Tag: The Healing Path

Sisterhood of World Bloggers Nomination

Sisterhood of the World Bloggers AwardWe interrupt our usual programming with this special word:

I want to thank Zoe M McCarthy, author of Calculated Risk, for nominating me for the Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award.

As part of the process, Zoe posed questions that you might be curious to know as well.

1. Why did you start blogging?

Initially I started because editors and agents insisted that writers build their own readership. I tossed around a lot of topics, until my youngest daughter asked me a series of questions and helped me see that I am all about healing and peace. Once I had that focus, I began to write, and haven’t looked back. I love it! Actually, I have spent more mental time on my blog than my fiction. I count it a privilege to share my little glimpses of peace.

 

2. What was the topic of the blog you wrote that had the greatest impact on your readers and why?

That is hard to gauge, since all I have to go by are comments and stats. According to them, my posts surrounding my mother’s death have touched many readers. We all face death and loss, and dealing with that reality is not something you find in typical chitchat, or T.V. sitcom. In Glimpse of Peace I share what I see and feel. That is often scary. (No. It’s always scary to be so transparent.) My point is more than the pain. We all have that. I try to share hope. Real hope.

 

3. What is your process from getting a blog idea to announcing your just submitted post?

As soon as I hit “Publish,” my mind begins seeking the next one. All week long, everything I read, see, hear and undergo runs through that filter. Sometimes a phrase will hit the mark, other times an experience, and sometimes it’s a picture, saying or Bible verse that speaks volumes to me. I have to refrain from thinking about “what they need,” but focus on what is most real to me. That is what resonates with others as well. Once I sit and start typing, the words usually flow. Then I’m on to finding the right photos, sometimes embedding my poetry or verses into a photo, and formatting the whole lot. I go through many revisions until I cry uncle and hit “Publish.”

 

4. What is something you’d like to learn how to do to improve your blog this year?

Mechanics is probably what I spend the most time on, and get frustrated with. I’m learning some html. That and the photos. My husband has thousands of great ones, so I spend way too much time going through pictures, formatting, etc. They have become integral to my blog. So I want to learn how to do it all without spending hours after I’ve finished the writing.

 

5. What kinds of blogs do you enjoy reading?

I love contemplative blogs with writing that drills through to my heart, like Ann Voskamp and Dani Di Lucca. I also spend lots of time on how-to’s, everything from Zoe McCarthy’s writer helpls, to how I can get more toner from my cartridge. I’m a funny mix of artistic and practical, so I run the gamut. My biggest problem is limiting myself. There isn’t enough time for all I’d like to read!

 

6. What are three words that best describe who you are?

Insightful, caring, contemplative

 

7. What book did you most enjoy reading last year and why?

That’s hard. I love books! This year I haven’t allowed myself a lot of fiction reading, other than those I judged for the Carol Awards or critiqued. I think The Healing Path: How the Hurts in Your Past Can Lead You to a More Abundant Life, by Dan B Allender has impacted me the most. It has a companion study guide which my daughters and I are doing together, by phone. It has been revealing and healing.

 

8. What is a non-blogging goal you’d like to accomplish this year?

I started to say that was easy, then realized it isn’t. My first goal is consistent physical wellness, so that I can accomplish the other, which is to finish editing my novels and get them in print, and finish writing my contemporary one, which has been awaiting my attention for too long.

 

9. When you’re not blogging, what do you enjoy doing?

• Taking Lily, my Golden Retriever, to the beach
• Singing and worshiping with my husband
• Time with my kids and grand kids and other family members
• Reading
• Writing
• Bible study
• Gardening
(not necessarily in that order)

 

10. What was a spiritual lesson you learned in the past year?

God is enough.

