going dark
It’s 5:28 AM, so I know this isn’t gonna be my best work. (Let’s be honest. It could be 5:28 PM and I still know it wouldn’t be my best work. But, as always, that’s another post for another day…)
My heart feels wonder-y and wander-y. But it’s probably best I keep this short and sweet. (Like me. Heh.)
I’m going off the grid.
Unplugging.
Disappearing for a little while.
I hope to gain a little clarity for the deep, muddy waters of my heart. I hope I trade some of my fear in on some more faith. I hope I come back crying less and laughing more. I hope I learn more of what it means to love well and be loved. I hope I find strength in becoming more dependent on Him.
I hope I return with something worth saying. A compelling passion to say it. And a clearer voice to say it with.
I’m going dark.
In search of some Light.
@ChinaKat79 says:
I love you, sweet friend!! I pray that in the “dark” you will find light, that God will lead you into His amazing restoration, and I know you will come out stronger & bolder. It is impossible not to sit at the feet of Jesus & that not be the outcome. I pray He protects & strengths your precious heart. You have SO much to offer & I know our Father is preparing you for great things!! Keep trusting & looking to Him…
@nateonamission says:
praying for you friend. I know that God will being doing some good things with this break.
Somehow my FB feed is missing all your posts. I don’t know why. I caught this one in the roundabout somehow.
Seek, my friend. I pray you find what you seek.
I so love your way with words, Alece!! Going dark…in search of some Light. Good on you! Praying that this time will accomplish infinitely more than you could ever ask or think, through His mighty power at work within you (Eph 3:20 NLT). That you’ll come out the other side filled with hope and courage and vision for your journey ahead.
God Bless you heaps!
@mat2820b says:
I will miss your words… I will miss your heart and your outworkings… I will miss you. Enjoy your wanderings… Praying the Light you seek, your joyful morning after the nights of grief, comes quickly.
Laying at His feet you will find His heart, sweetheart. I will continue praying for u. Love you so very much!
This made me think of Healing Begins by Tenth Avenue North
This is where the healing begins
This is where the healing starts
When you come to where you’re broken within
The light meets the dark
The light meets the dark
Sparks will fly as grace collides
With the dark inside of us
So please don’t fight this coming light
Let this blood come cover us
His blood can cover us
Praying Shalom for you my friend.
Since I only recently found your blog and truly enjoy your writing I’m sorry to see that you’re going dark. On the other hand I get it. You will find your light.
I pray that this hunger and longing for clarity meet The Hope and The Holy.
May you find in the quiet, His whispers booming.
In the dim and the dark, The Light will shine.
It may be hard to understand when life hurts more than we wish to bear but we must never forget…”For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper and not to harm, plans for hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek with all your heart.”
Seek
Seek well
Seek with all you have
He will be found.
Praying for you.
A new friend,
Denise
@marniarnold says:
Sometimes, we need to step away from the light of this world – and simply embrace the light of Christ in our lives and let Him do the healing. This is an understandable move, and I will say a prayer for you, Alece.
I do hope we are able to hear from you soon again.
Praying for you friend…will miss reading your posts, but i’m excited for how God will use this time in your life.
B
Go dark, Love.
Know that I’m always there, even in the shadowy places, if and when you need me. So is He.
I love you.
You always have something worth saying Alece….lots of prayers coming your way….take care of you during this time….
We’ll miss you Alece, but I know the light is out there waiting to be found. Hope to see you again soon.
@winsomsouls says:
Just came out of over a month of unplugging. Did me a world of good. Praying for Him to move greatly in your life.
This is beautiful. And I’m so glad you’re doing this. I know you will return praising His name with all the amazing work and healing that He has done in you :)
Thanks for sharing your heart. Praying, praying!
Dear godly beautiful Alece,
Run as fast as you can to the one true Lord who will pull with you and keep you from the darkness….this is taken “from Walk in the Word” http://www.walkintheword.com/Broadcast.aspx
post…….because it is what we are simply amazed to hear
Why are we always so shocked when bad stuff happens to us?
