My Life's Stories
Inspired by the testimonies of others and the invitation given to me a few weeks ago to share my own, I have created this space on my blog to share My Story. Here is the introduction and an invitation to read along as I share My Life's Stories to give a Testimony of God's Goodness. Along the way, I hope you will also be inspired and equipped to start recording your story.
awe /ô/ · noun won·der /ˈwəndər/ · noun
These words, “awe” and “wonder” come to mind when I reminisce on the years that make up the in-between of me being an adult and actually becoming one. When I moved away to college, I was an adult--18 years old and independent. But becoming an adult--truly grabbing hold of my faith, interests, purposes, and calling--God did that through letting me experience need, providing me with adventures and setting me in a place to pursue knowledge among peers and professors who made richer my view on life and deepened my understanding of God and others.
No doubt about it, I carried some of my struggles from summer, home and life with me to college (See, My Story, Story No. 3 for more on that). It took me a while to make friends and overcome insecurities. But looking back all these years later, it is the provisions and answered prayers that I remember most.
In my need and struggle, God, in very obvious and miraculous ways, met me there and showed me the awe and wonder of Himself. Namely, revealing to my soul His ability to be infinity glorious and intimately involved in the ordinarily human needs of my life all at the same time.
My favorite sentence from today's story, Moving Away & Closer to Home, is:
She had learned to embrace uncomfortable and unfamiliar situations with an adventurous spirit that believed no matter where her feet went, God and his purposes for her would be with her. Why is this one my favorite?
Because this lesson has carried me through nearly every hard season that has come my way since. When I am shaken (and after I have complained, cried and questioned), I land back here, with this truth: God has a purpose in all that I experience. None of it is without meaning. And I can choose to see what I face as an adventure or an annoyance. When I choose adventure, the uncomfortable becomes a catalyst to comfortably setting my plans and objectives at the cross and praying,
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give me this day what I need. And forgive me as I forgive those around me. Lead me away from the temptation to doubt you and deliver me from any thoughts of evil. Increase my understanding of you and let me never forget the awe and wonder that you’ve set in my soul.
Pixar-Style Testimony
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Photo credit: Abby & Brandon
Event: Go & See Retreat Spring 2019 Location: Lake Darling Resort, Alexandria, MN Caption: Jaclyn doing one of the many things she loves: inspiring, instructing, and encouraging women to live out of who God made them to be, no matter their season, location or vocation. |
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Jaclyn Loween
Jaclyn is a wife, mom, educator, visionary, and avid runner who uses her writing to pick up and examine life, culture, faith and running, probing to discover the awe of God who is sovereign over it all. Join her on her journey at jaclynloween.com. She is a firm believer in the powerful, effectiveness of the body of Christ united together to live out theGreat Commission. Because we are stronger, healthier and lovelier when living on mission together, she desires to help others know their unique design and purpose for such a time as this.
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