Ever had one of those “Holy Spirit nudges” you almost missed...?
Ten years ago, at the first writers conference I ever attended, I had a ‘nudge’. from the Holy Spirit to go meet a woman at the next table. Now I’ve got to tell you, the nudge came the first day of a conference for writers before I believed I was one, so I already felt like an imposter in the room. Plus, the woman was at a table of women who already seemed to be “together”. Everyone in the room was new to me. I was really out of my element.
The thing was - I knew from the first moment that I was hearing from God on this. It wasn’t just me seeing someone who seemed nice to know, had a great smile, and might be a good connection for me. I felt it in my very core. “Kathy, I want you to meet this woman.”
But day one had a lot of new things going on- so I focused on the people at my table and said, “I’ll talk to her tomorrow.”
Tomorrow came- and I had that sense again. I looked over during a break, and she was sitting alone, so I headed over to her table. Just then, someone else scooted in beside her, and they immediately engaged in conversation. Oh well- maybe later.
But…you know the story. Later didn’t come. By then, I had gotten to know one of the gals at my table who also seemed nice to know, had a great smile, and was a good connection for me. I was learning a lot and felt way over my head by day three.
As the conference came to a close, I looked around the room one more time for ‘that woman’, but she was nowhere to be found. So I grabbed up my things and started for the door. Most people were going the same direction I was, until I saw one woman heading my way. The woman, my woman that I was supposed to introduce myself to, was coming directly toward me.
First Meeting - August 2015 Tribewriter conference
Well, Lord, I guess you mean business here!
I stopped her and said, “I know we don’t know each other, but the Lord has made it very clear that I need to know you.” We exchanged cards, took a selfie and hugged each other. Strangers no more. We turned and went our own ways…I’m sure we were both wondering what just happened.
So why am I telling you that lengthy story? I’m sure I am writing because I need to remember that “nudge” in light of getting to spend a weekend with her and recalling some significant ways she has shown up in my life.
No, we don’t talk much, but I do catch her writings over at nancybouwens.com. She’s writing to the same women I am- most often to me. She gets me. We have gotten better acquainted through a writer’s group and other conferences we have both attended. But there have been some special ways too.
When I was ready to publish EnVision YOU five years after our first meeting, she was the one who wrote the foreword for the book. And did a gracious interview with me during the launch. You can catch it here.
Over a year ago, we both ended up at the SPEAK UP conference in Grand Rapids, near her home. She told me about another group she was working with that were definitely ‘my people’.
So this fall, I joined the Realife Process group with Teresa McCloy to get some CCEs for my coaching credential and ended up getting an additional Spiritual Formation Coaching credential. She was right, ‘my people’. Truly a God time for me.
The course ended with a retreat, and who was the hostess for the weekend? My friend Nancy! 10 years from our first meeting.
Nancy & Kathy at Realife Process Retreat Fall 2025. Ten years after our first meeting.
So why I’m writing all this, because I needed to see the hand of God in our ‘random’ meetings over the years.
But even more curious is why you’re still reading my story.
I’m guessing it is because you know that ‘nudge’.
Either you felt it and ignored it, as I almost did. What are the emotions you might still have about that moment? What does it teach you when you sense another ‘nudge’?
Or maybe you just need to remember how God used a ‘nudge’ like that to change your life somehow. I invite you to sit with that for a while. How did life change? Who do you need to share your memories with because God used them in your life?
I got a chance to thank Nancy for the ways God has used her in mine. I’d love to hear what you do with your insights from reading all the way to the bottom of this long post.
There must be a ‘nudge’ somewhere in all this.
Leave a comment below. Would love to hear your thoughts.