in that way. or He's put teachers in a classroom who... They get to be Jesus. where they work.
Amy Hickman: and also play
Tab Lewis: Mm hmm.
Amy Hickman: And so it really helps. You be able to see. In those words. who God has created you to be. And it doesn't. require you having a church position or stand on a stage on a Sunday to tell people about Jesus, but it's...
Amy Hickman: 10 times better because you do that where you live, work and play.
Tab Lewis: Yeah.
Amy Hickman: And I believe that. each person that God put in my life. Really represented that to me. They were like, yeah, I may teach you English lit class, but I'm going to meet with you outside of class and we're going to talk about Jesus.
Amy Hickman: And.
Tab Lewis: yeah
Amy Hickman: it It is just the most simple. living in the ebb and flow of your life that You're breathing Jesus in. You're breathing him out. in every situation and it's not compartmentalized, but.
Amy Hickman: It is the life. It it is the entire. the entirety of who he created us to be.
Tab Lewis: Yes, it's the point.
Amy Hickman: Yep.
Tab Lewis: That's the whole point. Yeah, and I love that because I, um I too can, man, you were talking and I was just like. seeing all these faces.
Amy Hickman: Mm hmm.
Tab Lewis: you know, and all these encounters, some of, some people have influenced me.
Amy Hickman: Mm hmm.
Tab Lewis: over social media. Like, I have.
Amy Hickman: Right.
Tab Lewis: i have mentors that that are good sound solid voices for for Christ and living for Him that I choose to let speak into my life.
Amy Hickman: Mm hmm.
Tab Lewis: And so you've got those, but then also the people that you meet.
Amy Hickman: Okay.
Tab Lewis: along your way, along your journey. Some of them that are still in my life today and some that I know were for a specific season.
Amy Hickman: and
Tab Lewis: um And i think I think for me in that, Amy, too, is... Some of the most... And this isn't the... This isn't the fluffy stuff.
Tab Lewis: um the feel good stuff like A lot of mine has been through suffering.
Amy Hickman: Yes. mm -hmm
Tab Lewis: A lot of mine has been in the seasons where God has said, okay, tab.
Amy Hickman: mm -hmm
Tab Lewis: I'm giving you this. um i'm I'm allowing. This I am entrusting you. to hold this And. man.
Tab Lewis: there There have been some that I wanted to throw right back at them. and in my own way i was like throw no you can have it back and and i i say that kind of with um
Amy Hickman: Right. Yeah.
Tab Lewis: with a little bit of laughter today. I do believe that. that joy does really come. In the morning. through the morning.
Amy Hickman: That's right. Yeah.
Tab Lewis: um and But I... I look back on my seasons of suffering, whether it was something in me personally. or through the something that was going on through someone I loved dearly.
Tab Lewis: That. Man. I had a choice. I had a choice to. Lean into God.
Amy Hickman: mm -hmm
Tab Lewis: or to turn Turn my face.
Amy Hickman: Mm hmm.
Tab Lewis: Away from him. and And there have been times that ive that I did. turn my face away.
Amy Hickman: Yeah. Yeah.
Tab Lewis: I don't want, I'm i'm being real here, you know.
Amy Hickman: mm -hmm
Tab Lewis: um And. But man, when I chose to lean into him. For all that it was worth, I can truly say.
Tab Lewis: i can I can feel right now the tangible presence. that I felt in those moments. there's and It's indescribable.
Amy Hickman: You're welcome.
Tab Lewis: there' there's There's nothing else. You cannot fabricate it. You cannot borrow it. from someone else.
Amy Hickman: um
Tab Lewis: um that. He let me know. in in a very deep... tangible way.
Amy Hickman: Mm hmm.
Tab Lewis: that. I've got you.
Amy Hickman: Yeah.
Tab Lewis: I am here. and And I know that. Sin played a part. in some of these things because we live in our sin nature and we live in a sinful world and bad things happen.
Amy Hickman: that's right
Tab Lewis: But he let me know that even in all of that, I'm in control. and And I know you want to know the outcome. and I know you really want this to to have an ending point now.
Amy Hickman: Okay.
Tab Lewis: um and But I'm asking you to trust me. I'm asking you to trust my timing. because I am doing, I really am doing something.
Amy Hickman: Mm hmm.
Tab Lewis: I'm doing something in you that may not make sense to you right now. But eventually you're going to be able to look back in remembrance.
Tab Lewis: and your My presence is going to be familiar because it's going to look and sound and feel and smell. the same.
Amy Hickman: That's right.
Tab Lewis: way And you're going to be able. to borrow from that.
Amy Hickman: Hmm.
Tab Lewis: you know, in your today, and and I really have encountered that with him, and and And you there's just no other way to encounter it.
Tab Lewis: than to go through it.
Amy Hickman: That's right.
Tab Lewis: there's There's no other way to be, as a woman of God, there's no other way to be completely whole.
Amy Hickman: Mhm.
Tab Lewis: In Christ. than to go through it. You can't you can't go around it.
Amy Hickman: That's right.
