I knew it would only be a matter of time.
I’ve been writing and planning and editing and organizing my thoughts for this space. I come here ready most days each week. (Although technically, I’m getting better at planning content and posts in advance.) I come here faithfully not for you, but for me.
It has been easy to get interested in statistics and numbers and views. You can’t see those numbers but I can. In these steady months, weeks and days I have been tracking and monitoring and finding inspiration that maybe my words, my thoughts, my ideas are reaching out. And then again, maybe they aren’t.
These are the moments that I remind myself that I am writing for you, yes. But mostly I am writing for me. And really, I’m not the one writing at all. It’s God, the Master Storyteller and Author that is writing my story.
There were a few days last week that I allowed discouragement and frustration get in my head. Even in this public space, I felt lonely.
We live in a world where “going viral” is the goal and the hope of many authors and bloggers. That isn’t my goal.
And just when I was feeling like this space here, this writing, was a one-sided conversation with myself and my brain and my heart, there were a handful of messages and words written and spoken to remind me of my intentions.
My hope is that by practicing the craft of writing, daily and habitually that this skill will be developed and strengthened.
My hope is that this .com with my name in front of it would be a platform to shine a light on Jesus and his care and concern with even the mundane details of our lives.
My hope is that through the telling of my stories, I will develop an obedience and habit of seeing the work of Christ in my own life.
Gaining a readership and an audience isn’t the endgame. My prospects are truly nothing more than to have a friend (new or old) read here and say “yes, me too.” Or, “I understand. I get it.”
The Lord provided that needed encouragement at just the right time for me. And for that I’m grateful. He knows what we need and when we need it most!
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What keeps you going when you feel discouraged about something that’s near and dear to your heart? Have you experienced frustration lately only to be reminded of the heart of the matter?
“They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share,” {I Timothy 6:18}
the story of our lives 
Your words always inspire me! š
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Thank you Kathy! Love and miss you bunches!
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Claire, you know by now that I am one of your biggest fans. I always enjoy your writings no matter the subject. I will admit though that I have found myself amused at your monthly book reports. I must confess that as I read the titles of some of your books I giggle (just a little). You see, at this stage of my life the thoughts of reading some of those books sound down right punishing! Try not to judge me as I read by thrillers and beach romance books and I’ll keep on supporting you as your write about “finding out what makes you tick”. By now I either already know what makes me tick or I’ve just accepted all my flaws and I’m ok with them.
Either way, I love your soul and your heart and your willingness to be vulnerable at this season of your life. Love you always, K
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Thank you for the encouragement Aunt Karen! I typically go in phases with what I read. This year, the focus has been a lot of non-fiction. I do read “escape” books too and hope to find some new authors as I’ve read through most of what many of my favorites have already written. (Dorothea Benton Frank, Adriana Trigiani and Emily Giffin!)
I think one of the hardest parts about military life for me is that “figuring out who I am” piece. When you are constantly having to reinvent yourself every few years, it can be difficult to just say “oh well, this is me.” I guess I’m still in the stage of life where I’m figuring that out as my roles change.
Can’t wait to spend some time together in FM this summer.
Claire
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