Reflect on the needs of your soul -->

four sacred rhythms you need in your life

I’m trying something NEW the rest of 2019.

Each month our conversations and my writing will center around a theme. 

After all, I need organization for my bajillion ideas and a sustainable pace for offering said ideas to this community.

I also want to offer you helpful and useful content!

So, I introduce monthly themes for our journey together.

sacred rhythms

September :: sacred rhythms for your soul (or just ‘rhythms’)

Overall, I support women in living courageously — encouraging they show up fully in life.

By this I mean allowing ourselves to be both visible and vulnerable in spaces and relationships we choose.

Too often the opposite lives true. We create dozens of ways to otherwise NOT show up how necessary or desired. These unhelpful patterns certainly find way in my life. The courageous women I work with see it in theirs.

Stick around friend…

We’ll explore much more as time moves along.

In September I want to focus us on living from a centered SOUL.  It’s one key aspect of living courageously.

sacred rhythms

What do I mean by a centered SOUL?

We each hold HUGE capacity to connect, attach, turn our attention towards.

My faith defines this belief. But simply watch the tiniest ones among us!

Babies naturally desire to bond in physical, emotional ways.

In fact, they need to in order to thrive. Healthy living includes caring for this lifelong need.

I invite you to pay attention to where your SOUL, the truest part of you, centers and attaches — to what defines your core focus. You and I will make decisions, take action and give definition to our lives based on whatever holds our attention and allegiance.

If we want to show up and live courageously? We must intentionally decide our soul’s focus.

QUESTION: How do your soul needs shape everyday life?

sacred rhythms

four sacred rhythms: a rhythm of REST

Today I welcome you to consider four rhythms I believe meet the soul’s needs. First — a rhythm of rest.

In my larger faith community it sometimes feels REST is a negative four-letter word among Christians.

A dicey topic to approach, but I am convinced we are created for pause.

Work holds important place in life of course. After all, the original biblical command names six out of seven days set aside for it.

However, this work pattern needs supported by a pattern of REST. Time for laying aside compulsions to do more and allowing ourselves freedom from busyness.

I get passionate about keeping regular rest patterns matching our life season. I plan to share more this month.

QUESTION: what does your pattern(s) of rest look like?

solitude

four sacred rhythms: a rhythm of SOLITUDE

Friends, community is great and necessary (see below) — remember courageous living includes allowing ourselves to be visible?

Well, practicing community and visibility needs supported by a rhythm of solitude.

I’ll go as far to say we better understand who we truly are by practicing solitude. Who are you really when God is the only one watching? 

Depending on your faith upbringing, that question may sound belittling. Not my intention though.

Just asking you to notice: when away from the expectations, attention or approval of others, your productivity or a need to be constantly occupied…who are you in the presence of God alone?

A practice of solitude allows space for God’s deepest work. We are then truly empowered to live our best self in Christ!

QUESTION: How do you resist or avoid being alone?

sacred rhythms

a rhythm of REFLECTION

Lately I’ve been flying through our days.

It’s not our norm, thankfully. But September, with its transition from laid-back summer days to school routines, is simply cray-cray (my kids’ word suggestion for ‘crazy’)!

If I constantly live at this speed, there is little time to NOTICE.

To see within me and around me what needs seen — the primary purpose of reflection. We simply cannot live at high speed, barreling from task to task.

Remember: perspective and direction for our next steps often comes through noticing our past steps.

A rhythm of reflection allows space for both.

QUESTION: When do you look back to evaluate, celebrate or notice what’s already happened?

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a rhythm for SPIRITUAL FRIENDSHIPS

Okay, true confessions.

The first three rhythms of rest, solitude and especially reflection come SUPER easily for me. I’m not perfect, but I am consistent.

I probably carried a journal of reflective thoughts from the time I could write! Outside of ones taken in the middle of a difficult separation, I still own all journals from age 11 to now.

Pausing for solitude?  Check, piece of cake.

Making space for rest?  Yep, a consistent practice.

Noticing my need for spiritual community and friends?  Hey…wanna see my favorite pens and journals?

community

Practicing the presence of people requires effort for me.

It doesn’t come so naturally.

I find this no better or worse than anyone else’s struggle; it’s simply a rhythm I keep before me to cultivate.

Placing ourselves in community is important.

Whether you find it simple or difficult, being on the giving and receiving end of support, love, trust, challenge, play, laughter, prayer, soulful conversation and encouragement is a needful rhythm for your life.

QUESTION: Who do you talk to about your spiritual life? How often?

: :

These words are September’s cornerstone theme — the post from which other thoughts and writings flow.

If you’re part of the email community, a few practical tools and resources to accompany this post are in your inbox!  We’ll continue exploring together.

