“Some days we still feel so broken and desperate, and we are broken, but you, Lord, make us whole. You sustain us. You bring us hope and peace.”
Journal Entry: 11/22/2020
People love to talk about the fan-fare, the exciting results that they achieve or hope to achieve. You see it on social media, portrayed in commercials, and in the colorful pictures of magazines.
It makes it easy to forget the hard work, the commitment, the prayers, and the blood, sweat, and tears that went into making that dream, that vision, a reality.
It’s like the rush of endorphins a mother receives after holding her baby in her arms to help her forget some of the ordeal that she just went through.
Like a woman during childbirth, the journey toward any goal is raw and vulnerable and hidden.
No matter how much you try to prepare, how many books you read, or how many videos you watch, you still feel sorely inadequate for the task. There will always be a level of unknown until you actually go through the process. There is no short-cut.
Now, unlike childbirth, it’s easy to just give up when things get hard. To throw in the towel and tell yourself that you have given it your best shot.
(If you truly have given it your best shot and have discerned that moving on is what’s best for you and your family, then that’s different.)
However, if you are moving on just to avoid the growing pains on the journey, then I encourage you to reset your frame of mind and continue on.
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
Proverbs 3:5-6
You do not need to focus on the entire road ahead, just focus on the next step that you need to take – like a hiker nearing the top or the woman about to see her baby for the first time – carry on, one step at a time.
Know this – I write this post as much for myself as I do for you.
The journey can feel bitter and isolating, but it can also feel joyous and peaceful. Hold onto those good moments as a reminder for when the days feel difficult, and trust that God will see you through.
Our own journey has felt long and difficult.
It started in my desire to live on a large piece of property where my kids could run and play with animals and gardens to tend to.
What I didn’t realize was how God wanted to use this dream to teach me so much more about life and his plan for me.
In the last year, I’ve started coaching moms in faithfully following God’s purpose for their lives and avoiding the distractions that come with discouragement and worry.
Lately, John and I have been actively dreaming together about our next homesteading steps. It’s quite possible that you’ll start to see us experimenting with chickens and permaculture as we get closer to spring, so stay tuned!
Our biggest inspiration has been through watching Justin Rhodes YouTube Channel – I’m assuming you’ve probably heard of him, but on the off-chance that you haven’t, I encourage you to go and check out what he and his family are doing!
What has God been teaching you lately?
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