It
has been a long time since I have visited this blog, and even longer
since I have written on. But I believe God is orchestrating something
in my life that involves me using this on a regular basis. And so
here I am, sitting at my laptop writing again. I would like to begin
using this blog for what I wrote before as its intended purpose. To
chronicle my walk and keep up with what God is doing in my life. So
here I shall explain what has been going on to bring me back to this
blog and writing in general.
I
love writing. I really do. But when it comes to actually doing it I
am missing two things. Any guesses? Its not that I don't have a way
to write. I have notebooks galore, a favorite pen, and a nice laptop.
Is it time? Nope. All I need to do is give myself a few extra minutes
in the morning after my devotionals, which is easy enough. How about
having a place maybe? Everyone knows it flows easier if you have a
place to do these things consistently. No. I have a pretty
comfortable place at our dining table, (where I am sitting right
now), and even a writing desk that I built in a little nook of our
house that I am looking forward to using. How about the motivation or
drive to actually write? That strikes a nerve, a pretty big one when
I think about it.
You
would think that the joy of doing something would be motivation
enough, but alas, in my case it hasn't done the trick. My wife has
been a constant source of encouragement, giving me plenty of reason
to write, including pulling out the big one, "Didn't God tell
you to write?". Um, yea, I thought so. I'm pretty sure He...
Yes, He did tell me. But did I avail myself of it? Of course not! But
fortunately He was not finished with me in the writing department. I
was not fired and removed from the payroll yet. He was merciful to me
yet again. And in His grace something happened. Another chance to
walk in what He is directing.
In
what seemed a random "like" of what someone had to say
about a passage of the bible that spoke to me on a sight devoted to
books, I was contacted by the person who wrote it. Messaging back and
forth a few times about writing prompted Brian, (who by now I was
beginning to see as a friend), to ask about possibly doing something
where we would go through a book of scripture and each writing what
God was speaking to us. I could hardly believe it. In His infinite
wisdom He was giving me a way to write with accountability! I know
His ways are mysterious, but even almost 2 weeks later I am still
reeling from it. And to know the the Lord is blessing Brian in this
is as well just makes it all the sweeter.
So
what is the other missing piece? How about I just admit it.
Discipline. There I said it. Or wrote it to be more precise. But I do
say it a lot when it comes to others. Like my children, or to the men
in my men's group. And then to see the lack of it in my personal life
makes it feel as if I have 10' 6x6 solid oak post in my eye. If I
actually do succeed in helping remove that splinter from someone
else, am I just using it to add to my own post? Well, I have some
happy news in the coming from the discipline sector. In another twist
coming from another friend, Johnathan, I asked him about doing a big
hike with me. Now Johnathan has a love of running, specifically trail
running. And when I say love, well, let's just say he is a very
passionate individual. In almost everything that he involves himself
in. Now I like it when I can be out and do a little trail running.
Such as when hiking I can run for five or ten minutes every hour or
so. The proposed hike is 13.5 miles and he says "Lets run it!".
So here I am at almost the same time as I am receiving my
motivational portion, and here I am given the discipline. If I don't
start running every morning for the next 4 months I will probably die
on that trail. And knowing Johnathan, he would probably pick me up
and keep running.
To
conclude, God is faithful, and He does what He deems necessary to
move us along. Now it is my part to walk in His grace and be faithful
to what He is asking.