Want to join the community? Click HERE to get started.

 

 

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a peek into my month :: August 2019

Months ago when I shared of my writing transition, several long-time readers mentioned missing Domestic Serenity themed posts.

Homeschooling, everyday life updates, what I’m reading, helpful household tips and more were on the list. I admitted I would miss these as well.

After launching a new site in July, I got to thinking…

…it IS important to occasionally share about everyday life! At least it’s important to me.

So you will find family updates in posts titled ‘a peek into my month’. I imagine these posts every 5-6 weeks as a quick summary of our days, maybe hitting on areas I wrote before.

It’s true, writing extensively on topics above is now history. Time to move forward.

Next week we dive as a community into NEW topics I’ve been itching to write about. If you’re an email subscriber or social media follower, you’ll notice new rhythms emerge in those spaces as well as this site.

But for today – and monthly afterwards – just a peek at what we’ve been up to as a family!

a peek into my month

a peek into our month

a peek into my month

 

A Peek into My Month

August began with a weeklong vacation in Virginia and a quick stop in Washington, D.C.

We took in as much relaxing as possible, with an eight-hour day at the waterpark the highlight. Plenty of touristy things filled our time too. The kids tolerated my full-on homeschool mode sharing details of each monument and memorial.

Our interest in history is high, so don’t feel sorry for them!

a peek into my month

a peek into my month

a peek into our month

Virginia’s Civil War Museum is incredibly well done!

During our week I took a Zumba class offered by the resort, which served to highlight my lack of top-notch coordination skills (I was convinced it existed). My teen son participated with me; fairly sure he was trying hard not to laugh.

Ah well, can’t be gifted in everything right? ?

To add to that slight humiliation, family trivia night showcased our need to brush up on topics such as US History, Star Wars, US Presidents and national sports figures.

We scored perfectly in one area however — CANDY!

a peek into my month

Back home again…

Resting unplugged for a week refreshed my soul. I felt energized for August projects:

  • revamping our home systems such as training kids on new chores. Every August I bump them up to bigger tasks or switch them around and reassign.
  • bulk shopping for paper products, cleaning supplies, shelf foods and grab-and-go snacks
  • outlining the homeschool class I’m teaching at our co-op
  • practicing several InstaPot recipes (yum)
  • decluttering!

My teens worked their part-time jobs as much as possible this month before school routines limits availability. I’m so proud of their dedication to saving and giving!

My work in August included offering spiritual direction to new clients – grateful.

A new invitation came this month: to provide spiritual care for patients diagnosed with a genetic disease. A medical community recognizing how holistic care for suffering persons supports wellbeing… such a gift. (*I know this isn’t new territory, it simply blesses me).

This month’s reading included heavy topics as I wrap up a graduate course: Waking the Tiger, Healing Trauma by Peter Levine and finishing The Body Keeps the Score, Brain Mind and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel van der Kolk.

I did manage to read a Shopaholic series book while on vacation — total light-hearted, non-educational fiction!

a peek into my month

Fall sports began for kiddos involved….ah, September is FULL.

We attended our local fair and indulged in too much funnel cake and homemade root beer. My youngest was singled out in a juggling show. Though we watch this artist year after year, he loves it!

Pretty sure the fair is where I caught last week’s stomach bug, needing four days to recover. Whew.

I know August still offers more days, but it seemed time to share.

If anything wild and exciting happens before September arrives, you can hear about it in my next ‘a peek into my month‘!

 

 

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  • Alice

    Your kids are beautiful!  Looks like you’re a fun bunch for sure.  Thanks for inspiring me and helping me get organized.  I don’t follow many blogs, but yours is top-notch.ReplyCancel

  • Jennifer

    I love this. ?ReplyCancel

when your soul can’t find the words…

soul care

Over the past year I’ve had opportunity to companion several women through incredibly tough journeys.

Some through my spiritual direction work and others just as a friend who relates.

We have laughed (because hey, that’s a simple stress reliever), cried, prayed together and most of all did a LOT of waiting.

Ugh, waiting.

The experience feels like an unexpected guest at times, am I right? It’s the surprise no one intended would actually happen but yet, here we are.

I waited with these women on practical matters: court processes, judge’s decisions, insurance responses, testing results. We waded through waters of intangibles too…waves of difficult emotions in their unexpected season.

And sometimes we simply sat in silence.

Recently one friend* offered aloud, ‘I just don’t know how to pray anymore! I have no more words.’  My heart felt taken by her thought.

I could relate to a silenced soul.

soul care

When your soul can’t find the words

Sometimes we need silence.

