When I was 19 years old, I died.
No, not in the dramatic “I went to heaven, saw Jesus, and lived to tell about it” kind of death—-though that would’ve been kinda awesome based on the accounts I’ve read.
But I DID die in the most important of ways.
I died to my self when I got on my knees and gave my life and heart to Jesus.
{ And on second thought, I would consider this indeed “dramatic”—the collision of Spirit, soul, and body in the making of a new creation in Christ Jesus. …anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! 2 Corinthians 5:17 }
I remember praying something like this: “God, I’m done. To be honest, I don’t want to live anymore. I’m just not interested. But I know that taking my life isn’t right. So I have an idea. I want to give my life to You to do with it whatever you want. At this moment I declare that Jane is dead. And now from this moment on, my life is yours. I give it to You and to Jesus. You can do whatever you want to with, and through, me. Amen.”
It was a pure act of surrender. ( Read about surrendering… )
It was organic and authentic. { And I’m glad of that. }
You can read more about my life-changing experience here: The Prayer That Will Last For Eternity
So…looking back over all my years of living, I can see that I was always intent on discovering and living a life of authentic “blooming” and then helping others to do the same. One of my primary ways of doing this was in becoming a letter writer—hopefully an inspired letter writer—to whomever God led me to write to. It was my way of blooming (using my gifts and talents) and my way of helping and encouraging others. What a blessing it has been for me to share God’s love in this way. You can read a hint of what that’s like in what I would say is my favorite blog and is “me in a blog.”
Keepin’ It Real: Letter Writing
My passionate desire to help others discover their blooms—their God-gifts, God-talents and their beautiful purpose that they were created for—intensified.
I believe with all my heart that …
YOU were Born to Bloom,
I was Born to Bloom,
We ALL were Born to Bloom!
And now for those who are interested in learning more personal things about me—the things I love and what makes me tick, read on…
Link to: My Journey, The Second Half
And the “sort of ” bullet points below:
- I love God. (Even though I don’t fully understand Him, I am forever trying to! I am in a love relationship with my Creator! Is that an option I can check off on Facebook?)
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. Isaiah 55:8)
{ Whew. At least I know that it’s not possible to fully understand Him. }
****************************************************************
I love Jesus. He is the beautiful One—the perfect representation of the Father. “I and the Father are one.” John 10:30.
{ Without Him, I would be completely and utterly lost. As in….Amazing grace, how sweet the sound; That saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now I’m found. Was blind, but now I see… }
*****************************************************************
I have been a follower of Jesus since 1977. I was 19 when I gave my heart to Him—wholly and completely.
I found this quote by missionary Eric Liddell (Chariots of Fire fame) and this is my declaration, too:
I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Creator, infinitely holy and loving, who has a plan for the world, a plan for my life, and some daily work for me to do. I believe in Jesus, the Christ, the Son of God, as Example, Lord, and Saviour. I believe in the Holy Spirit who is able to guide my life so that I may know God’s will; and I am prepared to allow him to guide and control my life. I believe in God’s law that I should love the Lord my God with all my heart, and with all my soul, and with all my mind, and with all my strength; and my neighbour as myself. I believe it is God’s will that the whole world should be without any barriers of race, colour, class, or anything else that breaks the spirit of fellowship. To believe means to believe with the mind and heart, to accept, and to act accordingly on that basis.” ~ Eric Liddell, The Disciplines of the Christian Life { Boy, that’s really good. }
- I love my husband (and best friend) of the past 38 years. We’ve had our “moments”—but I believe that anyone who is married and says they have not had their “moments” may not be truthful with themselves, or about themselves—by that I mean they may not be true to who they are created to be. Husbands and wives are individual people. They are not identical twins. (Even identical twins have their differences!) We have to respect and understand our differences and encourage each other to become all God wants each of us to be—to fulfill our purposes. I think that’s what we are here for. To learn to love—God, ourselves, and others. I read somewhere that marriage is the perfect school for learning how to really love! Tough school. Degree well earned. { A great book to give a different perspective on marriage: Sacred Marriage: What If God Designed Marriage to Make Us Holy More Than to Make Us Happy? ~ Gary Chapman }
- I have amazing, loving, devoted family and friends—many friends who I have had since I was a young girl!
