One Year: A Changed Look and Perspective

To mark the anniversary of blogging, I've updated the photo and background of this site.  Oddly, it is a symbolic change for me as it represents turning the corner of a "new year" with renewed hope and a fresh perspective.  As I met with a Christian counselor yesterday (an overdue visit) to discuss the joys, struggles and experiences of the past year, she gave me pause with a very basic question.  She asked, "How do you feed your soul?"  I was tempted to give the "correct"-Sunday school- pastor's wife- school teacher answer, but I waited and considered before answering.  Then, it hit me!  I will use the change in blog photos to give a picture of my thoughts.

Both photos show Zambian children on the the road in Lusaka surrounded by hopeless poverty.  The impoverished road represents the brokenness of the world where we all live.  The previous picture was dark, profoundly serious and inactive with children thoughtfully observing the camera and their surroundings.  The new photo shows eager and joyful children in active pursuit of our vehicle on my first drive through the compounds of Lusaka.  While the circumstances and environment are the same, the posture and perspective of the individuals is completely different.

For the last 12 months and 42 blog posts, I have had a most serious and observant posture as I have been on the receiving end of Christ's sustaining grace and as He has stretched me in new ways.  (Similar to how my grandfather would let me stand on his feet while leading me in a dance.)  The first photo shows this perspective in my thoughts and writing.  However, the counselor's question leads me to consider this:  What am I doing to "feed my soul" as I travel the difficult road of life?  This requires an active pursuit of Christ and knowing Him more intimately in the midst of joy and suffering.  It's time to "dance" along beside him as if stepping off of my grandfather's toes to participate more fully.  As we closed out our discussion, the counselor wrapped up with some questions relating to my roles in life and this particular season as wife, mother, minister's wife and teacher, obviously showing how Christ knows my weakness in every way and has experienced all of it in the flesh, yet without sin.  As I consider another year of writing, my hope and prayer (and active pursuit) will be to seek Christ in all things.  It is encouraging to have you follow this journey with me.

"For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority." ....... "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.  Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things.  For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.  When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory."
Colossians 2:9 and 3:1-4