I’m so excited for you to go back to school! I recently applied for a spiritual direction training program that starts in the fall and I’m waiting to see if I get accepted. It’s amazing to look back and see how God has been preparing me for this season and calling. Blessings to you, Charity on this new adventure! Thanks for sharing your heart and wisdom 💛
I love that you can look back and see God's hand directing and guiding you, Celia. Keep me posted on your program. I think spiritual direction is such an important discipleship tool. I'm constantly amazed how God uses my spiritual director in my life.
Charity, this is all so tender and beautiful. I felt the ache and nearness of God in your words/story. Thank you for sharing so honestly with us. Congrats on the job at the library and your brave endeavor to pursue a degree. Inspiring! Coincidentally (or not), the note/newsletter I just posted in substack today, was about the magic or longing I find in libraries.
Thank you so much for these kind words ... and I love your reflections on longing and comfort at the library. The library has always been a special place for me, too. I'll admit that I'm a little nervous it might lose some of its charm by pulling back the curtain and seeing how things work. But mostly, I think working at the library will have some of the same wonder ... and allow me to share it with others.
This is a wonder-full report, as usual. Who knew what God was designing behind the scenes? I am so thankful that you have done your homework and are now stepping out in faith. May you be richly blessed in more ways than you can even imagine. Thank you for sharing your insights into life as a writer. You will always be a favorite of mine. Looking forward to seeing how God will make good use of your gifts in the next phase of your career.
I loved reading about your journey and so appreciated your sharing about your grief (as I too am a year and a half out from losing my mother (and she was 83, and I was 59 when she died). It is beautiful to see how God calls us to different endeavors in different seasons. I also love the question, "What do you want God to do for you" and am going to spend some time journaling on that. On a different note, I read Patchett's book too and thought it would be fun to read through some of DiCamillo's books (I've read about four in the past). So I'm going to try to follow your schedule as much as I am able. Thanks Charity!
I'm sorry that you are deep in the throes of grief, too, Elizabeth. It's such an unsettling and difficult process to lose a mother. I would love to hear more about where you land when you consider the question of what God might do for you. I think it's a question God calls us to throughout our lives. And don't we want different things in different seasons just as God calls us to different things? Thanks for your comment, Elizabeth!
Once again, our lives overlap, Charity. Actually over and over again! Both of us freelance writers who loved books so much we decided to become librarians. I am so excited for you to make this next step. Although I decided to return to my freelance career after getting the MLS, I adored my library experience and found i the MLS worth doing for its own sake. I hope you love it as much as idea. It sounds like a perfect fit for you. Also, this comes to me at a weekend retreat to figure out some next steps for myself, as well. I am buoyed by your example of deeply examining how you can best serve. You will always be one of my favorite writers. Peace, Crystal
I don't think I knew you are also a writer-librarian (it should be its own distinction). And I do want to hear what your next steps are as you attempt to discern them. It's always hard to know ... but I find the process to be its own kind of gift at the same time. Thanks for all these kind words.
CONGRATULATIONS on your library job! As if I needed another reason to love going there!! And on your son’s graduation! And prayers for your heart regarding grieving your precious mom. These milestone years are tough for sure. But God is so good to resurrect, renew, or start us on something new. XO
I’m so excited for you, Charity! Beginnings are so lovely but as I grow older, I’m recognizing just how valuable starting something new is—for joy, of course, but also for my health and well-being. Celebrating these new beginnings with you, and holding you as you say goodbye to some things too. Love to you, friend.
Thank you, friend! I agree about the benefits of starting something new. It breathes new life into our day-to-day reality. It does come with some bittersweet feelings, though. And of course an enormous learning curve ... which is getting harder for this aging brain! Love back to you!
