Gosh, I’m looking back and can’t believe that I haven’t blogged since the end of January. “Time flies when…” well, these days, time just flies.
I’ve been in a season; which is (one of) the reasons that it’s been so long. I don’t remember where I heard it, but someone recently depicted for me how our lives can be a bit like the metaphor of a slingshot. Let me explain. Sometimes we have to be pulled back, with a lot of tension, to then be launched forward. And I feel like, recently, I’ve been in the midst of the “pull back”. I tell you this for many reasons: to allow you to know where I’ve been, to always show up on this platform authentically, but also to share some things that I’ve been doing while navigating this season of my life. Also, if you find yourself in this same “interim” period, whether now or in the future, these may be some things that you can try too.
Number one: I’ve been really intentional with prayer. Leaning on my Creator, who has already gone before me and won the battle, has been the most humbling and beautiful opportunity. Prayer is a beautiful invitation to have a conversation with our Heavenly Father. Let that marinate for a minute. Because He loves you, because He cares about you, he invites you into a conversation with Him. What ?! Wow. What a gift. Ok, I digress….. In most (good) conversations, it’s a two-way street, right ? Some talking, some listening. In this season, I’m practicing listening, I feel as though I’ve heard God say, “Hey. In case you haven’t figured it out yet, I have the control. Not you. Not anyone, actually. It’s me. It’s mine. Give it up. To me.” And if you know me personally, you know that I am someone who loves control, like loves it. But, trust me. It’s so much better this way. When I picture what this looks like in my mind, I feel like I’m standing at a crossroads. I can go right or left. I can go one way and try to control everything, and continue to be let down by my limited mind and human experience, or I can go the other way and surrender it all. Give it all to God. And the most beautiful part? The one that led me to that crossroads in the first place is Jesus, himself. Like the latest and greatest, most updated version of the best GPS you could ever imagine. He led me there as if to say, “Are you going to allow me to take it from here; because I’m ready to.”. “Yes (please !) and AMEN !”. In addition, so often, lately, no matter where I am or what station that I’m listening to, I keep hearing the song, “You’ve Already Won” by Shane & Shane. Y’all, I no longer believe in coincidences. In this season, these lyrics have been the soundtrack to my life:
I’m fighting a battle
You’ve already won
No matter what comes my way
I will overcome
Don’t know what you’re doing
But I know what you’ve done
And I’m fighting a battle
You’ve already won
Are you kidding me ?! Ugh. So good. The entire song is incredible; I’d encourage you to go and take a listen. I’ve been clinging to these words, allowing them to ground me, and continuously speaking them over my life and my circumstances.
It’s no coincidence how much of the page that took up. Prayer has literally been my saving grace.
The second thing I’ve done during this season that’s helped me so much, with no shame, is therapy. It’s no doubt that it takes the right therapist whom has values aligned with your own, but once you find them, dive in. Head first.
On this same trajectory, I’ve leaned into a lot of people in my life that I look up to and trust, and are willing to pour into me. It’s been refreshing to be loved on by them. I loathe the saying, “it takes a village”, (I’m not sure why), but there are definitely many circumstances that I can point to, especially as of late, that that absolutely rings true.
I’ve also been listening to a fair amount of “self-help/encouraging” podcasts while I try my hand at a bit of cardio exercise (double, mental-clarity whammy). Two of my favorite podcasts, that I’ll plug here, in case you’re looking for a good listen are: Live & Love hosted by Lauren Akins (Thomas Rhett’s wife for my fellow country fans out there) and a podcast local to me, called Herself. Both have left me laughing, crying, contemplating, and ultimately, feeling encouraged.
I could go on and on about all the little tips and tricks that I’ve tried as I navigate this (challenging, yet so beautiful) life of mine. For the sake of your time and mine, though, I’ll leave you with this. Though I feel like I’ve had my fair shares of ups and downs lately, I know that I have a Heavenly Father that has created me to traverse these challenges and will be there every step of the way. There is a beautiful learning lesson in everything that I have ever walked through, and for that, I’m grateful. I truly believe, as I’ve been told so many times: He’s there on the mountain tops, as well as in the lowest of vallies. That’s as true for me as it is for you.
Until Next Time..
Your,
(navigating) Christian Momma