A couple weeks ago, a question appeared, threatening me like a storm cloud overhead.  Truthfully, it didn’t just pop up, I saw it on the horizon and knew it was headed my way.  The inquiry was “Why are you writing this blog?”

Outwardly, it would seem the question was answered months ago and published on my “about” page.  Yet, when faced with the probe, I hesitated.  This pause gave space for the question to brew a tempest.  And it’s been whirling since.

Knowing why I behave in the ways that I do has been paramount to changing the areas of pain in my life.  I’ve spent years looking at and correcting the broken thinking behind destructive patterns in my life, putting much effort into pulling the metaphoric weeds in the garden of my heart.  Gratefully, with much success!

As it turns out, I am a fantastic weeder.  I pull, dig and hack with great strength and enthusiasm.  I love a clear space!  Maybe it’s a superpower!  Maybe I’m getting carried away.

Yes.  I get carried away.

Sometimes…definitely this time…I’ve looked at assessment as a time to pull weeds.  I’ve become hyper vigilant in self criticism, making the assumption I’m at fault.  However, the question “why?” was not a cue to don my gloves and grab a spade, but rather an opportunity to cultivate the beautiful things growing in my life.

The inquiry was not an interrogation but an exploration.

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When fear has ahold of me, I look at situations in a negative bent.  In this case, I saw “why” as my enemy and starting looking for problems where there were none.  But when love has me embraced, I see those same situations as my friends.  Possibilities.

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I am three months into production of this blog.  Like a new hire review, the time is perfect for a juncture of where have I been and where am I headed?  Looking at it this way makes me feel like a kid backing up to the wall for measure excitedly asking, “Have I grown?”

The fact that I hesitated means that I am imperfect and still figuring things out.  There’s nothing wrong with growing as I go.  In fact, the pause, and the ensuing fear are themselves the signs that I am still very green with all sorts of potential.  Phrasing it that way, it feels…well, healthy!

The evaluation process has been very beneficial.  To take a step back, take a full breath and review what means the most…my why…helps focus my efforts.  It has also helped me become more centered on God.

As of yet, I do not have a simple mission statement (note to self: write a mission statement!), but in review of my website, I note that a major component of Untethered is the aspect of journey rather than destination.  It’s a focus on progress with companionship rather than arriving and arriving first.

I return to the visual of the hot air balloon that has been the Untethered “mascot.”  It’s not that there isn’t a destination or goal, but that the driver of the craft is taking us on a magnificent ride.  He shows us the world by aerial perspective that we don’t get when we remain tethered to the earth.  And we get to see this together!  We can see and experience all of God’s wonders as family.

Living God centered means living Love centered.  One of my favorite writers of the New Testament is John.  And one of my favorite passages of his is 1 John 4:7-21.  In my English Standard Version of the Bible, 1 John 4:18 says:

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.  For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.

While looking for my “why” behind blog posting, this verse has helped me see how I responded adversely to an innocent question.  The fear in me rose up, silently suggesting that I have no skill, no purpose, no voice in what I am doing.  Fear is my enemy and I have a lot yet to learn about love.

This verse says that fear and love don’t cohabitate…like oil and water.  So, I pushed back fear with love by writing in my personal journal what I love.

“I enjoy spending time in the presence of God’s Spirit.  Good words come out of my time spent with Him.  The world needs more good words.”

The world needs more good words.

That’s my Why.

I need not be afraid of my imperfection, typos, lack of education or credentials when my purpose is simply in putting more good words into the world.

Fear works against.  Always.

And Love is my ally.  Always.

1 John 4:8 states, “…God is love.”  

I’m growing adept in recognizing fear as I become more familiar with Him.  Usually people avoid fear.   I’d really rather look it squarely in the eye and call it out.

I intend, on my journey and with my words, to bring people together, promoting all things in Love’s nature while ousting fear.  

I think I just wrote a Mission Statement!

I hope you don’t mind my taking your time to “verbally” process what I am going through.  I actually enjoy witnessing the growth process in others!

May you be blessed by good words today!