After All That . . . And Other Things

Hi, Ladies. I'm coming up for air after finishing the first "skinny" draft of the novel I'm writing about a young woman who self-injures. You may remember me talking about that, inviting you to share stories with me if you wanted to. Several of you did, bravely and honestly. You were all with me as I pulled "Kirsten's" story together. 

As always, I appreciate you hanging together during my I-gotta-meet-this-deadline periods. I sometimes think you could carry on indefinitely without me, but don't plan on that happening, because I like it here too much!

One of the last things we talked about in a post was the banner contest. You submitted some great photos for the banner that goes across our blog, some of them even with words, and you voted, and then voted again when I completely messed that up. And then . . .  my virtual assistant Leah discovered that none of them had the right resolution (right number of pixels or something like that) for them to work. Sigh. We're back to the proverbial drawing board, though we're pretty sure our own Crystal has some photos that will do the job. We all know what an amazing photographer she is, so I can't wait to see how this unfolds. By the way, you were so precious to ask her how she was doing. She's an important part of the team.)

But I'm so sorry we couldn't use any of your pics! Here's what I'm going to do, though. Each of my next six posts (including this one) will feature an entry submitted by one of you. Today's comes to us from MAY, and it was very popular with you all. What a great eye you have, May. Are you thinking about graphic art as a career at all? I know why I think those Converse tennies (are they Chucks?) are the perfect image for this group, but I want to hear your thoughts on that. If you want to post a comment, please share those.

A couple of other things before we move on.

    (1) Don't forget our LIVE BLOG PARTY on Friday, August 24. I originally set the time at 4:00 pm - 6:00 but I think 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Central Time would allow more of you to make it. Will you be there?  

    (2) For all of you aspiring writers (and I know there are a lot of you), I'm holding a conference for people who want to write for children and young people. Here's the info:

Writing For the Ages

Conference for Children’s and Youth Writers

October 14-17, 2012

Glen Eyrie Castle, Colorado Springs

Click Here

http://www.gleneyrie.org/SpiritualRetreats/Conferences/PageItems/WritingForTheAges

        We always have teen writers at Glen Eyrie -- some of you have been among them -- because it is an awesome opportunity to have one-on-one time with great teachers, have your work looked at not only by them but by a panel of Kid Critics, and be inspired by the Castle, which if you haven't been there is an amazing thing in itself. They say God doesn't live at Glen Eyrie, but that's where God spends most of His time. I kind of believe that. Please feel free to email me if you have any questions.

(3) Our hearts and prayers go out to you, Melody. Such a loss is so difficult, so please know we're all here for you.

(3) You've been so insightful in posting your obstacles to a life of real connection with God, I have to list some of them:

        * Past mess-ups and failures (as NICOLE put it), things like eating disorders and self-injury -- yet most of all our failure to accept God's forgiveness and move the heck on (BTW, Nicole, you can go ahead and knight me as Lady Perseverance)

        *  Pride, or as RACHEL says it, "Your life revolving around achievements", including (and I can't say it any better than she does), "thinking I have to be sparkling white, the very incarnation of piety and love and prayerfulness" before she can go to God.  That of course leads to, "Why even bother trying?"

        * Fear . . . anything that isn't truth

        * Trying to fix everything ourselves -- which goes along with lack of trust (as KATIE put it)

        * Being upset with God because we can't understand why certain things have happened

       *  Feelings of friendlessness

        * Distractedness

 

As AMY said in her comment: "Maybe the question should be, what ISN'T the obstacle?

(4) So how do we get past them. We are not, after all, Olympic hurdlers (did you SEE those people?)

        * MELODY posted a beautiful, heartfelt suggestion about journaling, one of my own most effective ways of getting over the humps. 

