Writing
30 lessons in 30 years
year 29 was just as hard as 28 + 27 (scroll back to see), but this was the year I chose my health and wellbeing over the “shoulds.” and what a difference it makes.
I don’t take a single day or blessing for granted. this is the beautiful, hard, messy, glorious life + work I’ve been called to. and it’s delightful.
soli deo gloria
Hey grad student, you’re not an imposter.
Reader, I hear you. I know this narrative a little too intimately.
I’m in way over my head right now. What was I thinking? Why am I doing this? Oh no, I’m gonna fail. I don’t want to fail. What if they find out that I’m not really qualified to be doing this? It’s all going to come crashing down and then I’ll have nothing. I should just quit while I still can.
Well let me set the record straight. YOU ARE NOT AN IMPOSTER.
Sabbath for grad students
Finding rest when life is crazy busy.
Sabbath. If you’re unfamiliar with the term, sabbath is a period of rest and recovery that follows a period of work. For grad students, sabbath is especially important because of the long hours we work during the week. In order to show up as our best selves each Monday, we need a small, restorative break in our weekly rhythm.
On showing up
God has called you to this place—to this season—for a reason. You are convinced that this is where you’re meant to be. You were walking in alignment with God before you got here, so this is your spot. He hasn’t called you to move on, so here you stay. This is where you’re called to plant roots right now.
“So why is it so hard?” you keep asking. “God, have you abandoned me? Why would you bring me here and then allow so much opposition that I want to give up?”
Friend—you’re not alone. God has NOT abandoned you.
When you feel terrible for no particular reason
Friends, do you ever have those days where you just feel all around terrible for no particular reason? Physical malaise, exhaustion, a short temper...it’s not who you are at the core, but you can’t seem to shake it. You’re not sick, but you just feel crappy.
So what do you do?
Scripture Memorization
How many of you share those painful associations with scripture memorization from your childhood? Our parents and Sunday school teachers were doing a very good thing for us, whether we believed it or not at the time.
Fear No More
God has been calling me to a deeper level of intimacy and bolder expression of my trust in Him. I recently heard this quote: “Instead of waiting for fear to subside I have made it my friend.” WOW. The imposter syndrome is roaring inside me, so I turn daily to God, asking for His empowerment and provision. He constantly reminds me that I am exactly where I’m meant to be, doing what I’m meant to do. So…I did a thing.
February Fasting
I decided to try something abstract and fast from my time.
Most people look at me like I have two heads when I present that concept. But I found it to be wonderfully challenging and life-changing. Every single day, I went to a quiet couch, turned off notifications, set a timer for 10 minutes, and closed my eyes as I entered into my secret place with Jesus.
“fake it ‘til you become it”: BRAVE
What do you think of when someone mentions brave people?
Firefighters?
A knight in shining armor?
Yourself??
Lately I’ve been realizing that we don’t have to wear a uniform to be brave. There are plenty of daily tasks that we each face that require bravery. Recently, I have begun to see just how much fear is in my life.
I’ll admit it: I am scared of everything.