Living life so you can tell your story
I shared in my latest weekly message that I took a bit of a break to focus on healing after my back procedure. This week I have continued to focus on healing and testing the limits of my back as I prepare to head to hike El Camino de Santiago. I shared this with a dear friend and her wise words stuck with me…Sometimes you have to live life so that you can write. Another fellow writer once told me that he felt he had no more stories to share, I encouraged him to sit and write in support of one of our freelance writing opportunities and he found his voice again. It’s not that my voice has been silent or I have not felt the urge to write, it is simply that I needed to focus on healing so that I could write. It reminds me of the message of hope and restoration from the book of Jeremiah. "I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security. I will bring Judah and Israel back from captivity and will rebuild them as they were before. I will cleanse them from all the sin they have committed against me and will forgive all their sins of rebellion against me. Then this city will bring me renown, joy, praise and honor before all nations on earth that hear of all the good things I do for it; and they will be in awe and will tremble at the abundant prosperity and peace I provide for it” (Jeremiah 33: 6-9, NIV) God shares that when God restores us, we cannot help but share and rejoice at all that He has provided. Our stories are built from living life. They are built of the heartbreaks and joys of living.
I had my first speaking engagement in my civilian role last night and had the joy of speaking to the Sisters of Salvation women’s group in Dallas, NC. I sat in prayer the day prior and day of the event to ask God what I should share. A few simple thoughts came to mind based on my conversation with their lead and my prayers. I needed to share my story of God’s calling in my life. I needed to share how I got to today and where this path is taking me tomorrow as I depart on my pilgrimage. I am so thankful that God has placed me on this path to live, to build a relationship with Him and to experience His living word. I am no longer satisfied with someone telling me what is in the bible. I am no longer satisfied with holding my faith inside as my special secret. This path has given me a hunger to study His word more, to live my life in service to Him and to share my experiences with all that are willing to hear. That is the gift of living.
I shared in my speech last night that through this journey, I have come to witness God being active in our lives-not just what I read in the Old Testament. He is active right here, right now. Every chance I have to hike and be nearer to all that He created or the opportunity to share my testimony to strengthen others’ faith or encourage curiosity from non believer, I am going to take it. That is the gift of living. As I continue on this writing and speaking path, I hope God’s message resonates with all that read or hear my words. I pray that God uses me to bring joy and praise for His restoration, His salvation to all that will open their eyes and ears to hear. That is the gift of living.
Today, I pray that you take the time and break needed to heal and to live so that you may one day share your story. I am sure it will be amazing!
I pray these words spoke to you, please share with a friend. Don’t miss a blog post, subscribe to my web page.