        * ABI told us how she writes out her prayers (which I also do as I'm journaling) which helps with becoming distracted by, oh, everything! (including hiccups, apparently)

        * Several of you found insights in the Hannah story -- her gentle correction (when it would be more natural to have said, "Drunk? Are you serious?"), no longer being able to internalize her pain (nicely put, MELODY) and having no choice but to take it to God without waiting for the right, beautiful words, not hesitating when she needs God, having a firm grasp of where her worth comes from. As RACHEL said, "Could God speak to me any more clearly?" than in this passage. Seriously, Scripture helps SO much when we dig into it that way, and we'll be doing more of that, since you're so incredibly good at it.

Here's one more thing that I hope will be helpful.

I was struggling with an obstacle of my own recently, and that is just simply having more to do than can possibly be done. That's evidenced by how sporadic I am sometimes in posting for you, when there are few things I enjoy more. I was, to use a very old word, fretting about it, to the point where my journaling turned into lists and possible ways to manipulate my schedule, and my walks, usually so contemplative, were nothing but small journeys to the same place: I can't do all this! Even centering prayer, which I practice twenty minutes a day and which I look forward to because in those twenty minutes I don't have to THINK, wasn't bringing me the peace it so often does.

But I kept doing my spiritual practices AND I kept fretting (seriously, isn't it a great word?), until one day when I was sitting here staring at my tickler file in which every folder for every day was bulging with stuff to do, I had an experience I only have once in a very great while. I heard God's voice -- you know, in that still small way that sounds like me in my head but clearly isn't? And God said, so kindly I actually cried: "Why won't you let me help you? Let me help you."

That didn't shorten the to-do list or make the folders any thinner. But it changed my entire attitude. Why DIDN'T I let God help me? Who the Sam Hill ELSE was going to help me? 

As the days passed and I kept remembering those kind words, ideas came to me. Why not think of social media as Soul Media instead? Why not walk down to the lake with the dogs when I get tired and stressed instead of pushing forward? Why not start every day with the question, "How can I let God help me?" instead of "How am I going to get all this done?'

So that's what I propose to you as you face your obstacles to prayer and a close relationship with God. Ask yourself, how can I let God help me? Then share with us, okay? And maybe we can all let God together. After all, as  BETHAN said: "I feel like we all have each other's backs in prayer." And as she adds, it is "brilliant" to know that. 

I can't wait to hear from you, my brilliant friends.

Blessings,

Nancy Rue

   

Comments

[Brownie Girl]

I can make the blog party.

[Alisha]

I can't make the blog party :(
This post was kind of perfect for me right now, even though it wasn't really a thought provoking kinda post.
The other day I, too, heard God's voice saying, "Let me help you, let me save you from yourself."
Still working on how that fits into my life

[Nicole]

Yay, you don't know how happy I am to hear from you, Mrs. Rue! :) Haha, wow, then I gladly and most gratefully knight you Lady Perseverance. ;) Thank you for all your encouraging acknowledgements of us girls throughout your posts - it brings a smile to my face.

I'm planning on making the blog party - glad you can make it, too, Brownie Girl! But I'm sorry you can't join us, Alisha. :( Hope you can in the one after that! Awww...I'm in Colorado Springs right now - only for the next few days. :P Oh, well.

How can I let God help me...wow, I immediately just started going through my day and thinking, "Well, if I did a little better in this area, then maybe that could allow for Him to help me...". Ouch. Sometimes, remembering that I am nothing without Him, that He dearly loves me and wants to be with me and help me, and that I need to continually choose to trust Him instead of myself...sometimes, remembering all that doesn't come easy. I think that's one thing right there, then - not just knowing that Jesus loves me in my head, but instead in my heart, and living it out in my daily life. Remembering that Jesus died for and loves me and everyone else in the world...it opens up life. Right about now, however, I gotta close down my day and go to bed. ;) Love you girls - praying for you all!

[Melody]

I likely won't be able to make the party since I'll be at college. I WISH I could come to the conference, one day I know I will, but probably not for at least four years :/ Thanks for your prayers girls. Yesterday I went to the viewing/wake which was really, really strange. Today is the funeral. I leave for college on Thursday. There's a lot going on, I need God to help me right now.

