Begin Again

Hello readers! I am pleased to report that—for the moment—we are all relatively healthy and back in business, as they say. Well, at least no one’s puking . . . but as I’ve learned quite vividly lately, that can change on a dime!

So of course I didn’t enjoy the impetus that precipitated my return to the blog, but I’m quite happy to be writing again, even if it did take a stomach bug to get me there. It’s been refreshing to take this break over the past 8 or so months. Life with two under two is exhausting and challenging, and I needed to remove everything I could from my plate at that time . . .

But now, as I sit here and plan for Isaiah’s second birthday (on Friday!!) and Hemingway’s first birthday on June 2^nd (someone tell me HOW that happened??), it feels wonderful to think about writing again—carefully, thoughtfully putting words to paper and processing life out loud. This past year has been a haze: a beautiful, foggy, messy, delirious haze of babies, bottles, diapers, play dates, park days, and time to sit and play in our PJ’s all morning (and sometimes longer, truth be told).

There was many a day when I thought, I can’t do this another minute—only to think I want to do this forever the very next day. But that’s motherhood, right? It is a land of extremes. Nothing about motherhood has shown itself lukewarm thus far, and I’m afraid the extremes only become more extreme as these babies grow. Thank goodness they start out as infants and not middle school bundles of emotion and drama and questionable choices. God’s design of growth is good, for it gives us as parents time to grow as well.

So, here I am, back in this space of writing and ready to be intentional about it in a way I haven’t yet attempted. The word intentional keeps ringing in my head lately. It seems to pop up everywhere I turn, like the twisted, grotesque mushrooms that sprout in my backyard and inevitably find their way into tiny toddler hands.

Thank goodness Isaiah is past the “eat everything” phase.

Just today, I finished up Lysa Terkeurst’s bible study “The Best Yes.” Admittedly, I missed half the study on account of sickness, but I did manage to keep up with the assignments and finish the accompanying book. Initially, I thought I may not glean a lot from this study. I tend to be more of a “no” gal, particularly in this season of busy motherhood. Take my busy 2-year-old son to the library for story time? No. Meet for lunch and watch the looks of horror on stranger’s faces as they survey the epicurean massacre occurring under the table? Not a chance.

But in truth, the study gave me great insight about not only when to say yes, but the importance of saying no as well. Lysa stressed the importance of being intentional with our time. In the book, she shared how this took shape regarding her own dreams of writing when she was only just beginning. Being the green novice that I am, this spoke volumes to me and confirmed those inward whisperings telling me to pick up the pen again. Well, the computer. Isn’t it nuts how “putting pen to paper” is now essentially only a metaphor?? I can’t keep up with technology, but that is beside the point . . .

More than anything, God is impressing upon me the importance of telling your story. I was recently struck by the words of Isaiah 63:7:

“I will tell of the kindnesses of the Lord,

the deeds for which He is to be praised,

according to all the Lord has done for us—”

This is the call on all of our lives—whether we tell our stories through written word, or song, or simply by the way we live our lives, this is a part of God’s design. Many may try to argue biblical truths and refute facts about Christ, but who can argue with your testimony? Is this not what the disciples did? For them, Christ rising from the dead was not a tenant of theology—they saw it. They experienced the risen Christ. They were faithful to tell everyone they could about what they saw. And 2000 years later, we are benefactors of their faithfulness.

So that is what I’m going to do. In my own little corner of the world, I’m going to be faithful to tell of God’s loving kindness and faithfulness in my life, in the hopes that something I might share or say would encourage another sojourner to keep the faith a little bit longer . . . to lean in to faith a little bit deeper . . . to trust Him even when the world feels like it’s closing in around you and you wonder if God is really on your side—or maybe if He even exists.  

Imagine if Peter and James and Paul simply said “oh, that’s nice!” and treasured what they’d seen and what they knew in their hearts, never sharing it with their audience? This is an extreme example for sure, but God is intentional (there’s that word again) about the people He’s placed in your life and in mine. You just never know how you, telling your story, could influence another soul and bring glory to His name. You don’t have to be a writer to tell your story—you just have to be willing!

Don’t worry, I’ll go first J.

Blessings,

~Mere

“You turned my wailing into dancing; You removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to You and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give You thanks forever.”

~Psalm 30:11-12 (NIV, emphasis added)