hope & healing for your journey through the unexpected
Living a life of intention by pursuing what is slow, simple, and good. Find resources, tips, and tools that focus on intentional living.
I’m honored to have my article “Letting Go to Embrace” included in the Change issue of the Iola magazine. It was written for anyone who has ever struggled to let go of the life they had planned and embrace the one they’ve been given. Enjoy a preview in this post!
Pen poised over my journal one morning, I felt a nudge to be still. “Take some time to rest and just be,” the voice in my head prompted me. Over the next 24 hours, I contemplated those words. I tried to piece together what I was being called to do. Deep down, I knew, but it was easier to ignore that voice.
I continued to pursue the easy path and pressed on as I attempted to pay no mind to the pull I felt—the voice telling me to stop striving and to seek rest.
A few weeks later, the pull became too strong to ignore. I had no choice but to pay attention.
I caught myself reliving my past. Trying to rush back to “normal.”
Just as I had suppressed the magnitude of my initial tumor diagnosis four years prior in favor of continuing on with life as usual, I noticed myself trapped by similar coping mechanisms when chemo treatments came to a happy, abrupt end.
It was time to “move on” and “get back to life” as I once knew it. At least, that is what the world seemed to have to say about it. But life as I knew it had forever changed. Slowly, I recognized that while my body had healed, there were other parts of my story where healing had just begun. Over the last year, as I’ve walked toward healing, I’ve discovered that when it comes to healing, your pace is your pace.
Today, I celebrate the start of a new decade. I turned thirty at 12:04 am.
A few months ago, I couldn’t wait to turn thirty. I was ready to leave my twenties behind and all the craziness I never expected to live. I managed to do a thing I often do and convinced myself my thirties offered a fresh, clean slate—a second chance for life to prove this decade could be different.
But as I write this, I’ve recognized the error of my ways.
Not very much of my twenties went according to my plans, but I’m continually learning that the path I never would have chosen can still lead to a full life.
Last week, I paused to listen and learn from a wide range of voices—specifically, Black voices. Some voices I listened to I know and trust; others were new to me.
It was a good, necessary pause that led me to this truth: when we know better, we must do better.
The abundant life Jesus came so that we may live is not for some, but all. When I believe there are systems in place that prevent certain people from achieving an abundant life, it is my responsibility to take action to make it right.
In this post, I am sharing how I feel stirred to move forward; to walk as Jesus walked and live as Jesus lived.
What if one of my loved ones contracts COVID?
What if I lose my job?
What if life never returns to normal?
Life seems to present us with an extra dose of “what-ifs” whenever it takes a turn for the unexpected.
Have you felt the weight of “what-ifs” lately? With God, we can replace the what-ifs with even ifs.