Soon, I’ll fly to a state in which I’ve never been. Then I’ll be a passenger in a car to another state I’ve never been.
I’ll be one in only 40 women in a secluded spot, staying in what used to be a convet. A holy space that will be the same for us.
I’ll get to hug a woman I admire whom I, in blessing, finally met face-to-face over a year and a half ago.
I’ll get to finally embrace a kindred spirit for the first time, where we’ve been connected across the time zones for years now. Writing can bring those who share passions, so very close.
Refine, the retreat, comes in two weeks.
My insides stir in anticipation for the quiet, the connection, the wisdom seeking and worship pouring. I crave these times. Set aside for journaling, fellowship mixed with introvert hours – perfect for growth and recuperation.
Kris has hosted these days before and this will be my first time joining. I love the vision for keeping it small, intimate, low-key and filled with Spirit. My heart longs for that environment.
He awakens me in such spaces. Though His pursuit is unceasing – in the every day of life as well as the carved out weekends.
I am not truly myself when in dry seasons of writing.
I am the only one to blame for those spells. Yet He graciously gives me times to return. And I sit in thankfulness.
So soon I go. We gather. He moves.
Selah
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The Decision to Try
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Posted on January 1, 2019 by Leigh Gorham
I’ve never done the “word of the year” practice.
I have this weird thing about not wanting to join in something just because it’s popular (though admittedly I still do in some cases – I just don’t like that I do).
It took me years to read Harry Potter because it was such a craze. I wanted to form my own opinion. I saw many of the movies before reading the books – and if you know me, that’s backwards. It wasn’t until book 7 was about to be released that my friend Alison convinced me I need to get with it already. When I started, you better believe I sprinted through books 1-6 in record time and kept going every year.
With the word of the year, I respect it and have always thought it was a nice idea. I completely understand why it is done. Not only is it motivating, it provides one a grounding to see the whole picture in times of plenty and want, in times of quiet and times of turmoil. Using that word and more importantly, how God is using that word and theme, is of great advantage to a journey and a focus. I wholeheartedly understand.
Still, I prefer to stay back. It’s hard to describe.
But I think I’ve come to the conclusion that I could use the extra motivation to stay connected with His presence. I’ve come to understand better the importance of my participation in my growth and daily life and how a practice such as this, assists. Read More
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Surrendering Bridges
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Posted on December 28, 2018 by Leigh Gorham
I have a tendency to make more of things than they may be. [If you listen close, you can hear the sound of a collective sarcastic gasp from anyone that knows me at all…]
I know I do this. I have gotten better at listening to my rational side during moments of doubt, of spiraling over-analytical processes in my head.
Still, when it comes to matters of the heart, of emotion – feeling tends to be stronger than practicality. Particularly when it relates to rejection. No matter how old I am, rejection still hurts as sharply as if I were a child not picked for a team or sitting alone at lunch while others glance my way and whisper. I think we all have that default ache, even if some were more acquainted with such grief than others. Read More
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Weary Yet Welcome
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Posted on November 9, 2018 by Leigh Gorham
There are flakes falling softly outside.
The first snow of the season. It will be a dusting at most.
Ever notice how quiet everything is in snow? The world muffles the cacophony and you’re immersed in silence and calm. There is a scientific reason for it of course. Because snow is porous (more space between the snowflakes when accumulating together), it muffles the sound. The science is lovely and the calm is comforting.
I am thankful for how my back sliding door is in a great position so when I pull back the curtains, I have a peaceful view of the trees, falling precipitation and yard.
Right now, I have music on, decaf coffee, a nervous dog beside me and comfy clothes. I took a half day but it doesn’t feel like it. The time passed quickly and I wanted to use the time wisely. To read, to write, to journal. This isn’t even going to be a worthy post, I can tell. I just wanted to do something. Advance this. For myself. Read More
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R & R
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Posted on August 30, 2018 by Leigh Gorham
It’s a rainy Thursday.
We have had days of significant rainfall. Windy, thunderstorms, hail. It’s the recipe for a cozy day indoors.