To be in and with our emotional responses, questions, thoughts without interruption of speaking or writing. Just being. 

Other times, we need something else.

I recall my loss for words during a season of intense overwhelm. Several years had been spent exploring and facing realities difficult to accept as true. I felt exhausted : emotionally raw : spiritually spent.

At that point in time, I too didn’t know how to pray. My thoughts could hardly quite wrap around my daily experience…

…I lost my own words.

So I began a practice used many times before: when my soul loses its voice, I borrow from another.

Pulling out my favorite notebook, I started writing

and writing

and writing some more.

I copied words which expressed my needs and desires at the time.  Multiple Psalms found place in my notebook and I moved on to writing other Scriptures of comfort, hope and peace.

soul care

Silence is Okay

I firmly believe in the beauty and power of silence.

Maybe my introverted nature readily embraces the gift, but I feel our communities – families, churches, schools and more – are simply too loud, too often.

It’s as though we are afraid of quiet!

Friend, if silence is your soul need, if you cannot construct thoughts or words around your experience and just want TO BE…

…then take it, create it, protect your silent and quiet time — perhaps alone?

Be okay with sharing you prefer not to talk right now or let phone calls go to voicemail. Allow yourself freedom to rename boundaries or add more in.

I suggest you insulate, not isolate. 

Let someone know you are okay, how to check up on you or where/when to reach you. Then for a time protect your space from outside influences which may feel overwhelming (insulate).

soul care

But if your soul needs words…

and cannot form them,

I offer you borrow from someone, somewhere which aligns with what you might say if you could: read, speak or write these words.

In my season, I found Scripture most reliable to express my heart.

I also borrowed from books, uplifting quotes, encouraging emails of friends and more. I copied or pasted into my notebook anything which spoke my soul’s needs.

Try it? Let me know if you find this helpful.

And if you hold another practice which supports your journey, consider sharing!  I would love to hear.

:

* note: these are thoughts of a personal friend offering affirmation to use her words; my spiritual direction work is completely confidential.

:

I leave you with a blessing from author Jan Richardson

Blessing in the Chaos

To all that is chaotic
in you,
let there come silence.

Let there be
a calming
of the clamoring,
a stilling
of the voices that
have laid their claim
on you,
that have made their
home in you,

that go with you
even to the
holy places
but will not
let you rest,
will not let you
hear your life
with wholeness
or feel the grace
that fashioned you.

Let what distracts you
cease.
Let what divides you
cease.
Let there come an end
to what diminishes
and demeans,
and let depart
all that keeps you
in its cage.

Let there be
an opening
into the quiet
that lies beneath
the chaos,
where you find
the peace
you did not think
possible
and see what shimmers
within the storm.

—Jan Richardson

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this is me

NEW! I recorded this entire post for you!

Feel free to listen by clicking HERE. (If you ignore mistakes and audio quality in some spots, I think it will do!)

This is an EPIC post friends.

The original plan included less words, more posts.

I chose the road less traveled in blog land, where 400-500 word limits guide the way. Well… not this time.

If you’re new, several months ago I shared of a significant shift in my writing and offered why. The change includes a new platform.

Before the transition from here to there, I want to re-introduce myself. Actually, more openly introduce myself for the first time.

Just parts of life I hope to carry into future work and writing.

Grab some tea?

I’m Daniele. And in no specific order — this is me.

I am unapologetically Christian.

I land in the Protestant camp.

My life experiences range from charismatic holy roller to contemplative Christianity, with sprinkles of other perspectives in between. To stir the pot, I attended two high school years in a Catholic environment and loved so many things about it!

I am deeply committed to following Jesus.

At times, life led me to question beliefs. But, I cannot remember questioning loving him. This truth remains core to who I am. It influences everything I do.

I believe life with Christ offers us all something good.

: :

My future website and writing focuses on the soul care of women  in any life season, with special space for those overcoming struggles. Helping women care for their spiritual lives and unique personalities is my heartbeat.

My approach reflects my faith though I avoid offering pat answers. I work to stay away from Christianese language and references.

The sincere desire is women of various faith backgrounds find hope and healing.

I won’t seek to make everyone happy (impossible) or water down a message.

In short, naming I am unapologetically Christian means I am unapologetically open to all God’s people — whether we hold similar perspectives or not.

I am a voice and advocate.

Alongside my commitment to Christ, I feel grieved for my faith community.

I speak of larger Church vs local.

I wrestle with perspectives towards women, struggle with what feels like rampant disregard of their voices.

My grief relates to practices of belittling, denying or ignoring abuse and acts of violence women face in their lives and within church.

It’s an ugly, tender topic. But it is reality.

