After living in Texas for 3yrs (a 10 month visit that turned into something I’ll share another time), I moved into a studio apartment in a quiet neighborhood. My wallpapered sanctuary. I had already written a few songs at this point, but now I had freedom to not just write, but sing. Oh, the melodies those walls heard…and my neighbors haha
That is the place where the Lord began to prepare my heart for marriage. I headed home after work one day and checked the mail before I walked in. A ‘BRIDES’ magazine greeted me with flowers. That’s kinda odd, I thought. Must belong to the girl who lived here before me…wonder if she would want this, it is hers after-all . But how do I find her to know?
A few months after receiving two or three of the magazines, it was a Friday night and I had plans to cook myself dinner and watch a movie with a glass of wine. So I ventured out to the movie store just down the street from my apt. I saw an old classmate’s mom while I was looking around for a good movie – she was always such a pleasant lady, with a soft smile. I can’t remember what I rented, but when the girl asked for my address before I checked out, she said “Hey I use to live there. Do you get ‘BRIDES’ magazines in the mail?”
“So those are yours! Do you want them back, I can bring them to you.” I said.
“Oh, no you keep them! Now I know who they are going to!”
“Thank you!”
And I left the store to dream. I started looking through those magazines and I began to plan my wedding…not too seriously, but with a free imagination.
Much like the new beginning then, I feel the start of this new year is a blank canvas for writing more songs, singing loudly for the walls to remember, seeing the message in surprises and dreaming of what could be. Appreciating familiar faces and meeting new people along the way, who are a signpost that I’m headed in the right direction.
I can imagine the beauty ahead🤍
“For I know the plans I have for you” — this is the Lord’s declaration — “plans for your well-being, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”-Jeremiah 29:11 CSB
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