Pen and Paper

Writing has always been therapeutic for me. When I was younger it started with daily journal entries. Entries that shared about that day's happenings, my hopes and dreams or my latest crush. I am not exactly sure who I was talking to, but it felt good to get it out on paper.

The pen was the physical outlet for whatever was on my mind. Eventually my journal entries became prayers. I learned it was easiest for me to talk to God when I could just write out my thoughts and fears, along with the areas I wanted Him to step into. I still have many of these prayer journals and it always blesses me to go back and see where I was a year ago…5 years ago. Going back often serves as a reminder of all that I have to be thankful for. To see, and remember the ways God has answered, and remained true to His promises. To see that when I felt like He was silent, He was very near and in His own time (and way) working all things for good.

Those prayers remind me that He wastes nothing. A truth I come back to time and time again. Especially as I wrestle with “was it worth it?” or “can He use it?”.

I still write out my prayers. I love a good pen and a fresh page of paper. Over the last several years I have added a notebook. Call me old fashioned, but pen and paper is not only my favorite way - but the most productive way for me to get out what I want to say. Anything I write starts there, and moves to a computer to be typed out. Something you probably didn’t need to know about me, but now you do! 

Over the last 13 years of being on staff at Hope Street I have filled several notebooks. They are filled with prayers and ideas, but mostly with stories. There are some one line phrases I don’t want to forget. Other entries include moments of triumph and laughter. They serve as gifts and reminders for when the inevitable moments of despair disrupt the joy and hopefulness.

A lot of life has happened. Countless names and faces fill my memories. For the longest time I thought these notebooks were for me. Pieces written when I needed healing, to grieve or simply a quiet moment to reflect.

When my husband and I welcomed our daughter, Eden, something in me shifted. I had a burst of inspiration, but even more than that a deep desire to share about a place that has given me so much. A place where I have experienced life anew, while simultaneously having a front row seat to other people’s life changing moments too. All of it pointing back to Jesus, and His faithfulness. 

I have officially signed a contract with a local publisher. Next Spring (May) we will launch a book that has been within me for over a decade. I am proud of it. I hope it encourages people, and sheds light on the beautiful things happening on 26th and Capitol. But that’s not all. I am most excited about the children’s version that whittles all of the words down to foundational truths. My kiddos tell that story - two gifts that started out as prayer requests on paper all of those years ago. Now their names are permanently written into a story that is bigger than any one person. 

It started with pen and paper - and it ends with a living example that God wastes nothing. Amen. 

P.s. There will be more information to come on this new and exciting adventure of being published. If you would like to be a part of a launch team - let me know :)