Most often we don’t get to participate in the relaxation instinct. We have jobs to go to, chores to finish, things to do. Rest is just that elusive thing only a fraction of people get to do, right? Read More
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Doing the Small Things
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Posted on August 13, 2018 by Leigh Gorham
I took a “mental health” day today.
No work. No obligations.
There were things I needed to get done (laundry, grocery shopping, laundry, changing my name over to my married name, laundry) but I tried not to make any promises I couldn’t keep and I tried to allow myself the introvert time in which I could soak.
Those that know me may not find it easy to believe that I’ve grown deep into introvert roots. I cultivate a healthy balance now. Read More
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Life Sneaks Up
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Posted on July 23, 2018 by Leigh Gorham
Have you ever prepared for a move or begun Spring Cleaning and come across something you’d almost forgotten existed? You brush off the dust and for a split second may even forget how to use it — like an old instrument (I’m looking at you, Elementary School recorder).
That kind of feeling is what I’m experiencing. Read More
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The Whir of Passing Time
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Posted on January 24, 2018 by Leigh Gorham
I know.
It’s been….a long while. I’m honestly going to be incredibly surprised if there is even a “you” reading this. I may have lost the small pairs of eyes I did have, due to this belabored absence.
So much has occurred. Beautiful things. Excruciating things. Life.
We all experience it.
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Cognitive Dissonance & Grapes
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Posted on April 9, 2017 by Leigh Gorham
There is cognitive dissonance which exists when a writer ceases to write. For any period of time, not participating in one’s passions can cause a myriad of reactions, one of which is the rationalization that “I don’t have anything worth saying”.
It devalues that which it once held as highest esteem – most cathartic and noble of efforts. It is a subversion of reality.
It’s hokum…
…and I do it all the time. Read More
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Time for Refine[ment]
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Posted on March 12, 2017 by Leigh Gorham
Soon, I’ll fly to a state in which I’ve never been. Then I’ll be a passenger in a car to another state I’ve never been.
I’ll be one in only 40 women in a secluded spot, staying in what used to be a convet. A holy space that will be the same for us.
I’ll get to hug a woman I admire whom I, in blessing, finally met face-to-face over a year and a half ago.
I’ll get to finally embrace a kindred spirit for the first time, where we’ve been connected across the time zones for years now. Writing can bring those who share passions, so very close.
Refine, the retreat, comes in two weeks.
My insides stir in anticipation for the quiet, the connection, the wisdom seeking and worship pouring. I crave these times. Set aside for journaling, fellowship mixed with introvert hours – perfect for growth and recuperation.
Kris has hosted these days before and this will be my first time joining. I love the vision for keeping it small, intimate, low-key and filled with Spirit. My heart longs for that environment.
He awakens me in such spaces. Though His pursuit is unceasing – in the every day of life as well as the carved out weekends.
I am not truly myself when in dry seasons of writing.
I am the only one to blame for those spells. Yet He graciously gives me times to return. And I sit in thankfulness.
So soon I go. We gather. He moves.
Selah
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The Weight of Advent
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Posted on January 8, 2017 by Leigh Gorham
*On October 7th, I had the abundant honor of guest posting at author Kris Camealy’s blog for the release of her then upcoming book Come Lord Jesus: The Weight of Waiting. I wrote the piece which appeared on her site. I wanted to post it here as well, for though the book as released and Advent has passed, these pages of hers and her Father’s stay with a person. I don’t think one has to wait until a hard point on the calendar to come. To sit. To be silent and wait for His glory. For His coming. So I post on my site now, for the reminder of how the book spoke to me then. How I believe it will speak to you. Not just in November through Christmas day, but all year. Even today. Even this moment. Buy the book, I sincerely suggest.
……
There is an added excitement when you know something is coming.
Surprises are great (I, personally, appreciate them), but there is eagerness, hope, anticipation when you know something good is ahead.
Do you remember being a kid and shifting limbs all the hours leading up to your birthday party, or leaving for a family vacation, or arguably quite the biggest of all – waiting for the morning after Santa had come?
The not-knowing what you would open mixed with the knowing the day would actually happen left the wonder bursting through our eyes for days (if not weeks).
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