Somehow we cling to the false notion that the Christian life is supposed to be some kind of glorified cakewalk. We assume that following God in obedience results in a life where God serves as a personal body guard . . . helping us dodge bullets, evade the bad guys, and circumvent suffering of any kind.
But here’s the truth. Jesus said, “In the world you will have tribulation” (John 16:33b ESV).
Oh, great. Now there’s a warm fuzzy for you. Tribulation? Even the word itself sounds nasty. But it’s right there in my Bible, and yours, too. Tribulation. Jesus said to expect it. In this world, from time to time. . . in some form or fashion, it’s coming our way.
In case you don’t think this verse applies to you, let me give you a few synonyms that’ll put Jesus’ words into the Yep, that’s me right now, category.
Tribulation is an industrial strength word for suffering. It includes things like misfortune, trials, pain, ordeals, distress, difficulties, troubles, problems, hardship, affliction, agony, misery, anguish, and travail. Oh man, these are depressing thoughts.
You’re getting the point. All of us are destined for lives that will include tribulation. It’s not a cheery concept . . . but it’s reality. And the sooner we realize it, the better we’ll respond when those inevitable times of hardship come.
Pastor James MacDonald confessed….If you read my letter to you last month, you know that my wife, Kathy, and I encountered tribulation at a whole new level. For a full year, we found ourselves basking in a hot cauldron of adversity. We didn’t see it coming. With no relief in sight, there were days when we didn’t know if we’d make it. Some weeks I wasn’t sure if I could stand up before our church family and preach another message.
But praise God, the Scriptures remain unchanging when everything else seems about to crumble. Leaning hard on the Lord, I delivered a series of messages called, “Always True: God’s 5 Promises When Life is Hard.” Our church family dug into five key categories of assurance that God gives us again and again.
God Is Always With Me — I Will Not Fear
God Is Always in Control — I Will Not Doubt
God Is Always Good — I Will Not Despair
God Is Always Watching — I Will Not Falter
God Is Always Victorious — I Will Not Fail
How ironic that I was the man gasping and going under for the third time. And even in that condition, God steered me to these precious promises. They became the lifeline that pulled me to safety.
Well, enough about my personal despair. Let’s talk about you. As you read my letter, do you find the projector of your mind rolling back ugly memories from the last twelve months? Are you caught in the vortex of a whirlpool that’s about to suck you under for good? Maybe you’re reeling from a broken relationship. Has someone violated your trust? It’s possible you’re recovering from bad news from the doctor.
Whether your trials are big or small, public or private, you can grab the lifeline and be rescued, too. Think of these five promises as an all-access backstage pass to Scripture’s greatest treasure. These promises will give you strength in stormy waters and they can keep you from going under. When nothing else makes sense, these five promises will be the virtual rock you can stand on while you wait for the better days that are coming. And, yes, better days are coming.
After preaching these messages, I wrote a book to help you the way I have been helped. It’s also titled, Always True: God’s 5 Promises When Life is Hard. This is a brand new book and I want to send you a copy. I believe that it will encourage you and give you the hope and faith you need to weather any storm.
Let me insert a parenthetical thought about our radio ministry. As we begin 2011, we’ve never felt such optimism about making an impact for the Kingdom. Listeners are responding at record levels with both their heartfelt needs . . . and their generous support. We just hosted a weekend at our headquarters near Chicago with several hundred of our Change Partners. It was a true shot in the arm for our entire staff as we interacted with our loyal and supportive friends.
But we need you , much as we continue, day by day, to deliver the truth of God’s Word to a drowning world desperately in need of a lifeline. Please
In closing, let me affirm the fact that in an unpredictable world of uncertainty and tribulation, only God can be trusted. All the time. Only God is always true. No one but God, and nothing other than His Word, delivers a non-negotiable, unconditional always.
