07 September, 2018

Life Updates with Jess





Blooms courtesy of sweet neighbours and friends.

Hello beautiful people! It’s been a while again. I find it easy to make excuses for not posting, and, while I still don’t feel I have much to share, here’s what’s been happening.

- I turned twenty-one. It sounds so old; I honestly don’t feel more than seventeen. I didn’t want a party or anything fancy, but at the last minute I emailed family and friends to let them know they were welcome to come over for a meal the day after my birthday. They all came. A few people couldn’t make it, but I was so, so overwhelmed by the effort they made for me. I have such wonderful people in my life, and I just want to shout thank you! If you have people in your life who care about you, treasure them and let them know. It’s such a wonderful privilege.

 - I’m taking a social media break, namely from Instagram and Pinterest. It might not sound like much, but I’m amazed at the impact it's had. I heard that the amount of time spent on social media is directly linked to depression or anxiety, and I believe it. I feel incredible freedom not ‘having’ to check my phone or keep up with everything. I have more time. But there’s also so much more mental space. My mind is not consumed with content I’ve seen, comparisons I’m making, and a restlessness to experience more. It’s been fantastic, and I recommend it to everyone. If you do decide to have a social media fast, my tips would be: make a definite and specific commitment, and have something to replace it with – it’s in the moments of boredom or stress that it’s most tempting to reach for the phone again. 

- Because of the social media fast, I’ve been reading a lot. I read more in August than what was ‘normal’ for me to read in three months. I used to read a lot, and I’m enjoying getting back to it again. Reading voraciously does mean it’s hard to absorb and remember the books I’ve read, but a few which I really wanted to digest I went back and summarised the main thoughts of the chapters, and that helped to cement them in my mind. My sister and I are going to a second-hand bookfair this weekend, and we’re so excited about it, haha. I’ve rediscovered the magic of reading, and it’s entirely wonderful.

- As far as those life responsibilities we’re meant to pursue as grownups, I finished my counseling studies mid this year, and I still have my job delivering mail. It’s good, though it seems no matter how old I get or how organized I think my life is, I always arrive back at this place of what am I meant to be doing now? At the moment I’m looking for more work, contemplating more study, and wondering what direction to take next.

- I struggle so much with being open, but transparency is something I need to cultivate, so here: I’ve been struggling with fear and insecurity a lot recently. One of the things it’s targeting is this area of career. I have a vision: I want to totally redo my blog, and use it as my ministry to pour into people; broaden and deepen my online presence, as God leads. That’s what I believe God wants for me. But I have doubts, I have inadequacies, and I also have frustration when it comes to the technicalities of website building. I’ve been stalling on it for months, although I know it’s what I’m meant to be doing. Like I said above, I’m looking for more work and education, but it’s a half-hearted endeavour because I know it would be temporary. I don’t know if that makes sense, but if you would like to pray I find courage for this situation, I’d be so appreciative. 

- While that sounds depressing – and it is if I dwell on it too long – there are lots of little things giving me joy in life. Spring is coming, and I’m so excited for warmer weather and sunshine. Trees are starting to bud and blossom, and it’s such a hopeful time of year. We’ve had a little bit of rain, and it always makes things fresh and alive. Also, Ephesians is a wonderful book, if you’re looking for where to read next in the Bible. (Thanks to Abbiee for recommending it the other day – it’s been so good to reread!)

So, that’s a little bit of the happenings here. Let me know if you have any book recommendations or tips on having courage. And do tell me what’s been going on in your life, and how I can be praying for you! I appreciate you all. xx

19 comments:

  1. I feel as if you are growing a lot as a person. The thought just came into my mind as I was reading this post and i have to share that with you! Happy 21st! God bless you this year and aways Jessica. As for the social media break it sounds like a healthy switch up. I pray for you and your website goals. Sounds like something you want to do. I've enjoyed reading this update post. You're always so thoughtful in your words. <3

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    1. Vanessa, you have no idea how much those first sentences encouraged me, gave me hope. Sometimes growing feels a lot like struggle and dirt, but He can turn even that into a good thing. Thank you for speaking what came to your mind!

      Thanks for your birthday wishes and prayers as well. I'm glad you enjoyed the post. :) Many blessings to you too, friend! xx

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  2. Happy belated birthday!!! I will definitely pray for you that you will see more clearly what God had in store for you. Keep trusting Him!
    -Brooklyne

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    1. Aw, thanks so much Brooklyne!! I appreciate your encouragement and prayers. xx

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  3. I was excited to see you'pop-up' in my feed this morning. Your photos are lovely (as always) and I agree about social media fasts. They are amazing! A friend of one goes on one quite a bit and I know you raves about what they do for her spiritually and mentally. XOXO

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    1. Yes! I'm finding they are just that! I'm not sure if I want to go back onto social media, to be honest, haha. Thanks Kara! Your comments are always a blessing to me. xx

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  4. Jess, this update was precious. xx One thing jumped out above everything else. You said transparency is something you need to cultivate. It would have been a keen observation about yourself just to recognise that, but instead of lingering there, you acted on it. I'm so proud of Christ in you and the way He empowers you to act upon your convictions.

