“…And thanks be to God the ultimate Story Teller for truly causing “all things to work togother for good for those who are called according to his purpose.” ~Romans 8:28 (ESV)”
Exactly 5 years ago today I officially made this blog public and announced it to the world. Little did I know the adventure that would await me!
It had always been a dream of our family to move out of the suburbs and onto more land than our little 1/4 ace lot–and we did! 5 years ago next month! We’ve grown a lot in the last five years! Two high school graduations, new animals, new businesses, and dreams being pursued. Bradley who once ran to the window every single time he heard a siren is NOW the firefighter/almost Paramedic operating the sirens! Billie Jo opened her dog bakery and has been pursuing festivals, bazzars, and new opportunites growing her buisness!
And I’ve continued to document our normal, crazy life on this blog. From getting chickens, bunnies, and dogs, to expanding the garden, cutting firewood, and harvesting produce. To holiday memories and traditions, random Tuesdays, and the lessons I’ve learned along the way.
It’s gone through a lot of changes in the last 5 years. New themes, banners, colors, and tag lines (I’m pretty sure it’s looked different every year). At the heart of it all though, has been a desire to encourage you to find the beauty and contentment of life right where you are.
I hope that by sharing my story, my family life, and the lessons that I’m continuing to learn that it will encourage you in your everyday life…to seek God, to build those relationships, to find joy in the mundane, and to ultimately enjoy the journey that you’re on…
So, I thought it might fun to share that very first post that I made public 5 years ago today. It’s not the first post I ever wrote for the blog, but the first one that I officially shared with the world…simply entitled “Finding the Dream and Fulfulling It:”
“To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, 12 so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
1 Thessalonians 1:11-12
April 11, 2016 I was presented with this idea to pursue my dream of making this blog a reality and sharing my story. You can read about that here. I was leary at first, but as I kept researching and writing I felt that this really was possible and what I was supposed to be doing. What God wanted me to do.
Although I felt called to share my story it wasn’t an easy ride. I struggled with fear and doubt. Fear of what others would think of a 20 year old starting a blog about how to live a contented life while trying (and many a time failing) to do so herself. Wondering whether or not people would actually read these thoughts of mine. And at times doubting that I even had a story to tell. I mean was this blog even worth the time, energy, stress and frustration?
But as I kept plugging away I realized that I do have a story to tell. Not everyone will appreciate or like my story and what I have to say and that’s okay. But, I belive that it’s a story that needs to be told. Throughout this journey I was greatly encouraged by those around me. My parents for letting me follow my dream and encouraging me along the way. My aunt, Grandma, and other various family members for reading the early drafts of posts and giving their feedback and enforcing what I already knew about this dream of mine: that it worth the effort.
Now, I understand that not everyone has the same opportunites that I do. But I want to encourage you to pursue those dreams that you have. We’ve been studying a lot at church about finding your God-given gifts and YES YOU DO HAVE A GIFT THAT GOD HAS GIVEN YOU. One of the things that I have learned is that everyone needs to be doing their part and then the body of Christ will be able to grow (see Ephesians 4: 11-16).
Everything that we do in this life is intended to bring God glory. Everything we do we are to do FOR HIM. He’s the only one we need to worry about pleasing. “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” Colossians 3:23-24 (Emphesis mine).
My goal here on this blog is to first and foremost bring glory to Jesus by what I share in these posts. Secondly, I want to encourage you to find contentment in your life: not the life you wish you lived, but the life that you are living now. I know from experience that it’s not easy but it’s worth the effort and that if you search you indeed will find what you are searching for.
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.” ~Matthew 7:7-8
Until next time,
Bailey Sue
**This post was originally written on 10/3/16**”
I wouldn’t be who I am today without this blog. Writing has become theraputic for me. A way in which I process my life. The lessons I’ve learned and the bits of my life that I share here have helped me to see areas in my life that need improvement, I’ve been able to make some sense of the difficult things and find a bit of peace with my past. Learning to let go of what I envisoned my life to be and trusting that God knows. He knows me and what I want out of life here on earth, and HE has the best plan for my life–I just have to trust Him.
Over the last 5 years my writing and my photograhy have improved but more importantly I’ve grown a lot…especially Spiritually. I may never understand why God called me to start this blog or why I’ve been on the specific journey that I’ve been on…though I have my theories. But I do know that if nothing else this blog has done more than what I’d hoped…it just looks a lot different than I thought it would…and that’s okay.
Happy 5th birthday Content in the Everyday!
Until next time,
Bailey Sue
