Yes, the Master-Teacher sees so clearly our beautiful messes and is so pleased that we invested our hearts. He knows what second grade work looks like and pours out grace. His delight is in our delight of learning, growing, and transforming; but most of all, bringing the assignment to Him.
Thank you so much. I needed to read this. I have had a lot of grief and tragedy in my life that has left it as less than a glimmer of what my life was like before the tragedy. I do mourn what my life would have been like, but I think also I am afraid to dream about what it could become. So while I need to read the book, I need to let wonder back in without writing the book.
yes ... the "to be continued" of this post has to do with dreaming again ... His dreams. I'm so sorry for your loss. Tragedy can do quite a number on the heart for years and years. Stopping to pray for His hope to be imparted as you "read the book."
This is exactly what I needed right now. I am often toiling in my idealism. Something that came to mind when I was reading your words was a word from a wise grandmother(mother of our pastor)…it was that I should wait for opportunities, not chase them. I am still chasing them, thinking I will miss out. Thinking others don’t see my gifts and won’t ever ask… thank you for the beautiful conviction. Please pray for me as I want to engage with my homeschoolers (8 & 13) and be present for my high schooler (17) and my husband alongside a dream I believe I was given to serve women as a wellness educator and whole health coach and take steps to build community and a womens wellness retreat center.
Wow! This hits home! I’m glad you’re considering this at your young age instead of, like me, still trying to write my story. I have definitely put my pen down many times but still pick it up wanting to do some editing. Thanks for your words.
Oh hello friend! Thank you for this sweet note! (And thank you for caring for Nate and his buds as ya'll did last month -- they had the trip of a lifetime!)
I love and need this piece. I also wonder - what do we (I) do when the resistance to the story is grief or anger? Sometimes it just kicks its head up and I find myself struggling and resisting because the story took a turn I haven't figured out how to grieve all the way.💜
Thank you so much for this, dear Sara. I did not even realize this is what I am doing so often! Great Godly wisdom, Sara! You are such a blessing to so many❣️
Such good words that are a sacred echo to my heart!!! We are in the midst of a big transition and I know God is up to something but it still feels painful and not what I had imagined.
Sara, thank you once again for putting so well into words what we are all feeling. What a great visual phrase that I am going to try to put into action, trusting in the Author of my story and the stories of my loved ones ❤️
Wow Sara, I really needed to think this through. It is so _human_ to try to write one's life, so human to try to control what one is going through. We just do it knee jerk. Cannot stop ourselves, I think. Thank you for talking about this. I do not think I've ever thought about writing versus reading of life. Hopefully that "visual" will help me to make sure I'm resting in Him as I watch what He does. I wonder sometimes how to deal with life and what is my part versus His part.
This is so beautiful, Sara. A lovely image from childhood too. Good on Dad for letting you build your little township ... when it sounds like other members of the class may have had some help.
The Lord gave me a nudge the other day suggesting I turn to His book rather than all the other excellent books I turn to ... I'll read something about the "Jesus Way'" and race off to grab Eugene's book of the same title ...when the Spirit nudged me: "Yes, Eugene's book is a beauty, but why not read my book and I'll show you my way!"
So thank you for another nudge, Sara.
Oh, and I'm in awe you finished Monte Cristo - I so want read it but am a little terrified of its length.
This reminds me of a month where I felt the Lord encourage me to fast books. For some that would be nothing, for me this felt worse than fasting food (well, not really ... but close). Your "nudge" makes me want to pray for more hunger for His Word in my life.
I will, Lord willing, set out on a run this morning, and as I do I will be pondering these words which seem almost identical to my own thoughts. In childhood, my imagination was a God-given gift that “saved” me from being overcome by the unstable reality that was my life. It gave me hope for different and better. As an adult it has, at times, worked in the same way, but mainly it has led to disillusionment, discontentment, and discouragement over the disparity between what I had spent so much time envisioning and what was my reality.
How does a gift turn on you like that? Is it no longer a gift? Is it now time to leave the world of dreams and succumb to the life of “put your big girl panties on” and “suck it up Buttercup?”
I absolutely want to live fully in the real life God has given; I just want to know if there’s a place for dreams and hopes in it? Could I repurpose the gift of my childhood for these days..?
Yes, the Master-Teacher sees so clearly our beautiful messes and is so pleased that we invested our hearts. He knows what second grade work looks like and pours out grace. His delight is in our delight of learning, growing, and transforming; but most of all, bringing the assignment to Him.
Thank you, Sara, for the reminder. I needed it.