I started this letter by quoting the words of Jesus. If you’re a student of the Bible, you know I left out the most important part of that discussion between Jesus and His disciples. He said, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation.
But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 ESV).
No matter what you’re facing today, don’t be shocked about your plight. God isn’t surprised. You shouldn’t be either.
The better reaction is to acknowledge the conflict . . . and go immediately to God’s never-changing promises.
You can be sure that these promises are true for you right now. Take hold of them, cherish them, believe them, and wait for God to make them reality. I have taken, tested, and proven the promises of God, and you can, too. He is always true.
In Christ who overcame the world,
James MacDonald
I was blown away and still am by how little I trusted God but
these are true…read them for your self and
hope to see you very very soon back here.
feel free to email me….to talk
praying that His light will shine in the deepest depths of your heart and you will return filled with joy. not happiness, but joy. and never forget sweet friend. . .joy and sorrow reside beautifully within the same heart. . .praying for you. . .
@iloveblogs44 says:
Aww man, I was going to come here and write something completely selfish on how I’m going to miss you and your words, etc. but then I scanned through the comments of those before me and…wow. Such beautiful words from beautiful people who chose instead to say “go for it, we’ll be okay” ;) Praying for you as you take this time for yourself, that you may find the light. And, if for some reason you find yourself in my neck of the woods, I’d love to have a cup of coffee with you (or a glass of wine ;) )
Praying for you.
@crittyjoy says:
Praying for you dear Alece. That as you look He will be there…everywhere…even in places you would least expect.
i’m praying for Light to be clear and bright for you. <3
i’m praying that you receive clear and warm Light. <3
@CandySteele says:
Covering you in prayer. Seek the Light. It’s there.
Difficult circumstances and experiences
can push God’s children further toward the
deep, dark pit of despair. And while Satan
wants to destroy us, God wants us to
come to a place where we have to
rest on His extraordinary promises………
…….you have a Hugh prayer warriors group here lifting you….
when you can’t pray for yourself……Praise God for you….
@LarryHehn says:
You’re in my thoughts and prayers, Alece.
Praying for you, my friend, as you climb this mountain!
@_kingsdaughters says:
I have recently written something that might just be helpful. I am hoping it will be the voice of God to you as He shows you how much he loves you. It is a book about the love that Your Father has for you, a book about how Jesus dearly wants to romance you, a book about how much He needs you to need Him. He is being vulnerable to you like Mr Darcy was vulnerable to Lizzy at the end of Pride & Prejudice.
Alece, I am very exciting for what this season will bring for you.
Here is the book http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004KZPKBK but if you want me to email a free copy to you, please send me your email address and I will happily do so.
Lots of love
Angela
xxx
Romans 13:8
The darkness is nearly over, the day is almost here. Let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.
agreeing with LK verse and the others all of us are standing in the gap….GOD is standing up for U also….
Oh, my friend, how I wish I could just give you a ginormous hug and tell you everything will be alright. If you were here, I guess I could do that, but it would feel hollow because, short of eternity, I don’t know that for sure. I wish I did. I so understand the need to step back and be quiet right now. Look forward to hearing your heart soon.
Speaking of, remember when I said that I missed the long conversations we haven’t had yet? Sure would like to do that sometime, sooner than later.
Love you, friend. And praying, always praying…
Love and hugs from VA
@bajanpoet says:
Oh I can’t say it any clearer than the others before me…. I love you, like we all do… and as you go LOOKING I pray that you find the Light you seek.
“Seek the Lord, while he may be found, call upon him, while he is near….”
“They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not grow weary, they shall walk and not grow faint.”
“Call upon me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things you do not know.”
(HUGS)
You are loved.
Praying for you…that you will be refreshed and encouraged.
Going dark for a bit is something I do fairly frequently. I pray you will come back with sparks of dreams and much hope and joy.
@danielleH says:
Wow…I’ve been thinking of much these past few days.