I was just exiting church leadership as the #metoo and #churchtoo movement erupted. As I watched, I wondered how church communities planned to respond. How I would respond.

Even now I sit with more questions, less answers.

But I am moved to give voice and help others do the same.

A path forward cannot include bashing men or spewing rants at spiritual leaders. Yet I cannot support silence. A touch of my future writing opens the door for these conversations.

My faith calls me to love mercy, to walk humbly, to act justly.

I once heard a sermon demonstrating dependence of each part upon the other. It’s lopsided Christianity without all three.

All three I embrace moving forward.

I am Haitian.

At first I felt odd including this description in my lineup.

But being Haitian is one aspect I’ve not shared much online or in every day life. Quite honestly, up until recently this heritage identity fell into the background of my life.  I want to change this.

I am first-generation American.

Like many of my cousins, our parents immigrated from Haiti and set out creating new opportunities for themselves and their children.

Reconnecting to this part of me includes dusting off Haitian Creole and more involvement in the culture. Creole is a language I understand yet rarely speak.

Haitian people are some of the most resilient I have met. This resiliency connects deeply with the soul care services and writing I plan to offer.

You will see this people group highlighted in my work — another way of me keeping connected.

I hope to share stories of Haitian women who have triumphed over tragedy, and of organizations and communities supporting their journeys.

This vision is developing slowly. I am excited about connections made already!

I am a survivor.

[trigger alert]

Talk about ugly, tender topics. Sigh.

I shared with you recently of making phone calls, sitting with other women and doing the hard work of sharing my story.

It’s a story I kept silent for multiple reasons.

The stigma, the accompanying shame, and fear of others interpreting my life only through this event. More importantly, gentle care for the one person I felt it impacted the most: my daughter.

But I learned through a devastating experience last year the cost of that silence, of not owning my story more publicly and assuming protection from other places.

As I sat in court that day, a voice inside me awoke.

I will own my story — all of it, every part. It is mine to share.

This vow cascaded into me getting support for just how to own, how to share with others.

Then I did.

My survivor story

At the close of my childhood, I was sexually assaulted and became pregnant.

It was the most traumatic event of my first decades of life.

I lost my innocence, my sense of safety.

My identity shattered into all kinds of pieces no longer representing the true me at all. This contributed to a mindset of accepting other violations to my body, mind and soul.

For a long time I wanted to erase that terrible day.

To believe faith in God enough to cover up the loss, the memories, the after effects. God carried me through no doubt…and I have done the hard work of healing over the years.

I accept complete healing from trauma probably comes in our eternal state.

However, I believe it possible to thrive now, to recover from living the terrible again and again.

From a more settled and healed place, I will passionately support women by offering trauma-sensitive soul care, whatever their pain.

[Note: in America right now, we’re experiencing a hotbed of debate around women’s rights, abortion, the sanctity of life. Keep in mind I share today a personal story, NOT a political stand (I do hold one). If possible, please avoid interpreting my story this way.]

I am an entrepreneur.

I always seem to have a business idea in my head!  Seriously.

My family background includes many who busted traditional models to create avenues for supporting their families.

I’m kinda in that lot.

In the next phase I will offer multiple services and resources at no cost to anyone. Freely I have received from others, freely I desire to give.

I also plan to offer services and resources with a price tag attached.

You may wonder what’s the big deal. I agree.

Yet online I’ve seen this move viciously attacked.

Bloggers and website owners criticized for benefitting financially from their life story whether it’s losing weight, surviving cancer, overcoming a struggle, handling their money well or being an organized Mom!

It’s craziness in my opinion.

: :

I have no plans to pull anyone’s heart strings to get to their purse strings.

I’m just a Mom who has been out of the traditional work force for nearly 20 years. I prayed for an idea to do something I truly enjoy which supports availability to my kids.

And God birthed one.

Fear creeps into my thoughts of course. What if this all fails? 

Then I think —  but what if it doesn’t?

I am a sensitive-souled carrier of LIGHT.

Accepting my personality type with all its beautiful strengths and touchy blind spots came slowly.

I better understand my sensitive and highly intuitive nature, and desire to offer it as a gift to others.

For personality nerds like myself — I’m an INFJ, Enneagram Type 5.

  • I experience emotions deeply, my own and others’ (sometimes even before they share them) — or completely the opposite! I can forget my emotional side, staying way too much in my head
  • my type avoids engaging the news, certain movies or books – most stories overwhelm
  • all my senses are heightened! Different sounds & lighting in particular cause me sensory stress
  • staying connected to my body and physical needs is WORK for me. If engaged in a project of my passion (*cough* like creating a website *cough*), I can easily forget to sleep, eat, and other basics!
  • I need significant time alone in order to show up fully in my relationships

So…

Can my personality type really sit with other women, maybe in their painful story, and be a friend on the journey?

