thankful for different

One of the things I love most about living in Nashville is the sheer amount of creativity that resides here.

Seriously. Everyone seems to be oozing with talent and giftedness.

The most obvious are the musicians, of which there are many. And they have more musical talent in their pinky fingers than I have in my whole body. I absolutely love and appreciate good music, so it’s incredible to live somewhere where there’s always good music to be found.

But the creative genius in this city spreads much wider than the music industry.

Writers. Speakers. Artists. Photographers.

I’ve witnessed creative parenting. Cooking. Blogging. Couponing (mm-hmm, you read that right).

All creative story-tellers and story-makers in their own unique ways.

I am so thankful for the opportunity to interact with people who are very different from me. I thrive on conversations that stretch my thinking and my natural bent.

I’ve had access to a friend’s car for the past few weeks, so I’ve purposefully filled my days with people. Friends, old and new. Creatives in diversely unique areas. Conversations that leave me thinking for days afterward.

I’ve sought out awkward and uncomfortable situations (for this introvert) because they challenge me in good ways. In the words of my friend Blaine Hogan, “Awkwardness creates space for us to transform into better versions of ourselves if we let it.” So I’ve been intentional about spending time in new places, uncommon situations, and with people who differ greatly from me.

And it leaves me feeling overwhelmingly grateful. For creative differences. For opportunities. For people who see and embrace me for me.

I’m thankful for different.

Because different keeps me from staying stuck in same.

What’s something uncomfortable that
you can intentionally pursue this week?

acquired taste

I met my friend Jen Price on Twitter. (Story of my life these days… And I love it!) After a few Tweet convos, blog visits, and emails, I knew we were kindred spirits.

She and her husband Jeremy pioneered a ministry in South Africa a decade+ ago and are currently back in the States on sabbatical. Jeremy just finished up work on his debut EP project, and I got a sneak peek a few weeks ago.

Now, those who know me well know I have zero music skills, but that I love love love good music.

Believe me when I tell you, Jeremy’s EP Acquired Taste is definitely good music.

I love the irony of the album name, because it’s certainly anything but an acquired taste. Right off the bat, Jeremy drew me in with his raw honesty, the simplicity of his acoustic style, and his poignant lyrics. (I’m such a words girl!)

Acquired Taste is peaceful and profound. It is compelling,  unique, and soul-stirring.

I asked Jeremy about his heart and journey with this project, and how his work in Africa ties in with it all. In his own words—

I have been writing songs for over 15 years and spent much of my early adult life playing music all over the world. The last few years I have set it aside while building Ten Thousand Homes. But now is the time.

Ten Thousand Homes is a movement of ordinary people actively building HOPE and creating HOMES for Africa’s orphans and vulnerable children.

In creating home for these children we try to inspire them to pursue joy. In the midst of great tragedy and loss, we desire for them to pursue their dreams, that which gives them joy.

My pursuit in joy has always led me to music. And one day I realized that to really help these guys I must all out pursue that which gives me joy. So for the first time, freaked out and completely blessed, I am releasing my first EP, Acquired Taste.

I chose songs that were not all written recently. One was written this year, while others go back as far as 8 years ago. The title track Acquired Taste was written while in the bush of Africa. I really wanted to represent a journey, and while this is a simple recording, I am extremely proud of it! What I know now is that this is only the beginning!

I continue to work in Africa, and while Ten Thousand Homes has no paid staff, the sale of these albums does help the work continue. Thank you for listening. Thank you for investing in dreams. Now, go pursue that which brings you joy!

So do yourself a favor, and go listen to Jeremy’s incredible album. If you like what you hear, and I know you will, you can download it for as little as $3! You can’t beat that!

going to church together

Sounds a bit strange to say this, but one of the very few constants I’ve had over the past 4 years is my online community.

The other day, my friend Tracee described my blog as being my “one consistent home.” I love the imagery of that because it perfectly describes how my heart feels with my friends around the world, even if I may only get to connect with them through a computer screen.

For years while living overseas, my lifeline was found in emails, blogs, podcasts, & downloadable sermons.

It’s how I stayed connected to people and found ways to keep my heart and spirit filled up. I never really had internet reliable or fast enough to stream a live church service, but dang I would have loved that!

As I’ve moved around America over the past couple years, my online friends were the only ones who moved with me everywhere I went.

Having known what it’s like to rely on the internet for community—due to location, circumstances, whatever—I believe strongly in social media and online church. I just appreciate and value the impact it can make in someone’s life, because I know the impact it’s had in mine.