I’m so excited for you to go back to school! I recently applied for a spiritual direction training program that starts in the fall and I’m waiting to see if I get accepted. It’s amazing to look back and see how God has been preparing me for this season and calling. Blessings to you, Charity on this new adventure! Thanks for sharing your heart and wisdom 💛
I love that you can look back and see God's hand directing and guiding you, Celia. Keep me posted on your program. I think spiritual direction is such an important discipleship tool. I'm constantly amazed how God uses my spiritual director in my life.
I absolutely will! Thank you 😊
Charity, this is all so tender and beautiful. I felt the ache and nearness of God in your words/story. Thank you for sharing so honestly with us. Congrats on the job at the library and your brave endeavor to pursue a degree. Inspiring! Coincidentally (or not), the note/newsletter I just posted in substack today, was about the magic or longing I find in libraries.
Thank you so much for these kind words ... and I love your reflections on longing and comfort at the library. The library has always been a special place for me, too. I'll admit that I'm a little nervous it might lose some of its charm by pulling back the curtain and seeing how things work. But mostly, I think working at the library will have some of the same wonder ... and allow me to share it with others.
This is a wonder-full report, as usual. Who knew what God was designing behind the scenes? I am so thankful that you have done your homework and are now stepping out in faith. May you be richly blessed in more ways than you can even imagine. Thank you for sharing your insights into life as a writer. You will always be a favorite of mine. Looking forward to seeing how God will make good use of your gifts in the next phase of your career.
Thank you so much Jane. I'm looking forward to seeing what God has in store, too.
I loved reading about your journey and so appreciated your sharing about your grief (as I too am a year and a half out from losing my mother (and she was 83, and I was 59 when she died). It is beautiful to see how God calls us to different endeavors in different seasons. I also love the question, "What do you want God to do for you" and am going to spend some time journaling on that. On a different note, I read Patchett's book too and thought it would be fun to read through some of DiCamillo's books (I've read about four in the past). So I'm going to try to follow your schedule as much as I am able. Thanks Charity!
I'm sorry that you are deep in the throes of grief, too, Elizabeth. It's such an unsettling and difficult process to lose a mother. I would love to hear more about where you land when you consider the question of what God might do for you. I think it's a question God calls us to throughout our lives. And don't we want different things in different seasons just as God calls us to different things? Thanks for your comment, Elizabeth!
Once again, our lives overlap, Charity. Actually over and over again! Both of us freelance writers who loved books so much we decided to become librarians. I am so excited for you to make this next step. Although I decided to return to my freelance career after getting the MLS, I adored my library experience and found i the MLS worth doing for its own sake. I hope you love it as much as idea. It sounds like a perfect fit for you. Also, this comes to me at a weekend retreat to figure out some next steps for myself, as well. I am buoyed by your example of deeply examining how you can best serve. You will always be one of my favorite writers. Peace, Crystal
I don't think I knew you are also a writer-librarian (it should be its own distinction). And I do want to hear what your next steps are as you attempt to discern them. It's always hard to know ... but I find the process to be its own kind of gift at the same time. Thanks for all these kind words.
Sorry for the typos! Typing on a cell phone!
Congratulations on the new job and on acceptance to the MLS program!
Thank you! So happy to be on this new adventure!
CONGRATULATIONS on your library job! As if I needed another reason to love going there!! And on your son’s graduation! And prayers for your heart regarding grieving your precious mom. These milestone years are tough for sure. But God is so good to resurrect, renew, or start us on something new. XO
Thank you, Amy! Yes, it's been a big, difficult, and joyous year. Grateful for God's leading and presence through it all.
I’m so excited for you, Charity! Beginnings are so lovely but as I grow older, I’m recognizing just how valuable starting something new is—for joy, of course, but also for my health and well-being. Celebrating these new beginnings with you, and holding you as you say goodbye to some things too. Love to you, friend.
Thank you, friend! I agree about the benefits of starting something new. It breathes new life into our day-to-day reality. It does come with some bittersweet feelings, though. And of course an enormous learning curve ... which is getting harder for this aging brain! Love back to you!