Mercury Retrograde, Triumphs and Testings

Hi friend,

Is it just me or have you noticed, too, that the new catchy topic to talk about is Mercury Retrograde? Apparently, on specific dates, Mercury optically appears to be going in reverse. And those who follow with astrology and such, believe that the reversal causes chaos and confusion, etc… It’s a thing.

I’ll admit March has indeed been madness, but I’m not a follower of the stars. I’m a follower of the One who made the stars, and the amazing things that I’m seeing have more to do with what God is doing than any manmade notion that the planets are out of alignment. There’s a shaking going on. And it feels astronomical, at least in my life. Listen to this word about appointed seasons…so good.

First-ever book reading this week! It went so well:)

Book signing at Philanthropy in Franklin last Saturday!

Over the last five years, I’ve been walking through some really frustrating trials and equally amazing triumphs. It’s been one thing after another. Some I can talk about and others are private. But one thing is for sure… it all started when talks for the first book surfaced. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to put together that warfare goes hand in hand with obedience. You want to do kingdom work. Share the gospel. Leave a legacy pointing to Jesus. Expect opposition. But here’s the beauty… The Word says in James 1:2-4, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

These heavy things I’ve had to carry at certain times have led me to a breaking point. And it’s in those moments of surrender, like on my face…calling out to Jesus to just take the load. That’s when the shift happens. And by shift I mean a deeper faith walk, a supernatural surrender, and a radical focus to see His hand in motion! But it seems to correlate closely with the break. Maybe up until that point, I’m still trying to control and fix things on my own. I don’t know, but one of the several tests we’ve walked through suddenly disappeared this week. After years of dealing with a bug infestation in our barn, we had built in 2020, this week it’s GONE. You walk in and it’s palpable, there’s not one single ladybug, stink bug, wasp, etc. They.are.gone! Amazing how it happened on the same week that I had a full circle moment doing my book reading and book signing. Completion of an assignment. The passing of a trial? A definite strengthening of my faith, praise God! Is there a breakthrough moment you can clearly remember where you felt the Lord take you onto the other side of struggle?

As I was cleaning up the aftermath of bugs in the barn, and the paper scraps from the making of “My Forever Home: The Hope of Heaven” I had a revelation that this season is over. My assignment is complete and my focus now is to do nothing;) Well, keep sharing about the book and getting it out there, but as far as projects go... I had a definite knowing that I was to abide in Him, to rest, and to not strive for one more thing. I tend to forward-think a little too much. So, resting and abiding is my next assignment. I’m excited to see what that looks like.

REST: Yesterday, it looked like this…

A day of strolling the Frist Museum to see their “Farm to Table exhibit”! A must-see for those in Nashville. Runs through May 4th.

And this…

Signed up for another Valerie McKeehan soft pastels retreat… You could too. Here’s the info.

And this…

I signed up for an online oil pastel class from Lena Rivo. She’s got a free guide here to get you started.

Quote of the Week:

“Underrated life skill: Enjoying where you are without rushing into what’s next.”

~Cory Allen

What Brave Thing Have You Done Today?

I’m getting ready to respond to a (fallout) friend I haven’t talked to in four years. She reached out yesterday to congratulate me on my book. It feels like a big scary moment. See March Madness. It’s God, shaking things. In His appointed season!

What I’m Working on:

If you’ve read my books please take a minute to leave me a review here. Also, don’t miss getting your free pocket-sized Jesus with each order through 4/9;)

Thanks for being here!