In my last newsletter, I gave an update that I will be posting a few essays each month in addition to my monthly letters. This is the first of those. I hope you enjoy :)
As much as I write about living in the present moment, I’m actually kind of bad at it naturally. I think most of us are, as our human nature causes us to run after the things of this world. We long to feel fulfilled, and when we come across challenges or monotony, we run towards the future hoping to find fulfillment there.
I’m so guilty of this. Perhaps that’s why I’m so passionate about the topic of present moment living—I need the lessons within my writing most of all. I need the encouragement and perspective to keep my eyes on God today.
Some days it’s really easy to live presently. Those are the moments where I’m really connected within my life. I sense God’s goodness in my surroundings and I feel true peace. But then there are the days where all I want to do is escape.
I wish away these days of having a toddler with huge feelings or these days of living in an apartment too small for us. I long to have a home where I have space to host guests and have my own cozy office. And I often miss having an office job to go into. I long for future seasons where life feels easier. I wish for quieter days where I can focus on my writing instead of on motherhood.
Perhaps you find yourself wishing away parts of your life too, whether that being a trial, parts of your job, or where you’re at in general.
But I keep reminding myself that my life is not something to escape from. God has me where I’m at for a reason, even when I can’t see it yet. I have to trust that this small apartment is ours for a time for a purpose. I have to trust that God is using motherhood to shape me, and I have to stay committed to my current assignment. The season that I’m in will show its fruit in time if I’m living it out fully.
I want you to know that your life is not something to escape from. If it feels like it is, I’ve been there, more often and more recently than you know. Just this week I found myself mentally trying to escape from my circumstances. All I could do was cry out to God for help:
“God, I’m missing my life. Give me eyes to see the goodness in today.”
While the clouds did not part and God did not speak to me directly in that moment, I felt clarity beginning to seep into my bones. You see, it’s in our weaknesses of our nature that God gives us strength to continue. He reminds us that the life we are living is not by accident. The people and places in your path are not by coincidence. Goodness is abounding within our journey because God is the giver of good gifts.
It’s through God’s provision that I believe my life is not something I need to escape from. It’s through remembering all of the blessings from God that I’m hopeful for what’s to come within these ordinary days. My life is not an escape room; it’s a dwelling place filled with beauty, God’s presence, and deep hope and trust in the God who has created it.
Your life beckons your full attention, as does mine. Your circumstances, while unchangeable, are meant to shape you. Allow them to do just that. Steward this season of monotony or hardship or transition well, for God has allowed you to walk this path for his purpose. Your life does not need escaping from. It needs you, all in, right here, open-handed toward all the pains and blessings of life.
This was so beautifully written and I needed to read these words today. Thank you 💛