You are apparently 100% normal. And I do notice you and your sincere heart to seek and serve. And you have done well in adapting as needed. You have not turned away from God or blamed him in discouraging times. I don't have magic answers for you or me in what is ahead but it is very cool to know that God sees your heart and I know he loves what he sees. Others might be a facade but you are very real...what a cool trait to have! It is exciting to watch on the sidelines and see what is ahead. Taking down that "white picket fence of life" and letting God guide us is what life is about over and over. Again, I'm certain God doe SEE you and cares about your next steps too. Trust what really matters. You've got this. Blessings to you in 2025. Come by with the family!
Only knowing you from afar and reading some of your writing, I believe you have fulfilled the bottom 3 foundational sections of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. You are meeting your Physiological Needs. You feel Safe and Secure. And you have the Love and Belonging from your family. From what you describe in this post, what you are still desiring and craving are the upper two tiers of Self-Esteem and Self-Actualization. Perfectly normal human stuff you are going through. Recognizing it and owning it and, even more so, sharing it with the world are huge signs of progress in working towards fulfilling them. The challenge we face as Christ followers is balancing filling those holes with a Dave or Jeremy or something else or filling them with Jesus. How much of us should that be versus how much of Jesus? I believe finding that balance is a lifelong pursuit.
I see you. And value what you've done...and are doing....and will do. You and your whole family are fine examples.
I also relate to every single emotion you expressed in this post. I still feel them all...pretty regularly.
John 1:48 has become deeply significant to me over the last ten years:
Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?”
Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.”
Thanks for this. I appreciate your friendship and encouragement, as always.
You are apparently 100% normal. And I do notice you and your sincere heart to seek and serve. And you have done well in adapting as needed. You have not turned away from God or blamed him in discouraging times. I don't have magic answers for you or me in what is ahead but it is very cool to know that God sees your heart and I know he loves what he sees. Others might be a facade but you are very real...what a cool trait to have! It is exciting to watch on the sidelines and see what is ahead. Taking down that "white picket fence of life" and letting God guide us is what life is about over and over. Again, I'm certain God doe SEE you and cares about your next steps too. Trust what really matters. You've got this. Blessings to you in 2025. Come by with the family!
Thanks for this, Lynn. I appreciate you and see you as well. Thanks for the continued support and encouragement after all these years.
Only knowing you from afar and reading some of your writing, I believe you have fulfilled the bottom 3 foundational sections of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. You are meeting your Physiological Needs. You feel Safe and Secure. And you have the Love and Belonging from your family. From what you describe in this post, what you are still desiring and craving are the upper two tiers of Self-Esteem and Self-Actualization. Perfectly normal human stuff you are going through. Recognizing it and owning it and, even more so, sharing it with the world are huge signs of progress in working towards fulfilling them. The challenge we face as Christ followers is balancing filling those holes with a Dave or Jeremy or something else or filling them with Jesus. How much of us should that be versus how much of Jesus? I believe finding that balance is a lifelong pursuit.
This is excellent. I continue to think about your comments here. Very insightful. Thank you.