Connecting the Dots: Looking Back, Moving Forward

“I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called.”—Ephesians 4:1 (ESV)

What does it really mean to live a life worthy of our calling?

(Almost) five years ago, I started this blog and called it “Connecting the Dots” as my attempt to answer that question. I know what it’s like to experience the tension between what we are called to as believers and how I actually live.

Now, as I approach the five-year anniversary of this blog, I want to revisit that first post—and take a look back over the topics I’ve written about. How have I done in connecting the dots in my own life? Have I grown? Where do I still struggle? And most importantly, how does the gospel help me to live the beautiful life I long for—a life that reflects His glory?

As someone who struggles with people-pleasing, this is actually my third attempt at blogging. In my first two blogs, I was too concerned with whether people liked my posts. I wanted to please everyone, and in the process, I didn’t land on anything specific. You know what they say: if you try to reach everyone, you don’t reach anyone.

This time, I decided to forgo the comments section and commit simply to writing once a week—as a way to discover what God wanted me to focus on. This upcoming series is an opportunity to reflect and look back at what He has put on my heart. With the new year here, it felt like the perfect time to review.

I do have a new series in the works, but it’s not quite ready yet. There are some tender places to work through, yet I don’t want to lose the momentum of writing. So, over the next few months, I’ll be taking a jog down memory lane—collecting the themes of my writing so far and celebrating where God has taken me as I look ahead.

Life has changed a lot since I started this blog. At that time, my husband and I were in a season of transition. Little did we know that we would soon leave the church where he had pastored for 25 years to begin our own nonprofit, OakHaven Ministries. COVID was still a reality, and we still had a few more children at home.

Now, three years into our new church and ministry, much has changed. One of our children is married. Our daughter with special needs has graduated high school. And we are wrapping up our 23rd and final year of homeschooling as our youngest prepares to graduate. I am not the same person I was five years ago.

Yet, some things remain the same. My heart still longs to live in a way that honors God. My desire to connect the dots between what I know and how I live continues. I hope you’ll enjoy this series as we reflect on where God has taken us—and that you too will rejoice in the faithfulness of our good Father.

Thank you so much for reading. I really do appreciate you taking the time to consider my thoughts.