As any writer will tell you, reaching the end of a chapter is both totally exciting ("Yay! I finished something! Progress!") and daunting at the same time ("Oh crud...blank page...what next?") I feel a little bit of this each time we end one of our 40 Day seasons together, and never more so than this year. Perhaps this is when I'll finally get over the illusion that I know what's coming next, because really, I never have. In writing, and in life I guess, all we can do is turn the page...and wait. So that's what comes next.Each year, my emotions are a little different at this point, which makes sense--we'd be robots if we could just soldier on at one level year after year. But it's a bummer when the feeling du jour isn't as filled with hip-hip hooray and jazz hands as one might hope. Because you can't fake jazz hands. (Or at least you shouldn't!)
One of the song lines we've visited in the past here in the 40 Days is from Nichole Nordeman's song, Someday, where she says: I believe in the rest of the story. I believe there's still ink in the pen.
I hear those lines differently now than I did when I first ripped the plastic off her CD a few years ago. Here's what's I realize now: there IS a rest of the story, and ink in the pen, whether we believe it or not. Sometimes its a big relief to not have everything depend on our faith, to trust that things just are. We're not the same people we were 40 Days ago, and if we get to gather here again next year, we'll be different still. We'll know the next chapter ("Yay! I finished something! Progress!") and we'll be wrestling with the "what comes next?" question anew. I don't think that ever changes.
Thank you for spending this time together with me. I was re-reading some of the posts and comments the other night and was so touched by this amazing chance we have to connect, to know each other in our deepest hopes and desires and cheer one another on, even though most of us have never met. It's an honor to be part of that, and to know you guys.
BLESS your next chapter.
Love, Trish
10 comments:
Thanks for leading, Trish!
Trish Bravo!! I've enjoyed being part of this for the first time. I am blessed in so many ways and want to say Thank you for caring and leading us for the past 40 days.
I pray exponential blessings over you!!!
Thanks for doing this again this year it really has made a difference in my life.
In the past we've prayed/asked God for something specific, while this year it feels as though we've been infused with more faith. The latter is much more empowering as we continue on through our own maze/life with grace.
My best to everyone. And HUGS Trish!
Hi Trish! Thanks so much for doing the 40 days again. I'm kind of surprised at where I am as opposed to where I thought I'd be when we started. One night in frustration, I realized that I had made an idol out of my desire for a family and that I really wasn't hearing God because of it. Feeling that emotion helped me to put God back front and center (emotionally and not just rationally). So, he still knows my request, but I'm not thinkning about it because I don't want to backslide. I'm just concentrating on knowing him better.
Thanks for this Trish! I have read both of your books and enjoyed them equally. You are so good at putting it out there and giving all of us something to ponder.
Thank you to you all. It has been blessing and a privilege sharing and reading. May this summertime continue to be filled with God's blessings and surprises.
Thanks for leading us this year Trish! Blessings!
Thanks so much! These 40 days have been really great!
Hi Trish,
I lucked across your blog some weeks ago and proposed to my pastor that we do something similar, seeing that we were planning some sermons, teaching, small groups, etc. around prayer.
He agreed and we will be starting our own 40 days of faith within the next two weeks or so.
Thanks for a great idea. I can't wait to see what will happen :)
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