Meet The Wood Behind The Woodshed

Faith matters; I have always known it.   It wasn't something I learned or was taught - it was interwoven into our family, who we were, and how we grew.  Honestly, I do not remember a time when Jesus was not a part of my life.  Growing up, whether it was my parents, grandparents, or even our extended family - faith was clearly there, and its role was unmistakeably significant.  

I often describe myself as a southern-raised daddy's girl.  Growing up in an environment that always made family important, I couldn't imagine life without it; my family has always been my "ground zero" - the one place always there, no matter where "there" happens to be.  

It has given me a legacy I hope to continue for my family - especially as we experience growth and change.  My husband Jeff and I have been married for over 30 years,  have two (2) beautifully amazing daughters, and are now grandparents ("Pee-Poo" and "YaYa") to our growing family.

I am blessed beyond measure to have this life and experience the journey God has chosen for me.  It is filled with moments (including some hard ones) I wouldn't dream of trading.  Along with my faith, family has been a huge factor in shaping my heart and, more specifically, my life.  

Let me be clear - I do NOT have it all figured out.  I am well aware, as the saying goes, "the struggle is real," and in my life, it is clear that there are more than a few of them, but I am not the only one.  We all have them, and each one is made unique by the lives they invade.  

My fights have included self-esteem issues, a need to "measure up," and anxiety.  These issues have been both the source of my battles and among the key ingredients in the messes I have made.  Mind you - I am not talking about the everyday messes - most of my messes tend to be on the "hot mess" side of the equation, which, simply put, means an ordinary mess with a little extra sprinkled on top (extra emotion, extra confusion, extra tears, etc.).  These extras kick things up a few notches on the messy meter.  

Thankfully, I have experienced growing with God.  This growth doesn't mean I am immune to emotional decisions, mistakes, and struggles; on the contrary, it sometimes makes them all the more complicated.  Though there have been great times, it hasn't always been easy. There have been hardships, messes to clean, and, at times, crow to eat.  Did I mention I do NOT like the taste of crow?  It can be a bitter pill to swallow.  Nonetheless, it's part of the battle, part of the growing process, part of the lessons we learn, and amidst every complication is His amazing provision and unyielding grace." 

Life is not a spectator sport, yet, everyone, at some point or another has been tempted to withdraw, wishing to fade into the background or maybe even be invisible. I know I have felt this way on more than one occasion; although tempting, it will not stop messes from being made, fill the void we feel, override the overwhelm, or get us to where we are meant to be - where He has called us. Simply put, I cannot fully experience the journey God has designed for me without embracing the role I have been assigned. This requires active and attentive participation. I must be willing to wear the mess and join the clean-up crew.

                "Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path."  Psalm 119:105

God illuminates not only the path we travel but also the steps we take along the way. It requires learning to balance our attentiveness between the destination and the travel experience. He hasn't left us to our own devices. He has given us the opportunity to experience Him more fully,  and we can only do that if we are willing to embrace every part of the journey.