Greetings from Nashville, Tennessee!
A little over seven years have passed since writing my last blog post. But I’m back! Back in Nashville, back to writing, back to working at a college, back with my church family, back to leading a women’s Bible study. I’ve even blown the dust off a couple of old dreams and finding renewed energy to pursue them as God leads.
In the Bible, the number seven symbolizes “completion.” I lived in Coeur d’Alene seven years before returning to Nashville. Now seven years later the Lord is ushering me into this new season of writing, a passion that was dormant for a while. I didn’t plan it this way, either time. I believe God did. Northern Idaho has to be one of the most beautiful places in the USA if not the world. I loved Cd’A. During my last three years I lived a mere .6 miles from downtown Cd’A, less than a five-minute walk to Cd’a Lake. Walking, cycling, reading down at the park. So many blessings. And yet, my Cd’A years brought unparalleled challenges for me as well. Those challenges deepened my faith and brought tremendous growth. This season bore its perfect result and for that I’m deeply grateful to God. In November of 2010 I returned to Nashville.
Now again the Lord is ushering me into a new season, but this time it’s a “heart season.” That is, this morning I woke up to the same routine and responsibilities as yesterday morning but today is different. I just know it.
This should not surprise me, though. God is always eager do a new work in our hearts if we remain open to Him. I can honestly say that the deepest desire of my heart has been to know Jesus Christ more and more since I was 16 years old. God’s work is often quiet, veiled from those who see us regularly and perhaps know us well. He sometimes veils His work in me from me most of all! At least for a time.
So as I make my re-introduction after a lengthy hiatus, I’ve tried to share briefly what’s new with me. Yet the question that delights my soul this morning is this: What’s new with God? Seems Jeremiah had a pretty good grasp of His answer.
“Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness, I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore, I will wait for him..” (Lamentations 3:21-25)
She’s baaaaack!!!
Welcome. Good for you!
Thanks, Brandilyn!
YAAAAAY!!! I’m so excited that you’re writing again! God is at work in your life, dear friend.
“Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed because His compassions fail not; they are NEW EVERY MORNING!! Great is His faithfulness!!” Lamentations 3:22-23
((((hugs)))) Welcome back!
Thanks, Connie. Appreciate the encouragement.
So glad that God has awakened this gift in you again; I so look forward to hearing what you have to share, my dear friend!!
Thanks, Terri. You have been such an encouragement to me from the start and among my favorites to bounce my ideas off of.
Somehow I just knew that Brandilyn (whose name I adore!) would be the very first to comment! So…..as w/ many things in life, I’m bringing up the rear, but with the most fantastic congratulations for what new thing God is doing for your Gayle…..resurrecting your “old” writing talent. But with every keystroke, you will be writing new messages from the Lord. You know that I have long championed you and your writing, so it’s with my heartiest congratulations that I comment on your very first seven-years-later post! =]
Love you, gumball girl!!!!!
Lynni
Ah Lynni, thanks so much. For those who may read this comment, Lynn Morrissey published my first devotional, “The Spotted Gumball” in her wonderful compilation TREASURES OF A WOMAN’S HEART. It was the beginning of a wonderful friendship so many years ago.
Hey Gayle, Reading your blog will be the highlight of my day! I still have all your old stories in a folder!! I always love what you have to say!!
Peggy, your comment means so much…on so many levels. Yes, I remember you and me talking about some of the stories/devotionals i shared with you sitting t a booth at Dairy Queen! I think that was around 1993! So love you dear forever friend.