Settle In, Friends
Welcome to my first newsletter. I’m thrilled and grateful that you’ve taken the time to read. I really mean it when I say I am humbled that you are here. When I put it out there that I was starting a newsletter, the response from people was overwhelming and extremely encouraging. So thank you, friends and family. My hope is that each month I can send you encouraging words that point us to Christ together.
For the first edition, I’m sharing a piece with you that I wrote for a writing cohort I took part in through Gospel-Centered Discipleship. The challenge was to articulate why exactly I write. So this is my letter to you so that you may better understand why I care about communicating with you.
Future editions will mostly focus on my favorite things: theology and psychology, with some miscellaneous side chatter as well. Those of you who have followed my blog, Springs of Joy, can receive the same content here. I’ll be continuing the series about my journey through infertility both here and on my old blog. When that is complete, I will publish solely here.
Why Write?
Welp, here we go. Why do I even write?
When I launched my blog a year ago I opened it with a “purpose post,” explaining why I write. Generally speaking, I write because I have something to say, and writing is the best way to say it. Writing is freeing, and I love it. I can’t not write. I’m not quick on my feet in conversation, nor do I fare well in public speaking. Yet in my bones I have such a desire to reflect on the things of God and his Word, and to communicate those reflections effectively. For me, the most effective medium is writing. Spiritually speaking, I write for the same reason many Christians write: to glorify God with the skills he has given us.
The woes and necessities of a busy “mother-of littles” and part-time working life, slowly caused me to let the exercise of writing wane. I lost consistency, and aside from when tragedies struck, my journal had an entry every few months. My skills grew shoddy, and I lost confidence.
But in the last couple of years, I’ve felt the burning need to write. So I mustered some willpower, took up the virtual pen, and hit the pages again. I was immediately reacquainted with beauty and freedom, like old friends.
Whether my audience is only in my local church family and social circles or extends to a larger audience, doesn’t matter. Do I have ideas for writing books? Yes. Do I desire to publish a book one day? Yes, of course, and I think that I have ideas worth publishing in a book. But at one time I thought my writing wouldn’t matter unless it all ended up in a book deal. Crucifying a selfish mindset was painful, convicting, necessary, and oh so freeing. Now, writing is about helping people know God more intimately and using my words to decrease and make him increase.
In my introductory post to my re-launched blog, I wrote these words, “I think of the millions of faithful believers who left this earth without leaving a famous legacy, but rather left memories of their faithfulness to Jesus. If my writing only points people to Jesus, that's enough.” I’m an ordinary and average writer, and that’s now okay with me.
God did some work on my heart before I made it to this point. But here I am, able to earnestly say, it’s not about my name being made known.
One of the most valuable lessons I have learned as a human is that our words really do have weight. Every word we say or write has power to build up or destroy. Writing for others forces examination of my heart, mind, and hands in striving to bring glory to God’s name. When I publish what I write, in any platform, I am inclined to think, read, and write critically, carefully, and skillfully. In doing so, others may join me in thinking about the things of God. We will grow together.
While I write from several contexts—a believer, a wife, a mother, a discipler/mentor, a counselor, an advocate for embryo adoption, and a lover of all things gardening and baking—the primary idea that I want woven through all topics of my writing is God’s goodness and his faithfulness.
Over the seasons of my life, God has shown me he is always good and faithful. And I see this not just in life experiences and Scripture, but in all the daily and mundane things. No part passes unaffected by the grace of God’s goodness and faithfulness. In the deepest valleys, I cling to this truth. In my brightest days, I rejoice in this truth. And so I ask myself, “If I truly believe this, then how can I be silent about it?”
My fingers must give voice to the joy in my heart and the meditations in my mind that others might know the beauty of following Jesus. Following him is never a mistake. I write to communicate the truth of God’s goodness and faithfulness in all things. I can’t not do it; I must write.
Thank You For Showing Up
And that's a wrap for the first edition of the Springs of Joy newsletter. I hope it gives you some clarity as to what this is all about and what kind of content you’ll be receiving.
I really desire to communicate with my readers, so please always feel free to respond with any feedback or thoughts you have!
Lastly, I hope you’ve had a restful holiday season. I know the holidays aren’t always merry, or at least they aren’t merry in every aspect. But I pray that this season as we celebrated Advent 2021, you truly felt the thrill of hope, no matter how weary you feel. It’s a weary world out there, but hope in Christ never fails to refresh.
Yes, my soul, find rest in God;
my hope comes from him.
Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
Psalm 62:5-6
Thank you for being here. Happy 2022!
Kelly
Great words of encouragement Kelly. God has given you quite a talent. ❤️
You are a gifted writer. It is a joy and encouragement to read your thoughts and reflections. Thank you for being willing to share it with us all.