YES. Yes I can.

It requires paying close attention to my own soul care and self-care needs. I also need community, support and accountability outside myself. My life reflects all these. Grateful.

But most importantly, I am a carrier of LIGHT.

This is what truly motivates me, moves me towards action.

On my own I could (and honestly would) retreat, especially after experiences of the last two years. But LIGHT does not hide, does not leave never to be seen again.

I am deeply convinced my right now includes this work:

to carry light into darkness

to remind others they too are light

This is me.

“And you, beloved, are the light of the world. A city built on a hilltop cannot be hidden. Similarly it would be silly to light a lamp and then hide it under a bowl.

When someone lights a lamp, she puts it on a table or a desk or a chair,                                    and the light illuminates the entire house. 

You are like that illuminating light.

Let your light shine everywhere you go, that you may illumine creation, so men and women everywhere may see your good actions, may see creation at its fullest, may see your devotion to Me, and may turn and praise your Father in heaven because of it.” ~ Matthew 5

I’m Daniele.

And I welcome you to carry light with me!

 

 

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    what to do with someone’s story

    Friends…

    Changes are happening behind the scenes of this blog!

    The NEW website moves along as my (small) team works on details. I feel incredibly proud of these next steps; it reflects so much of my heart.

    To be clear, the new website does not focus on my life story, past or present. I’ll reference experiences and share more personally. But the focus is not me.

    What keeps me plugging through an ever-growing to do list and writing page after page of content is: others. 

    I hope to support women in life-giving ways. It’s really not much different in vision than my church ministry work of many years, simply a shift in topics, platform and approach.

    In order to move forward, I want to share parts of myself/my story carried into this next chapter. Some parts might feel light — like an aha moment. An oh, I didn’t know this about her insight.

    Other parts friends, I imagine may feel heavy or difficult.

    Writing online is tricky.

    It reminds me of random connections with those in my community circles. For example — at the grocery store, a parking lot, at a park, a restaurant. Having heard some version of our family’s story, they asked:

    So how are you really doing? I heard ____, is that true? Did you? Did they? Was there?

    The conversation sometimes felt unfair.

    Almost a sense of entitlement in a need to know details and expectation I provide them. I hold regrets around several of those short interactions, wishing I had simply offered:

    Thanks for your care. Really, it’s important to me. But in the time we have together I couldn’t possibly unpack my story with you. I can tell you we are well.’

    And then offered a big hug.

    This happens online too.

    We receive a little news or insight, a few facts, a new tidbit and form our OWN version of the story. We interpret words to mean this or that. A sentence taken out of context, unspoken parts imagined.

    Maybe the actual story told feels overwhelming to us.

    Oh goodness! Surely it wasn’t that bad? And it hurts us to think perhaps it may have been. And we did not know, did not see, did not understand.

    So we sometimes soften, ignore, reject or change the story to soothe our emotional needs.

    Friends, I am not pointing fingers. I’ve done this too.

    I have close to 20 years experience holding other women’s stories. Stories of celebration and pain, of happiness and grief, of terrible wrongdoings or shocking confessions. So I understand…taking in another’s words, listening openly, holding still with this person in the toughest of places?

    Well, it is hard work.

    It is heart work. Most importantly, it requires I do not add or subtract from words entrusted to my care.

    On the other hand…

    Sometimes the most helpful path is to step away.

    To realize we cannot engage a story openly or hold our inner selves still enough to listenThis is not a sign of weakness, maybe it is self-care.

    Maybe we need separation for our own wellbeing or to honor the story of another (because we’re tempted to manipulate somehow). These steps take gut-level honesty. I invite you into this self-reflection as we move forward.

    My heart focuses on reflecting as well.

    I have wrestled with realities of blogging (or any personal writing), understanding the risky door opened in offering vulnerability and story sharing.

    I have prayed, counseled with others and experience enough peace moving forward. This does not make me right. It only means I have taken my next steps seriously and done some heart work.

    Hmmm…so much more rumbling in my thoughts around story. But really, this post feels long enough!

    Instead I leave you with this:

    Thank you for reading here today. Really, it’s important to me. In the time we shared together, I couldn’t possibly unpack all my thoughts with you. I can tell you I am well. I hope you are too.’

    HUGS.

     

     

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    • Kathleen

      This was so incredibly helpful! I will reflect more on how I interpret what I read. Thank you for being open and for teaching me something today!ReplyCancel

    • Daniele

      You are welcome Kathleen! Thanks for reading here and taking time to comment. ☺️ReplyCancel

    keep moving forward

    ::

    I’ve been working on some huge-to-me projects lately.

