Stretched, strengthened, and steadied by truth

Jennifer Foskey pens these words after speaking this past weekend at Memorial Heights Baptist Church’s annual Ladies Retreat. This year’s meeting was focused on “The Whole Armor of God” from Ephesians 6:10-20. Below is the sweet summary of her travels from Jacksonville to Perry, and of the time spent with the wonderful ladies of Memorial Heights Baptist Church (and several others). 

I believe God is stretching me in this season. When I first began writing, it was mostly to get the thoughts out of my head and onto my laptop, hoping that maybe something in my words would encourage someone else. Over time, He has continued to open doors I didn’t expect.

I help my husband on his Tuesday evening podcast, Your Calvinist podcast (live on Tuesdays at 9pm on YouTube, insert shameless plug here), asking and occasionally answering questions and interacting with the chat. And this past Friday, I had the opportunity to speak at a women’s conference in Perry, Georgia. It was such a joy.

My oldest and youngest daughters came with me. We made the 3.5-hour drive together, stopping at Starbucks and wandering the aisles of Hobby Lobby in Waycross (because how can you pass one without going in?). We sang Christmas music, talked, laughed, and just enjoyed being together.

Apple Maps took us the back way, through small country roads and little towns. We even found a place called Cow Tippers in Douglas, GA, which had the best sweet potato fries I’ve ever had. By the time we finally checked into our hotel, we rested for just a bit before heading to the conference.

Women from several churches attended. We shared a catered BBQ dinner and had sweet fellowship. One of the icebreaker questions was, “If you could have more of one piece of the Armor of God, which would you choose and why?” It opened so many meaningful conversations. Some women discussed where they struggle, what they are learning, and which piece of the armor feels especially needed in their lives right now. The room was beautifully decorated with displays of each piece of armor paired with corresponding Scripture.

After dinner, we moved to the sanctuary. We sang “Onward, Christian Soldiers,” and then I spoke on the Belt of Truth from Ephesians 6:10–14. My outline was simple:

Define the Truth

Defend Why Truth Matters

Do the Truth in Our Daily Lives

I shared my testimony. I was saved at 19 when, for the first time, I truly understood what sin is. I knew that I was a sinner, and that without Jesus Christ, I was lost and headed to hell. I stayed up the entire night praying and asking God to forgive me. The next morning, I drove to my mother-in-law Pat’s house and asked her to explain salvation to me. She told me to meet her at church on Sunday, but I didn’t want to wait. I was hungry for truth. God changed my life that day, and for the past 26 years I’ve been learning and growing in the grace and knowledge of Christ.

We talked about the enemy’s schemes, beginning in Genesis 3:1–5. Satan still lies, twists, and tempts us to question God’s Word today. I defined truth and talked about defending the truth. Jesus Christ is the Truth (John 14:6), and that we must hold firm to Scripture, even when culture insists that “your truth” and “my truth” can contradict. Truth is not subjective.

Finally, we looked at what it means to “do” the truth. In daily life, that looks like having gospel conversations, practicing family worship, evangelizing, serving your local church, and letting our faith shape how we live. It is inviting that new visitor from church to lunch. And of course, I shared the gospel, because it is never safe to assume everyone in the room already knows Christ.

After the conference, the girls and I drove home Saturday afternoon. Mrs. Pat spoke beautifully in the morning session about the full Armor of God. We hugged old friends, made new ones, and experienced such warm hospitality and Christian love. The women were so kind to my daughters, and the conversations around the tables were rich and genuine.

I left grateful: full, encouraged, and humbled that God allows me to serve Him this way.

He is stretching me.

And He is good.