I am not a fast learner.

In fact, I think it takes me about a dozen times hearing something, feeling something and having all manner of confirmations on things before that little light bulb dings above my head.

I have written almost 1,100 blog posts for seven straight years on my Blogger domain. For a few years now, I have wrestled with my own expectations of that space.

And after many conversations, much prayer, even more urging by a handful of people I respect here is where I am at.

I’m closing down http://www.claireandryanwood.blogspot.com. I have been feeling the Lord give me closure on that endeavor. December 31, 2014 will literally end an exact, seven year period.

I have (over)shared moments of my children’s lives. I have (over)shared personal family photos and anecdotes. And as my children have gotten older, I find that it is time for me to limit their online personas. If they choose (further down the road) to post their own stories, quips and anecdotes on a blog, that is their thing…not mine.

It seems that it has taken me a few years to realize it, and I have traveled down a few other roads, but I know the Lord has given me a heart to write. I know the voice he has given me. I know the calling placed before me. A few folks that are close in my circle have continued to ask me, “when are you going to write a book?”

The truth is. I have nearly 100 excuses of why I am not.

The truth is. I am done with the excuses. It may not be a book, per se, but I have committed to God and Ryan that 2015 is going to be a year of intentional focus on serious writing.

This lady calls me about every three months from Westbrow (self) Publishing asking me how my “project” is going. The first conversation was started in my bedroom on Hamill Road over three and half years ago.

Like I said, I am not a fast learner.

Please don’t misunderstand.

It’s not that I think I have any pearls of wisdom that haven’t been shared or thought or expressed by a thousand other people with access to a laptop and the ability for their little pinky finger to hit “publish.”

It’s not that I mistake a small following of Facebook friends and family members who “like” or comment on blog posts I share to be the same thing as an actual book audience.

It’s not that I am an expert, or smart or witty, or capable or wordy.

It’s just that I know what is in my heart. I know the dreams and the passions that the Lord has given me. And I know that it’s time to stop running. It’s time to sit down, get serious and get started. It’s time to be obedient.

I spent the better part of a week this time last year getting content for each of the “pages” for this WordPress site. In my fear and insecurity and lack of self-assurance, about a week later I shut down the site.

When I logged back in this morning I re-read every single word and realized that the Lord was using this as a reminder to me that he had already helped me lay the groundwork a year ago to begin sharing in a new space. It was all right here, staring me in the face.

In peace and assurance, I can close down my old, family blog.

In peace and assurance, I can begin a new chapter. (see what I did there?)