For once, I plan to plan ahead. Writing this before the New Year, before Christmas, before the end of this project at work that feels like it will never end… That’s a lot of ‘before’s and a lot of things ahead that I have very little control over. It would be wonderful to follow up this post after it’s published with a clever little note that all those things brought only joy, no overwhelm, and everything went perfectly. I’d love that. I also have no concept for what “perfectly” would actually look like.
Life is messy, and it’s in the thick of it that we get to see the little blessings God reveals himself in. So, despite my resistance to change and even deeper rebellion against things I can’t control and the reality that sometimes that’s for the best, that’s what I’m hoping I can remind myself of. Through the birth of Jesus, into our new calendar year, our stories might change but God doesn’t. And I don’t know about you, but when just the word ‘change’ winds me with exhaustion, knowing our creator is present and constant is a source of comfort.
And, following that brief reflection, things are slowly beginning to change here at Stories Shape Us! My name has changed! It’s been changed for awhile, but I’ve been trying to figure out what my next steps forward will be. Now that I’ve decided, my author website is under construction, pending the rerelease of my books under my new name. Dates are TBD right now, but as that begins to take more shape there will be more information to come. But for now, I’m excited to continue building this space with each of you!
I’ve also been pondering the purpose of this space. It’s still about stories - of faith, writing, and the ones we’re living. And, I want it to be fun, uplifting, and a little silly for every time it’s serious. There’s truth we can find in the gritty parts of life, and I don’t think we’re meant to stay there.
Healing can’t come without having suffered a wound. I think a full realization of joy comes after bearing the weight of not believing one can experience it. For every story of perseverance and triumph, I think there can be a bearing witness to the light with the same if not more focus than the darkness overcome. Those are the stories I stop and ponder. They’re happening all around us if we have the eyes to see, the awareness to stop, and the heart to listen. I’m not always good at that, but there is always more than what we see and what we know.
That thought doesn’t have to be frightening, or make us feel small in a world much larger than ourselves. A smallness occasionally is good for perspective. But there’s also purpose, patience, wonder, and discovery. Lots of other things too, those are just the first few that popped into my head. As change fatigued as this gal is, as never ending as change is and truly feels sometimes, trusting in the purpose, patience, wonder, and discovery there is as I learn each day how to walk with Christ, in wandering and in obedience, I can always find my rest in Christ.
My website is currently under construction. You can still find my books, Stars Above and Imprinted under “Brooke Tiedt” on Amazon and others. With new versions to rerelease in the new year, these current book versions will be retiring. If you want an original copy, you’re welcome to grab one while you can! If you’re patiently waiting for the new copies, keep a look out for more information headed your way soon. Thank you!
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