Hello reader,
We made it! It’s been an entire year of writing this newsletter. What started out as a small newsletter twice a month on a different platform has grown into a space and community that I’m proud of here on Substack. This monthly newsletter is still a small corner of the internet, but it’s been a space where I can write my true feelings, get honest with my close nit audience, and practice my writing skills. Truly, it is an honor to write for you!
As we come up on the end of the year, I’m beginning to reflect upon all that this year has held for me. I began the year as a mom of a 9 month old, and I’m going out as the mom of an almost two year old. I’ve grown in many ways—spiritually, emotionally, and as a writer. I’ve honed in on my writing voice and the topics I’m passionate about. I’ve taken up new practices and rid myself of the ones that no longer served me. I’ve completed the first three chapters of my book idea. I’ve stepped out of my comfort zone again and again.
The end of the year always brings up these emotions and urges to reflect, but it also makes me a little nervous about what’s to come. To be honest, I’m not sure what life will be like in 2023. I fully believe that it’s the year to begin pursuing publishing a book, although I’m not sure what that looks like yet. It’s the year of new beginnings—a new job perhaps, having a two year old, prayerfully looking into buying a house. But most of all, it’s the year of continuing to trust God with all of it.
I want to be someone who lives with hope that God is a God of blessings. He is a promise keeper, a need provider, a gentle counselor, a guiding hand. In 2023, may we believe that God is who he says he is. May we be encouraged that God is with us every step of the way.
A Devotional Thought to Meet You Where You Are
Every year, the Texas fall colors only last for a short time before they begin falling to the ground. When we were traveling for Thanksgiving this year, we received the privilege of traveling during the height of the colorful hues. The colors are still around, but they are mostly being blown in the wind or sitting in the grass.
I can’t help but think how much I would have missed this beauty if I wasn’t awake to it. What if I was engrossed in a novel or listening to music during the drive that I didn’t see the fall leaves? What if I was walking between the pines with my head down, completely oblivious to the goodness and beauty that God had for me in this season?
Unfortunately, we so often walk through life like this. We are going through the motions. When we face challenges and even monotony, we are tempted to live in avoidance or rush to the good part. But when we live like this, we miss the beauty that God has for us within small, limited windows and time frames. Of course, God’s beauty and goodness is not in limited supply, but the way and reason he wants us to see it at that moment is. Are you awake to it? Are your eyes open?
If you find yourself in this place of going through the motions today, could you slow down, recenter, and remember the goodness that God has promised to his people? He has so much He wants to show you. Wake up to His goodness in your life.
Tools & Resources for Your Journey
Aggressively Happy: A Realist’s Guide to Believing in the Goodness of Life by Joy Marie Clarkson about learning to embrace both the sorrows and joys of life.
Then Sings My Soul: A 4-Week Hymn Study for the Advent Season by Amy Gannett. Of course I had to share an advent guide for this Christmas season! This study has been a great addition to my mornings, as it digs deeper into common hymns, their history, and where they are found in Scripture.
Your Best is YOUR Best by Jasmine Radhawa for Heal, Grow, & Ripen about surrendering to difficult seasons and remembering that we are all on our own journey.
On the Walking in the Wilderness Blog
Walking in the Wilderness is my blog where I write about seasonal and present moment living, as well as looking for God’s goodness and provision in every season. I post every Friday.
Maintaining the Health of Our Souls in the Here and Now about tending to our souls today
Walking Confidently into the Classrooms of Life about stepping boldly into new seasons and daily opportunities to connect with God using an example about Wesley at preschool
Engaging in the Spiritual Practice of Meditation about my meditation routine and how you can begin to meditate too
The Detours of Life: Learning to Embrace God’s Redirection about why God redirects us and how we can live better within those redirections
A Question for Reflection
Use this question for spiritual reflection and respond in the comments!
What are some ways that you can/want to/are working to intentionally wake up to the beauty in your life?
My answer: I’m choosing to slow down more often and keep my mind uncluttered. I’m also looking for beauty in things that aren’t inherently beautiful or aren’t things that you would initially think could be beautiful—God can make anything beautiful in his way.
Thank you for reading. I’m happy you are here. I hope you found some encouragement in these words that keep you going. May God meet you on your journey between the pines.
Talk to you soon,
Lauren Carrizal
P.S. There will be some fun changes happening in this space and in my writing routine in 2023—stay tuned!