It had been a long day at work and I was on my way home, driving on the open road. The sunlight was coming through the trees just like it does in the movies, and David Crowder Band’s “How He Loves Us” was playing loud on the radio. They wrote a song from their hearts, then, there. My heart received it here, now.
I clicked on the post, just like every day, nearly three years now. Ann Voskamp, the one who has been my lifeline, the one who directs me to true north. This time, what I needed from Ann, from God, was hidden. A click within her post brought me back five months to a post I needed that day, words about God’s call. She writes the song of my heart, then, there. My heart receives it daily, here, now.
Jeremy Camp’s “Overcome” played on my iPod as I ran the track overcome by such truth, and a few minutes of complete understanding washed over me. He wrote it one day, then, there. My heart was desperate for those words, here, now.
God knew I needed the words of an ordinary woman, one that’s so human and feels a little flawed and is in need of divine direction. He brought me a humble, loving, kind one who is Simply Striving, Nikki. Her blog, a welcoming and faith-filled place, and this week, not once, but twice, the words I needed. She shared her heart, then, there. My heart needed to know it’s not alone, here, now.
These ordinary and extraordinary human beings? Courage led them to share their heart through the mediums of song and word. And I can’t help but think this is the story of my life.
It’s been one year this week since I decided to move forward, follow what I believe was a nine year call to write. Because messages and thoughts came in, and I couldn’t get them to go away. They came again and again, and I couldn’t stop thinking about all of the things I wanted to share, the things I had to say. The song was in my heart, and I began composing sentences and paragraphs in my mind. And at that point? I knew those words could no longer be stuck HERE. in my brain. NO. Those words needed to be shared. That was the call. That was God’s call. I have something to say that you need to hear. Here. In this place. On this blog.
And although maybe more posts that not this year have been more about my growth, my development, my movement towards Him, my perception of our current reality, I want YOU to know this place is for YOU. This is not just my hobby, this place has something to do with my calling. I share words from my heart, here, for YOU.
Hopes that YOU will no longer feel alone. Hopes that I speak truth, to YOU. Hopes that YOU come to this place and find rest and peace. Hopes that YOU can find depth, something greater, something better. Hopes that I speak straight to YOUR heart.
Here.
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. John 10:14
Amy
It’s Friday, which means it’s time for another Meet Me At This Moment for Five Minute Friday post! I spend the last hour of Thursday chatting it up with a group of authentic and inspiring Five Minute Friday bloggers on Twitter (#fmfparty). One minute past midnight EST Friday, Lisa-Jo Baker gives us a single word prompt and we all write a blog post centered around that word. We write for five minutes, and five minutes only! In the words of Lisa, this is “unscripted. unedited. real.” You meet me at this moment in time…my thoughts and opinions, my joys and sorrows, my dilemmas and dreams. And I receive one of the greatest gifts ever…a regular outlet for processing and expressing my thoughts without constantly editing myself. This is my life, my perspective, unfiltered.
The word of the week is HERE.
I love that you are moving forward in your calling. I have been working on a message that I will be giving at a women’s conf in May about fear. It is based on Exodus 14. The focus verse is verse 15 where God tells Moses to basically just get going/move forward. Prayers for you as you walk this path of your calling.
First, I cannot believe it’s only been a year since you’ve shared here (Happy Blogaversary!)…it feels like I’ve known you longer.
Second, wow is God ever good. and my goodness does He ever pursue you…thank you for listening.
Third, He has given you an amazing story to share and I’m so proud of you for doing just that.
It’s through our mess, the contrast of our darkenss that His glory and light are revealed. And I see Him brightly through you, friend {HUGS}
Nikki, technically it’s not my blog “anniversary” until July when I launched, but this week marks one year since I decided I was going to blog, moved forward with getting it set up, etc. Thank you, thank you. You embody all I love about the safe place I have found in Twitter and blogs. A bunch of people willing to bare their souls together to create greater good.
WOW! God is so good. You are the person to link up before me on Five Minute Friday, so I am ‘supposed’ to come and read your five minutes of writing and leave you encouraging words, but it is YOU that have encouraged me through YOUR words. Every day for the last while, God has encouraged me to pursue a silent dream that I have. I am not sure how it is going to unfold. Especially since I have two very busy little children blessing my life right now and it involves writing and busy noisy children don’t really allow for much writing. Your five minutes of writing have encouraged me and I thank you for that. Thank you for the vivid imagery and the sense of peace and encouragement you have left me with. Thank you!
Dear sweet Iris: I am so glad! Perhaps you linked up right next to me because my words were to provide you encouragement today. And for that, my post, my sharing of my heart today, was all worth it!! Be still and know that God has plans for you and He will direct you…I am trusting this today, myself. 🙂 A big hug to you, and I took a peek, those two little ones are adorable!