Thank you so much. I needed to read this. I have had a lot of grief and tragedy in my life that has left it as less than a glimmer of what my life was like before the tragedy. I do mourn what my life would have been like, but I think also I am afraid to dream about what it could become. So while I need to read the book, I need to let wonder back in without writing the book.
yes ... the "to be continued" of this post has to do with dreaming again ... His dreams. I'm so sorry for your loss. Tragedy can do quite a number on the heart for years and years. Stopping to pray for His hope to be imparted as you "read the book."
This is exactly what I needed right now. I am often toiling in my idealism. Something that came to mind when I was reading your words was a word from a wise grandmother(mother of our pastor)…it was that I should wait for opportunities, not chase them. I am still chasing them, thinking I will miss out. Thinking others don’t see my gifts and won’t ever ask… thank you for the beautiful conviction. Please pray for me as I want to engage with my homeschoolers (8 & 13) and be present for my high schooler (17) and my husband alongside a dream I believe I was given to serve women as a wellness educator and whole health coach and take steps to build community and a womens wellness retreat center.
i love this wise word you've shared!
Wow! This hits home! I’m glad you’re considering this at your young age instead of, like me, still trying to write my story. I have definitely put my pen down many times but still pick it up wanting to do some editing. Thanks for your words.
Oh hello friend! Thank you for this sweet note! (And thank you for caring for Nate and his buds as ya'll did last month -- they had the trip of a lifetime!)
I love and need this piece. I also wonder - what do we (I) do when the resistance to the story is grief or anger? Sometimes it just kicks its head up and I find myself struggling and resisting because the story took a turn I haven't figured out how to grieve all the way.💜
oh girl, this is the SAME question I'm asking about grief ...
Well, let's convene when we have it all figured out ;) (in the meantime..."where else would we go, Lord? You have the words of life...")
ha! yes -- that glorious day I keep thinking might happen "when we have it all figured out"!
Thank you so much for this, dear Sara. I did not even realize this is what I am doing so often! Great Godly wisdom, Sara! You are such a blessing to so many❣️
awww ... thank you Lois
Beautifully and well-said. And still so true at age 66. Thank you!
I love hearing sage voices weigh in -- we need to know what these things can look like in the decades ahead!
Such good words that are a sacred echo to my heart!!! We are in the midst of a big transition and I know God is up to something but it still feels painful and not what I had imagined.
Sara, thank you once again for putting so well into words what we are all feeling. What a great visual phrase that I am going to try to put into action, trusting in the Author of my story and the stories of my loved ones ❤️
Wow Sara, I really needed to think this through. It is so _human_ to try to write one's life, so human to try to control what one is going through. We just do it knee jerk. Cannot stop ourselves, I think. Thank you for talking about this. I do not think I've ever thought about writing versus reading of life. Hopefully that "visual" will help me to make sure I'm resting in Him as I watch what He does. I wonder sometimes how to deal with life and what is my part versus His part.
This is so beautiful, Sara. A lovely image from childhood too. Good on Dad for letting you build your little township ... when it sounds like other members of the class may have had some help.
The Lord gave me a nudge the other day suggesting I turn to His book rather than all the other excellent books I turn to ... I'll read something about the "Jesus Way'" and race off to grab Eugene's book of the same title ...when the Spirit nudged me: "Yes, Eugene's book is a beauty, but why not read my book and I'll show you my way!"
So thank you for another nudge, Sara.
Oh, and I'm in awe you finished Monte Cristo - I so want read it but am a little terrified of its length.
Blessings, my friend x
This reminds me of a month where I felt the Lord encourage me to fast books. For some that would be nothing, for me this felt worse than fasting food (well, not really ... but close). Your "nudge" makes me want to pray for more hunger for His Word in my life.
Yep .... that would be really really hard for me too. Maybe, it's something I should try. (gritted teeth emoji)
Thank you so much for this, Sara.
Really enjoyed reading this. The wisdom you shared resonated with me immensely!
Beautiful and true. Thank you for taking the time to craft this.
What a great read to wake up too!
Thank you, Sara.
awww ... thanks, Melody.
Sara,
I will, Lord willing, set out on a run this morning, and as I do I will be pondering these words which seem almost identical to my own thoughts. In childhood, my imagination was a God-given gift that “saved” me from being overcome by the unstable reality that was my life. It gave me hope for different and better. As an adult it has, at times, worked in the same way, but mainly it has led to disillusionment, discontentment, and discouragement over the disparity between what I had spent so much time envisioning and what was my reality.
How does a gift turn on you like that? Is it no longer a gift? Is it now time to leave the world of dreams and succumb to the life of “put your big girl panties on” and “suck it up Buttercup?”
I absolutely want to live fully in the real life God has given; I just want to know if there’s a place for dreams and hopes in it? Could I repurpose the gift of my childhood for these days..?
Such important questions …!!