Living Life Free

"The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps."

Proverbs 16:9 NASB

An email greeted me today saying, "I hope your summer was fantastic." My first response was, "You have NO idea!" Then I hit delete.

My fingers froze, poised above the keyboard unable to explain the interruptions of my well-planned summer of poolside rest and writing. It took great thought to choose the right words that best described how my slow moving world's been sent spinning on its axis at warp speed and how it's all good.

You see, there's a time for rest and restoration and then there's a time

 to live life free

My nature loves peace and rest and soaking, but then all my words get lazy and there's not much to write about. No inspiration. Like the unharvested, neglected fruit on the vine -too much rest makes me rot.

God's done a great restorative work from the inside-out these past seven years; taught me what it means to abide and how hard it is to forgive, but how life frees up when you muster the courage and finally offer that forgiveness freely given. The writing it down in private and in public helped me sort it all out and figure out who God created me to be.

Now I live life free as God's writer and communicator

But not the way I imagined. No. God's taught me the price of disobedience and the blessing of obedience; that going exactly where He leads ushers in abundance and He just loves to heap good gifts upon us.

That's the kind of summer it's been. Abundant good gifts all heaped.

I touted a book to a writers conference in late July, confident that this was the writing God wanted promoted; the book He created me for. When I returned, He opened the doors to something fun and freeing - a local TV children's story hour called Penn's Pals. I never saw that on my radar - ever! But what a joy it's been so far - invigorating and creative.

And tonight, I opened another little surprise - a note stating one of my stories made the final round for publication consideration with a major publisher! If I make it, I'll know by Christmas.

Living life free means making more room for God's plans

Last year God challenged me to become more disciplined in my writing, which meant blogging consistently, four days a week. I accomplished that goal over the past twelve months. Blogging opened doors, built community with you, and honed my writing skills like nothing before. I love blogging, and will continue to do so, but now God's leading me to live and write differently.

So, what's all this got to do with you?

Generally speaking, starting Monday, September 3rd, Dawn's New Day will only publish twice a week on Monday's and Wednesdays.

Personally, I hope this urges you, inspires you to seek God's full restoration for your heart. This blog is full of stories of God's rescue, restoration and release of my wounded heart. And where God's glory shines is in the release; when we start living life free as He created us to be.

Are you living in a time of rest and restoration or is God leading you to live life free? Won't you share that encouragement by slipping a comment below?

If you're in need of encouragement, feeling more a need for God's rescue, I'd love to pray with you. You don't need to be specific, but just say, "I need prayer."

Blessings,

Dawn

Say Yes to God's Sacred Adventure

"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you...an move you to follow my decrees.." Ezekiel 3:26a, 27b

God met me in my quiet place. His Spirit blew through open windows though never rustling the leaves outside. His joy filled me up with laughter that couldn't be suppressed and it changed me.

All week long anxiety and pressure mounted, turned my world upside down and I stared my God-portunity down. This TV show, Penn's Pals, was nowhere on my radar and certainly nothing I concocketed from my own imagination, but as the week wore on and wore me out, I wondered and questioned, "Am I stepping into God's will or is this just a huge distraction from the Enemy?"

Rest finally came Thursday night. Exhausted by all the challenges I fell into God's hands and said, "Catch me, Lord. Search my heart. If this is from you, give me deep rest and breathe life in me and through me." Twelve hours later (yes, 12) I awoke, peaceful and rested.

I quieted myself inside my office sanctuary and opened the windows, welcoming His presence and Holy Spirit. Opening my devotional, He met me with these words:

"Though I am the Lord of the universe, I desire to work in partnership with you. As you say yes to this sacred adventure, you become more fully the one I designed you to be."

(Jesus Lives, by Sarah Young, (Thomas Nelson, 2009m pp. 76-77).

Hmmmm...a sacred adventure? Penn's Pals is certainly an adventure and now my spirit knew it was a sacred calling, prepared in advance especially for me; one that God intends to work in me and through me for His purposes. I'm not sure how, or what that looks like right now, but as long as He's in it, I know there's good things ahead!   I cannot express the overwhelming peace and joy that's replaced my anxious, worrisome heart. Praise God!  

Expectant.  

Standing ready and prepared to watch what God is doing,   

Dawn

Are You a Tumbling Tumbleweed?

