The Grace Pace

I’m not typically one to choose a “word” for the upcoming year, because I have always been more reflective than anything else…

During a time when most people are planning forward & hoping for what’s to come & confidently declaring their word, I’ve always struggled to understand the sentiment.

*Don’t come for me*

Through my experience, I have learned that God’s plans are much greater than mine & no amount of color coding, filling beautiful new planners with goals, or ordering gorgeous hand-stamped jewelry to remind me of my “word of the year”,  will ever stand a chance against all that God has in store.

If I did choose a word in advance, I’m sure it would just end up being something like, “Plot Twist” or possibly a variation of Ross Gellar yelling, “PIVOT”.

Although, I do still participate in most of those things (okay – mostly just the new planner bit, & the “pivot” reference, *obviously*), & I do love the enthusiasm, I have just always felt more empowered by the hindsight.

For that reason, I love to use this time to reflect on the lessons & patterns I can see throughout the previous year. Kind of like viewing old game footage & studying each play in hopes of improving for the next season, it helps me to bring things into perspective & to express genuine gratitude for the provision & growth I received through each lesson.

(I know that you’re probably wondering, “So, what’s the word for 2023?” – It was “Abide“. But I’ll have to share more about that on another day.)

Here’s where you will probably roll your eyes as I will now contradict all of that up there & you find out that this post is actually about the exact opposite & I’m totally switching into bandwagon territory for the remainder.

Hang in there, I’ll explain!

This year has already felt incredibly different!

I ended the year with an unexpected job opportunity presented, & after so much prayer & tears & more prayer & so much pacing…I accepted the position just before Christmas break!

Then I got the flu or something, slept for a solid week, coughed up a whole lung, panic cleaned the house & then frantically purged my closet because I was freaking out a bit.

Then, I finally rejoined society as a “working Mom”, on January 2nd, as the Admin Assistant to the Executive Director at the Pregnancy Resource Center I have been volunteering at over the past year.

As a homeschool mom, I have not officially worked a paying job in at least 10 years, so the fact that I was even offered the opportunity completely blew me away. Not only that, but on my first day, I realized that I was a lot more equipped than I thought! It was such a strange feeling to be in that setting at all, but to hear others complimenting me & genuinely sharing ideas with me & asking for my input was pretty surreal.

It was a bittersweet first day, to say the least, but I cried only a few tears & my new coworkers were so encouraging to me.

As 2024 hit the ground running, with huge changes for me & my family, my Spirit was called to attention & is very alert!

I have stepped out in obedience & faith, trusting God to guide my steps & provide for my family throughout this completely new season of ministry, & I couldn’t have had a better first week!

On the very first day, my friend & new boss, shared with me that, “Speak Life” had been on her heart for this year, & all week, it has resonated deeply with me!

The more I pondered it, the more I realized that this seemingly simple statement holds such an impactful, multifaceted message, prominently woven throughout every single aspect of my life!

Like a golden thread, illuminating God’s perfect plans & the beauty that’s seen in every tiny detail, I am reminded of Psalm 139, which describes how He knit us together in the womb! He knew us before we were formed & He is thoughtful & purposeful, even in the smallest of details. All of creation sings of His glory! So, that’s what I shall do as well.

Even as I type this, the name of my church pops up to tag every time I “speak life”, & I am reminded of the beautiful community that I call home.

As churches & organizations pray & prepare for “Sanctity of Life Sunday”, on January 21st, as well as the “March for Life” that afternoon, I am completely humbled by the opportunity to use my voice & testimony to SPEAK LIFE through ministries like “Caring Hearts Pregnancy Center”, “Embrace Grace, Inc”, “Deeper Still Arkansas”, & all of the partnerships that God is uniting this year. 

He is creating a network of believers, who are not ashamed of the gospel (Romans 1:16), & will speak with great love on behalf of the voiceless, emboldened & equipped to speak life together.

So here’s to 2024! The year of changes & shifting gears toward purpose! Looking back in gratitude & pushing forward by faith!

In all that I do, I will “Speak LIFE”.

Sending love & prayers to each of you as you step into God’s great plans for you & your families!

Blessings to you all.

XO – B