thankful for different

One of the things I love most about living in Nashville is the sheer amount of creativity that resides here. Seriously. Everyone seems to be oozing with talent and giftedness.

The most obvious are the musicians, of which there are many. And they have more musical talent in their pinky fingers than I have in my whole body. I absolutely love and appreciate good music, so it's incredible to live somewhere where there's always good music to be found.

But the creative genius in this city spreads much wider than the music industry.

Writers. Speakers. Artists. Photographers.

I've witnessed creative parenting. Cooking. Blogging. Couponing (mm-hmm, you read that right).

All creative story-tellers and story-makers in their own unique ways.

I am so thankful for the opportunity to interact with people who are very different from me. I thrive on conversations that stretch my thinking and my natural bent.

I've had access to a friend's car for the past few weeks, so I've purposefully filled my days with people. Friends, old and new. Creatives in diversely unique areas. Conversations that leave me thinking for days afterward.

I've sought out awkward and uncomfortable situations (for this introvert) because they challenge me in good ways. In the words of my friend Blaine Hogan, "Awkwardness creates space for us to transform into better versions of ourselves if we let it." So I've been intentional about spending time in new places, uncommon situations, and with people who differ greatly from me.

And it leaves me feeling overwhelmingly grateful. For creative differences. For opportunities. For people who see and embrace me for me.

I'm thankful for different.

Because different keeps me from staying stuck in same.

What's something uncomfortable that you can intentionally pursue this week?

me 2.0

I just stumbled upon the beginnings of a blog post that's been collecting dust in my drafts folder since January. I am the queen of unfinished ideas and unpublished posts. Sigh...

Anyway.

Back in January I attended Dream Year Weekend here in Nashville. I was wrestling through my own feelings of dreamlessness, and didn't know how to reconcile that with all the amazing stuff I was hearing at Dream Year. I had some candid conversations with a few key friends to help me sort through my own heart thoughts.

Segments of one of those conversations (a text convo at that!) have been sitting in my dusty draft blog post folder all this time.

It is amazing to see the truth and strength of the words spoken to me almost a year ago, and how they have taken shape in my life over the course of this year.

The cliff-notes version of my friend's wisdom:

• You don't need to find a new vision.
• Your vision, purpose, and passion are the core of who you are. You are all about influencing people to change for the better and to pursue Christ. That is your heart, and that hasn't changed.
• Your ministry in Africa was the vehicle and tool you used to express that and live that out for 13 years.
• Now you need to discover a different vehicle and tool to express it. But your heartbeat hasn't changed.
• That's why you've continued to be an influence through your blog, your relationships, & your Twitter interactions. That is simply who you are, no matter what.
• As you look forward into the future, the vehicle for living that out and expressing it will need to change. But the essence of who you are and what your passions are won't.
• Let's work on discovering a new vehicle...

That was a whole lotta wisdom and a whole lotta truth. In a text conversation. That my friend probably doesn't even remember having.

You know what I titled the draft post I had those bullet-points saved in?

"Me 2.0"

And a year later, I find myself finally realizing and embracing that.

Me 2.0.

I've begun recognizing ways that my passions and heart can continue to be lived out, even though my ministry in Africa closed. Even though it looks totally different than anything I'd ever anticipated.

So as I sit here thinking through all this, and finally turning this dusty draft into a real, live post... all I keep thinking is this:

You really never know how impactful your words can be in someone's life. Even a simple text message can make a world of difference.

So, today...

Speak into your loved ones' situation. In person, on the phone, in an email, via text... whatever. Just speak life into their heart.

They need it even more than you'll ever know.

we all have something to share

The week I moved in with the Hodges back in February, Tam put up a blog post to let people know. It was short and sweet, but beautiful (and still brings me tears to this day). In it, she asked everyone to share something that would help strengthen my heart. "I would love if you’d be willing to share the biggest piece of wisdom in life that you have."

