Hello 2014

 

Open hands. Open heart. Open eyes. Open ears.  This year that has just begun feels like it will be full of opportunities, open doors, and open road adventure.  I thought I would hide out in God’s goodness, but He led me instead to be open. There is so much mystery and unknown coming this year.  So many things that will shake my world in ways that I cannot predict.  Sometimes we can prepare and prepare and prepare, but in the end, we need to be open to embracing the situations and circumstances thrown our way in the best way possible. Thankfully, while being open, I can rest in knowing that God knows.  He sees.  He’s gone before me and He’s prepared the way.  He already knows the doors I will need to pry open and the ones that I need to find.  He knows the open windows that will bring in the fresh breath of air when I’m drowning.  There’s beauty to be found this year.  Being open requires new levels and a depth of vulnerability, truth, authenticity, transparency, willingness, and courage.  So, 2014. I’m here. Ready and open.

Let the weight of your glory come and settle on us now

We stand in awe for you are holy and your kindness overwhelms

Be lifted up you heavenly gates

Be opened wide you ancient doors.

Open to opportunities.    Open to rebuke and criticism.    Open to change.      Open to serve.     

Opening my home.        Open to deeper friendships.       Open to others.         Open to move or stay. 

Open to adventure.     Open to risk.    Open to vulnerability.       Open to truth.         Open to love.

Open to God.

Pondering…

Pros

1. I like blogging
2. I like writing and expressing myself through words.
3. I love having a written record of events, thoughts and random things even if I only look back on it once or never do.
4. I enjoy seeing how many people visit my blog and sometimes leave comments
5. I hope that my words sometimes encourage, provide hope, invoke thinking, provide insight, are “real” and relatable to the people that read my blog
   • I like reading some blogs myself and I have been impacted by their words–even if I’m only a “lurker” and don’t always comment

Cons

1. I don’t know my audience
   • I don’t know how to engage authentic, open discussion and comments without knowing my audience
2. I’m not sure if blogging is a wise use of my time
3. Sometimes I look at the “stats” too often or want more comments…then I wonder why am I blogging.
   • EDIT: I realized that these two thoughts were not supposed to really flow together.  I meant this more of a “I don’t want to blog for the stats.  I want to blog for other reasons.  I want to have reasons for why I am blogging.” I did NOT intend it to come across as “If I don’t get high enough stats then why am I even blogging.”  Not sure if this is any clearer, but oh well.
4. I don’t really have a “purpose” to blog or a theme
   • The closest I have to a purpose is the hope that someone, somewhere might be positively affected by my words
5. I see value in the personal, honest posts yet I don’t want my blog to be a place to “vent” or “gossip” or anything related
6. I fear that I may have hurt or will hurt others who read my blog with my words–I don’t want to have a hidden agenda or use this space in an unkind way