So here it is: The official announcement of my blog. I've been obsessing over making this perfect and finally came to the conclusion that I just needed to start writing and the rest will follow.
Why "Hope has a voice"? (I'll try to be somewhat brief but it's a long story) Three years ago I attended a retreat in the Colorado mountains. While there, they spoke about the many times in history where God's people were given a new name. On every occasion the meaning of the new name was the complete antithesis of how they had been living. Leading up to this time, I had been living a life of quiet resignation and despair. I believed the lie that life was always going to be hard for me. My family was never going to have financial stability, roots or security. Sure they'd be some good times but they'd never last.
We were asked to go spend some time in silence and ask God the question "Do you have a new name for me?" I had never asked God anything so personal. What if I didn't "hear" from him? As I walked around the corner I saw a sign that said "Hope". I knew in the depths of my soul that this was my new name. I was not "Hopeless". I was "Hope". It was confirmed several more times throughout the weekend.
The reason behind the "voice" part is that for most of my life I have been told to "shut up" in one way or another. As a grade schooler, the report card comments always included :"talks too much in class." I once was demoted at my after school job because a customer complained that I talked too much. At the risk of sounding too "Oprah-ish" I have come to a place of "finding my voice". I've always been a writer. The written word is where I'm the most comfortable and what comes naturally to me. Prior to leaving the workforce, I was working in a dreamy situation doing public relations for a non-profit. Writing articles, newsletters, press releases and periodicals. I was in my element. Three kids and 10 years later I have been strongly craving a place to write (other than my journal and the occasional letter to the editor) and share my ideas and thoughts with the hope of feedback and ensuing dialogue.
Ultimately I would love to finally receive some remuneration for my efforts. Being a "professional volunteer" has lost its lustre.
Three months ago I met a published author from Zondervan. I inquired about how she arrived at her current post. I briefly shared my background and she said "Do you have a blog? You need to start one. Write your thoughts and opinions to "the world".
So here it is. I look forward to sharing my heart and hearing from yours as well.