Soul Space March Newsletter
Hello and Welcome to Spring! It seems weird talking about spring when winter in the high country of Arizona has been mild. That might hit a nerve for some of you, especially my friends to the east who have experienced quite a winter. You may want to throw ice chunks at me for placing mild and winter in the same sentence. Regardless what the forecast says, the calendar is pointing to spring beginning soon.
What does this next season hold for you? Are you welcoming it with excitement? Or maybe with dread? What’s stirring in you as you think about the months ahead? I want you to know that whatever you are holding going into the next season, I’m holding you in prayer.
We may have met through spiritual direction, or an online class I offered. Maybe we are long time friends, or new pals. If you are receiving this email, it’s because we have crossed paths at some point.
I realized recently that I have been blogging written words for two decades now. Though the blog space has changed format over time, and some of the great blog writers have gone to a paid platform, or vlogging (yikes!), I’m choosing to remain in this space for a while.
This monthly newsletter is designed to offer you encouragement, maybe a laugh, and perhaps a tear. I will provide a monthly devotional, and introduce a spiritual practice you can try out in your own quiet time. Sometimes I’ll share book suggestions, or a podcast, or recommend social media personalities to follow. For those of you seeing me for spiritual direction, I wanted a way for us to stay in touch between sessions. And for everyone else, I want to create a space where you feel safe, encouraged, and inspired—even if we don’t have face to face conversations very often. We all know how written words on screens can be so divisive, so let’s gather here and enjoy the comfort of this space.
(If you would rather not receive this, please reply back with unsubscribe in the subject line. No hard feelings.)
Cheers to mentors
Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Hebrews 13:7
It’s a day I will never forget. It happened several years ago on a warm September day in Colorado. I was pretty much having a meltdown—overwhelmed by how busy my life had become. I was trying to juggle too many plates, and some were starting to crash down and shatter around me.
I called my friend. She, of all people, would know how to help. Actually, I don’t really remember thinking that I needed any help. I just wanted to share with someone what I was experiencing; ask some questions; and gain some perspective. I was pretty certain once I met with her everything would go back to normal, plates and all.
I walked into her office at the church. I sat down. Well, more like fell into the seat across from her. She had a warm smile on her face, and her forehead crinkled a little when she looked at me. She must have known something was wrong. She began to speak gently to me, trying to gage what was going on. Her words, her smile, and her look did me in. The tears started to flow, followed by the outright ugly cry. I told her how I was exhausted. I told her I didn’t think I could lead the ministry I was leading anymore. Furthermore, I wasn’t really sure about church, God’s people, my faith, or all the things that defined me at that time.
Stunned by the words that came out of my mouth, I sat back and just shook my head. What the heck just happened, I thought. She looked at me and smiled, as if nothing I said phased her. I mean I was practically cursing the institution of church while sitting in her church office. She got up from behind her desk and came over to the chair next to me. She looked me in the eye and she said, “I think you’re a little depressed, and anxious, and overwhelmed. I think you need some help, Krista. I’ve sensed for a long time that you’ve been struggling. You’ve figured it out, and now it’s time to do something about it.”
There were probably four other women in my circle at that time who knew something was off with me. They were my friends, at my age and stage of life. But, if one of them had tried to speak those particular words into my life, without permission, it would have been a train wreck for our friendship. Now please understand me, my encounter that day with my friend was divine in the truest sense. God knew I needed a big nudge, and He handpicked this woman, this friend, this mentor, to do it.
Now years past that season, I’ve had a lot of time to reflect on that profound day in her office at church. I know she covered that conversation in prayer. I’m pretty sure she asked the Lord, what would you have me say to Krista? And God gave her the words that would nourish my soul—hard as they were to receive. Do you see it? She did one simple, but wise thing. She paused, and she asked the Lord what to do. Can you imagine how much healthier relationships would be if we paused and prayed before we spoke, especially when the person in front of us is facing a sensitive situation? I would even take it one step further and ask the Lord, and myself, have I earned the right to speak into this person’s life? Do we trust each other? Is this the right time?
Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come. Psalm 71:18
As I look back on my life from the time I was a teenager to now, I could name a handful of mentors who have come into my life. Some I have crossed paths with for a season. Others have been there for the long haul. And I’ll bet, if I called them out as my mentor they would hesitate. They might even think, no, we are just friends with a gap in our ages. And that right there is what makes a mentor. It’s not someone seeking a title or a position. It’s someone pursuing a relationship. It’s someone who walks closely with the Lord, and in humility, allows Him to grow and nurture a relationship naturally.
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
Let’s try a Visio Divina with this image
Visio Divina (Holy seeing; praying with the eyes)
“All beauty is only reflection. And whether I’m conscious of it or not, any created thing of which I am amazed, it is the glimpse of His face to which I bow down.” Ann Voskamp (One Thousand Gifts)
Find a quiet place and settle yourself from distractions.
Set a timer for 3 minutes and gaze on this picture.
What do you notice? What stands out to you? Can you imagine yourself in the setting? What does that feel like, smell like? What do you hear? If you were the artist, what would you title this piece?
Now set a timer for 1 minute and see if there’s anything else you notice.
Is there something God is laying on your heart through this practice? Is there a personal invitation He has for you?
Close your time with thanks and gratitude, and ask God to bring this image to mind throughout the day.
Books I’m Enjoying Right Now
These aren’t necessarily recommendations, but books based on the subject matter that’s speaking to me at the moment. Maybe they will speak to you too.
Non Fiction Reads:
“The Other Half of Church” (Jim Wilder and Michel Hendricks) Amazon link
Coming Soon! “The Edge of the Inside,” by Jeremy Jernigan. I have the privilege to be on the Book Launch team for The Edge of the Inside. Check out more here and order your copy on March 31.
