A New Work

Today I welcome myself back to a practice of writing. As an aspiring writer since age 8, an avid journal-keeper and lover of words and poetry, I come back to this public writing platform with a tinge of doubts. Will anyone read or be interested in my words? Can I consistently keep up a blog? (This is my second or third one.) What will I write about? Yet, in an unprecedented time, with time on my side, I consider and think why not?

 

In April of 2018, I started a draft post titled A Time To Slow Down. I wrote, "This has truly been an adventure:

Pauper to Princess.
Minimalist to Business Professional.
Air-dried hair and a natural face to make up, curling irons and hair product, of all things!
Nomadic to settled, to balancing the shift of settled-nomadic, once again. Of course I trust the Author of this story of my life."

When all I wanted for two years was to slow down and enjoy life, God took me on the fastest-paced, roller coaster experience of a growing and successful career start that I could have never imagined for myself!

2018 was my Year of Adventure. The greatest adventure being it the year I met my husband! We first were friends, dance partners (competing in ballroom and latin dancing); then we began a courtship and we got engaged. 

2019 was my Year of Becoming. I got married! Exactly 9 months from the day I felt those first butterfly feelings for my beloved, God chose our wedding date and revealed it to my fiance. We continued the fast-paced life of working as dance instructors, competed a few times, had occasional "mini-moon" weekends throughout the year, and soaked up as much of newlywed life as we could. 

And now here we are -2020- my Year of Courage, Overcoming, and Supernatural Breakthrough. In the midst of a worldwide pandemic, being furloughed from work and then unemployed, and now refiguring every detail about my life and pondering the future, this "quarantine season" has brought much change. Yet here I am, not filling my days with very much and again enjoying a much slowed-down culture, still believing I am an overcomer! (And you are too.) Of course this looks much different than anyone would have imagined! But in the midst of the unknowns, our faith grows.

No longer nomadic, I've placed down roots. My husband and I are expecting our first baby in November(!) while I continue to explore my journey of faith in solitude, limited but life-giving community, and lots of questions. When it looks to me as though "normal" is turning to what's happening on social media and launching at-home/online work bases, "social distancing" is creating isolation on the rise. So maybe, like me, you find yourself with many questions and a limited community, seeking love, joy, contentment? Where do we start? Whether life has dramatically changed for you (perhaps you're even busier than before?) or it feels steady albeit different, there is a new normal. There is a new work that has begun.

I am confident that the Creator, who has begun a great work among you, will not stop in mid-design but will keep perfecting you until the day Jesus the Anointed, our Liberating King, returns to redeem the world.

I invite you to spend some time in reflection, for with it comes growth, self-awareness, and oftentimes, healing. A whirlwind of change has happened to me in just a couple years! Are there areas of your life that could benefit from slowing down? I invite you to consider more of this journey of faith with me in the coming days, as we seek light through the darkness and mystery of the unknown. There's nothing better than when we live, dwell and explore together in unity and in peace!