Beginnings

October 29, 2016

Blessed are all who fear the Lord,    

 who walk in obedience to him.

                                               Psalm 128:1

Obedience – the word usually connotates something hard or distasteful.  

Something like …

A job.

A duty.

But, God tosses that definition on its head when the psalmist pens this verse. Obedience, he says, is a blessing, a joy.

My name is Beth and this blog is an act of obedience in my own life.  I have written in some shape or form for most of my life, usually for my own benefit. God, in his usual way, though, has something else in mind.  Something surprising.

I am a child of the 70’s and 80’s, born in the 60’s.  We were taught that your business was your own.  Appearances were everything.  God has asked me to dump that way of thinking and do something radical: share transparently.  

Share my experiences.

Share my nightmares.  

… He is asking me to share these things so that I can also share:  His salvation, His redemption, His mercy and grace.

You see, my life has been full of both.  Many peoples’ have been, but we each tell a unique story of how those events come together and what results from them.  Mine is a story of hope. In the darkness of the current world, we need hope more than ever.  I believe this is why God has called me to this task.

I won’t tell you my whole story all at once.  There are so many lessons I have learned along the way, so many moments of heartbreak and joy, that I wouldn’t do them any justice to jumble them all together.  

And so today I am simply writing to introduce myself.

I am first and foremost a child of God.  This colors every other aspect of my life.  

I am a wife of 27 years.

A mother of three amazing grown children (who will doubtless help me with all of the technical aspects of this blog.)  

A mom to a dog and a cat.  

I am currently in college to become a medical coder.  

I’ve spent the last 7-10 years overcoming mental illness, although I’ve suffered with it for much longer.  

I love the outdoors, and I walk and hike as much as I can.  

I’m looking forward to cross-country skiing again this winter (I haven’t done it in about 27 years).  

All of that to say, I pray that I have something to say that will connect with someone who has suffered in similar circumstances to myself. I believe this is why God has called me to this task.  I write in obedience, and joy!  God has seen me through so much.  My life is a testament to His goodness and mercy, His love and compassion, His power and might.  Please join me on this journey.