My pen needs to create words and thoughts and things that can only be expressed through ink.
Words help tell our stories and relate to one another. They convey both the good and the bad, the lovely times and the bruised times. But lies often slip in to whisper about shortcomings, convincing the creator that the gift is not actually a gift, but rather a silly dream and a waste of precious time. These lies tried to become a permanent companion and caused my footing to slip for a time. My pen begged to scratch the empty pages, but the mind had already surrendered to the lies. The words were locked and buried, safely hidden somewhere in the deep.
But eventually the words needed to escape and became too strong to contain, a force much like the moon pulling the tide. The words begin to flow, the dam shattered. An unexpected opportunity caused the heart to sing and through the fear I submitted a yes to participating in a writing intensive webinar.
Women's ministry is still woven into my very being.
This reality serves as a balm and sweet relief to my soul. A rough season of seeking community with depth left me weary and worn. I rested until I became restless. Women's ministry is sealed somewhere on the strands of my very DNA. And although this season looks very different, the outpouring of love and life remain one of those glorious mysteries of which I will always long to be a part. To know and be known. To walk alongside women, to provide counsel, to invite others to walk alongside me. It's hard and messy and lovely and refining.
Writing love notes to strangers is a game changer.
Pretty stationary and fancy pens do not a letter make. It's the words that are formed and the encouragements expressed that touch hearts and help heal and mend those who are broken or hurting or just simply trying to get by. More Love Letters allows strangers to share life through letters. Speaking words of love and life and truth is a joy and privilege. Leaving a note for a stranger to find is exhilarating, and it provides an opportunity to offer prayers for neighbors that you may never meet. There are also opportunities to write letters and speak directly to the specific needs of strangers. It's one of those blessings that you give and yet somehow receive. If you're looking for a way to love your neighbor, write a letter. It might just change someone's life..and that someone might just be you.
There's never a good time--just pick a time and buy the ticket.
After years of well intentioned words the only thing left was to take action. She moved with her family to New York--a Bama Belle in the Big Apple. The only thing keeping me from hugging and chatting and sharing moments with a dearest of friend was busy. The ever present schedule and to-dos. Reasons and excuses to stay will be ever present, but living and adventure and taking a vacation are real too. I bought the ticket. So now there is the counting down of days, outings to plans and outfits to choose. Because I'm going to New York.
Foam rolling hurts and I hate it, but I love it.
Lifting and running and barre make the muscles scream in pain. And foam rolling hurts. I'd rather skip the rolling, if you don't mind very much. But skipping the rolling would not allow the muscles to recover as they could. Staying comfortable and avoiding the pain is preferred, but that's not how muscle recovery works. Or life.
Sometimes we have to walk through the hard, and usually for longer than we'd prefer, in order to enjoy the benefits of refinement, in order to become a better version of the very one we were created to be. We rub against others and learn some tough lessons and find that our rough edges begin to smooth out a bit. The process allows us to die to ourselves more and more, becoming more undaunted in our radiance of love and life and freedom.
I prefer smooth and polished and fierce. (I also prefer long and lean and strong, in the muscle area.)
It's okay. I'm a little bit high maintenance.
There is a problem. Ignoring it will not make it go away. Listening to and caring for the body is a discipline. Maybe I'll have to cut out wheat and dairy and *sad sigh* coffee forever, or maybe just for a season. But when the body is feeling better, sleeping more soundly and enjoying more energy the sacrifices pale in value.
Even coffee..sort of.
Learning and sharing is fun. What have you learned in the past month(s)?