    There are multiple notebooks going, scratched out lists everywhere, plenty of networking with other writers and organizations and more.  I feel full of purpose and determination.  Alive.

    The creating of content and community I shared just two months ago is coming together!

    (I’m also busy with everyday life like running kids to musical rehearsals, teaching geography at homeschool co-op, or procrastinating on laundry chores — the latter of which I excel).

    Yet in all the excitement, there is sometimes a gnawing fear.

    When I am invested in a project, and I mean truly dedicated heart, mind and soul, the vision of said project sometimes comes to me in a WHOLE big chunk.

    I go from zero ideas, blank space to oh-my-goodness-I-know-EXACTLY-what-should-be-done. In one swoop, I can envision the entire thing. 

    Don’t get me wrong. I’m a quiet, reflective introvert who appreciates time to turn an idea inside out (and back again) before taking next steps. It’s my norm.

    But sometimes….

    …the total opposite happens, and it’s just where I find myself now.

    Unfortunately, this mega download of creative thought brings ALL kinds of fear-based questions for me:

    Who are you to do this, Daniele?

    Do you even know enough? (ugh, this one plagues me)

    Look, someone else is already doing what you have in mind — and it’s better!

    What exactly are you planning to contribute to this topic?

    And many times in my past…I’ve gotten stuck right at those questions. I pause. I reconsider. Basically, I get scared that whatever it takes I just don’t have.  Anyone else?

    I wish today there was some quick fix to offer. There are great books written, and better advice given, on overcoming fear. I honestly have no fancy wisdom.

    Just this friend:  sometimes, giving up is simply NOT an option.

    Yes sometimes, it’s altogether right to release a dream.

    To say a gentle goodbye or not now or to wait. You may find yourself settled deep in this season. Then relax, I’m certainly not here to make you feel guilty.  This post might not be for you.

    But for those whose next step feels huge…

    …whose God-calling or heart-vision looms larger than life…who are afraid and maybe tempted to give up…

    DON’T.

    If you can’t run with the vision right now, walk it.  If you can’t walk, crawl it.

    Little by little, baby step by baby step — live into the big, the hard, the impossible of it all. Take fear along if necessary, just don’t let her run the show.

    I believe God is with you, for you!  Keep moving forward.

    ::

     

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      the power of story

      I’ve spent the last several months intentionally connecting with different women.

      I spoke with my three daughters, other family members, close friends, cousins. Sometimes only once, but often multiple times. It felt important to allow ample space (and grace) for questions and reflections.

      At my invitation, each conversation centered on one thing:

      Sharing my story.

      Well, at least some unspoken parts.

      Pieces of my life everyone understood as having a background, but parts not discussed face to face, much less heart to heart.

      After thought, counsel and a good dose of please-help-me-God prayers, I made phone calls, Face Timed (is that a word?) and sat across from women holding intimate space in my life.

      We talked…a lot.

      We cried, took plenty of deep breaths. Question after question rose softly and loudly.

      There was Silence. Anger. Disbelief.

      Apologies. Sorrow. Regrets and finally PEACE.

      It’s a story I plan to write here before this blog transitions and one I’m entertaining an invitation to share with a much larger audience.

      But in order to feel comfortable with any future steps, I wanted those intentional conversations held first. Very grateful — even though it felt messy at times.

      In the midst of these months, I pondered the power of story.

      Your story, my story, the stories of others.

      The ones we tell, the ones we keep. The ones which may never see the light of day.

      Is this really worth it? I sometimes wondered after I hung up the phone or wiped tears.  Facing details and emotions of our journeys is often intense work — laying ourselves bare holds challenges.

      I don’t pretend to understand the psychology and neurobiology supporting our story sharing with others. From experience I know it to be transforming.

      It’s simply amazing how our brains, bodies, emotional and spiritual selves literally transform through talking things out! [Other helpful tools may also be necessary, I get that].

      So I’m still pondering, wondering.

      Thinking on the power of story, imagining I have more to write in the future.

      Today friend, I wonder about you.

      What containers of grace lie in your community circles — space to offer your words to a listening soul? Alongside of relationship with God, who is allowed to hold your story and journey, past or present?

      I’m aware of the fear facing our desire for soul-to-soul relationships…

      …and the ease of choosing isolation versus the work of connection.

      If these thoughts describe yours today, may you start small. Maybe begin with offering thoughts to God, sitting with them in prayer.

      And if you feel well connected, well supported?

      Well, celebrate this of course!

      Then, I encourage you check in with a friend today, maybe your ‘strong’ friend. You know – the one who seems to have it together or you believe is doing okay?  Yes, check on her.