So even though I attend church on Sunday mornings, I’m also involved in Cross Point’s Internet Campus in the evenings. And I love it.

We watch the same message that is shared at all Cross Point campuses that day, and there is always great discussion in the chat. People share their thoughts, ask questions, pray for one another… It’s insightful and, honestly, a lot of fun.

My favorite element is that after the message, Pete Wilson (or whoever spoke that day) makes himself available for a live Q&A with those watching online.

I love that!

I have never before known a pastor who openly invites people to ask him questions about his message and his own faith journey. I’ve seen Pete get asked some difficult questions, and he always responds with honesty and humility.

So… If you’re craving some more community, aren’t able to make it out to church, or just want to hear some solid teaching… then you should join us at the Internet Campus.

Let’s go to church together this Sunday night!

Sundays at 6:00 PM Central Time
crosspoint.tv/live

Have you ever done church online?
What are your thoughts?

on friendships

I moved to Nashville to chase down community.

With everything I’ve gone through in the past few years, I knew I needed a strong group of people around me as I get settled back into life in America and embark on Me 2.0. Through social media, I’d gotten to know quite a few people in and around Nashville. I’d found friends. I’d found an amazing church. I’d found community. So this is where I decided to land.

And there’s nowhere else I’d rather be.

Though since I’ve gotten here, community hasn’t taken shape like I fairy-tale-hoped it would. Like everything in life, it doesn’t just happen. It takes hard work. I’ve been seeking it out as I’ve been able, and learning to trust God with all of it.

Friendships don’t always pan out the way you’d like them to. People move away; seasons change; life is busy. So my community looks very different than I’d anticipated. Not in a bad way… just different. I love the unexpected new friends God has brought into my life, and at times still mourn the loss of others.

Finding out who your friends are — and who they aren’t — is sometimes a painful lesson. Ultimately good, but hard nonetheless.

So I’m on a journey of discovering what it means to hold people and relationships loosely while still investing deeply and authentically. (I’m pretty sure I’ve been on this journey my whole life…)

I don’t know where the line is. Or if there even is a line.

How do I maintain a soft heart and tough skin? I honestly don’t know.

As usual, I have more questions than answers here at The Grit. There’s no red bow to wrap this up neatly, because these are lessons I’m still learning. A path I’m still navigating. Things I’m still just Forrest-Gumping my way through.

But this much I know is true: I am so very grateful for the incredible people God has placed in my life, near and far. My friends truly make my life richer. I owe so much to the grace, generosity, faithfulness, and love of friends.

On friendships…
What’s something you struggle with?
What’s something you know for sure?

me 2.0

I just stumbled upon the beginnings of a blog post that’s been collecting dust in my drafts folder since January.

I am the queen of unfinished ideas and unpublished posts. Sigh…

Anyway.

Back in January I attended Dream Year Weekend here in Nashville. I was wrestling through my own feelings of dreamlessness, and didn’t know how to reconcile that with all the amazing stuff I was hearing at Dream Year. I had some candid conversations with a few key friends to help me sort through my own heart thoughts.

Segments of one of those conversations (a text convo at that!) have been sitting in my dusty draft blog post folder all this time.

It is amazing to see the truth and strength of the words spoken to me almost a year ago, and how they have taken shape in my life over the course of this year.

The cliff-notes version of my friend’s wisdom:

• You don’t need to find a new vision.
• Your vision, purpose, and passion are the core of who you are. You are all about influencing people to change for the better and to pursue Christ. That is your heart, and that hasn’t changed.
• Your ministry in Africa was the vehicle and tool you used to express that and live that out for 13 years.
• Now you need to discover a different vehicle and tool to express it. But your heartbeat hasn’t changed.
• That’s why you’ve continued to be an influence through your blog, your relationships, & your Twitter interactions. That is simply who you are, no matter what.
• As you look forward into the future, the vehicle for living that out and expressing it will need to change. But the essence of who you are and what your passions are won’t.
• Let’s work on discovering a new vehicle…

That was a whole lotta wisdom and a whole lotta truth. In a text conversation. That my friend probably doesn’t even remember having.

You know what I titled the draft post I had those bullet-points saved in?

“Me 2.0″

And a year later, I find myself finally realizing and embracing that.

Me 2.0.

I’ve begun recognizing ways that my passions and heart can continue to be lived out, even though my ministry in Africa closed. Even though it looks totally different than anything I’d ever anticipated.

