It’s hard to believe we’re at the end of another month! March has been busy and seems to have flown by.
So that I can fit in a monthly reflections post I’m taking a break from the series on “Questions Jesus Asked” this week but there will be two more posts to complete the series coming soon. I’ve really been enjoying this series. It has benefitted me so much to dig deeper into Jesus’ questions and there has been some great discussion in the comments section too. If you want to catch up you can find last week’s post here, and the links to all the others are at the bottom of that post.
New Discoveries/ Highlights:
As I said, March has been busy, but I think I’ve learned a lot.
- At the start of the month I took part in an online summit consisting of eight workshops on different aspects of Christian blogging. Most of what I have learned so far about blogging has been by trial and error so it was amazing to have some input from experienced bloggers. It was a bit overwhelming and I still need to work out where to begin putting it all into practice but I really enjoyed it and certainly learned some new things.
- I learned more than I ever wanted to about cars and subframes and wishbones! There have been lots of stressful and time-consuming issues this month, but I now have a brand new (to me) shiny white car that actually drives! The challenge will be keeping it that way!
A rediscovery this month was how much I enjoy writing music! This is something which I used to do regularly but haven’t done at all the last few years. A friend asking me to set a poem she’d written to music provided the motivation to get back into it and made me see this is something I definitely want to do more. (If only there was time for all the things I want to do!)
At the beginning of this year I began keeping a gratitude journal, writing down two or three things I’m grateful for everyday. Three months in, I would say this has been a very easy habit to keep. It is something I’ve enjoyed doing, it has made me feel more positive, and it was amazing to look back over three months’ worth of entries and to see so many blessings listed.
My word for the year (Voice):
The focus for me in March has been speaking out in different situations. A couple of times I had to push myself to speak up in situations where I was struggling to be heard and where in the past I would have remained silent. It was encouraging that when I persisted and pushed myself to do this I was listened to in the end.
I also shared a difficult part of my story with a friend. I had felt for a while that I should and the right moment finally presented itself. For me, the act of speaking out showed the healing God has done in this area. It was much, much easier than any time I have spoken about it in the past, and I’m grateful for that and for how she responded.
March Playlist:
Fighting Words- Ellie Holcomb
Brave- Moriah Peters
Even If- MercyMe
How has March been for you? Feel free to share a highlight or reflection in the comments.
I may have limited time and/ or internet access this week- I’m not sure exactly how it’s going to work out- so if I am slower than usual in visiting your posts and responding to comments that will be the reason. I will catch up next weekend if I don’t make it before then.
I so enjoy these sort of posts that sum up a month. Thank you for sharing the songs … all were so good to hear and two were new to me 🙂
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Thanks, Joanne. I’m always glad to be able to introduce people to new songs!
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I love hearing how “Voice” is shaping your 2017. And thanks for the Ellie Holcomb boost. I love her voice, too!
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Thanks, Michele. Yes, she has a great voice and I love her other songs too!
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I cannot get enough of Ellie’s album!
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So many great songs! This is the one that has been stuck in my head the last few weeks but I love the others too.
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Love your idea of a gratitude journal and congrats on keeping up with it! I keep telling myself I would like to and it just hasn’t been habit forming yet… but thankfully God’s not finished with me yet.
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I’ve tried it before and not kept it up but this time it has been really easy, though I’m not sure why. It’s a really helpful habit to get into.
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Love this, Leslie! My husband gave me “Red Sea Road” for our anniversary last week and I’m playing it constantly. “Fighting Words” is a favorite among favorites! I’m glad you got your car situation figured out … here’s hoping your new-to-you vehicle behaves itself for a long time! Good for you to push through your fears and speak up when you felt led to do so. And praise God for the healing you were able to recognize when you shared your story. 🙂
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Thanks, Lois. I’m glad you like the song too. The whole album is great. And things are going well with the car so far.
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Hey there, Lesley! Thanks for sharing your March highlights with us. I feel like I’ve gotten some direction and clarity for my writing, also learned more about finding balance between writing and “real life” responsibilities. Another highlight for me was learning more about Pinterest. And hearing God’s voice in new ways.
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Thanks for sharing your reflections on the month, Betsy. That’s great that you have more direction and clarity. Learning to hear God’s voice in new ways is always exciting- I’d love to hear more about that as “voice” is my word for the year. Pinterest is something I have still to figure out, but maybe one day.
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Your work on speaking up in situation where you normally wouldn’t is inspiring! Because of you , I will try and do the same! Thanks for your honesty and authenticity!
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Thanks, Elizabeth. So glad it inspired you. It is not easy to speak up sometimes, but it is worth it. Praying for you for boldness.
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I love your March recap. Great choice of songs. Mercy Me’s “Even If” has become a favorite of mine. very powerful. I love how you give us a glimpse of you and I pray that April is an amazing month for you.
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Thanks, Mary. Yes, “Even If” is a really powerful song. Praying that April is a good month for you too.
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EIGHT workshops on Christian blogging?! That’s a lot in one month. Good for you!
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Yes, it was a lot, and most of it was actually over 3 days, which is why it got a bit overwhelming! Lots of great stuff though- just need to make time to go back through some of it and figure out how to put it into action.
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I love that you’re writing songs again, Lesley. I’m sure it’s freeing to be doing it again. Good for you that you are speaking out more. I easily pull back, because I don’t want confrontation or the person is domineering and I feel intimidated. I wish I wouldn’t withdraw so easily sometimes. As in the song Brave, I sure do want to be more brave! I haven’t heard of Ellie’s Fighting Words before. I love it! Then I got into some more of her songs and found You Are Loved, and it really touched my heart, too. (https://youtu.be/_JSWT4EnAoU) Thank you for encouraging my heart today! Love and hugs to you!
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Thanks, Trudy. Yes, I really enjoyed getting back into writing songs. Pushing to be heard is not easy- you should have heard how fast my heart was going- but it was easier because I realised it wasn’t actually that people didn’t want to hear me, just that their personalities were loud and domineering and they didn’t naturally leave space to listen. It doesn’t come naturally to push to be heard but I am getting more confident when I feel I have something to say. You have a lot to offer too and your voice should be heard, so I am praying that God will show you if there are times he wants you to speak up and for boldness to do it. I haven’t listened to “You are loved” so much but I really like the whole album. So glad the post encouraged you. Love and hugs to you too!
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Thanks for sharing your March reflections.
It sounds like you had a productive, reflective and praiseworthy month.
Wishing you God’s blessings for April. 🙂
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Thanks, Karen. Hope April is a good month for you too.
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I loved your March recap. I’m so glad you re continuing the practice of writing down what you are thankful for. I keep this up via my weekly link up to hold myself accountable. There really is so much to be grateful for. Blessings!
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Thanks, Barbie. There are a lot of blessings when we stop and think. It’s good to be intentional about gratitude.
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