“Start where you’re at, be all the way where you are. Sink into where God has you…accept the lessons and the gifts.”
These warm words came from a blogger in my Instagram feed yesterday morning. And on that particular Monday – with a negative wind chill and a dog as my all-day company – those words felt important.
We’re in the throes of a fresh start. The year, naturally, but also the beginning of a new job for Thomas and a new, though undetermined, course for me. We’re one week moved into a rental house a few hours from home. The adjustment’s been slightly achey, but our eyes are wide open to how God’s provision spans wider than our apprehensions.
Back in July, Thomas started a 5-month police academy that required us to spend weekdays apart. We’re still celebrating with the wine friends keep bringing over and repeat trips to Target – a small luxury, much like the half tiramisu/half biscotti gelato we split the other night.
We talked a lot about how we changed in 2014. How he learned resiliency and grew to lead others. He’s paying attention to his purpose (even if that purpose puts me on edge when I watch the news). And I’m different, too.
A few years ago when we traveled to Cape Town, a staff worker gave me a compliment I didn’t even know I craved when she said, “I think you’re brave.” I like to think that 2014 forced me to lean into courage. In the big things, but also in the small things. You know, like waking up on a Tuesday. The truth that God is the source of hope – I believe that’s the truth that enables our bravery.
One of the most daunting parts of this new start is that I’m not sure what’s next in our story. Sustaining our marriage on 15-minute phone calls and recounting the training to our family and friends gave us something to say. We had a goal to work toward, a barrier to overcome, and it molded, strengthened, sensitized and built us up.
Now that things are “normal,” what is our story? What are we working toward that will keep us from apathy and stagnation? Not just in our marriage, but in our lives as a whole?
My first step is admitting that I don’t know, but I want to find out. And today I have a little peace that even the smallest movement despite fear, on any level, is one of the best gifts we can offer God, and ourselves.
Mallory R. Manning 
That Cape Town staff worker isn’t the only one who thinks you’re brave 😉
I don’t know what the next part of your story is, either, but I can’t wait to see where the journey takes you!
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I like the way this was written, Mallory, because you wrote it even though you do not really have an answer to what you are writing about (and THAT is brave!). I know for myself, I often feel I can only put things out there if I sort of have them mostly figured out already, like people will only want to read it if I give them an easy, “And here’s the answer” at the end. But you didn’t do that, and I think that’s really important for people like myself to remember. Thank you!
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Absolutely! I think we see lots of blog posts that inspire us because they have action steps, and we often think that equals coherence. Still learning that it’s not always true 🙂
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