Eclectic Waters

Archive for August, 2010

Our identity rests not on the opinion of others, rather, it hinges on two things: who we think we are and who we choose to be.

-

While as a Christian I know my true identity is found in God’s truth, the lived out reality of my life will rest on my thoughts of myself. What I believe about myself and the things I choose, i.e. how I spend my time, how I will treat people etc,… this will impact and shape my identity.

It’s been interesting working on my book and re-visiting my experience on Logos II as a 12 and 13 year old. Adolescence is tough and it is time when we are figuring things out, developing as an individual. It’s been fascinating stepping back and writing my story – viewing it from a writer’s perspective. I feel lucky to have such a rich and different life to glean from as I shape the clay of this book. I’ve been praying that God would inspire me and give me discipline and courage to write – it is lonely and can be EXTREMELY boring – and I am incredibly thankful that He has answered this prayer. And now that I have finally invited him into the process of writing, I’m excited to continue seeing the story take shape…

seeing myself emerge. The way I saw myself – the identity I formed. A girl from the sea. This is the story I didn’t have the words for and I am now mining for them… laying a line through the woods of my experience…

Thankful for the words I’m finding. Wish me luck!

The waves slip up the shore to steal kernels of sand, slowly rolling them down into the froth of the ocean. Crabs scuttle out of my way, kicking small pebbles with their sideway steps.

I have started working on my book again. It’s so good to have begun again.

Currently I am writing about the voyage from Portugal to Barbados. I’ll be posting random excerpts here and there so the process doesn’t feel as lonely

“Peering down from the bow of the ship to where her body slices through the water, I see a hammerhead shark. It’s rectangle head is visible in the clear water as it swims next to the ship. I shiver, grabbing hold of the railing just to make sure I am here, above the water, safe.”

The boat pauses and we jump into clear water, shallow with pockets of depth. Far away from the shore we embarked from, we immerse our faces and snorkel masks into the turquoise sheet of sea above white sand and clumps of coral.

Love surrounds me.

While I may not have the romantic love I long for – a person to build a life with -

I am surrounded by love.

Friends. God. Myself. Nature. Co-workers.

This morning I am thankful for the fulfilling life I have – the hope and joy I am filled with.

Love surrounds me and indwells me for God is love.