“Blessed is the man who trusts me, God, the woman who sticks with God. They’re like trees replanted in Eden, putting down roots near the rivers…” Jeremiah 17:7-8a (The Message)

One by one, cool mornings gather – sneak between our flip-flopped days. Summer scorched edges line the garden beds and pile beneath the trees. Back-to-school bargains fill our closets and drawers. We trade loose cottons for warm wools and bare toes for socked feet.

I think of all those lazy, carefree summer days gone by as autumn rushes in, clutters the ground and my calendar. Busyness pushes her way into every day, overrunning God’s presence – threatening soul death.

God describes self sufficient, busy people as tumbleweeds in the desert – roaming aimlessly with no roots. But…

(Today, I'm visiting my sweet friend, Tracy, here at One Degree Ministries. We'll make room around the table as we share our hearts today. Let us know you're there and how we can pray for you by leaving a comment, won't you?)

Do You Want to Get Well?

"Heal me, O Lord, and I will be healed; save me and

I will be saved, for you are the one I praise." Jeremiah 17:14

Beyond the putrid orange-flavored cough syrup mixed with the stinging aroma of Vick's Vapo Rub®, winter sickness brought comfort. It carried privileges unlike normal days. Mom unfolded the hide-away couch and unfurled a freshly line-dried cotton sheet over the top, transforming our living room into our private hospital room. There we stayed, cocooned between fresh linen and her hand-sewed quilts, soaking up all the TLC she offered.

When health returned after a few short days, my heart questioned, "Do I want to get well?" The special attention, the comforts illness brought were hard to leave behind. Health threatened all this, even placed an unwanted responsibility of normal living back on our shoulders. It meant giving up our comfortable homemade cocoon.

Isn't it the same when we're soul-sick? We get so used to all the attention our tears or complaints afford that when we're led to pray, "Jesus take the pain away," we actually fortify our hearts against the Spirit's healing powers with disbelief and lame excuses. Or, maybe the pain creates a desperation and we cry out for relief, make God promises that when we're faced with them the next morning, our soul forgets, maybe regrets and soul-sickness never heals.

Jesus faced the cripple at Bethesda's healing pool; looked him straight through and asked the piercing question, "Do you want to get well?" (John 5:6 NIV) and the cripple made excuses. But Jesus accepted none and commanded him to pick up his mat and walk. His physical body healed and Jesus met up with him at the temple a few days later. This time He confronted his soul-sickness. "See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you."

It's hard to give up the comforts that sickness offers. Turning away from comfort goes against our nature, but God promises, if we turn towards Him, He has plans for us. Good and eternal plans, like He promised the Israelites long ago.

" 'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to proper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,' declares the Lord, 'and will bring you back to the place which I carried you into exile' " (Jeremiah 29:11-14 NIV).

Where are you today? Are you ready to shed your comfortable cocoon and step into God's promises for life outside it's shelter?

Father God,

We all enjoy the comforts of home, especially when we're sick. We love the attention our loving friends and family offer in those times, but we know we're not meant to stay there. Give us the desire and courage to ask for your Holy Spirit's healing powers within us, both physically and spiritually. When you ask us to get up, may we obey you without excuses and walk away from our soul-sickness into Your hope. Amen.

Back-to-School: Life Unscripted

Join me again today at Encouragement Cafe for more back-to-school specials:

“ 'What then is this child going to be?' For the Lord’s hand was with him." Luke 1:66

I wished my kids came with instructions. They wished I came with a script.

Wearing that deer-in-the-headlights look while my mind raced through the invisible Rolodex of wisdom didn't settle them one bit. If I lingered too long in dumb-foundedness, they assumed I didn't care; spoke too soon and I didn't understand. Either way it was an exasperating, losing battle and my Mommy Meter quickly ran dry of patience until all that was left was my Mean Mommy sarcasm. "What do you want me to say?" I'd retort throwing my hands above my head. "You didn't come with instructions and God didn't hand me a script the day you were born!" Honestly, some days I was the one that needed the time-out chair!

(Psssst! While you take some time out for yourself today, meet me over at Encouragement Cafe for the rest of the story. Oh, and when you're done? Let us know how you handled these same situations. Mama's need all the help they can get! See you soon.)

Back-to-School: House Full of Prayers

It's that time of year again when we trade those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer for the amped-up pace of back-to-school mania. This week at Encouragement Cafe, a few of us bloggers share how we've prepared our kids and homes for that back-to-school routine.

