Beginning Again

I've been swirling this blog post around in my head for months now.  When beginning a new writing project, the first sentence is always the hardest part, right? In college, I'd always start my papers by writing my name and date at the top just so the blank page wouldn't stare at me while I tried to think of a good opening sentence.  That's how I feel about starting my blog again.

I've had the itch to begin writing again for months now.  Sometimes my fingers even tingle at the thought of sitting down in front of a fresh word document, mug of coffee in hand, Bible open, and heart prayerfully in tune to the Spirit's nudges.  But then I remember the hardest part...getting started.  Writing that first post.  And I shy away from the whole thing because I simply don't know where to start.

The past two years have been a sweet whirlwind of change for me.  Graduating college, moving to China, getting engaged, coming home from China, planning a wedding, getting married, getting pregnant, starting a new job, ending new job, having a baby.  Each day has been filled with successes, failures, and endless grace.  I realize that in my wanderings and questions may not be of interest to many people, but to me, they serve as powerful reminders of the faithfulness and gentleness of my Father.  He pursues me and loves me and continues on with me despite my deep, deep filthiness.  Grace beyond measure.  I need to be reminded, just like Joshua when he commanded the Israelites to build a stone wall of remembrance (Joshua  4:6-7, 24), that my God is ever faithful even when I am faithless.

So the words on this blog are as much for me as they are for you.  I like to think of it as sitting down with you over a warm cup of coffee. I'll invite you over to my little apartment and we can sit with the door open to enjoy the spring breeze and the chirping birds. I can't promise it will be quiet, as our time might be interrupted by a hungry baby who is over being patient.  I can't promise it will be clean, as we might be covered in spit up and other bodily fluids by the end.  I can't promise it will always be happy, because frankly, life isn't always happy. But I can promise it will be real. I can promise that Jesus will be victorious.

I pray that Jesus Himself will guide my fingers as I type every word of this blog.  I'm excited to begin again and I'm excited to have you along for the journey.  I pray that as you journey with me, a weak, selfish, sin-sick new wife and mama, that you will see Jesus and that He will make much of Himself.

Thanks for stopping by...do you like cream in your coffee?