31 Days of Stories and Songs

Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven. -Matthew 5:14-16, The Message

The first day that my oldest son went to preschool last fall, I went straight from preschool drop-off to Target with my then 14-month-old younger son and bought a journal on clearance. I had begun to feel like I had lost part of myself since becoming a mother and this was the first small step of my recovery. I had somehow unconsciously lost all of my passions and dreams that fell outside my role as a wife and mom. Don’t get me wrong, I had also gained a whole other part of me —being a mom —but felt like it was at the cost of my former self.

You see, I used to call myself a writer… I used to write journal entries, news articles, poems, songs, etc… But my writing diminished after getting married and mostly vanished after having kids.

This summer I read a book, A Million Little Ways by Emily P. Freeman, where she essentially tells her audience that each of us was created by the ultimate Artist, God Himself, to reflect His glory. We do that by being who He made us to be —artists—by coming alive to the talents, gifts, and uniqueness that He has given us.

“But you are designed to reflect the glory of God, and when you release the fullness of who you most deeply are, we will see God because we’re finally seeing you,” she writes.

So, I am starting this blog but also taking the 31 Days writing challenge in hopes to rediscover the writer in me while also reflecting the glory of God.

Over these 31 days, I will tell uplifting stories that connect to a song. It maybe be my own story, or that of a friend or stranger. The following day, I will post the song (some original, some not) that perhaps best communicates the message of the story. I hope you’ll join me for this journey.

Day 2: Comparison and Inferiority

Day 3: “Shine”

Day 4: Unlikely Romance

Day 5: “Dancing in the Minefields”

Day 6: “Don’t Try So Hard”

Day 7: You Can’t Earn It

Day 8: Prideful Rule-Keeper Turned Humble Servant

Day 9: “Only Hope I’ve Got”

Day 10: Changing Diapers and Sweeping Floors

Day 11: “Do Everything”

Day 12: Far from God

Day 13: “How the Pain Comes”