The responses that flooded in were absolutely incredible. They were filled with encouragement... truth... wisdom... love. I am as amazed now as I was then at the incredible friends God has blessed my life with. I may lack in many areas, but this much I know is true: I am rich in friendship.

Anyway... I was reading back through all those amazing comments again tonight, and I got a lump in my throat when I came to Gitz's.

"don't let fear have the power. be faithful to the struggle and live to fulfill, not understand."

There is still so much for me in her words. Maybe even more today than back in February.

And while I wrestle to understand the full meaning of those statements and how to live them out in my own life, I have to smile with tear-filled eyes because Sara showed me how.

She is my greatest example of not letting fear have the power, being faithful to the struggle, and living to fulfill rather than understand.

Just... wow.

With how impactful (why isn't that a real word?) all the comments on that post were to me, I'm going to cheat and just ask you Tam's question again. Because you guys have some seriously good stuff to share, and I can use every ounce of it I can get my hands on!

So -- without first looking back to see what you shared on Tam's post back in February ----

"I would love if you’d be willing to share the biggest piece of wisdom in life that you have. Maybe it’s an old saying handed down from your Grandparents. Or, a favorite verse. Or something you’ve learned in your own life-journey. Perhaps share words of encouragement… Whatever it is, share it here."

I know we will all be better for it.

red letter day

It's a red letter day. No, it's not a holiday. Or my birthday. Or really a day of any special significance at all.

It's just another Monday.

Which is more than enough reason.

It's a red letter day.

His new mercies kissed me awake this morning.

He commanded the sun to shine and the earth to spin and gravity to do its job.

He breathed out so I could breathe in.

So who am I to grumble and complain about just another Monday?

It's a red letter day.

And I need to live like I believe it.

Less griping. More gratitude.

Less frustration. More praise.

For He is worthy.

And I am blessed.

On this red letter Monday.

it took a storm

I think about all that the disciples must have heard... and seen... and experienced. And I honestly can't even imagine.

I mean, I read through the Gospels and when I look at the stories from the perspective of the disciples... just... wow.

The teachings they heard. The miracles they saw unfold before their very eyes. The healings they witnessed. Their inner-circle conversations with Jesus.

Amazing.

It's clear they believed. They left their nets... their jobs... their families. They dropped everything to follow Him. They walked with Him, served Him, and told others about Him. They loved Him. They put their faith in Him.

But despite all they'd seen, heard, and experienced, it took a storm to compel them to worship Him.

Jesus stayed on shore for some solitude and prayer time, and sent His disciples across the lake in the boat. A storm kicked up and the sea grew rough. They were in serious trouble, rowing hard and struggling against the wind and waves. Out of nowhere, Jesus appeared, walking on the water toward them.

"Take courage," He told them. "I'm here."

Peter responded in reckless faith (which I love), and climbed over the edge of the boat, walking on the water toward Jesus. When he focused on the wind and waves, Peter became terrified and began to sink. Jesus reached out and grabbed him. Together they climbed into the boat and instantly the wind stopped.

Then, the Scriptures tell us -- "Then the disciples worshipped Him. 'You really are the Son of God!' they exclaimed."

Now, I have no idea whether or not this was the first time the disciples actually worshipped Jesus. But from what I can tell, this is the first recorded time. And there has to be something to that.

After all they had witnessed, it took a storm to compel them to worship.

The very presence of Christ in the midst of their fear and pain and struggle, led them to worship in a way they never had before.

Sometimes -- oftentimes -- there is more insight to be gained and lessons to be learned in adversity than in success.

Sometimes -- oftentimes -- we see Christ in new and compelling ways more in trials than in triumphs.

And sometimes -- oftentimes -- we can glorify God more because of our sufferings than our miracles.

Now, believe me, I don't like that any more than you do.

But my own experience tells me this is as true for me as it was for the disciples.

In the darkest of darkness, when the storms are raging the hardest, those are the times my heart is most drawn to true and genuine worship.

Because He is worthy even in the storm.

And He is worthy even if He doesn't save me from the storm.