I miss you friend…but I’ll have to tell you that in a less plugged in way
@20BOLD11 says:
Excited for you choosing to go to the “mountain” and spend some one-on-one time with God. I know He will reveal Himself to you in a way like never before during this time. Looking forward to your praise report. Love and blessings!
Feeling filled with hope – “confident expectation” – for you.
@tonyjalicea says:
You’ll find it my friend, I’m sure of it. Praying and believing with you.
@lauraparkerblog says:
I totally get it. We will miss you, but your heart is much more important than any blog or friendship or writing or . . . anything. Your heart and Jesus-speaking-to-it.
Thanks for letting us in on so much of your journey. I will pray for light and clarity every time God brings you to mind.
I will be praying for you sweet Alece. Hope you find what God has for you in this time. Love you!
I will miss you. But I’ll keep praying for you to find more Light. Love you!
Praying for you. Knowing where you are at. There with you. xx
We’ll mss you, pray for you, and look forward to your return. Lisa will be eagerly waiting…
Miss you already. Wanneer kom jy veer DC toe?
yes please, what she said :) “Wanataka kuja kutembelea DC mapema?”
hugs friend… love you bunches
I don’t want to seem stalker-ish… cuz I’m not… but I wanted to say that I said a little prayer for you today. I appreciate your time away… though I do so look forward to your return. Your words are ones that people, like myself, can relate to and connect with. It sucks to be in a community where people hurt… but in that community, the encouragement has more meaning and depth… the words that bring hope… well… its such a gift. So I guess it really doesn’t always suck so much to fit in.
Right now I’m burying myself in the poetry that is Ann Vosskamp’s new book… and though it hurts… I can’t help but feel hope. Gratitude mostly. Ingratitude has swallowed me up so much that I am not recognizable… so I’m choosing to give thanks… for ALL things… even for the things that hurt and the loss that is agony. I even thanked God for the BUCKETS of snow he let fall here this week. ;)
I pray you find what you are looking for… for light to shine on your face so much that it brings warmth, love, and peace…
@amykiane says:
Wishing you all the best and praying for you Alece.
http://thenoreaster.wordpress.com/2009/07/24/pstorm-153/
@ChristianNoob says:
We all have ups and downs in our faith, strength to cope with life, patience or just any other mental/spiritual state. I guess it’s time for a big slice of NYC cheesecake (http://www.yelp.com/biz/daiuto-baby-watson-cheesecake-new-york) and a large cup of coffee. That will take that “darkness” away.
I missed this but good luck! I know sometimes we just need to in order to see what it is HE wants us to see! Praying it is a blessing, fasting from the blog world is probably something we should all do regularly.
Blessings,
Mel
Please feel free to stop by: Trailing After God
Many times when I’m drawing closer to God, I need to pull away from something else in my life ~ Lysa TerKeurst
It is encouaging to know I am not the only person going through I tough time. I need to go off the grid too…
Miss your blog posts…..thinking of you and hope this time has been good…that’s all…
@jeffgoins says:
Praying for this next season for you – that God will illuminate where he wants your next steps to fall.
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen”
(Ephesians 3:20-21).
Glory to You, Lord. You answer Alece seemingly impossible prayers. Help her as she faces the struggles that are pulling her down.also for all whom left comments and need Gods touch…God you are so faithful to us Amen
It’s been awhile. Not saying you have post, but maybe you could come visit. OK. That would be nice.
Just wrote a little bit about the same thing. I was writing about making sure you leave yourself some space to take care of yourself. Sometimes you have to change your filter and clean your lens in the hopes of finding clarity both personally and spitritually. I hope that as you sift through the darkness you will find the fuel for your light.
Alece,
I am praying for your heart. For Courage. And that as you continue look, you will find Him and that He will fill your heart with dreams that will knock your socks off! I hope someday, if He leads you back this way… we get to hear about them!
Looking forward to hearing more of your story…hope you are loving the light and living in delight.