[Amy]

I think i can make it for the first bit that is if the appartment place were goin to has connection to the internet (and i remember my ipod) I think it's +5hrs for UK time idk :) prayin for everyone
can you not crop the pictures or somethin to the right size?

[Kate]

This post is so interesting, because I wanted to comment something... that totally has to do with this.

I've been looking for a new dance studio and it's been so hard, trying to decide whether to stay or go and go where. I think I said this before, about not being able to feel anything about it and feeling kind of numb and everything... I've taken it to God and prayed a lot (by words and journaling a lot!!)... I don't know where to go yet, but I have eliminated one option and I feel okay now, more peaceful.
And letting God help me really did help.
With anything, I've realized that to let God help you you have to...
-get rid of a DIY attitude- that feeling of'oh I can do it on my own... I'll be able to do it. Oh, it's not working yet, but it will... trust me, it WILL work at some point...'
-realize that we are not strong enough on our own
-realize you just CANT do it by yourself
-asking Jesus for help letting him help really works too
Those are some of my ideas for right now :)
Excited for the blog party!! I SHOULD be able to make it...

[Destini4Told]

So, so sorry for you Melody. Praying for you. :'( And could you ladies pray for my best friend? She had a major breakdown the other day, throwing a brick at her window, and then cutting herself with the broken glass. Love you all. <3

[Nicole]

Oh, Destini, I'll most definitely be praying for your friend. I'm so sorry for that. :( Kate, I like your list! Esp. that last one...asking Jesus for help letting Him help really works, too. ;) Couldn't have said it better!

[Kindal]

Praying for ya girls! Thanks for acknowledging all of us Nancy! Can't wait for the blog party! :)

[May]

I had fun making the banner, and I made it as high res as I could without making the sneakers fuzzy! (though it is bigger than that little picture at the top of the post) I might have to design graphics for when I'm an author. I like it. I might make, say, half the blog party, because I'm busy Saturday morning (aka your Friday night) but I hope I can come! We are here for you, Melody, and I'm praying for everyone. I think sneakers would be a good idea for a picture since being real (as in, In Real Life) means staying in your own shoes.

[Brownie Girl]

@May - Wow that's a great way to look at it! (the shoes)

Ok everyone.. I think you guys (girls) know that I just turned 13 and just came to this blog. I feel as if sometimes I don't understand the posts. Can you guys help me understand the posts better; until I mature enough to finally GET IT.

[Melody]

Brownie Girl: This post was mainly just a recap since it's been a few weeks since we had a post with depth, but the main point is how we get around our obstacles (aka stuff that goes wrong or gets in the way). We have to let God help us get around those obstacles, instead of trying to do everything ourselves.

Side note: 13 is just the general age suggestion, if you were more comfortable on the tween blog, they definitely aren't kicking you out. I think most of us came to this blog slowly, reading and posting on both equally, then finally feeling like the tween one was getting a bit young and reading and posting on this one more and the other one less, before finally dropping the tween one. I know it took me several months to stop reading the tween blog much when I transitioned. It's just a personal preference though. (I don't mean any of this in a bad way like we don't want you here, totally not true, I think it's great that you're ready for more depth :))

[Brownie Girl]

@Melody -- That's what I what I was thinking about the other day.. I felt as if I wasn't ready for this blog yet.. But I also felt as if I said I was joining this blog, and then moved back to the tween blog.. I guess I just felt as if that would be foolish or something.

I will think about it more.. Thanks

BG

[Melody]

No shame in not being ready, we'll be here whenever you think you are, no judging :)

[Wren]

Hi Girls!
I'm just popping in to say that I'm praying for you all, and to request prayer. I don't exactly know all that you've been going through, due to my absence, which I shall blame upon college. I just started college yesterday, going on 5 hours of sleep, and I am feeling exhausted and overwhelmed. It all seems so simple until you're staring down this massive list of questions to answer, you have to get 15 chapters read by Friday, and you're still only on chapter 5 because you're too tired to see more than crosseyed by 8:00 in the evening...
So prayer would be appreciated. :) For understanding, and for sleep. And for remembering to ask God to lay all my troubles on Him.
Love you all!
Wren

[Katie]

Praying for your friend, Destini! That must have been so frightening.

