Recent Revelations

What a wild and tumultuous set of transitions the last few years have held - for me, for my family and friends, for the world!  I'm standing at my PC in my new-to-me office in my new-to-me home with some not-new-at-all intentions resurrected.  I've been given to distraction many times in my life, usually involving patterns of engaging with others - patterns that serve neither my higher good nor theirs.  This year, I've determined to yield to the growth process, and also to rid myself of strife in its various manifestations, even if it costs me dearly.

Revelations of self-destructive patterns once deemed behind us can bring about confusion, shame, guilt - and, frankly, keep us trapped in those very cycles.  Even relationships that bring about situations and sensations that harm us repeatedly can be very dear to us - to the point we acquiesce to the will of others when God created and designed us to honor Him and what He wants us to do and be and have (Galatians 1:10).  My, how I wish this pattern of people-pleasing would cease in my life - no - I am committing that wish to God as a prayer of true contrition that I have allowed the opinions of those in my sphere - any of them - to usurp His authority and leadership.

I had a clear calling here to do this work - a work I began and have had fits-and-starts with because of the distractions these unhealthy connections have presented.  Non-versations with those involved have had me spinning my wheels while the things I'm meant to share get unsaid.

This post will stop short of apologies and excuses for my absence as such things waste even more time.  Rather, I hereby vow to be more present, more intentional, and more assertive in my pursuit to honor God in my writing, to put Him first in all I do, to maintain healthy boundaries and relationships, to courageously walk away from whatever or whomever detracts from that vision.  The yearning of my heart is to model the health, wholeness, and serenity provided through Christ; and I realize I've had less of that because of my misplaced need to please and keep "peace."  I refuse to further give up what cost my Savior the greatest price.  In yielded obedience, I return to my First Love - and I'm grateful that He gave us books like Hosea to remind us of His stubborn, steadfast love!

There are lessons to glean from the meandering path I have taken here.  As I learn, I hope to bestow the blessing of these recent revelations and so edify each reader of these words.

Jotting with Johnna
What steps can you take today to determine your mental/emotional territory?  What situations or behaviors stir up anxious thoughts or concerns; and what are you willing to change, accept, or further explore about those stimuli?  True friends will love you enough to honor boundaries when they are expressed with respect and kindness; so how will you examine, explain, and enforce those lines?

Remember, you are so very worthy of the effort, expense, and energy it takes to become the enthusiastic, empowered person you were designed to be!

Stay tuned.  Stay well.  Stay focused.

Johnna