the back door

for the past 10 years or so I have personally chosen to participate in lent in some way.  lent hadn't been a part of my growing up years and still isn't really a part of our church life, but it has found its way into a part of my own faith journey and each year has been a little different.  this year was no exception. so let me back track just a little.  last summer i started a weight loss journey with my nurse.  she faithfully pushed me, challenged me, weighed me, encouraged me and cheered me on.  i remember telling her i'd try her plan, lose 7 and gain back 10.  she told me this time would be different. and well, she was right.  i lost weight...beyond the 7 pounds.  i was ecstatic!!! in december, i knew God had given me the word flourish for 2019.  i wrote some goals in my journal about flourish.  a section of those goals included my weight, but the holidays snuck in and carbs tempted me.  i gave in to the swedish fish during ...

this tradition of a word of the year has proven to be one of my favorites.  the focus it provides.  the journey it provides.  the revealing of God.  this word thing is special. this might be the first time in the past 10 or so years that my word of the year was actually given to me.  spoken to me.  written to me.  gifted to me.  and the moment i heard it, read it, received it, i knew.  this was my word for 2019. this gift arrived early november as i had just stepped into a part of something that in the past had left me feeling defeated, unwanted, wrong, and confused.  but i was willing to try just one more time at her rather persistent encouragement and the gift of new friends.  while away that weekend, listening to my friends share their stories, listening to those in small group share their hearts, and being given the time to craft, i knew.  i knew that God was whispering "it's time to flourish my child.  it...