      May you and I make room to hold someone’s story today.

       

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      • As I just shared on FB along with your writing …
        —–
        This is so beautifully written, so real, so alive with the heart of my story, too – this past year especially – that I share it as a touch of detail in the sea of my world.?
        —–
        Thank you, Danielle, for sharing your heart with us. May we draw strength from the God above as we walk in the valley below.ReplyCancel

      deep winter reflections

      [Thanks very much for your kind words in response to my last post. I appreciate each thought shared and also hearing some of your stories. Prayers of healing for us all.]

      : :

      It’s a new year, friends.

      This one finds me anticipating the days ahead…I have a good feeling about 2019.

      My hope-filled thoughts include a desire to shed the last few years’ difficult experiences (or more specifically their hold on my emotions). I grieved hard the past 7-9 months, which in turn renewed my energy.

      Funny how that works.

      When we attempt to tough it out, our body suffers, our spirit crumbles and long-term we’re in for a messier reality than allowing all the feels a way of release (yes, yes in helpful, appropriate ways of course).

      But I’ve also felt jittery entering 2019.

      Into January my mind scattered as I tried to organize new planners, write goals, reflect on the year gone by, and wait for my ONE word to pop into mind & spirit — which didn’t happen.

      All my Type A, Enneagram 5 buttons fired off like the White Rabbit in Alice in Wonderland: you’re late, you’re late, you’re late! Did you hear? YOU. ARE. LATE.

      After several weeks of frustration, something really simple dawned on me THIS week.

      So simple it feels silly to mention, but I want to share in case someone needs this too: I’m smack in the middle of winter, my least favorite season.

      I don’t feel super energized in the winter!

      What I have noticed:

      I don’t want to declutter or Marie Kondo my house right now, or even watch the Netflix show.

      I’ve experienced resistance to every 21 day challenge, program or to-do list sent to my inbox (many from lovely author/blogger friends doing great work).

      While I live a full life requiring detailed attention to our schedule and needs, I feel much more in maintenance mode this season than start afresh mode.

      My soul speaks loudly:  Winter is not your peak time. Be okay with this. Be very okay.

      Simple and so true.

      Not sure how this unfolds every year, but right now I’ve rested and relaxed in understanding better how January 2019 (maybe February?) plays its role.  It’s deep winter. In some ways, I want to hibernate a little more.

      Be still. Quiet. Refresh my spirit. Listen.

      Create cozy. Watch more movies. Stay slow. Sleep.

      Extend journal time. Gather with close friends.

      Pause. Ponder. Putter around.

      Ah, yes. I see a gentle month ahead…YOU?

       

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      • Brandy

        That sounds like a lovely January plan to me! Winter naps help Spring arrive faster.ReplyCancel

      changes

      I imagine long-term readers noticed my silence of late.

      Over the last year or so I’ve blogged less and less. Though in reality, more and more words begged voice.

      There is a story I want to tell…several actually.

      I’ve wrestled over which words to share here (or not). I also wondered about my blogging future.

      Eleven years ago, my first post went out into cyberspace. For years I wrote about homeschooling, mom and home life, some on marriage.  I shared recipes, organizational tips, natural remedies and just whatever else came to mind!

      I am a writer. I love writing.

      My wrestling about this blog’s future never related to quitting.

      But while all Domestic Serenity posts are true to my life experiences, I’ve come to accept they were SAFE topics for me to write about.

      Quite intentionally, I focused on reflecting the quieter, calmer (perhaps happier) moments of my days as a wife, pastor’s wife, mother, homemaker and homeschooler.

      Quiet and calm does describe me well.

      At my core, I don’t like rocking the boat much. I’m often content with a supporting role rather than the lead.

      BUT…

      I’m also passionate. Fiery. An activist. Advocate. 

      In light of this, there is simply SO much more I want to give voice to.  I truly enjoyed writing the way I have (no regrets), but also sense a major shift.

      One reason a potential shift felt difficult is due to life changes.

      I struggled with just how to reflect my current life into my blogging.

      I’m still mothering and homeschooling children, tending a home, practicing holistic self-care and planning/organizing my little heart out — all topics of this blog.  But while married legally, I am no longer living with the man I married and am no longer a pastor’s wife.

      Quite honestly, life as I knew it unraveled over several years time.

      During these long periods of blog silence, I needed every ounce of energymental, physical, emotional and spiritual — to face the horrible and heartbreaking facts of my situation which wrecked havoc on life (and continues to in specific ways).

      I needed energy to courageously and graciously live out my unfolding story. Not that I did this well every day, but I tried.

      So public writing on all platforms took a back seat.