Wren: I'm sorry you're having such a rough transition! I myself am terrified of going to college in a year... I'll definitely be praying for you as you start this next journey. God bless you (with good sleep and reading comprehension :)!

Senior year starts tomorrow for me! I'm really excited, but nervous about the whole long college application process that's been looming over me. Here comes the stress!!

[Melody]

Praying for you Wren! I leave for college tomorrow, so soon I'll be commiserating :)

Katie: Don't get to stressed, applying for colleges really isn't that hard. Most applications are about the same, can be done online, and unless you're applying for really prestigious places you probably won't have to write to many application essays either :)

[*Rachel*]

Hey girlies! So sadly, I won't be able to make the blog party. :'( My friend's sweet sixteen is that night, but I will be thinking of and praying for you all, and I'll for sure go through it myself the next day!
I think the pink Converse are an awesome analogy for us because they're kind of "vintage"... like, they first came around a long time ago, but now with the fun of the pink, they're totally cute to wear around today. Now, I know I'm stretching this one, but isn't that kind of like Christianity? God has been around for literally forever, and Jesus came to Earth 2,000-odd years ago. Talk about "vintage"! But His Word and teachings and life still apply today, in our everyday lives. It never goes out of style.
So, I was kind of having a hard time with this whole "letting God help" thing. I just didn't see how asking Him for help would all of a sudden make it easier for me to get through my days. But I went with it, and something super cool happened. I asked Him to help me overcome my laziness and my pride, so that I could learn to see my faults honestly, have the humility to come to HIm for healing, and the determination to turn towards Him every day. And guess what I realized? Asking God for help doesn't make my days easier. It doesn't make them go by any smoother or faster. It makes them *better*. When I seek Him first thing in the morning and listen for His voice throughout the day, always striving to obey and allow His Spirit to be alive and working through me... there is more joy. There is more meaning behind every experience I go through, more thought behind the choices I make and the things I say. And when each minute is such a treasure, so filled with life and love and God, my trials and troubles don't seem quite so unsurmountable after all. I've got a big God on my side :)
Haha, Nicole, here I go again with another long comment! Going with your knighting language, I decided we are now crowned the Princesses of Perilously Prolonged Prose :) I am praying for all of you, as school begins for Katie and college (!!!!!) starts up for Wren and Melody (and for you and your family and friends in this time of grief, Melody - I'm so sorry), as Alisha, you continue to battle for your health, as you continue your decision process, Kate, for your friend, Destini, and all those who are close to her so that they might help encourage her on her path to healing, Brownie Girl, that you can get a lot out of whichever blog feels more relevant to you (like Melody said so kindly, there's no judging here - we'll be thrilled to have you no matter what age you are when you switch). And, of course, praying for Mrs. Rue and Ms. Crystal as well, for any intentions you both have. Love you all so so so much!

Love and Blessings,
*Rachel*

[Katie]

Have fun at your friend's party Rachel! I hope I can make the blog party!!

Quick prayer request...today was my first day of school, and I have a new teacher who is super anti-Christian and makes me feel REALLY uncomfortable (he said stuff in his first lecture like "God is dead" and "there is no truth"). I'm desperately trying to get out of his class, but the other English class conflicts with a class I have to take to graduate. I'm so stressed out! Sorry for ranting slightly :)

[Melody]

I know I've said this several times, but today is the day I leave for college. I'm incredibly excited and incredibly scared.

[Katie]

Good luck Melody! I'm sure you'll have an awesome time :) Tell us all about it!

[Brownie Girl]

@Melody -- Good luck! :D Have fun, learn lots, praise God.