- My greatest connection to God is when I am in the midst of His unmatched creation—in nature.
- I am a passionate lover of all creatures great and small…but I’m particularly fond of cats! What other wild beast comes in a “size small” that you can keep in your home and becomes one of your best friends. Yes, dogs can become a best friend, but they aren’t a mini version of a large, wild animal. How cool is that?? Which isn’t the only reason I love kitties. Just look at those paw pads! What great design work…
And those eyes!
Also, their flexibility. And intelligence. And love for PLAY! Amazing creatures. Jesse said to me once, “I like dogs, but they are so…stiff.” Makes me laugh every time I pick up a little dog to hug it. Yep. Stiff. Only cat owners would understand that… And for all you dog owners, I do love dogs, too!
- I think that wild birds are God’s extraordinary colorful and musical gifts within our ordinary days. We too often forget to look and listen to them… Lately I’ve been looking and listening to our chimney swifts. I like to call them “the otters of the sky.” They have so much fun! And, at night, they have “pillow talk” in the chimney—soft, happy chattering.
- I’m a hypocrite—when it comes to the fact that I eat meat. This is one area of my life that I feel…not true to myself? But I do major in veggies. I love my Brussel sprouts, cabbage, eggplant, asparagus, beets, and broccoli!
- I often dreamed of having a career in the culinary arts. A bed & breakfast was my most oft-frequented culinary (and hospitality) dream. Also, a personal chef. I fulfilled that one. For my husband. ** eyeroll ** Now, my dream looks more like a mountain retreat!
- I am a letter writer. I have written personal letters since I was about 24 years old. This was/is my passion and outlet for writing and in helping people know or grow in their relationship with God and in encouraging people that they are loved and cherished by Him. When I write these letters, I feel close to God because He is Love and I can see Him loving people through my words. I often just “know” what to write and say—what scripture to minister to someone. It is a blessing and gift that I do not take for granted.
- I love to spend time seeking and contemplating God in silence—preferably while immersing myself and getting lost in the beauty of nature. I think this is one of the best ways to hear His Voice and to find a greater intimacy with Him. I believe that most of us have lost the wonder of Who He is and Who we are in Him and who we are to Him.
- I was born and raised in Florida, and I still live here—though I did migrate from South Florida to Central Florida in 1981. I often think of myself as a mountain girl (because I love the Great Smoky Mountains!) but Florida is my home and continues to be, for now, where I belong.
- I have bicycled since I was about 7 years old. I remember the day I went from the bike with training wheels to a “big girl’s” bike. I shook off the fear of balancing atop a big bike because, one summer day, my brother (4 years older) was having so much fun on his bike and, me hating to be left behind, I got on my big bike and took off after him. The fear flew off behind me. {Lesson there? When we really want to do something, we overcome the fear…} I especially love riding on the many bike trails here in Florida.
- I feel stress dissipate when I bike, walk, or hike.
- I am an avid reader—a book addict. This also started at a very young age. The library was one of my favorite places to go as a child—the old UN-air-conditioned (thus South Florida SCREAMING HOT!) musty library with the squeaky screen door that slammed behind me, and where silence was the rule—after getting past the noisy door—ha. (I’ve noticed libraries aren’t so much about being silent anymore. Too bad, in my opinion.) Because of my love for books, you will see that I recommend a LOT of them here in my blogs.
- As an adult, I mostly choose to read nonfiction and it has nearly always been about some aspect of getting to know God better—from the classics to current. Also, books on understanding myself and to help others do the same. But I have read some very powerful Christian fiction, too.
- I don’t think I’ve met a Bible study I haven’t liked.
- I am an extroverted introvert. I enjoy being with people and I can laugh and play with the best of them. But I can only do it for short periods of time. I need a lot of alone time. It is where I thrive. And it’s what I must do in order to fulfill my purpose.