House Full of Prayers

Alongside the adventures of Dick and Jane and a dog named Spot, I grew up reading the Christian version, with renamed characters, Tommy and Sally. The publisher added Mommy, Daddy, and Baby but decidedly kept the dog named Spot.

I barely salvaged one book, House Full of Prayers, from my collection and today it sits, guarded in my office. (Read the rest by clicking here. Then won't you come back and share your ideas for making that back-to-school transition or how you teach your kids to pray?). See you soon.

Rescued from What?

Photo Credit: Shabby Art Boutique

"'...for I am with you to rescue and save you,' declares the Lord." Jeremiah 15:20 (NIV)

We glance across the street or over the backyard hedges and smugly reply, "Compared to them, I'm doing just fine!" But deep within that lie pricks our hearts. Something nags at us until someone or something stomps on our hot button and we explode. Covered in our drippy mess everyone wonders, "Where did that come from?"  

We shrug it off, blame it on the weather, that time-of-the-month, old age, our kids, our spouses, or our unreasonable bosses. And the next time? Well, I think you get the picture.

If we dig a little deeper, get right down to the roots, we're not really "doing just fine!" There's something there that isn't right; something that needs fixing; a heart that needs rescuing.  

We'd love it if Prince Charming rode up on his white steed and carried us away to our happily-ever-afters. We'd even settle for a long, warm, uninterrupted bubble bath! But, reality proves even Prince Charming has his flaws and warm baths grow cold. We know we need rescuing. Our hearts crave it, but what do we need rescuing from and who will come to our aid?

In the land of Jeremiah, God spells it out:

 

“My people have committed two sins:

They have forsaken me, the spring of living water,

and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water."

Jeremiah 2:13 (NIV)

In other words, their selfish pride pulled their attention away from God and when they needed rescuing they formed other gods - broken, cracked and lifeless cisterns.

Don't we do the same thing? We get so self-sufficient that we forsake God until life gets a little bumpy. Then, the first thing we turn to are idols - friends, our church, spiritual leaders, social media, shopping, food, alcohol, drugs...need I go on?

Our only hope lies in the One who formed us, who knew us before Creation. He's been in the rescuing business since Genesis 3 and He's still rescuing us today. How? Well, it's not the same as riding in on a white horse.

We have to do our part:

  

“'If you repent, I will restore you that you may serve me...for I am with you to rescue and save you,' declares the Lord.'" Jeremiah 15:19a, 20b (NIV)

If we stomp our pride into the ground and turn our eyes back to Jesus (repent), God promises He will rescue and save you. Save you from what? Beyond pride and selfsufficiency, it's personal.

Forget about your neighbor across the street or over the hedges. Get alone with God and ask Him to reveal where you hurt the most. Let Him dig deep into your drippy messes and heal your heart wounds - all those things that nag and build and explode.  

Father God, I pray for all our wounded hearts that cause such explosive messes. Forgive us. Forgive us for turning to things rather than YOU. Forgive us of pride and self-suffiency - idolatry. We turn our eyes to you, this moment, and ask that you rescue us. Save us from ourselves, from the strongholds our pride and woundedness create. Free us, Father. Rescue and save us. Amen.

God Assures: I Got Your Back

Photo Credit NowPublic.com

"Stand at attention while I prepare you for your work...I'll back you up every inch of the way." Jeremiah 1:18, 19 (The Message)

For years I've wielded my sword - protecting my heart, my marriage, my children, striving after position and swiping at my calling - until Whitney Capps spoke these words at the She Speaks Conference:

"Take up your sword but don't wield it. Stand - dressed, protected, ready - and watch God work."

Her words pierced my heart, I could barely contain my emotions. Like a battle weary soldier, my stature crumpled at the table as I recorded her words through blurry tears.

By definition, wielding means:

1. to exercise power, authority, influence as in ruling or dominating
2. to use a weapon or instrument effectively; handle or employ actively
3. to guide or direct
4. to govern; manage

When we wield our swords, we usurp God's sovereignty, authority and power over our lives and the situations. Instead of being effective we are unwieldy: unable to readily handle or manage the action, size, shape or weight; awkward and inefficient.

But when we pick up our swords and stand ready:

God assures us, "I got your back"

"I'll tell you where to go and you'll go there. I'll tell you what to say and you'll say it.