So as I sit here thinking through all this, and finally turning this dusty draft into a real, live post… all I keep thinking is this:

You really never know how impactful your words can be in someone’s life. Even a simple text message can make a world of difference.

So, today…

Speak into your loved ones’ situation. In person, on the phone, in an email, via text… whatever. Just speak life into their heart.

They need it even more than you’ll ever know.

one word 2011 wrap-up

December is here. (Can you believe it?) And it’s got me wondering how your One Word journey has been.

I’m still amazed at the 300-people-strong community that rallied around the One Word challenge this year. I hope each of you, in unique and different ways, experienced your word come to life.

We would all benefit from hearing each other’s journeys.

So do us all a favor — yourself included — and make time this month to write a post about your own personal One Word journey.

The places it took you — inwardly and outwardly…

How it shaped your year…

How it shaped you…

And where it leaves you as the year comes to an end.

Then come back and link up your Wrap-Up post so we can rally around one another for one last surge of encouragement, inspiration, and challenge as we conclude One Word 2011.

Don’t forget that the year isn’t over yet. Be intentional everyday about finishing strong.

You’ve got this.

And you’ve got an army of One Worders standing with you.

I’ve got some exciting things in the works for One Word 2012!
If you haven’t already, start thinking about your word for next year.

we all have something to share

The week I moved in with the Hodges back in February, Tam put up a blog post to let people know. It was short and sweet, but beautiful (and still brings me tears to this day). In it, she asked everyone to share something that would help strengthen my heart.

“I would love if you’d be willing to share the biggest piece of wisdom in life that you have.”

The responses that flooded in were absolutely incredible. They were filled with encouragement… truth… wisdom… love. I am as amazed now as I was then at the incredible friends God has blessed my life with. I may lack in many areas, but this much I know is true: I am rich in friendship.

Anyway… I was reading back through all those amazing comments again tonight, and I got a lump in my throat when I came to Gitz’s.

“don’t let fear have the power. be faithful to the struggle and live to fulfill, not understand.”

There is still so much for me in her words. Maybe even more today than back in February.

And while I wrestle to understand the full meaning of those statements and how to live them out in my own life, I have to smile with tear-filled eyes because Sara showed me how.

She is my greatest example of not letting fear have the power, being faithful to the struggle, and living to fulfill rather than understand.

Just… wow.

With how impactful (why isn’t that a real word?) all the comments on that post were to me, I’m going to cheat and just ask you Tam’s question again. Because you guys have some seriously good stuff to share, and I can use every ounce of it I can get my hands on!

So — without first looking back to see what you shared on Tam’s post back in February —-

“I would love if you’d be willing to share the biggest piece of wisdom in life that you have. Maybe it’s an old saying handed down from your Grandparents. Or, a favorite verse. Or something you’ve learned in your own life-journey. Perhaps share words of encouragement… Whatever it is, share it here.”

I know we will all be better for it.

red letter day

It’s a red letter day.

No, it’s not a holiday. Or my birthday. Or really a day of any special significance at all.

It’s just another Monday.

Which is more than enough reason.

It’s a red letter day.

His new mercies kissed me awake this morning.

He commanded the sun to shine and the earth to spin and gravity to do its job.

He breathed out so I could breathe in.

So who am I to grumble and complain about just another Monday?

It’s a red letter day.

And I need to live like I believe it.

Less griping. More gratitude.

Less frustration. More praise.

For He is worthy.

And I am blessed.

On this red letter Monday.

iSpy

Let’s have a little fun together this holiday weekend, shall we?

I say we play a round of I Spy. Remember that game? Of course you do…

So, let’s pretend for a moment that the commenter immediately before you has the magical ability to look through your computer screen. They can see you and your surroundings. (Don’t be alarmed. It’s only make-believe…) And you can look through the screen of whoever stumbles along next.

So with that in mind, here’s how we play:

Respond to the last comment and tell us what your through-the-computer visitor might have spied based on their clue.

Then leave a clue for the next person, telling them what you spy through their screen.

Make sense?

I’ll start us off. I’m looking through the computer monitor of the first commentator, and…

I spy with my little eye something that is out of place.

our (virtual) wall of thanks

One of my favorite Thanksgiving traditions is my post-it-note wall of thanks.

I’m declaring this our very own Gritty family wall of thanks.

And my first post-it would be:

Don’t know Sara? Read about her Choose Joy legacy…

What would yours be? (List as many as you want!)

If you’re on Twitter and Instagram, let’s keep adding to our #WallOfThanks there all day today.

Happy Thanksgiving, my amazing Gritty family!

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