A 31 day journal for the easily overstimulated humans.

(Because we exist, and we desire to live well. Not just hide well.)

The Dwelling Place has always existed, though I have not always visited.

It is the place we go when we can’t just go.
It is the place where we meet with Holy Spirit.
It is the place where we are stilled.
It is the place which gives us a moment’s peace.
It is the place we live from.

Less escaping. More embracing.

Never closed for the season. Never overbooked.

Never not prepared for our arrival.

Always welcomes with open arms.

This place is not a thing but a face.

God

is

our Dwelling Place.

The Dwelling Place | 31 Days of Real Life Getaways

| Day #13

Word: INVITE

//

The truth about anxiety is

our body starts reacting before we get a chance to even get a positive word in edge wise.

Like autopilot, a switch is flipped and your fate seems sealed.

Head pounding to the rhythm of heart pulsating through chest,

we know God is in control and want to hand this over to him —

but many times we have to physically move while simultaneously

replacing ourselves and thoughts.

There is a place as a Christian, where I have questioned my own faith —

“Am I not trusting You, Father? Why do I feel this way?”

If I am not careful, the enemy tramples on my weakness

and injects shame.

But what I have seen in my life anyways, is that

even a God-fearing person has times when life knocks the wind

right out of them — whether by surprise or by circumstance.

And in our humaness, we experience normal human weaknesses which cause

us to grab hold of the edge of something and make us either want to call

our mommies or curl up in a ball. Sometimes both.

Life is beautiful and grand, but not always.  There are parts not so

lovely but there nonetheless.  And just because we don’t instantly feel better

after inviting God into the situation, and into the madness — doesn’t mean

we did not have faith when asking. Only He alone knows why things happen or do not.

Did you know God works through people too, and when we invite another into

our situation — thick walls can slowly be chipped away, to reveal who

we really are; and this identity is made up not of all our issues or mess, but who God made us to be…a child of Himself, in His very image.

Clasping the couch, confessing heart matters whether to God or friend,

be okay with not being okay and know you have done well to take a first step

in inviting someone in to share the burden.

We don’t have to go through life alone. And we aren’t required to

only pray and never share with a soul. God works through people

all the time.

//

Need to catch up on this month’s poetry?

• Day #1  5 minute free write
• Day #2  5 minute free write
• Day #3  5 minute free write
• Day #4  5 minute free write 
• Day #5  5 minute free write
• Day #6  5 minute free write
• Day #7  5 minute free write
• Day #8  5 minute free write
• Day #9  5 minute free write
• Day #10  5 minute free write
• Day #11  5 minute free write
• Day #12  5 minute free write

***Join me each October day for the #write31days event (learn more here) for a gentle fleshing out of the thoughts, as I seek to share journal-style + by poetry, past experiences with anxiety and learning how to live and thrive after discovering about ptsd.

Let’s lean into Truth together.

Let’s trust God moment by moment.