If you followed my social media accounts in August you know that I celebrated a different National Day every day of the week (I took the weekends off to rest). It was SO much fun and yet, a bit tiring at the same time. Then September arrived and nothing posted on social media; welcome to me, Nancy, we are now friends on a deeper level – Ha 🙂
The truth is August was joyful and painful all wrapped into one long month. Spending days with friends was exactly what I needed to make it through the month. My health has been low for the past two months with August hitting me the worse, it was the 2 year mark since the rug was pulled out of my marriage and my biological father passed away. Note: I say biological because I had not spoken to him in over 20 years; he never met my husband or my children. My childhood memories with him are a mix of happiness and fear. His passing did not bring the relief or peace I thought it would and further made me sad that he never had the strength to change and make amends for, at times, my messed up childhood.
Then I found this great article and community challenge called “Slow September”. It was the perfect transition into a new month and a new season (even though it does not feel as if fall is approaching). It is a wonderful reminder that we do not have to get wrapped up in moving into the next season quickly, and additional for me, not having to have all the answers. Sometimes taking it slow is exactly what we need – not only for our physical health, but our mental health as well. I hope you will join me this month in taking a step back, feeling what you need to feel and slowly begin healing from any hurt in your life. Tomorrow is a new day. Love you!
Resources/Inspiration:
Slow September Challenge – join the challenge and take a few quiet minutes each day to slow down, breathe, reflect, and relax.
Sermon:
When The Battle Chooses You by Pastor Steven Furtick – Pastor Steven is a bit charismatic but GREAT! It’s a long sermon, but awesome, even if you just watch the first minute.
Books:
Grief – Living at Peace with Loss by June Hunt
The Year of Living Happy: Finding Contentment and Connection in a Crazy World by Alli Worthington
Songs:
It Is Well – Kristene DiMarco & Bethel Music (A duplicate, but it’s too good not to include again).
You Make Me Brave – Bethel Music
Verses:
Psalm 23:3 (ERV) “He restores my strength. He leads me on the right paths to show that He is good.”
Psalm 25:4 (ERV) “Lord, help me learn Your ways. Show me how you want me to live.”
Love it and you:)
Love you my friend!! 🙂
Love you, yes this month has entailed
Joy, and for me hearing about him dying was a bit
unsettling . I’m happy for the reconnection of siblings.
Me too! I’m so excited to be in touch with everyone again. Love you!
I sure love your transparency Nancy. Thank you for sharing more of your story. I know it blesses me and I’m sure others as well. I was wondering how you were keeping up with all the activity in August. As an introvert, I could never do that for 4 straight weeks in a row. I’m totally impressed! That being said, I’m sure it did help you experience joy inside the grief.
The scriptures you shared spoke to me too. I’m in a place where I’m asking God to show me what his strategy is for the particular battle I’m going through right now with my prodigal children. All we can do is ask Him to direct our journey and allow us to experience His plans for our lives (Psalm 25:4). The Passion translation says in 23:4, “Lord, even when your path takes me through the deepest darkness, fear will never conquer me, for you already have! You remain close to me and lead me through it all the way. Your authority is my strength and my peace. The comfort of your love takes away my fear. I;ll never be lonely, for you are near.”
Thank you Jenni! It is such a dream to be writing these blogs and I love that they are being read. Praying for your children! Thank you for sharing Psalm 23:4 – such a powerful verse. I haven’t heard of the Passion translation – I’m going to check it out!