Tab Lewis: You can't. skip over it.
Amy Hickman: that's right
Tab Lewis: You can't run away from it.
Amy Hickman: yeah
Tab Lewis: like And here's the thing. This is what I would say today. to to women listening. If you are in. that season. Maybe you're, you're in that season where you're, Amy's like, that it was tangible. There were people all around me. And maybe you're like, I don't have that.
Amy Hickman: ahead
Tab Lewis: i I would ask you, are you looking?
Amy Hickman: Mm -hmm
Tab Lewis: Are you looking? Because a lot of times we miss it. you know Life is so busy that we aren't paying attention. Right. And so are you looking? Are you asking him?
Amy Hickman: Right.
Tab Lewis: God, I need these people. Will you bring them into my life? you know Sometimes you may have to to be the one to go to them.
Amy Hickman: Mm hmm.
Tab Lewis: I've definitely been in seasons of, okay, where are my people?
Amy Hickman: Yeah.
Tab Lewis: You know, and the Lord's like. brings these people to my mind. And he's like, I want you to just go ask them. You invite them. into your space
Amy Hickman: Right. Yeah.
Tab Lewis: instead of waiting for the invitation. Or maybe you're in a season right now of... something hard. And you're in a season of suffering.
Amy Hickman: Okay.
Tab Lewis: And you're wondering. i hear you i hear what y 'all are saying i just don't believe it
Amy Hickman: Mm hmm.
Tab Lewis: And so my encouragement to you would be. to lean in.
Amy Hickman: Hmm.
Tab Lewis: to God, even when you don't feel like it. and to look around you. Lift your head up. Open your eyes a little bit wider.
Tab Lewis: and look around you. And then just ask him. you know. God, I know that you created me on purpose for your purpose.
Tab Lewis: to walk As a woman of God who. Who knows? Fully who I am and you even if I don't believe it
Amy Hickman: Mm hmm.
Tab Lewis: Even if I don't understand it or see it now. that I know where my help comes from. And. and ask him. I believe. I've experienced it. Amy, you have experienced it.
Tab Lewis: He will be faithful. Two. give you. Everything. that you need. not just some of it.
Amy Hickman: Okay.
Tab Lewis: Everything that. You. need that he's entrusted you to. in this season. of your life.
Amy Hickman: That's right.
Tab Lewis: So before we... bring our time to a close. on this episode. Amy. um What are some...
Tab Lewis: What are some rhythms in your life? Um. right now in this season or previous seasons. that have helped you stay close.
Tab Lewis: To Jesus.
Amy Hickman: Syrup. Fill up probably some of... the rhythms in my life may. sound like the church answer the you know cliche things to say but It really...
Amy Hickman: Came for me these rhythms came out of exactly what you described as a time of crushing And. deciding for myself that, will you get up every day and surrender?
Tab Lewis: Hmm.
Amy Hickman: And so out of that. came. ah this desire to not ah There's never a day that goes by that I don't begin it with Jesus.
Amy Hickman: And what that looks like for me. is I'm reading his word differently I think you know one of the easy things to do for us because we just want a word to get through our situations of life.
Amy Hickman: Sometimes we read. God's word. And that's all we're looking for. But. I began a process of just. Reading the scripture.
Amy Hickman: to know his character. And I know I said that before, but it has been life transformative for me to. Know him because in knowing him that way I have.
Amy Hickman: Um, I've understood myself better
Tab Lewis: Hmm.
Amy Hickman: And. the desires and the plans that he has for my life. And so. It is. ah Being in His Word, it is I'm now a year and a half into...
Amy Hickman: ah a gratitude journal of something our church started. to and um And it's very simple. But. I've been through a lot of hurt in my life. and it made me quite cynical. So having a gratitude journal has...
Amy Hickman: really transformed me. It's not like some magic. potion, you know, it's just, it's realizing that. There's so much in even the worst of days when I feel overwhelmed and I feel like I can't.
Amy Hickman: go forward. that I can still be thankful for the fact that I can go and turn my... hot water on and take a warm shower. and I'm grateful for that.
Amy Hickman: Or I can pour myself a great cup of coffee or meet for coffee with a friend.
Tab Lewis: Amen.
Amy Hickman: You know, that there's always something. to be grateful for. And again, it It feeds into this idea in my life that I've seen God do more in simplicity.
Amy Hickman: then... I have in doing all the things you know and I think. That sometimes as women of God, we feel like if we can't just do all the things, spend 30 minutes in a quiet time, spend 30 minutes in prayer, um that.
Tab Lewis: Okay.
Amy Hickman: We're. oh There's no... we're not good christians you know but um I know as a young mom, I felt that way. I was like, I have no time to sit down for 30 minutes.
Amy Hickman: to do.
Tab Lewis: mm -hmm
Amy Hickman: any of that. And so I would take my Bible. in the car line with me to pick the kids up from school and it was some of the most quality time I had and God began to teach me it's the quality of knowing me over the quantity and So ah that rhythm in my life, it stays pretty consistent of just.
Tab Lewis: skin.
