About five and a half months ago, i wrote a post titled A Quest to Find Myself Again. That trip to away from home for awhile was a brand new start for me. It gave me a chance to breathe deeply - to breathe in a new life and breathe out all the things that were sucking the life out of me. Since that day, so much has changed in my life for the good. i've had a lot of time to spend with friends, family, and most importantly myself - all the ones i've unintentionally neglected in the past few years. A lot of things inside of me were lifeless, but God healed those things and He made me whole again.
And, if you noticed, i'm still here, in Cincinnati ... in that post, i swore i wasn't meant to be here. i was wrong. i refused to hear God say that i was meant to stay because i wanted to run from everything here that was burdening my heart and run back to what i knew. But not too long after that trip, God showed me exactly why i was meant to stay (stay tuned for that post!).
Lately, i've been trying to put into words the immense joy that my heart feels, but i can't. It's the kind of joy that only a heart can fully know. And, if you know me personally, you've been able to see it - it's like a bright light that can't be hidden. The source of that light is my one true God. The One who held my hand through the 3-year valley, sometimes carrying me, and the One whose timing is perfect. Holding on to Hope (in Him) is the one thing that got me through every day to where i am now - a place where i can just be fully me again. i've so learned that all great changes are preceded by chaos. And even though i dislike chaos, it's made me a more compassionate, giving, faith-filled, appreciative and stronger woman.
i started this blog in early October 2008, just 6 months before my life turned upside down and some of you have stuck with me the entire journey of pain, heartache, joys, and unknowns. But the greatest testimony i can give to show how amazing God is, is that i'm here and i survived the wicked storm. i walked by faith and God brought me through. This journey confirmed what i believed all along - He will never leave me nor forsake me just like He said in His Word (Hebrews 13:5). My prayers, my faith, and my love for the Lord carried me through.
Oh, and it was because of YOU, too. Thank you for standing by me, encouraging me, and holding my hand. i really look forward to this new chapter of life that i get to share with you as we continue to encourage one another in God's love and grace.
Love to you,
Christy
