Why I Went Away

by

Well, hello there. It’s been a while.

I’ve written a lot over the last few months but have been a bit absent here. Let me fill you in.

In February, I took a break from blogging, sharing here only what I wrote for Just18Summers. Discouragement and self-imposed deadlines had turned my writing journey into a burden, where once it had been a delight.

I spent some time asking God to refine my focus, to clarify the underlying passion He’s placed in my soul, to define the driving force behind every word I write.

Why am I writing?

What am I trying to say?

What change has God brought in my life over the last few years which could transform my readers’ lives as well?

What does He want to communicate using my voice and my story?

A single word surfaced as I prayed.

Rest.

Funny, rest has been the theme of this blog for over a year because it really is, I now realize, the singular passion of my soul. But I wasn’t living or writing from that place of soul rest.

landscape-2406116_1280So God took me back to the path we’ve walked together. He showed me again the restlessness in which I once lived and the brokenness I experienced when I could no longer keep up with life. Like it was yesterday, I remember the day when my self-sufficiency bowed to His lavish grace (Confessions of a Good Girl).

On that path five years ago, I discovered the rest which comes from trusting Jesus’ merits instead of my own – not just for salvation, but for day-to-day walking with God. From knowing and loving Him. From drawing near to Christ and staying there in the dailyness of life.

My soul learned to breathe as I experienced the beauty of His heart and the wonder of being His own accepted child. 

After God reminded me of our history together, I realized some things had to change. I needed to return to rest (Psalm 116:7)  — in life in general, and writing in particular. I asked God to show me how to balance the various callings He’s given me as a wife and mommy, teacher, writer, church member, etc.

During this time, I’ve mulled over what it means to truly live each day from a heart of rest. Because let’s just be honest. Normal life is anything but restful.

marthamartha2I keep coming back to the story of Mary sitting at Jesus’ feet while Martha bustled around her (Luke 10:38-42). Mary’s ability to rest in the middle of chaos intrigues me. Jesus’ words to a frantic Martha ring in my heart: “You are worried and upset about many things, but a few things are needed – or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:41-42, NIV, emphasis mine).

What was this one thing which enabled Mary to rest?

As I’ve pondered and prayed over that question, a new book project began taking shape in my mind, one which provides the framework and heart behind the devotional I started last summer (Things are Changing Around Here). This new book discusses in detail the one thing that’s essential to living from a heart of rest.

So I now have two books in process and two book proposals nearly complete.

Will you pray with me about these projects?

  • That God will continue teaching me to have a heart of rest
  • That I’ll live from that place as I write these books
  • That He’ll open doors to share these projects with industry professionals and provide an avenue for publication, if that’s His purpose at this time
  • That I’ll be sensitive as His Spirit guides me through this process

Here at Dazzled By The Son, we’ll continue looking at various attributes of our God and how we can rest, by faith, in who He is. I’d love for you to join me in this discussion!

What quality of God is most meaningful to you?

What quality of God most confuses you?

Let’s talk about it!

Related Posts:

Rest for the Restless

On Rest and Quiet Time

 

 

4 Comments

  1. Carole Sparks

    Ah, that elusive rest…and how to find it in the middle of the things we must do, the things we’re called to do, and the things we need to do. Praying God blesses your search and gives you clear words for the book.

  2. Stephanie Poole

    Pondering REST while I need to rest. Rest for the mind. Rest for the body. Rest for the soul. Rest in our vocabulary doesn’t always mean the same as that in HIS. Can I be busy and at rest at the same time?
    Perhaps that kind of rest only comes from spending time in His Presence before the busyness of the day begins?

    • DazzledByTheSon

      Thank you, Stephanie! I think you’re right about soul rest coming only from His presence, from spending time alone with Him and carrying His presence with us into the day. So vital! Thank you for commenting!

Email Devotions!

 

Sign up below for devotional reflections on God's multifaceted heart. Together, we'll ponder his beauty and find rest in the God who is for us.

 

As a subscriber, you'll gain access to my Freebie Library, as well!

Success! Your Welcome email is on its way. (If you don't see it, please check your spam folder.)