Don't be afraid of a soul. I'll be right there, looking after you." 

Jeremiah 1:7-8 (The Message)

God assures us, "I AM that I AM"

I AM making you as impregnable as a castle, immovable as a steel post, solid as a concrete block wall.

You're a one-man defense system against this culture...They'll fight you, but they won't even scratch you.

I'll back you up every inch of the way.

Jeremiah 1:18-19 (The Message)

God asks, "Will you pick up your sword and stand ready?" Will you give up self sufficiency, perfection and protection and just stand ready, faithful and obedient?

Yes? Now, watch what God will do in your midst.

~~~

Another God-portunity

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Encouragement Cafe invited us back for another chat today. Won't you join us as we discuss "Compliant vs Rebellious Hearts" in their back-to-school series? Just click here.



God's Expectations at Center Stage

"But you—up on your feet and get dressed for work! Stand up and say your piece. Say exactly what I tell you to say. Don't pull your punches or I'll pull you out of the lineup." Jeremiah 1:17 (The Message)

Want to know a secret? I love acting almost as much as writing. A girl can have two passions, yes? Acting gives me permission to try on characters like a pair of shoes. Step into this role and I'm a wretched, spoiled child. Don't like her? Step into another pair of shoes and wha-la I'm a beloved sister, auntie or mother. Oh, the endless possibilities!

The best part? Convincing the audience I truly am that character; getting so lost in my new role that even I forget who's real and who's not. It's all in the lines - delivering them flawlessly, on time, as directed. That's what a director expects. It's what the audience needs in order to believe. Disappoint the director or the audience and you're out - replaced.

Pulling that off takes hard work - research, memorizing, practice, taking directions, walking the stage, dress rehearsals - until you've mastered the part.

God cast Jeremiah in an unlikely role. There he was, a young teen simply minding his own business when God says, You there, Jeremiah! I want you to be my prophet. I know, I know, you're just a child. No problem. Just stand up, deliver the words I place in your mouth. That's all. Oh, and BTW, don't try to add your own commentary or hold back anything I tell you to say. You do and I'll replace you.

God always chooses His message first and then equips His messenger.

Now, I'm not saying God bullied Jeremiah or that Jeremiah was insincere in his allegiance to God or his willingness to play this part. Jeremiah knew he was ill equipped and God knew it, too. That's why he chose Jeremiah. God knew he was the right person to take direction, do the hard work, stand ready, allow God's words to flow through him, and courageously confront the opposition.  

All God expects is our obedience, faithfulness, and courage.

Is there a God-message He's appointed you to share? Are you feeling a bit like Jeremiah - young, lacking, and ill equipped? Are you wriggling out of your shoes in search of a better role to play or are you willing to let God direct your steps across life's stage?

Father God,
I admit some days it's easier to play the part you've chosen for us and other days, it's just plain hard. Continue equipping us. Give us obedient hands and feet and continue placing Your words in our mouths. May we not add anything more or take any away. Fill us with your empowering, courageous Holy Spirit until your sovereign plan is complete. Amen

How God Equips

"Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord. Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “Now, I have put my words in your mouth."

Jeremiah 1:8, 9 NIV

One of the most terrifying experiences was placing my daughter on a plane with strangers heading twenty-four hours due east across the Atlantic to Uganda. Luckily for her, the organizer limited parental good-byes to the church parking lot where I choked-back fears and tearful sobs as they boarded the van to JFK. 

She'd been born for this - appointed in my womb for this day - I knew it full well. She was the girl who befriended the needy since kindergarten; the one who shared the gospel during childhood sleepovers; the young teen who announced after two weeks of summer camp that she was heading to Uganda.

When that day arrived three years later, I pulled up my big girl pants and entrusted her to God's watchful eye and protective hands. My prayers reminded God she was only a child, too young, too ill equipped and God reminded me that He was the great I AM.

God's calling is not limited to foreign missions. He appoints all of us to a specific purpose - one that usually corresponds to our heart's deepest desire - in order to advance His kingdom on earth. When our heart's greatest desire aligns with God's heart and divine purpose it's thrilling, overwhelming, and usually always finds us lacking.

Remember Jeremiah? God appointed him as prophet to Israel, to admonish their idolatry and warn of God's impending wrath. Gulp! And like us, can't you imagine Jeremiah looking over his shoulder and saying, Who, me? Couldn't be! You must have the wrong guy, God. I'm just a child. Besides, how would I know what to say to them? And if I did know what to say, they'd kill me!