      I’m grateful for kind blog & magazine editors who supported my need to retreat. I’m slowly making my way back. It’s exciting the different opportunities ahead!

      [A note: the horrifying and heartbreaking story I refer to is not the subject of today’s post; one day probably, but not today. Right now, it’s important to me to generally share life changes and yet maintain privacy.]

      So all that to say, dear friends, changes are coming for Domestic Serenity.

      To lay it out simply, this blog will phase out in a few months time (every post archived). Another platform is already in the works, with hopes for completion later this spring.

      I plan to write several posts here before the transition. My sincere hope is you come along for the NEW journey!

      There will be no surprises.

      You’ll know just what the new website is about, when it will launch, and how I hope to create content and community for us moving forward.  I’ll keep you updated!  God willing, no more long, extended periods of writing silence.

      It’s all a bit daunting honestly.

      I’ve spent years getting Google to like me ?, the goal of every website!  There are thousands of Domestic subscribers and social media followers. I truly love the platform created here. In many ways, I’ll have to start all over.

      It’s been hard processing letting go. So I took time to embrace the need.

      Because friends…it’s time for change.

      ***

      May you enter 2019 with a deep assurance of God’s care for you and yours!  

      Happy New Year.

       

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      • I have missed your posts. I am so sorry to learn of such a life changing struggle for you. I do not know what to say but if I was near by I’d just come hold your hand for a while. Looking forward to the new year with you!ReplyCancel

      • Daniele @ Domestic Serenity

        Audria… I am grateful you took time to offer a note. Though you feel at a loss for words, I appreciate your beautiful thoughts, thank you! Blessings into 2019. Let’s see what God has for us!

        ~ DanieleReplyCancel

      • Conni

        So sorry to hear your journey has hit hard places.ReplyCancel

      • Jennifer Williams

        I am so sorry for the difficulties and challenges you are facing right now. We all have our heartbreaks, they just come in different forms. You are not alone. I pray that God will lift you up and sustain you. I understand your need for change and something positive. I look forward to your new space. Take care and God bless.ReplyCancel

      • Daniele @ Domestic Serenity

        Thank you Conni and Jennifer…appreciate your words and encouragement.ReplyCancel

      on prayers for Willow Creek, The Catholic Church and every one of our hearts

      A few weeks ago, just after more allegations towards Willow Creek’s former pastor broke news, I was in the Chicago area on spiritual retreat.

      Being physically close to Willow, I caught headlines reporting the news.

      With a myriad of emotions, our group paused to pray for the church, the family, the leadership team within an unfolding scandal….and for the women who came forward.

      We prayed too for the multitude of Christ-followers impacted.

      For the questions. Doubts.

      Fears. Anger.

      I heard of experiences the women speaking up faced.  To say pain touched them on multiple levels seems an understatement.

      What a difficult mess for so many people.

      Shortly after returning home, news broke surrounding 1000 victims of abuse by Catholic priests in the state where I live.

      I felt completely heartsick reading of intentional coverups by bishops; for a lack of transparency serving to further victimize children and families.

      I prayed and cried for justice.

      For healing.

      For Christ’s mercy upon this shaking within Protestant/Evangelical and Catholic worlds.

      For what seems to me an upside-down theological interpretation of GRACE, keeping spiritual leaders from acting upon legal and moral duties.

      And I prayed over my own heart.

      For the hearts of everyone claiming their identity in Christ.

      I believe it easy to shake our heads, feel fleeting emotions and then move on. Personally, parts of the above stories hit much too close to home. I’ve struggled with wanting to hold these situations in prayer…

      …and a desire to forget I ever heard.

      But in reality, I cannot fully separate from the hurt of my brothers and sisters. And in reality, I cannot allow the failure of man to drive me away from closeness with Christ.

      It’s time for spiritual battle.

      Satan’s goal lies in sowing destruction within every rank of God’s church. From the seasoned leader to the new believer. No one is exempt.

      Our battle focuses not on a person or institution, but on this present darkness.

      I believe spiritual warfare demands of us prayer and action, carried out by abundant humility. We must stand for righteousness and justice, with view of our own brokenness.

      TODAY friends, I ask you pray and take action.

      Pray protection for your pastors, priests, congregations and parishes. Not with fear, but with hope.

      Contribute towards a home and church culture who deeply loves by practicing accountability — an opportunity to safely share yes, this is good and no, this is not.

      Pray for the many victims of abuse, both known and unknown.

      Ask God how you might respond to their needs.

      Pray for Christ to guard your own heart, for we can be deceived by it.

      Act justly. Love mercy. Walk humbly.  

      : :

      May our hearts be moved by what breaks our heavenly Father’s heart.

       

       

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        Daniele Evans