2019 - Scorched-Earth, 2020 - Beautiful Things from Dust?
Happy New Year!!!! It’s 2020!!!!!
From Wikipedia:
A scorched-earth policy is a military strategy that aims to destroy anything that might be useful to the enemy when retreating from a position.
A “scorched-earth” approach is also something used as a behaviour modification tactic. For example, EVERYTHING in a bedroom, including bedding and mattresses, are removed, and the individual has to earn every item back through positive/functional behaviours. It sounds shocking, I know.
***Now, before we all get up in arms about this or start a debate, I am just using this as an example/drawing a dramatic/humorous parallel to my life, and I have not used this tactic myself, nor am I making any comment on the use of this tactic.***
2019 felt like someone decided to use this “scorched earth” approach on my life. It was not fun. It was not comfortable. It is not something I would recommend if you can avoid it.
It felt like everything that COULD HAVE gone wrong, did. And it has felt like there is nothing good that has come from all the struggle. Which, of course, is not accurate. Lots of good things came from it I am sure - they just got buried in all the struggle and overwhelm. I’m kidding, I’m kidding! I got so much extra time with people I love (especially Lysander and Ophelia, my niece and nephew) and we were able to get our charitable status for Dandelion Seeds! And was a lot of “pruning” aka “scorched-earthing” that needed to be done. A lot of clearing away what was old and dead and in the way and (I am believing!) making way for new growth and opportunity and HOPE. Beautiful things DO come from the dust, it just takes time and patience.
So, 2020, bring it on! The plan is for me to return to Haiti by the beginning of February/end of January, and just jump right back in to my life there.
I am looking forward to all the newness and growth and blooming. I feel I have more clarity and more hope and more TRUE excitement in me that I have had in a long time. I feel as though the possibilities are endless, and that 2019 was another year of PROOF of God’s provision in my life.
Along with looking towards what’s next, I have two major goals this coming year that I would LOVE for you to partner with me in prayer and/or finances on:
I want to get my permis - basically my official visa allowing me to stay full time year round.
I want to get a vehicle - this will allow me to GO TO CHURCH and give me some freedom and allow me to visit friends and other organizations to just see what people are doing (I LOVE connecting people to each other!)
These two goals will cost approximately $5000-6000 USD, so I absolutely and praying and believing for financial provision. These two things will improve my quality of life and ability to work effectively in Haiti beyond measure. And I am trusting that God’s got this need in His sight.
Matthew 6:33-34 sums it all up perfectly:
If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.
So here we are - the end of 2019. I am so thankful that this year is over, and I am SO ready for what is next. I am going into this next year, this next season, with a renewed mindset, and a few phrases to pray and meditate on:
It’s never too late to start over.
Beautiful things take time.
and
Pray like it’s up to God, work like it’s up to me :)
I am unendingly grateful to have you on this journey in the unique way you have shown up for me in this last year - I truly believe I would not have made it through the year without each and every person who has invested in me. There is much to be thankful for, and much to look forward to.
In 2020:
I want more music.
I want more joy.
I want more connection.
I want more hope.
I want more passion.
I want more great food.
I want more creativity.
I want more adventure.