And God's reply? "Do not be afraid, for I AM with you AND will rescue you," Jeremiah 1:8 (NIV). Like Jeremiah, God calms and equips us with:

• His Presence (I Am with you)
• His Protection (I will rescue you)

"Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “Now, I have put my words in your mouth," Jeremiah 1:9 (NIV). God reassures us through:

• His Personal Touch (the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth)
• Placing His words (I have put my words in your mouth)

If God is the same yesterday, today, and forever then the God of Jeremiah still calls, still appoints and still equips us with His presence, His protection, His personal touch and will place in us all that we need to accomplish His Kingdom's purpose. He rarely, if ever, chooses the fully equipped, conventional hero-type but rather the ill equipped, unconventional, obedient ones through whom His glory can shine.

What has God appointed you to do? Do you feel a bit like Jeremiah, wondering how God will accomplish this through you? Are you in need of God's reassurance of His presence, protection, personal touch, or placement of skills? How might I pray for you, today?

Father, many of us hear you calling us. We might even know the specific task or people you've appointed us to, but like Jeremiah, we find ourselves fearful and lacking. Please reassure us of Your divine appointment through your presence, your protection, a personal touch or your perfect placement of words upon our tongue or pen. Give us the heart and courage to obey you in all that you ask. Amen.

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God-portunity Below

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After I scheduled this Jeremiah series, I received a God-portunity. Encouragement Cafe is publishing two of my blog posts this week: Refrigerator Rites (today) and Compliant vs Rebellious Hearts (Thursday). Take a moment and blog hop with me? See you there!

Are We There Yet?

"I have promised to bring you up out of your misery in Egypt into...a land flowing with milk and honey." Exodus 3:17

  

Our kids were decent travelers and made road trips pretty pleasant for the most part. Buckled into the backseat of our Subaru with their pillows, blankets, Teddy and Bunny and a stockpile of juice boxes and snacks between them, we were good to go.

Excitement ran high for at least the first hour in anticipation for our destination. Then, after we'd played all the travel games in my mental library, their patience ran thin and inevitably they asked, "Are we there yet?" or "How much longer?" And our answer was always the same, "About an hour." (The first time they asked that, we truly were one hour from our destination so it became our 'pat answer' and eventually our inside family joke).

So there we were, stuck in the middle of NOW--our view muddled with fatigue and impatience for the road ahead--hanging onto the vision of our promised destination. 

(Won't you mosey on over to the Christian Children's Authors blog and pull over for the rest of the story? I promise, we're almost there!).

More Than Just a Block Of Wood

"Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom." Psalm 145:3

Mr. Magorium gave Molly Mahoney a large block of wood to carry with her wherever she went. Supposedly it was a magical block of wood that held some greatness and Molly's mission was to discover that greatness. Day after day Molly carted that lifeless, heavy, wooden cube everywhere. It became a burden and a source of discouragement. She believed it was a magical block of wood because Mr. Magorium said so. But in her hands, it showed no signs of life let alone, magic.

"It is a magical block of wood that in the right hands, would reveal some greatness we can't even imagine!" Molly emphatically exclaimed to the Mutant. And with that, the once lifeless block of wood flipped over on the counter behind her.

"Say that again," the Mutant commanded wanting to see if the cube would move again. "Say that again."

"I believe it with my entire heart! It is absolutely more than just a block of wood!" Molly exclaimed. And with those words, the magic was awakened inside that block of wood and it began to swirl and dance around the toy store breathing life and hope into everything within the store.
 "It's you! Molly, YOU are a block of wood. What you need to believe in is YOU," the Mutant said in amazement of all he witnessed.
 "And so began the life of Molly Mahoney."

God has given us all the great gift of life, held together with flesh and bones. We are born. We live. We die. Those are the cold, bare facts of our earthly existence. If we stop there, we are no more valuable than Molly Mahoney's lifeless block of wood. But, we are more than just a block of wood; more than just flesh and bones. We contain the very breath and image of God. And what's more, God has placed unique gifts inside for each of us to unwrap and share with the world.

