Exploring Peace

For some time, I have felt God tugging at my heart to use my story of healing and wholeness to help others but I’ve just not been sure how I was supposed to do that…  I started a blog called "Whitney's Journey" after my stroke and brain surgery in 2005.  This was my online journal and was even before blogs were called blogs.  At that time, I mostly used my blog to process and vent about my recovery and log the often boring details of my progress in Physical Therapy.  I also shared my joys and victories as I conquered everyday new tasks like multi-tasking (something I still often struggle with).  Most recently I used that blog to post God sightings in my life and the successes I’ve had on my journey of healing.  Those writings were very personal for me and helped me to record my faith story.  Writing is something I encourage anyone going through a difficult time to do, it does not have to be fancy or formal, just write.  It can be a private paper journal or a public blog.  We so often do not allow ourselves the opportunity to process what is taking place in our hearts and minds.  Journaling (privately and publicly) not only helps us see the progress we make, but it also helps us to keep tabs on our emotions and witness how God is working in our lives.  Often times, we are so close to situations that we fail to see God’s work within them.  Writing helps.

God has been calling me to pursue deeper study for the past several years.  Since the Summer of 2009 God has been calling me to return to school and study Spiritual Formation - specifically to learn more about facilitating retreats and spiritual direction.  So, as I pray and dream about where God plans to use me each day (as well as in the future) and what this all means, I felt it was only appropriate I start fresh with a new blog because it isn’t about “Whitney’s Journey”, it never was.  It’s God’s journey and I’m just along for the ride. 

Notice the dove? God has me on a journey of exploration as I seek to find peace and share it with others in my life.  The word peace is very dear to me as it was a comfort during my health crisis.  It is a word that came to me at my most fearful moment and a word that brought me closest to God.  I truly believe that this exploration is a journey that I am supposed to share.  Not only am I to share my victories, but also what I learn from my failures.  For the journey to find peace is not a direct route but an exploration. Will you join me? 

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