How to Handle a Mutiny

I want to tell you about a mutiny. It happened this weekend, at the end of our first Wonder Years Gathering at Mt. Hermon last weekend. Our first ever! And at the end—-a total revolt. (All photos by Dorothy Greco.)

It went like this. My ministry partner, Michelle Van Loon and I spent a year (a year!) planning this. A retreat for women over 40. To be seen, heard, understood. To be empowered to get back in the game, to return to the stage. To see Aging as God sees it: Age is not a disease or a disability; it is an asset, a resource, a wellspring.

We were an august group, from 45 to 75+ years old. And never in one room had I been so laid low by so many smarts, by so much richness. By such truth, rawness and Real. No more simple formulas. No more little formulaic gods. We’ve been there—-and beyond. Each woman walked through the door and we knew we were of One Tribe. Survivors. Overcomers.

But at the end, after all the meals together, all the conversations, after all the speakers had poured out their experience, when each one had absorbed their world-flipping wisdom—-it happened.

It was Sunday, nearly noon. The retreat was nearly over. Michelle and I had our program set for the last hour. We had a plan, a program. Who did what, said what and when. And we would end with a commission: to commission every woman to go back out into the world and into their church with renewed insight, renewed passion, renewed worth. It was going to be a smashing ending, with us in charge (of course).

But they revolted. In the middle of our final schedule they said, “Stop. You must hear from us what this gathering meant.” And they took our mic and passed it around. Words about changed lives, about trading in fears of aging for gratitude, words about letting go and taking up. About starting anew and retiring the bitter old. About forgiving and giving and not taking back. And they said we had to continue. They said we could not stop with this one conference. Before we knew it, they were now gathered around Michelle and me. They were praying—-for us. They laid hands on us. They were commissioning—-us.

I thought this was about them. But then it was about us too.

God turned every expectation for this gathering inside-downside up. Michelle and I, we wanted bigger; he wanted intimate. We wanted to be in charge: He kept changing our schedule. We wanted breakout sessions: He wanted a single class, that kept everyone together. We wanted to shepherd others; we did not expect to be so tended ourselves.

When you face a mutiny—-sometimes you just give in. You relinquish control. You bow your head. You give in to this force that is larger than you. And you hold your hands open even as you hang on for your very life . . ..

What will come? What will God do now? I do not know. I am scared, excited . . . These truly are the Years of Wonder . . .

What new thing is God doing in your life?