I'd have to agree Molly was right to say the block of wood needed to be in the right hands in order for the greatness to be revealed. We cannot reveal the greatness locked inside our hearts without the hands of God on our lives. We are only human which means the forces of the Enemy are against us from the beginning...feeding us every excuse and discouragement possible to stop us from the touch of the Master. But, the words of our mouth are powerful. When we say, "I believe with all my heart that Jesus is Lord, that he died for my sins, that he rose again and lives at the right hand of the Father," the power of heaven comes down into our lives and the Enemy no longer has control. Then, the greatness of God is revealed.

Thus, begins the life of every believer.

Uninhibited Dance

"David, wearing a linen ephod, danced before the Lord with all his might, while he and the entire house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouts and the sound of trumpets." 2 Samuel 6: 14-15

Our hunger was satisfied. The dinner plates were cleared. The music segued from light jazz to up beat, jitter bug. It was time to kick off our shoes, let loose and celebrate this happy occasion. But, who would lead us out onto that dance floor? Who would be first? Not wanting to upstage the bride and groom on their special day, I waited patiently, tapping my toes in time to the beat.


Behind me I heard the running feet of my then, 23 month old granddaughter and in an instant she was at the edge of the dance floor, stopped only by the vastness of that great space. She stood there in her pink foofy dress, with a huge smile on her face, clapping her hands and tapping her feet in her sparkly shoes to the beat of the music. Instinctively she knew it was time to dance and she was ready!


Pops took her by the hands and led her out onto the floor. Her joy uncontainable, she squealed with delight, jumped into the air with all her might and with the aid of her Pops. Totally uninhibited by who was watching or what people were thinking she was the first onto the floor. That was it. The party had begun!


God calls us to be uninhibited in our worship and our ministry, just like little children. He's placed all the right instincts in our hearts from birth to help us not only survive but to thrive. The catch is He's left it up to us to step onto the dance floor. He'll never push us. He only stands before us with an outstretched hand waiting for us to follow His lead. Once we take hold of Him and start to dance, others will follow and the party will begin!

The world is waiting for you to step out. What's holding you back?

Behind This Woman

"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her." Ephesians 5:25

We often take advantage of "Cheap Tuesday" at our local movie theater. My husband, Peter even sits through chick flicks with me now and again. A few years ago it was Julie & Julia. The movie is the story of Julia Child, best known for her 1960's televised french cooking show and Julie, a New York City woman who took a year to cook and blog her way through Julia Child's recipes.

I'm not at all passionate about cooking. In fact it's inconceivable in my mind how the words joy and cooking can be in the same sentence! But, I do like the actress Meryl Streep who played Julia Child and I like every role she's played. If I were honest, I really went to see Meryl.

Surprisingly, the movie was NOT about the love of cooking. Yes, it was about two women who loved to cook. Yes, they made outrageous dishes that made the audience drool but more importantly it was about two women whose passion could not be contained in a sauce pan. It was about the journey of sharing their passion through writing and the husbands behind their success. Now that's something I identify with more than cooking!

Writing has been a passion of mine since fifth grade. Back then, I wrote all the time. If I wasn't writing in my journal I was writing a letter to my cousin, my grandmother, or a long distance friend. I was happy just writing, writing, writing. But, what I lacked was direction, guidance, and mentorship. I've fumbled my way through a few internships in college but nothing that lended itself to any significant writing career choice. I settled for writing as a hobby - something I enjoyed but nothing I would ever be able to share.

Then a few years ago, a sweet woman placed a Proverbs 31 Ministry magazine in my hands. Part of the ministry of P31 is to mentor and train Christian women who have a passion to speak or write the words God has placed in their hearts for the encouragement of others. They do this through their annual She Speaks conference. As I read more about the conference I knew this was a divine appointment. For the first time, there was someone who understood my passion. There was an outlet to do more with it than just write in a secret journal that I kept to myself.

Much has happened since I first learned about She Speaks. My journey in my passion for writing took some funny twists through physical injuries, spiritual warfare, family crises, forgiveness and release. Through all of these turns, never once was I left alone to manage on my own. Never once was I allowed to let my passion to write dwindle. Like Julie & Julia, I too have been given the precious gift of a supportive husband. He nursed me to health, sacrificed financially, weathered heavy spiritual battles, courageously saw us through family crises, walked alongside me as I learned to forgive and praised God for the release of my heart's desire to write.

