I believe that part of my passion/calling/spiritual gifting is encouraging others. I have been thinking and praying a lot about how I can best use this blogging space to do just that...to spur others on in this journey of life.
What draws you to a blog? I have realized that the blogs I follow religiously and truly look forward to reading are those that dive into *real life* and give me a glimpse into a *real person's* struggles, joys, and passions. I want to author a blog like that...I want to write from my heart, to share what my *real, dirty, unedited life* looks like.
I don't know exactly what that new blog will look like or when it will unfold, but it is on the horizon. It is easy to look at someone's little piece of the internet and think, "Gosh, what a perfect life." I don't want that. I want others to read what I write and come away thinking, "Thank goodness there is someone else on this planet who struggles with that! Maybe we can learn how to grow together!"
Part of the process of deciphering what my new blog will look like is examining my heart and narrowing down the message(s) I want to share. A few things that I know I am passionate about are:
Beauty...and the battle many women fight to feel beautiful
Single living
The grief journey...what it looks like to grieve after losing a loved one
Kids! Especially those who are vulnerable and alone.
Nursing.
I'm not sure if I have many readers still out there, but if you are, what kinds of things do you want to read about?
..."Tell me 10 things you're thankful for"
Today I am weary. Not the kind that can be cured with a nap, but the kind that leaves your heart feeling like it is running a marathon. I wish I could explain why, or what sort of marathon I have been metaphorically running, but I don't really even know or understand myself. I'm just tired...drained...empty.
When I was younger, one of my bestest friends in the world, who also happens to be my wise older sister, would always pull me out of a funk (i.e. miserable pity party) by requiring me to do "thankfuls" with her. She would say, "Tell me 10 things you are thankful for." Nothing like being grateful to remind you that life is not all about you pull you out of a funk. Did I mention that she is wise?
My thankfuls for tonight:
1. A picnic at the park with a friend
2. Surviving kids' church this morning...thank you Jesus for wisdom and flexibility! Two essentials when you are dealing with 12 preteen boys. Ha!
3. Iced coffee. Um, yes please!
4. Baby snuggles with the sweetest, most laid back baby I have ever met. For reals.
5. A beautiful day yesterday...building a pond for a sweet lady and her family. Boom!
6. House M.D. Be still my sarcasm/bloodgutsgore/mysteriousdisease-loving heart.
7. A robin's nest with new life cooking...right outside my bathroom window.
8. Windows. Seriously...spring would not be the same without them.
9. Rollerblading at sunset...what I am about to do = )
10. His mercy...which is new every morning. Amen and amen.