 

My nominees for the Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award are:

Dani Di Lucca at http://www.bloomingspiders.com
Keri Wyatt Kent at http://www.keriwyattkent.com/will-you-follow-the-voice-of-love/#comment-15764
Sandi Rog at http://sandirog.blogspot.com/
For pure fun:
Kelly Klepfer at http://kellyklepfer.blogspot.com/

 

Questions for my nominees:
1. What motivates you the most?
2. What are your goals for your blog?
3. Do you write anything outside of blogging?
4. What is your biggest challenge
5. Who do you admire the most?
6. Do you prefer fiction or nonfiction?
7. What book has influenced you the most?
8. What is your greatest fear?
9. If you could accomplish one thing this year, what would you choose?
10. What is your greatest blessing?

Now it’s your turn, dear reader. Will you share your answers to any of those questions?

Settling into this journey

Last week’s post, Under Construction, was not about life as I’d like it to be, all pretty with bows on top. Surely after being a Christian for a very long time, even serving as a missionary in Honduras for eight years, you’d think I’d have all the kinks worked out, be as polished as the exterior I can present. After all, isn’t that the goal, being a great specimen for God?

Am I a failure because I’m not actually there yet?

If so, I’m in pretty good company, since Paul, who wrote the majority of the New Testament, said he still struggled.

But rather than being a painful time, as some might suppose, I’m loving the benefits of having to continually seek God for the healing path. 

And I am giving up my life-long quest for perfection and people-pleasing.

This week on Chris Fabry Live, T Davis Bunn talked about his latest novel, The Turning. He said the main character couldn’t pull his life together without a big change. After all, if he knew what to do, he would have already done it. He needed to learn to quiet himself, to listen to God’s voice.

And that is where The Healing Path is carrying me (aided by my broken hand), to try less and listen more. To give up the struggle to do more, and receive who I am in the love of the Great I Am. To hear the Voice of Life.

Where is your journey taking you?

Santiago by Jack H Thompson John 3:3
Santiago by Jack H Thompson
John 3:3

Under Construction

Continuing The Healing Path with two of my grown daughters, at every turn of the page I run headlong into my failures. All the times I journeyed poorly. Became blind-leading-the-blind for my children.

I really tried, most of the time, when my own wounds didn’t shout louder. To give my children a “so much more” life than I grew up with.

Neglect. Betrayal. Failure to act.

It’s a punch to the solar plexus as I recognize how my weaknesses betrayed my children, my needs took precedence over theirs.

Janie 4th grade
Janie 4th grade

Clearly, I haven’t been the person I yearned to be when I was ten, writing in the margins of my little white New Testament. My life did not take the track I planned.

But that’s not all there is.

When Jesus stretched out his hands and called me across the water, he began to work in me, sometimes breaking down and building anew, at times pulling up from my past to create an unknown strength.

It’s been a long pathway, full of twists and turns. I’m a work in progress.

Winding path in Switzerland © Jack H Thompson
Winding path in Switzerland © Jack H Thompson

At times, I jump in and try to help out. That never works out well. I’m still flawed, unable to make myself who I really want to be.

More and more, I sense that am being healed. Clay being reshaped by the Master Potter. Set free to be the person I was created to be.

I am fashioned by Love, to love. Created to create.

Whether you are in the “I’ve made too many mistakes” crowd or the “wait for me to get it all together” boat, I’m stretching a hand your way, inviting you to the dance of the “make-overs”. (HGTV doesn’t even come close!)

You are welcome to join the Under Construction Crew.

Come on in. The water’s fine!

Scripture leaves no doubt about it: There’s nobody living right, not even one, nobody who knows the score, nobody alert for God. They’ve all taken the wrong turn; they’ve all wandered down blind alleys. . . .
The God-setting-things-right that we read about has become Jesus-setting-things-right for us. And not only for us, but for everyone who believes in him. A pure gift. He got us out of the mess we’re in and restored us to where he always wanted us to be. And he did it by means of Jesus Christ. . . .
This is not only clear, but it’s now—this is current history! God sets things right. . . What we’ve learned is this: God does not respond to what we do; we respond to what God does. We’ve finally figured it out. Our lives get in step with God and all others by letting him set the pace, not by proudly or anxiously trying to run the parade.

Romans 3:9,14,28 The Message (YouVersion)

Where are you in the journey?