Who Encourages the Encourager?

(Photo credit: Christi Gee. Her post "Dear Encourager--3 Things We Want You to Know" is a must read! Such beautiful encouragement for encouragers)

Through this blog, I recently helped myself. Sounds strange, right? Let me explain.

I'd just experienced a very, very bad day. The day before it had been rough as well. The day before, my ex and I had exchanged cruel and heated words. I walked around in a daze, thinking, "Seriously, God? This is what I get? This is how I'm treated? You're joking, right?" The following day, some other stuff happened that left me reeling and traumatized. (Shout out to my sister who dropped everything and comforted me when I needed her the most. My family is amazing.)

Some days I'm strong and kind. Other days I'm weak and cruel. This process of changing from the inside out is not smooth. It's jagged, prickly, and painful.

Anyway, that night the boys and I were decorating our Christmas tree, knowing it would be our last time in this home. They knew what had happened that day and the day before, and we made a pact to put it behind us and have fun. We laughed, we danced, we sang Christmas carols at the top of our lungs. It's as if we were punching difficulty in the face, saying, "Take that!"

After the boxes had been put away, and after the house lights were turned off and only the lights from the tree were glowing, we eventually settled back into our nightly routines. My son sat on one couch, I sat on another. While he checked his phone, I checked my emails.

Sitting in my inbox were my own words from this blog: "After the Drought." I schedule these posts ahead of time, so I'd forgotten about it. I read through my own words, feeling encouraged and strengthened. After experiencing a rough couple of days, this post reminded me that it's temporary. It's seasonal. We won't only survive this turmoil, we'll thrive in the midst of it.

It was a fresh reminder of the roller coaster experience. Up some days, down on others. But on that night, I was thankful for this blog. I was thankful for God's gentle reminder to smile during the roller coaster ride. Yes, I may sometimes get bugs in my teeth, but isn't that better than the alternative? Riding a roller coaster with white-knuckled fear, snarling through the drops, is not a good way to live life. That is not my destiny.

Some days, we're able to encourage others. Other days, we need encouragement. On that day, I was both the encourager and the encouraged. Life is so strange and beautiful.

My hope and prayer is that this blog is helping others. I'm trusting that God is sending the right people here; the people who need it. Heck, even if you're just curious to see how a girl with a wonky situation is doing life on a crazy faith journey. Whatever your reason for reading, I thank you. 

I know one thing for sure--it's helping me.

Until next time...

Do It Afraid

(photo credit)

Airports used to intimidate me. Flying in airplanes used to terrify me. 

So of course it makes perfect sense that I would choose to become a flight attendant, right?

You heard that correctly. I'm now a flight attendant. In my wildest dreams, I never would've imagined I'd choose this career path. And yet, here I am. 

But it wasn't so much me choosing it as it was God placing the desire in my heart. And then He gave me the grace to do it.

I'm no longer intimidated by airports. The crowds, the confusion, and the waiting have become somewhat normal to me. And I'm no longer afraid of flying. My office is now a tube in the sky, and I'm strangely ok with that.

This is what it's been like since I fixed my eyes on God and followed His prompting. He's taken me on unpredictable paths that normally would've scared the heck out of me. 

Joyce Meyer gives wonderful advice about following God's path for you, even when it's scary: do it afraid. 

I followed that advice when I took my mission trip last year. I followed that advice when I joined my life group. And I followed that advice when I got the "yes" from my airline, welcoming me to their team. 

Sometimes our biggest enemy can be comfort. We don't like change, and resist it at all costs. Comfort feels good. It's predictable. It's easy. I've always loved and appreciated comfort and predictability.

The unknown? Now, that's scary. Fear can become crippling, if we let it. But I'm learning to trust God and where He's taking me. I'm learning that I don't always know what's best for me, but God does. He loves me so much and wants to bless me. 

Pursuing this career has been full of ups and downs, trials and triumphs. It's meant being away from my children--the very people I love and care about most.

I don't claim to know why God led me here, or why He kept these doors open while shutting other doors. I have no idea why He placed this in my heart.  But I do know I can trust Him. He's leading me where He wants me to go, and all I need to do is follow. 

I'll share more about my flying adventures later, but for now I'll leave you with this: if you're feeling led to do something, say something, or pursue something--but you're scared--I encourage you to follow Joyce Meyer's advice: do it afraid. 

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9

Until next time...