Maybe the Pieces do go Together

Just last week, inspired by the following post, I started my own journal/diary/commonplace book/whatever else it might end up being over this year. It’s not quite a daily practice, and each day so far has looked different, but so far I think that’s the point. To create, to be, freely with no predetermined boundaries that a lot of other prompted journals have. (No hate to prompted journals or journal-ers, I just have an innate need to Not do what the prompt tells me to do, and the boxes never feel the right size to me).

It’s been an eye opening process. It feels like an extension of how I can see God at work in my life each day. Whether it’s boredom, anxiety and stress, the overwhelm of life, and the joy, it helps me put myself on a page in a way that holds no expectations and lets me cover it however I need that day. And, hopefully as I continue on, a little prayer each time that I might get to see how God walks beside me on the mountain tops and the valleys, whether they’re truly tops or valleys or that’s how I experience them in those moments.

One neat thing has been seeing God at work in how I see people and events around me. From college to marriage and living somewhere new-ish, finding friends has always been a bit of a challenge for me. It’s always required a mindset shift, and releveling of expectations, and asking God to help me see what he knows I need and is already at work in providing.

First, I had to walk through what I felt like was a valley, or at least a mountain side that was chilly and overcast. I had to reconcile what my heart desired, with the knowledge that friendships take time, and my perception of reality. We don’t always recognize, or want to at first, how our hearts can sometimes pull us away from the very things we’re seeking. That it can warp our perception into untruths because it doesn’t meet the specific expectations we’ve built up around ourselves, as barriers of protection and of hopes. Both keep people out. But upon working through those three elements, over time and in each new place I find myself, I can see God helping me shift my perspective.

He’s leading me toward peace. Peace in healing relationships that are hard for me to handle right now. Peace in knowing I do have friends who care around me. Peace in realizing concentrated time with women is healing and rejuvenating for my soul. Peace in realizing God will provide, and he is helping me to see and to receive his blessings each day as I remember to ask, to look, and the willingness to concede I am not in control of it all.

That’s not to say I’m perfect at that, or that I’m the perfect person in any relationship either. But learning grace, in receiving and giving, I think helps every type of terrain a little easier to traverse. I feel like I’m starting to get it - what it looks like to see and be with people as we are, to not put unrealistic expectations (too high or low) on others or myself, and how to be present in each moment to the fullest extent that I can be.

And how does that look in reality? For me, distinct moments in which I realize things feel right, unclouded by emotions like isolation, disappointment, or anxiety. It was gathering with the women of family friends a couple days before Christmas that made the season feel right. Going to my friend’s wedding, and the joy in the room to see how easy it was to celebrate with her and the others she’d chosen to be with her on that day made me truly excited and joyful be by her side through her day. Brief visits with friends typically far away showed me I am not lacking as much as I may feel I am, with proximity further than I’m used to or I would like. Connection still thrives, and people you’re comfortable with that feel like no time at all has passed is so, so precious.

The lies of the enemy don’t have to hold power over us. But sometimes, we begin to tell those lies to ourselves, to believe it until it becomes something we have to take to God to get help untangling. If we’re willing to take it to him, to let truth break the lies before they take hold of us, or in the time it takes to unravel lies that have taken root, he is willing to guide you through it all.

In terms of book news, Book 2 of Imprinted is almost complete! I’m halfway through draft 3, which looks like making sure character arcs are effective, the world’s lore makes sense, and all the piece of the conflict for this book and setting up for the final book in the trilogy all comes together. Title and cover reveal coming soon!

Stars Above is planned to be my first rerelease. New cover, new blurb, hopefully a new page on Amazon that still connects to the original one so anyone who has the ebook can smoothly get the updated version and Amazon doesn’t totally freak out on me… I would be interested in your opinions though: for a novella, specifically for middle grade / YA, are you more likely to lean toward an ebook, paperback, or does it depend?

Excited to test out polls, and to get your feedback. Hopefully more interactive posts to come as I get closer to figuring out my releases this year!

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!