- I have no children. This was by choice. Most of the time I feel right about that decision. Only occasionally do I wonder… I had made that decision before meeting my husband. He had made the same decision on his own. God knew all of this before He brought us together. (A fact I refer back to whenever I’m super mad at him and wondering if I chose the right man(!)—which, by the way, is a very normal thought. Pastors who counsel say it is the top declaration from couples who come to counseling: “I think I married the wrong person.” Marriage isn’t easy. ALL relationships take a lot of work.)
- I have one sister and one brother. I am the baby of the family. Does that mean I’m spoiled? Of course not! 🙂 My parents were married for 48 years until my dad died of double pneumonia in 1993 at the age of 70.
- Of late, I’ve started watching Hallmark movies. It helped me break the news habit and to also not always be so intense. Movies (stories) are an escape from stressful lives and they can be entertaining, educational, and inspiring. Human beings love to be entertained! I’ve thought about how even Jesus taught lessons with stories. Up until a couple of years ago, I haven’t been a fan of movies or TV in general. Not to say I haven’t watched selected movies and programs. It’s just not my favorite thing to do. And, believe me—when I say I’m selective, I mean it. Often, I haven’t exactly “fit in” because of this. But that’s okay. I have very, very carefully and intentionally protected my heart, mind, eyes, and ears from evil, sin, and vulgarities. My spirit is very sensitive and I wanted it to remain so. Therefore, I guarded my heart from a young age—even before I knew that the Bible instructed us to do so. For this I am so very grateful.
- I often struggle with depression. I want the world, and people, to be better and nicer. And I long for no more suffering. It’s difficult for a hyper sensitive “feeler” type person to understand and cope with life. Thus…my great need for much time with God!
- I had a midlife identity/purpose crisis in my early 50s and that’s when “Born to Bloom” was birthed. To read about, go here: late bloomers and whose shoes are you wearing.
- I love thinking about what heaven will be like. And I read a lot of books about that. It helps me keep an eternal perspective.
- I love inspirational and motivational quotes.
- I love seeing people using their God-given creative gifts and talents. I’m ecstatic when I go to a store or art festival that is jam-packed with the inspired creations of people. I feel like I’m seeing a facet of God in their work. Because I am! He is the One who made the people and gave them the creative gifts. 🙂 Whenever possible I like to own pieces of this creative work because it inspires me.
- I love to walk through health food stores and gourmet food shops and, yes, even ordinary grocery stores. It’s the only shopping that I really like.
- My favorite snack is salsa & chips. Mmmm.
- For some reason, I like to mow! Maybe in part because it’s outside. And it’s making things pretty and in order—something else I like. Order. Clean. Pretty. (Which doesn’t mean I always achieve these things! I’m so not perfect! And neither is my house.)
- This next one is a little weird but I’m sure I’m not the only one: ever since I was a kid, I put myself on a reward system. It’s not like I actually thought this through. It was just something I did so it’s somehow in my DNA. For example, I wouldn’t tear into a birthday gift. I would clean my room first (or something else like that) and THEN open the gift. In my adult years it looks more like—washing the dishes and THEN I can have the piece of salted caramel. 🙂
- Oh yes. I like salted caramels.
- I like to hang out with like-minded people—especially out in nature, around the table eating good food, and conversing with them about the Bible and a mutual love and wonder and awe for God and His creation.
- How could I forget music? Music has been a big part of my life and I think that it is in most people’s lives. I believe we are created to love music. I particularly love worship music and soloists—whether vocal or playing an instrument. Again, this makes me feel close to God—seeing and hearing someone use their gift. It’s a spiritual experience. I especially love the cello, harp, violin, flute, and acoustic guitar. I tinker on the piano and harp.
- I love to hear people belly laugh—long, genuine laughter. It is so infectious. Especially when it’s a child’s laughter! Right? I’m sure we can all agree on that one!
- I’m really, really, reeeeallly not very good at bullet points. Lol. (Each one is a mini term paper.) And, for the record, I’m actually a very private person. So…this wasn’t a totally easy thing for me to do. But I’m on the lookout for some of my people, my tribe! What better way to find them than to create my very own multi-paged, personal ad. (And isn’t it more interesting than those quick bio’s I read now like “I love chocolate, puffy clouds, and going barefoot.” Seems no one has time to get to know anybody anymore…)