    I don't feel I have any tips on courage. I've only recently come to recognise it as something relevant in my own life now that provision for security that once fell on my parents is falling more and more on me. Perhaps it would help us to recognise - to really wrap our minds around - the fact that our security has always been in the Lord's hands. His sovereignty is something that's easy to talk about having grown up in a Christian home. Easy to talk about but hard to appreciate with childlike wonder. And hard to truly rest in

    Thinking of you today, dear friend.

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    1. Jordy, your comment was such a blessing! Aw, praise God - I know in myself I struggle to the things I know I want to or should do.

      It's interesting you've been experiencing that stage of life of a relying a little less on our parents - that's part of this season for me too. But I really like what you said - we can use it as an opportunity to draw closer to God because He's the one who has always been there and always will be. How precious to consider!

      Thank you, sweet friend. I think of you too.

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    2. It's true; we are in a sort of parallel season of life. The Lord is just as faithful to each of us, though. xx

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  5. Happy belated birthday, Jess!
    Yes, social media breaks are wonderful. I’m actually currently taking one but it’s almost over. I’ve only done them for a week long but I’m thinking about extending that. It’s funny how when you do that you don’t even desire to get on it after a while.
    I love to read! What kind of genres do you prefer?
    Oh and if it’s God’s will for you to do the website changes and such, it’ll happen. I personally love reading your posts so just trust Him to lead you which way. Recently I’ve been thinking a lot about 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, about His power being perfected through weakness. On our own we will feel weak but it’s in those things where God can work the most. You may not feel courageous all the time, but when you allow God to work in and through you amazing things can happen.
    Thanks for sharing this, Jess! :)

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    1. Thanks Sarah! :D

      Yes, it's been great to realize life is actually just as full without those distractions, and hopefully realign my tastes with God's word!

      I like to read quite a lot of genres, haha: Christian living nonfiction, inspirational nonfiction, personal development stuff, Biblical fiction, historical and YA fiction, childrens stories, and some occasional contemporary fiction, poetry, or anything inbetween. :) What do you like to read?

      Thanks so much for your encouragement. I needed to be reminded to just let Him work and trust He'll use my inadequacies for His glory. Thanks again, Sarah! xx

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    2. I’m the same way, I love to read so many varying book genres! Historical fiction, mystery, Bibical fiction, YA fiction, Christian living nonfiction, biographies.... you name if there’s a good chance I’ve read in that genre :).
      Book recommendations is one of the questions you mentioned... hah I’ll try to narrow it down to a few. Wild and Free by Jess Connolly and Hayley Morgan is a really good book, I guess you could qualify it as Christian living nonfiction. I highly recommend it. Lynn Austin is a great author if you’re looking for a good, Christian, historical fiction book. Her series God and Kings is a bibical fiction series based around the time of King Hezekiah. It’s really good too.
      No problem, it’s something I have to remind myself of often :).

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    3. Yes! I always enjoy a good book, no matter the genre. There are a few I haven't ventured into, but I will try most, provided they're wholesome, of course. And it's great to find someone who also reads a lot. :)

      Thanks for the recommendations! I've heard of Wild and Free, but I haven't read it, so I'll have to keep my eye out for it. :) And the other ones sounds good as well - I've haven't read any Biblical fiction about Hezekiah before, so that would be interesting! Thanks for suggesting them! :)

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  6. Happy (belated) birthday!!!

    I've also been struggling with social media consumption. Like you said, it's so easy to just grab the phone whenever you're bored or need to wind down. With my parent's help, I'm going to start making progress in weaning myself off it and making better use of my time.

    Keep trusting the Lord with your future career! If He's leading you down a certain path, then know He'll give you the strength to take on whatever might come.

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    1. Thanks, Gloria! :)

      Oh, it can be such a struggle! I'm glad you've found a way to manage it too though. I feel like we've been made to do so much more with the time we've been given!

      That's so true. Thanks for your kind encouragement, Gloria! Many blessings! xx

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  7. My dear beautiful niece

    Your blog is a delightful find! What came to me as I read this post is 'not knowing' is exactly where you need to be right now. Don't feel like you need to lock yourself into a path, keep exploring and you'll find it (it will come to you). You have so many talents that you're nurturing right now - know that they're growing just as they're meant to - and when you're ready to harvest, you'll do so in abundance.

    Much love to you, you're amazing.
    Gill
    xx

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    1. I don't even know how to reply to this; I'm amazed and overwhelmed, and I just want to give you a hug. Thanks so, so much for your support and encouragement. I'm surrounded by beautiful and inspirational people - I can't believe it sometimes. xxx

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  8. The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.

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When you comment:

1. My day will be brighter, my face smiling, and my heart blessed.

2. I’m likely to immediately go and explore your blog (if you have one) to find out more of your amazingness, and return the blessing.

3. I will then attempt to craft a response to you that will somehow fail to convey how much I truly appreciate your thoughtfulness and kindness. I’m grateful for every word of encouragement you give, and don’t be afraid to share some constructive criticism also; there’s always more to learn. In short: thank-you! :)