I have been trying to decide where to go next with the writing journey – blog about a new Bible study, start a new category of posts, revisit Book Club and Acceptable Offering categories?  As I sit here, I have three chapters written on a book and a book proposal done.  I have met with three editors and one literary agent.  One editor took it as far as the editorial review board but, in the end, all of those doors closed.  I am at peace about it, knowing that nothing is wasted in the LORD’s economy.  I was all set to go to an amazing blog conference this past weekend, but the LORD said, Stay home.  I am at peace with that, knowing it was best for my family and me.  This past year I have had BIG dreams and now I think I need smaller ones.  I want to get back to writing regularly about things that energize me.

This week I will start on my new blogging direction: The Family Workshop.  This is the title for my unpublished book, which I hope to continue to refine as we explore this area here.

As I have always known, I am writing for my Audience of One.  Sometimes I am more keenly aware of this since He seems to be the only One reading!  But I write because it helps me think – it organizes my thoughts and it preserves my epiphanies, my ah-ha moments.  When I write, it makes me flesh out the bare bones ideas I have and it helps me thoughtfully consider what I am learning.  Also, I am too quick to forget the lessons that Yahweh is constantly teaching me, so it is helpful for me to keep a record.

If what I write is meaningful to you too, please join the discussion!  Blogging can be a lonely process and I crave community – I enjoy the “Me too” or the “I am just the opposite” comments.  But also, I think the LORD encourages me and speaks to me at times through comments…so if you have a thought about something I am writing, please share it!

The Family Workshop is about putting the Word into practice right where we live, in our first mission field, at Home.  I am excited to share with you some of things I have learned and to hear how to LORD is using your family to teach you more about Him.  Elohim is so wise – again, He never wastes anything: how many of us have learned more about how He loves us, by loving our children?  How many of us have grown less self-centered, more faithful and loving, from working out our salvation (with fear and trembling) in our marriages?  How many times have you grieved over how to train your child up in the way he or she should go, so that when they are old they will not depart from it?  Conflicts in extended family = opportunities for Christian growth? What?

Each day, each encounter within our flawed families or friendships is an encounter with the Living God, should we choose to see Him there.  He is calling us to a higher place.  He is calling us to a closer communion with Him as we travel difficult and painful paths.  In the same way, it is He, Who is showering us with His own steadfast love, when we experience love and acceptance firsthand from our dear ones.  The Family is the first place of evangelism.

Looking for meaning is all those loads of laundry, all those dirty-clean-dirty-clean dishes?  See how Jesus washed their feet.  Trying to let go of the hurt in our broken relationships?  See how Joseph responded to his brothers in Egypt.  Wondering what’s left, now that you have put your whole heart into your family?  See Paul as he found his identity in Christ.

The Word is always relevant: For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart (Heb 4:12).  While we know this is true, sometimes we struggle to see the Word in our daily lives; or sometimes we unknowingly separate the Word from our own stories, instead keeping Christ in a convenient little box, to access when we deem it necessary.  Yet it is the Word Who has written our story, so surely we make Him the constant Who provides all meaning, encouragement, teaching…redemption?

Up next…The Family Workshop: Building Your House on the Rock.  “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the Rock” (Matthew 7:24-25).

We will begin to explore this “foundational” text on Wednesday.  Any thoughts so far?

justAgirl…just like you