NEW! Weekend Bookend

In an attempt to blog consistently, I've outlined some content this week. Yay for setting goals!

Fingers crossed.

Toward the end of every week, the plan is to review a book I'm reading or have read and share my very deep and informed thoughts (ha!) on said book. Or books.

If books are not your thing, I totally understand. Actually that doesn't compute, but whatever. Books are definitely my thing so here we go!

Currently reading:

"Heaven" by Randy Alcorn

It's a big book, but already I'm grateful for taking the journey. I know for me personally I've had many misconceptions or as Alcorn puts it an "impoverished" view of eternity with Christ and this book is helping to fill in the potholes and support the bridges. Have any of you read this? What were thoughts after finishing? I'd love to hear about it!

Read this year:

"Quiet" by Susan Cain

My sis-in-law Hilary recommended this to me and it's quite a dynamic read! I've always tended more toward the introverted side, and definitely in the last few years I've exhibited more of those tendencies. Very helpful to gain more insight into what makes us tick. Whether extroverted or introverted, there are nuggets to be gained from this book.

Can't Wait To Read:

"Go Set a Watchman" by Harper Lee

 I cannot WAIT to read this come July. Never would have thought I would get to experience a Harper Lee sequel in my lifetime.

What books are you looking forward to reading this summer? Comment below, if you would be so kind.

Happy Reading!

This Writing Journey

A lot of soul-searching has taken place during this writing project. 

Many times I've stopped to bow my head and repent because the very words I'm typing, I need to activate in my own life.

Other times I'm reminded of a promise at just the right time.

Sometimes I feel like I'm writing to my younger self or to the young girls in my life, and my heart brims with tenderness at the truth I hope gets planted in their lives.

I've come face-to-face with my strengths, but also my weaknesses. I've had to to grapple with them, stare them down and subdue them every day, because with this endeavor right now, I'm the only one getting in the way of me. I'm the only one I can blame for not progressing.

Do you know how humbling that is?

Photography by Brittany Castell

I've heard many writers say similar things, but always thought deep down it was just false modesty.

But I'm starting to understand that those feelings are very real.

Saul's Problem

I am reading through the Bible chronologically again this year and as I've recently read the story of Saul's reign and downfall throughout the book of 1 Samuel, it seemed for the first time that I could pinpoint his problem.

He was wise in his own eyes.

Consistently, he demonstrated impatience over patience, taking matters into his own hands over waiting on God's timing and walking in the wisdom of Saul, rather than the wisdom of God.

Scary.place.to.be.

He didn't wait for Samuel to sacrifice to God, he chose to go to a witch for wisdom, he wasted time and energy pursuing David to satisfy his own ego and ultimately decided to write the end of his own story when he takes his own life.

God had great things planned for Saul- not only was he king, his sons and their sons after them were supposed to be king. But Saul threw that opportunity in the trash with his very own hands.

It's easy to judge Saul from our armchairs, but how often do we ourselves default to walking in the wisdom of self? Far too often would be my guess. I know I'm guilty of it!

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him,  and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes;  fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones." 
Proverbs 3:5-8 (NIV)

Friends, let us learn from Saul's mistakes and choose to walk in God's wisdom and wait on his timing. We won't be disappointed.