"YOU ARE A WRITER.
YOU JUST NEED TO WRITE"
You Are a Writer (so start ACTING like one)
by Jeff Goins
I started a new book yesterday and that is what the author told me. It is not about writing well it is just about, well, writing. I actually started years ago, writing down my gifts, and I am still counting. Having the perspective to be thankful in all circumstances takes constant, daily practice. When I stop I lose perspective. This year I am trying to be intentional, to see differently more consistently and to learn from life. Writing helps me process. Writing helps me remember all I have to be thankful for.
FEBRUARY taught me a few things. And I don't want to forget; I want to celebrate those moments by documenting them. This audience of my writing is ME, freeing me from expectations other's might have from my posts. Jeff taught me that too. So for the record here is what I learned from February and all I had to be thankful for in those lessons.
1. I lost my mother-in-law this month. We sat with her, held her hand, said goodbye, sang, prayed and released her into the presence of her Savior just hours before her departure. She passed away just after midnight on the date of my husband's birthday. I dreaded that possibility thinking no good could come of my husband losing his mother on his birthday. But his perspective showed me I was wrong. Although the day was hard he was still blessed by all the birthday messages. He was also blessed knowing his mom was made whole in mind and body. I'm thankful for his faith. That faith is a direct result of a legacy of faith that his mother left behind. I'm thankful that her death was something we could celebrate and at the same time celebrate the life of her son. At church that same weekend an infant was also dedicated to the Lord. A life lived devoted to the Lord and a little life dedicated to the Lord. We will all come full circle on our own journey's and it is one of my greatest joys to share that journey with others.
FEBRUARY taught me a few things. And I don't want to forget; I want to celebrate those moments by documenting them. This audience of my writing is ME, freeing me from expectations other's might have from my posts. Jeff taught me that too. So for the record here is what I learned from February and all I had to be thankful for in those lessons.
1. I lost my mother-in-law this month. We sat with her, held her hand, said goodbye, sang, prayed and released her into the presence of her Savior just hours before her departure. She passed away just after midnight on the date of my husband's birthday. I dreaded that possibility thinking no good could come of my husband losing his mother on his birthday. But his perspective showed me I was wrong. Although the day was hard he was still blessed by all the birthday messages. He was also blessed knowing his mom was made whole in mind and body. I'm thankful for his faith. That faith is a direct result of a legacy of faith that his mother left behind. I'm thankful that her death was something we could celebrate and at the same time celebrate the life of her son. At church that same weekend an infant was also dedicated to the Lord. A life lived devoted to the Lord and a little life dedicated to the Lord. We will all come full circle on our own journey's and it is one of my greatest joys to share that journey with others.
I am so thankful for all the beautiful flowers and thoughtful cards sent our way during this time of loss for my family. Thank You
2. I read my first graphic novel this month. I couldn't find the novel titled, The Little Prince so I had to settle with the graphic novel version. I think I got the gist of the story. It is a beautiful story about relationships, about loving and about viewing life with a new lens. Through the perspective of a Little Prince from another planet, I was reminded that oftentimes the eyes of the heart see the most clearly and that what really matters is invisible to the eye. The time you give up for others transforms hearts, in fact according to the fox in the story, when you spend time with others you tame the heart, taking on a sense of responsibility for one another. Once the heart is tamed you see people as fragile treasures and the heart realizes that what the eye can see is only the outer shell, the most important part is what is invisible.
I'm thankful for those who see me with their heart. I am thankful for the gift of time with friends and family. I'm thankful that as we stared at the outer shell of my mother-in-law what we couldn't see was the most beautiful process, the passing from one life to the next.
2. I read my first graphic novel this month. I couldn't find the novel titled, The Little Prince so I had to settle with the graphic novel version. I think I got the gist of the story. It is a beautiful story about relationships, about loving and about viewing life with a new lens. Through the perspective of a Little Prince from another planet, I was reminded that oftentimes the eyes of the heart see the most clearly and that what really matters is invisible to the eye. The time you give up for others transforms hearts, in fact according to the fox in the story, when you spend time with others you tame the heart, taking on a sense of responsibility for one another. Once the heart is tamed you see people as fragile treasures and the heart realizes that what the eye can see is only the outer shell, the most important part is what is invisible.
I'm thankful for those who see me with their heart. I am thankful for the gift of time with friends and family. I'm thankful that as we stared at the outer shell of my mother-in-law what we couldn't see was the most beautiful process, the passing from one life to the next.
Special thanks to my son, who is wise beyond his years, for sharing this beautiful story with me.
3. I was reminded that the best way to live life fully satisfied is to live a life of service to others. In John chapter 6 Jesus goes up to a mountain followed by a great crowd. After the large crowd rested upon the mountain top with Jesus He took 5 loaves of bread and two fish and GAVE THANKS. When everyone had eaten enough Jesus commanded his disciples to gather up all the leftovers. At a party this would be the job of a servant. But the disciples were obedient and collected 12 full baskets of leftovers.
12 baskets full for 12 disciples.
I don't think I ever paid attention before to the provision of the disciples. I've always read that story through the perspective of the miracle of Jesus to multiply the fish and loaves feeding a large crowd, but I've missed something.
Those that served the Lord were perfectly provided for.
3. I was reminded that the best way to live life fully satisfied is to live a life of service to others. In John chapter 6 Jesus goes up to a mountain followed by a great crowd. After the large crowd rested upon the mountain top with Jesus He took 5 loaves of bread and two fish and GAVE THANKS. When everyone had eaten enough Jesus commanded his disciples to gather up all the leftovers. At a party this would be the job of a servant. But the disciples were obedient and collected 12 full baskets of leftovers.
12 baskets full for 12 disciples.
I don't think I ever paid attention before to the provision of the disciples. I've always read that story through the perspective of the miracle of Jesus to multiply the fish and loaves feeding a large crowd, but I've missed something.
Those that served the Lord were perfectly provided for.
This month I am thankful for opportunities my son had to serve in kindergarten classes and teach about the importance of oral hygiene. I am thankful for the joy that filled him from those experiences. I am thankful for the opportunities I had to serve my family and honor my husband and daughter on their birthdays with time and activities that blessed them. I am thankful that sometimes Jesus also calls me to sit down and rest, while He works to provide for our needs.
It has been a full month with highs and lows, successes an'd failures just like we witnessed in the Olympic stories from PyeongChang. We all have our eyes set on the finish line. However, the intentionality of the race is what sets us apart. It is not about how decorated we are with gold medals or who finishes the race first. It's about Who we're running for. Regardless of how many times we stumble or come in last, we have the hope of a crown of glory waiting for us at the finish line. I believe my mother-in-law is sporting her's beautifully and finding holy rest after running her race with endurance here on earth.
Blessings,
Rachael
Blessings,
Rachael