The First

I have been seriously considering the starting of writing my own blog for alittle while. I enjoy writing, don't hate the attention I get from others who read it and love Jesus more for granting me repentance in response to the Holy Spirit convicting me of my excessive pride. I do have to prayerfully avoid sin and desire to have a humble, feminine heart to praise Jesus that I love to write and sometimes write well, and I hope to avoid stupidity in so doing.  

My cute wedded friend, Sarah, recently started one and her sweet, new life has much to offer the people she knows; she therefore tells us about her wonderful adventures via blog. I am slightly hesitant. Not only do I not have a witty name available for publication but I’m not the brightest. I fear that I will be incapable to convey the passions of my heart to others. I suppose, then, that the goal of said published thoughts would be in hope of compelling others unto Christ; that the passion He has given me would motivate others to worship and live obediently in love for Him. I want so badly for the friends I have to know Jesus as I do and would desire for God to use my heart to call more people to Himself. I trust that He will in one way or another but fear that I’ll fail.

Sarah just got married. Her life is new and exciting and she has fun things to tell others about. So people follow her blog. When I quickly consider my own life I wouldn’t think it’s exciting enough to tell people about. When people ask me how I’m doing and what I’m up to, I always say, “Still involved at Doxa, still working at Red Robin. It’s plain and I love it.” The wonderful reality of that “simplicity” is completely beautiful. I’m a true fan of being the plainest of all Janes. I don’t even put sauces on my sandwiches when I order a delicious 6-inch sub at Subway; “plain and dry,” I tell them. It took me 21 years to start dressing more confidently (I didn’t ever used to wear blouses, but now have lovely pairs of boots to accent their niceness.) in fear of standing out too much. I’m simple; simplicity brings me comfort and joy. What I don’t convey, though, in the small talk of quick response to the common question is that the life I live is extravagantly exciting. Moving to Renton to see Doxa Community Church grow into a real community of people is the craziest thing I’ve done and the effects have been quite revealing. Finding a job at South Center Red Robin, Home of the Smiling Burger is the place that I entered in hopes of seeing my friends there come to know Christ. Through the incredible pain that has been endured throughout, I’ve gained an ever growing understanding of my utter dependence on Christ, which has enhanced most other avenues of my growth. And, to seal the deal of convincing you that I’ve grown, I let Melina Dennis color my hair bleachy blonde (self-conscious ladies don’t do that) I lost some of the baby weight that seemed to reappear after I graduated high school. I’ve come to praise Jesus as the levels of confidence that I’ve not ever experienced have come upon me because of His goodness to me. Much of the slavery to self-hatred has lessened and I desire to glorify Him with the body He’s blessed me with. Still, I think I’m too pudgy to be attractive, but we’re getting close to true self-confidence because of true confidence in God the Father. (Funny how me, a lady, has spoken of love for simplicity as this last paragraph is the most confusing, complex expression of thought. Girls are complex and confusing, I’ll admit it. Oh, the irony…)

Through all that rubbish that is my life I hope to communicate that because of the sovereign will of God, I live in Renton to tell people about Him and I’ve been blessed with Doxa as a people to help me endure the challenge it is. Through this new blog of mine I want to tell people of the adventure as a chance to express what living according to the Scriptures is like. I want to struggle through this life, encouraging others unto Him because of Him and to express the gospel; that even when I fail in the many ways that I will (I’ll tell when I do), the redeeming work of Jesus on the cross will portray the beautiful grace of God abundantly.