Amy Hickman: not putting a time limit, but putting a quality. in that time I spend with him. ah For me, growing looks like...
Amy Hickman: using my spiritual giftedness, which is teaching. And. I meet with to. young women. that I teach, I mentor, I...
Amy Hickman: pour into and God does fulfill you living in that rhythm of using your spiritual giftedness.
Tab Lewis: mm -hmm
Amy Hickman: Um. He... I am most alive. when i am fleshing that out in my life and so those have been really important rhythms to All right. It's a slowing down in my life, but it's also been some of the most.
Amy Hickman: um meaningful impact I have seen him make in my life right now is he has made the space for me to be very present. in these moments with him and with others.
Amy Hickman: that it's very uncomplicated. And. for me and how God has wired me, it's been great. It's been ah an important. rhythm to just maintain.
Amy Hickman: then it's been worth it.
Tab Lewis: Yeah. Those are... Those are awesome and similar. to to some of my rhythms too i love that you um you know, you shared about how knowing how God has gifted you.
Amy Hickman: Yeah.
Tab Lewis: And then. being able, you come most alive.
Amy Hickman: Right.
Tab Lewis: When you are operating. in those ways and you're you're pouring out and you're you're giving it away. i think the the beautiful thing there i wonder if you would say the same thing is um most often in those times.
Tab Lewis: The Lord, the Spirit's teaching me something.
Amy Hickman: Yes.
Tab Lewis: You know, he's either reminding me something. about something about himself and his character or he's bringing an awareness to something in my own life.
Amy Hickman: Mm hmm.
Tab Lewis: It's like, practice what you preach, sister, you know, kind of thing.
Amy Hickman: Yeah.
Tab Lewis: or um You know, it just is, it's so profound to me how even in those moments that the Spirit of God is teaching you.
Amy Hickman: Mm hmm.
Tab Lewis: and working, working in you. And I love how you. You brought us back to the the the main point is that. in order for us to know who we are.
Tab Lewis: as a woman of God. We have to know. our God.
Amy Hickman: That's right.
Tab Lewis: our creator God. And it's that. Knowing Him.
Amy Hickman: mm -hmm
Tab Lewis: Knowing his character allows us to receive and lean into who he's created us to be as a woman of God. ah and In all of that, this I can't wait till we get to to talking about discipleship and mentorship. And I think there's going to be some very practical things that the Spirit's going to...
Tab Lewis: going to speak, you know, to to women. um But more than any of that, I think it today, it gets so complicated.
Amy Hickman: Mm hmm.
Tab Lewis: You know, when, when it literally is about a relationship.
Amy Hickman: That's right.
Tab Lewis: It is deciding. that I am going to choose to commune with my. creator. with Christ, with my father.
Amy Hickman: Right.
Tab Lewis: I'm going to have a conversation with him. I'm going to ask him, inviting him into every area of your life.
Amy Hickman: Mm -hmm.
Tab Lewis: That is. how we are shaped into the women that he has created us to be. And and and a lot of times when when I'm walking with with women, especially younger women, I will say.
Tab Lewis: Why don't you ask God about that?
Amy Hickman: Mm hmm.
Tab Lewis: And then you and I can talk about practical things.
Amy Hickman: Right.
Tab Lewis: But I want you to ask him first, what does he want you to do? And God, do you want me to?
Amy Hickman: ahead
Tab Lewis: um Do you want me to to even pursue a different job or do you have me where I'm at even though I don't like it? You have me where I'm at because.
Amy Hickman: thank
Tab Lewis: You want to do something greater in me and you want to do something greater in the people around me.
Amy Hickman: Right. mm -hmm
Tab Lewis: um You know, God, how do you want me? to lean into this season with my children.
Amy Hickman: Mm hmm.
Tab Lewis: Because I don't like them right now.
Amy Hickman: Yeah. I love it.
Tab Lewis: This is really hard and... I do not like this. you know How do you want me to stop and pause and see them where they're at? and lean into them.
Tab Lewis: How do you want me to love my spouse?
Amy Hickman: Right.
Tab Lewis: he's He's not very lovable right now. I don't like the season he's in. you know. Or how can how can we walk together well? How can I serve my community? How can I be?
Tab Lewis: The church, the big church, how can I? put you on display. Where I live, work and play the way you've created.
Amy Hickman: them
Tab Lewis: Me too. And just having that conversation, we we we we complicate it.
Amy Hickman: mm -hmm That's right.
Tab Lewis: When he intends for it to be so simple because there is not one single thing. that he wants to withhold from us.
Amy Hickman: That's right.
Tab Lewis: Not one single thing. And so. um Thank you.
Amy Hickman: Thank you.
Tab Lewis: Thank you for saying yes to this conversation. and Just. I really am trusting we are trusting. that The Holy Spirit.
Tab Lewis: We are trusting him with you. We are trusting him for you. We're trusting him for ourselves that he is going to continue to. lead you and guide you and direct you and speak to you exactly what You need... to continue to lean into this process of becoming.
Tab Lewis: as a woman of God. And we cannot wait. Until. next time.
