The year of 2016 held a lot of promise for me. 

 

I had finally nailed a teaching job (and I was rocking it, by the way) after three years of substitute teaching and working part-time for a before/after school program. Things were great.

 

Then, bam. Enter 2017.

 

I lost my grandmother in January. I was told my contract would not be renewed in April. Six weeks before the school year finished, I was released from my teaching responsibilities. I spent most of the next few months drinking incessantly and refusing to leave the couch. Tail tucked, I went back to my part-time job.

 

Looking back, 2017 sucked. But it was the best thing that ever happened to me.

 

Since I had hit rock bottom, the only option was for me to go up. I took my time sulking, but something clicked in me, and I decided I wasn't going to be held down by my circumstances. I took a hard look at where I was in life, where I wanted to be, and how I was going to get there. I realized there were things I needed to release and things I needed to grip closer. These few things that I am overly passionate about are the things I that make me who I am.

 

I am passionate about my friends and family. There is nothing more important to me than my tiny tribe. These are the ones I look to when I've forgotten who I am. These are the ones I trust to help me understand who I am supposed to be. They are mine, and I am there's, and there is nothing I would not do for them.

 

I am passionate about writing. For as long as I can remember, writing has been the best way for me to express anything. I learn better by writing; I communicate better by writing. Writing just makes my life better. And because of that, I know how healing and encouraging and empowering words can be. I hope to use my words that way. I want to use them for others and for Jesus. I want them to matter.

 

I am passionate about people. When I was choosing a major to declare, the only thing I remember thinking was that a classroom would allow me to influence the most people at one time. A love for people was the reason I pursued a career in education in the first place. I'm a sucker for the "bad kids." My heart is for the "thans", the ones in the margins, the ones that get overlooked. People are crazy, people are messy, people are unpredictable. And sometimes that's the worst, but I'm crazy about helping people be better.less

 

I am passionate about Jesus. I love Him. I love everything He's about. He is my Rock and the reason I keep going. It's an up and down rollercoaster ride, but He keeps hanging on to me. For whatever crazy reason, He's decided to keep me around. All I want to do is fulfill the purpose He has for me, and I hope I make Him proud.

 

If you've found yourself here, I believe there is a reason. Know I care about you and what you're about. I am 100% for making safe spaces, and I created Musings of Grace to do just that. You might not love Jesus. You might not be about church. You might not know what you believe. Or you might be all about those things. Whatever your story, you are safe with me. Please ask the hard questions. Bring your doubt, your hypocrisy, your uncertainty, your fear, whatever it might be, and I promise to hold it carefully.

 

You are safe here.