Welcome Blog-Baby

 

Welcome to my first official blog post! I’m so glad that you are here!

 

Over the years, I’ve had several friends and family members suggest that I should start a blog. Although flattered by their kindness, I never really considered the idea.

Sure, I enjoyed writing, but that doesn’t necessarily mean I’m good at it.

Truth be told, I didn’t believe I had what it took.

In my mind, I was never good enough- knowledgeable enough, experienced enough, talented enough, eloquent enough, polished enough, perfect enough.

Who would want to read it anyhow?

 

On top of the nagging feelings of insecurity, was the very real fact that I am a mother of eight! (Seven of which are still at home). Life is busy!

Yes, I know. People HATE that word. But like it or not, busy is what I am.

Between housework, and school, and chores, and homework, and errands, and soccer practice, and church, and bible study, and meals to cook, an infant to chase, and various family functions…..where would I possibly find the time to write a blog?

Writing, for me, often looked like intermittent scribblings quickly jotted down onto paper, in between afternoon feedings, and on the rare occasion that inspiration suddenly struck.

They were very rarely complete thoughts. Rather it looked more like chicken scratch; a few sentences strung together, eventually forming a paragraph or two, only to be frequently interrupted by life, and neatly wrapped in a to be continued bow.

Who possibly had the time to write? Not this girl.

 

If you would have told me a year ago that I would be pursuing my dream of writing, I would have called you crazy.

Last year was one of the most trying seasons of my life.

Have you ever experienced a time when life just seems to catch you completely off-guard, kick you off your feet, and knock the wind right out of you? This was one of those times.

It was a season of heartache, confusion and pain.

A season of broken relationships, bitter endings, and shaken faith.

I had gone into hiding. Shame and despair were my constant companions.

And I had lost my voice. Heck, I had lost a lot more than that!

I was down for the count, and quite frankly, I was not sure I would ever recover.

(I’m sure you’ll read more about my journey in the months to come.)

 

The difficulty of this season knocked me to my knees, in a literal sense. And it was there, on my knees before the Lord, that I heard Him call me to write.

“Rachel, write,” He said.

“It doesn’t matter if you feel like you are good enough, or not.”

“It doesn’t matter if you feel like you are ready, or not.”

“Just write.”

 

Eventually, that is what I did.

I finally stopped ignoring The Voice, and I opened up my small chromebook, dusted off the keyboard, and I typed.

And I typed.

And I typed.

And I typed.

 

Who knew I had so much to say?!

 

A funny thing happened, as I continued in this practice. I found my voice!

MY voice, ya’ll. Unique to me.

And I found myself. My true self. Not some idea of who people think I ought to be.

I began to grow in the confidence of who I am, and more importantly, whose I am.

 

And although there are aspects of putting my thoughts out there, for the world to read, (and criticize), that are scary, I’m no longer afraid.

This is me rising.

Rising from the pit of despair.

Rising up out of the ashes.

This is my brave gift to myself, and my humble offering to Him.

 

Perfectly polished? Nope. Far from it.

Perfectly flawed is more like it.

If you’ve found your way here, and you’re expecting perfection, then you’re in the wrong place.

But if you’re here, and like me, you desire genuineness and authenticity, then welcome!

Let’s be friends. 🙂

 

I invite you into my little corner of the world. Won’t you stay awhile?

Feel free to pull up a chair and take a look around.

Not sure where to start? Might I suggest you begin with the About Me page, or my Vision page. Both will give you a little more insight into who I am, what I believe, and why I write.

 

I am so excited you’re here!