There isn't a day that goes by that I'm not thankful for God giving me such a loving, supportive husband who wishes only the best for me. Don't get me wrong, he's not perfect, but neither am I. Trust me, we have our ugly, stinky moments when we wonder what the heck were we thinking when we chose each other. But, in the big scope of our lives, when I see all the little things he does each day to show me he loves me: when he constantly encourages me to write, when I consider all that he does to point me toward Christ, when I witness God in Him then, I know I've been blessed.

The old saying goes, "Behind every good man is a loving, supportive woman." I say, it goes both ways. Thank you, Peter, for being a loving, supportive, godly man behind this woman! I love you.

Walking With Purpose

I love children. They’re such a source of truth and inspiration. Life comes into focus when I watch them busily accomplishing the simplest of tasks. I so understand Christ’s love for them and telling us to be like them. My husband’s niece keeps the family updated with her creative blogging and photography of her two boys. She’s quite creative in her writing and captures great moments in word and vlogging. Today, wanting to just catch up on their lives, I opened her blog and watched her youngest son proudly displaying his walking skills. From the initial viewing and by the title of the blog you would think that’s all he was doing…walking. But, as the video progressed you realized he wasn’t just showing off his walking skills. He was walking with a purpose.

(Reposted this to Christian Childrens' Authors blog today. Won't you join me?)

Getting Ready

"...Samuel called to Saul on the roof 'get ready' and I will send you on your way." (1 Samuel 9: 26 NIV)

July 2009 marked the end of the dreary, rainy, trapped-inside-the-house days. Living here in New England our summers are short and frankly, by the end of June, I felt cheated! But alas, as sure as June turned into July, summer finally appeared. The long-awaited days of sun, heat and humidity were welcomed like a long-lost friend.


Each day the sun kissed my cheek I felt beckoned to play outside and reacquaint myself with God's beauty. It's those sun-kissed days that God feels especially close. It's as though He inspires, teaches, speaks through his creation directly to my soul. Whether it be a lesson in abiding taught by a patient, fluttering monarch perched on the blossom next to my lawn chair or understanding his divine plan of sowing and reaping by tending to my vegetable garden, I know God is speaking.


Sometimes God is more direct. The Sunday before I was to attend my first She Speaks writer's conference I attended church without my husband, Peter. As the worship service ended and the pastor was introducing his sermon he said God had given him a lot of words for people during his prayer time that morning. Luckily, I had already opened my journal and was ready to write. I mean, if God had spoken I wanted to record everything he said! Then, the pastor looked directly at me and said, "Dawn. I don't know where Pete is but the Lord spoke to me in the prayer room about you guys and somebody else got these words that I think are applicable...'Get ready and position yourselves.'" I not only wrote those words down, I promptly texted them to my husband!


In the three weeks that have followed those words continually rang in our ears. "Get ready...position yourselves." For what, Lord? My new book? A new opportunity? Spiritual warfare? A good hunt for Pete? What? What could God possibly have in store for us?
God lead me to read 1 Samuel 9 & 10 that tells the story of Samuel anointing Saul to be Israel's first king. Samuel instructs Saul to "get ready" to be sent. Getting ready isn't passive. It's active. You're making preparations, getting things together, doing the necessary things in order to go.

Once Saul is ready, Samuel gets him alone, anoints his head with oil and prophesies over him. Samuel explains that Saul will come to the land of Gibeah where he will meet some prophets. The Holy Spirit will empower him and he will prophesy as well. But, most importantly he "will be changed into a different person." Then, Saul was to position himself in the land of Gilgal and "wait" seven days until Samuel meets up with him. Together they will worship God and Saul will receive further instructions.
It's been three years since God delivered those words and I'm still not exactly sure what God is preparing for us. It becomes clearer and God's words still ring true. I've received confirmation of my writing but the way has not been made clear. We still feel we are in ready mode, still preparing our hearts, submitting our plans, our desires, our passions before our God. We're still allowing change in ourselves and with each other and always repositioning ourselves before His throne and awaiting further instructions.


What is it that God may be readying your heart? Are you asking, what's next? Are you willing to get ready? Do you see the situation you're in as part of that readying process? Are you willing to let God change you? Are you positioning your heart to wait for further instructions?

Distractions

The warmth of the sun beneath my feet,

the sound of fountain rain falling

upon pool waters calling

