I'm gonna let it shine

Hello, little blog whom I have seemingly abandoned in the last six months. I did not forget about you. The past year has brought many changes; so many changes, in fact, that instead of saying I’m starting a new chapter in life I find it more appropriate to declare that I’m beginning a brand new book.

Ch-ch-ch-changes

The past few years have been transformative, to say the least;  I've watched my little girl transition from a babbling infant into a very outspoken young lady, survived a divorce (just barely), lost my father to cancer, completed an advanced psychology degree, moved three times, bought a house, and changed career fields. I think it is safe to say that the culmination of these events has led to my view of reality being slightly-if not entirely- altered. Thankfully, because I continue to press into Christ each moment of each day, it has been altered in the direction of Truth. I mean this to say that I look at the world today and stand firm in what I know- perhaps firmer now than ever before. Having seen darkness and felt its grip on my shoulder, I desire only light for the rest of my earthly days.

I believe in transparency, particularly around the area of faith. Anyone who ends up skimming the pages of my blog will immediately note my love affair with the Creator of the universe. My strong and public proclamation of love for my Savior may eventually cost me some things; I may not get a job I want because of my beliefs or I may be declined from a liberal doctoral program (I'm sure the employers/ board of admission would site "poor fit for given work environment", but we all know what that really means...."sorry, honey, your beliefs aren't welcome here"); I may not be asked to present at certain conferences for fear that I may speak of Jesus and all-together lose my audience in the process.  The truth is, my faith is a complete turn off for those who do not wish to discuss the big picture. Simply put, some people will just plain not like me. I know many people who live their lives to please others, but I refuse to live that way. If, indeed, I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ (Galations 1:10).

We wouldn't light a lamp and hide it under a bowl, would we? Not quite. It makes much more sense to place it on a stand and allow it to give light to the whole house (Matthew 5:15). Neither would Jesus fill us with His light and ask us to keep it hidden. Although I've known much darkness and made countless mistakes, there undeniably exists a light in my soul. It has been placed there for a reason, of this I am certain. There are thousands of words skirting down the pages of this blog. My desire is that one thing I say might at some point serve as a light to one person who’s been basking in blackness for far too long. There is light in this world...God-willing, He'll use me to let it shine.