[Nicole]

Haha - I love your comments, Rachel! :) I laughed out loud when I read that you have crowned us the "Princesses of Perilously Prolonged Prose" - that's perfect! ;) Hope you have a great time with friend for her sweet sixteen! And you are so right...when we really do seek God and listen to His Spirit, it changes so many things - it changes your perspective for the good, but the circumstances are often not so much better. In fact, I've found that often, when I quit leaning on my own knowledge and instead I trust in my great and awesome God, it gets tougher and more difficult, in the sense that the enemy is trying harder to keep me from following God and living out His plan for my life. Also, when I really do recognize the holiness of our Father and He shows me where I am unholy, selfish and unloving, and when I realize all that, sometimes it makes me go 'Um, there is no way I can get rid of all that mess!' But thankfully, I don't have to by myself. He leads me through it, ridding myself of sinful things and filling me with His holiness. Like the other day, I was feeling drained, emotionally, spiritually, and physically...I was lying down, wiped out, and my mom came in and asked me how I was feeling. I talked with her, she prayed with me, and then left me to rest. So I grabbed my laptop and started typing out my prayer, talking with God. And we had an incredible conversation...He opened my eyes to things I hadn't seen before, really showed me truth, and not only did I learn in it my mind, I learned it in my spirit.

Amazing things happen when you ask God to help you. Just sayin'.

Brownie Girl, I'm with the other girls - we absolutely love to have you with us, but if you don't feel comfortable, that's totally fine! If you want to take a break for a bit from the teen blog, I'm sure the tweens will love to have you back for however long you need to be...like the others, I took my time joining the teen blog, reading and following along for a while and them finally commenting. If you want to hang out at both blogs, you could do that, too. So whatever you feel is best for you, go ahead and do it! :) And I just checked out the tween blog, btw, and it has the cutest header ever...I really want to eat those cookies now...maybe we'll get something as equally delicious, Miss Crystal? ;) Haha...

Wren, praying for you for college! Ugh, I know how it is to be stressed out by schoolwork...def. praying. And Melody, I'm praying for you today! I can't imagine how excited and nervous you must be - I'm so happy for you, tho, and I hope you have a smooth transition and a great time getting to know everyone! Praying that you'll have really good teachers, too. Speaking of teachers, I am so sorry, Katie, that you're going through that - wow, the very first day, too. It's so sad to think of so many people who really believe that there is no truth...what an empty life to lead, when you don't let God lead it. I'll be praying that God comforts you through that class for as long as you have it, and that He'll show you a way to take something else instead if that's His will. Praying for all of you wonderful girls, Mrs. Rue and Ms. Crystal most definitely included. ;) Love and blessings to you all!

[Amy]

Prayin everyone
Nice new banner :D

[Brownie Girl]

Love the new design and banner!

[Melody]

Just a quick post, I LOVE the new banner and blog design. I like that it looks really kind of grown-up :)

[Wren]

Hi Girls!
Thank you so much for your prayers! I've been doing much better these last few days. :) Lack of sleep and stress do crazy things to a person's positive attitude! Tomorrow, I'll be on a plane to Ireland, so my absence will be further extended as I study abroad there for the next three months. But you guys will be in my heart, and I'll continue to think of and pray for all of you while I'm gone. :)
Stay safe, and I love you all! <3
Friends Forever and Into Eternity,
Wren

[Melody]

Hey girls! I moved into college today! Everything went really well, everyone seems really friendly, my roommate and I are getting along great, and my mom left without any tears (I wasn't even tempted to cry in the shower). Plus, I cute guy I met during orientation just facebook messaged me (and signed off with "I must bid thee ado") which raised my already cheerful spirits considerably :) Anyway thank you so much for your prayers! I have a dance placement class on Monday and then classes start on Wednesday if you could remember to pray especially for those two days.

Wren: You're going to Ireland??? I'm so officially jealous! Have fun, learn a lot, and tell us all about it when you get back!