forming rings that never meet.

A bird calls out to his mate.

His chirping, singing states

an impatinece for her reply

that she seems only to deny.

In the distance is a sound,

a plane that can't be found

but lingering still

my ears attest I am not ill.

Distractions all to my heart's cry.

"I want to hear you!" I sigh

as home they come, one by one

and my soul clamours for what had begun.

A time of solitude,

of heart-felt gratitude.

My listening ears and expectant heart

still long and say, "Pleae, don't depart!"

Lord, I know you are there

waiting for me to prepare

a place for you to show your face

where I long for your embrace.

~Dawn Aldrich 2010~

It's Time To Rest

"He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside still waters, he restores my soul." Psalm 23: 2-3a

It is time. It is time for rest, refreshment, and restoration.

As the hot summer steam drains every ounce of moisture from my body I must drink and replenish from the Well.

So, my dear, sweet, and faithful readers, I am signing off temporarily. For the next few weeks I'm resting from the great social demands of this blinking cursor in order to drink in God's Word. I may repost a few of my favorite posts from years past just to remind you I'm still here {smile}.

Until then, I anticipate God's quenching through his Word, the words of his saints past and present and the out-pouring of his Holy Spirit. I'm retreating all but two days a week at home in my little sanctuary. As he leads, my writing will be organic - pen to paper - where my thoughts flow freely and naturally. There's unfinished writing projects and the She Speaks Conference, but I'm not hopping off my blog to jump onto different tasks. Rather, I'm allowing room for God to breathe new life into me and through me.

While I'm gone, may I ask something of you? Will you pray for me that I will ...

1. Thirst for God
2. Abide in Christ and be satisfied
3. Find rest in and be refreshed by His Holy Spirit
4. Pray continually
5. Listen carefully
6. Talk less
7. Hear God's voice clearly
8. Place every thought under the obedience of Christ
9. Know God's next step

Resting in Christ,
Dawn

Happy 4th of July!



HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AMERICA!

LAND OF THE FREE

AND THE HOME

OF THE

BRAVE

Happy Birthday, America!

Happy 236th birthday, America!

We live off Main Street, USA in a quaint New England town filled with proud historical markers. Two streets to our right our founding father, George Washington, hitched his horse in front of my daughter's home. Down the hill the birthplace of Lyman Hall, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, still stands proud. Flags fly from country porches, line the center of town and wave their red, white and blue at passers-by from Memorial Day through September.


My preschool grandchildren frequently walk these flag-lined streets and can already identify the American flag from all the others. It makes this grandma's heart proud! I'm sure their natural curiosity influenced conversations with their parent's about the flag, but I'm glad to know they're already learning to identify the symbol of this great country.


I remember when my son was in second-grade, I asked if his class recited the Pledge of Allegiance every morning. He hesitated, wondering if he should tell the truth. "Well, the principal says it every morning over the loud speaker, but our teacher doesn't make us say it with him every day." My heart sank and my mind raced wondering how to respond, how to instill the importance of this symbolic act in an eigth-year-old. So, I simply asked him to pay attention to the words the principal was saying and to recite the pledge in his heart every morning, even when his teacher didn't lead the class.


How exactly do we instill patriotism, the love of country in our children especiallly if they attend public schools? Live it. Just as we live out our faith at home, we should also live out our love of country.


Here's a few ideas:

• Display an American flag on your home for significant patriotic holidays (Flag Day, D-Day, Memorial Day, July 4th, Veteran's Day) explaining the origination of the flag during the Revolutionary War and the symbolism behind the colors and stars. For preschoolers, simply stating it represents our country and the stars stand for our states - where we live.
• Salute the flag as it passes during a parade. Teach your sons to remove their hats and place them over their heart and daughters to place their right hand over their heart as well.
• Pray for our nation's leaders as a family.
• Vote at every election and take your children into the voting booth, explaining the importance and great privilege it is to choose our own leaders.
• Practice simplified democracy in appropriate ways, like voting on which movie the family will watch or which snack they'd like to eat.
• Make a patriotic dessert for these special holidays. I've seen confetti cake mixes with red/white/blue sprinkles in the mix and star sprinkles to go atop the icing. Easy-peasy.
• Talk about the WHY of the day when they're off from school or on the way to the fireworks, etc.

How does your family celebrate freedom and how do you teach your children to love this country?


Happy 4th of July,
Dawn