The Cleansing
April 24' Reflections: Cleansing Fires & Budding Growth + Monthly Round Up
We are officially in May. Is anyone else registering that we are one month away from halfway through the year? I think around this time of year is when the panic starts to kick in, and I find myself asking myself, Am I doing enough? I blame it on hustle culture that convinces us that we have to be more and do more a little more each year.
If you haven’t gotten a quarter through or made significant progress with your goals, you’re lazy, right? Not ambitious or disciplined enough, as if you’re the sum of your productivity or output. Author Emily Jensen shared about this in a recent Instagram post. As she cleared and burned the brush from their property in preparation for spring, she realized there was more in the fire’s embers. Not only was there a physical cleansing that was happening — there was also an internal one. Not just a burning, but a reckoning — a relinquishing, a letting go of longings that never really belonged.
The last few years of my life have been a cleansing fire — the productivity, the striving, and the proving can no longer stand. While some of these practices were good at times, they were also unfruitful. Now that the ashes and rubble are clearing, I can see that. It’s not that I wasn’t doing enough; these things were never meant to last. They were never meant to ground me, providing me with the roots and nourishment that I need to grow. I needed this cleansing fire. Like Emily mentioned it, it cleared out toxic thinking and unhealthy patterns, revealing ripe areas for growth.
“This is the value of the fire — of life’s unpredictable griefs. They can cause us to let go of what wasn’t producing fruit anyway.
And subsequently, they can reveal areas that are ripe for growth and fresh buds. It reminds us that if we want to live, we must be connected to an everlasting vine, rooted in perfect love, and watered by living water.”
While goals are helpful, they are not my living water. While I can romanticize my life and strive to make the most of my year, I will always want more. More than what this earth could ever provide. Rather than trying to manifest or wield what I want into existence, like Emily, I want to lift my eyes to see the work that God is doing, admiring the beautifully complex growth that is budding before me, fully knowing and believing that it is good.
Books 📚
The Part of Your World Series (Part of Your World and Yours Truly) by Abby Jimenez. I am forever engrafted into the Abby Jimenez world now. Her books are the perfect concoction of humor and warmth, and I love how she integrates mental health and other poignant, culturally relevant topics into her books.
Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes. I was pleasantly surprised by this one! A recently widowed woman, Evvie is grieving the death of her husband, when she meets Dean, a recently ex-baseball player grieving the loss of his career. When he moves into an apartment at the back of her house, they make a pact to not discuss their unfortunate circumstances. However, rules have a funny way of being broken, and their unexpected friendship evolves into something more. Even though both main characters had some growing to do, I love how they were mature in their communication and love for one another. This was such a cozy, feel-good read!
Happy Place by Emily Henry. April was book launch month for Emily Henry’s latest book Funny Story. I am new to the Emily Henry universe, so I’m catching up on her backlist before reading her latest book. While this book is technically a romance, it’s more a story about love and the family of friendship, our happy places. If you like found family and fake dating tropes, you will like this one.
These were just some of my favorites. I read 11 books this month. For a full list of what I read, check out my Goodreads.
Podcasts 🎧
I found myself nodding and amen(ing) several times throughout this episode. Learning how to embrace my season, find contentment and rest, and trust in God’s timing and provision have been consistent themes for me during this season.
Scripture memory is one of the spiritual disciplines I would like to cultivate this year. Scripture memory helps us to anchor ourselves in truth and remind ourselves of God’s goodness and faithfulness. In this episode, Hunter Beless and Glenna Marshall discuss the importance and power of memorizing scripture. If you feel weighed down or weary, this podcast will refresh you as you lean into the Scriptures for strength and encouragement.
Other Things You Might Enjoy 💕
Throughout the month, I love to post notes, reflections, or other resources that I find encouraging or helpful. Make sure you download the Substack app so you don’t miss out on new notes, chats, and threads.
Catch up on April Posts
Every week I share my weekly reflections, joys, and roundups in my weekly (Joy)Caps. You can catch up on these posts here.
Coping When Life Feels to Full
“That’s because my days are full. I am full. My head is full of to-dos. My mind is full of ideas. My heart is full of love and desire to pour my best into the people, the projects — the work the Lord has set before me. Yet, the days leave me empty, draining, and daring me to keep up with the daily demands. And I question if I still want to.”
Community Discussion 💬: How do you deal with daily demands and pressures?
One of the things I love about Substack is the ability to foster meaningful connections, conversation, and community. The goal of these facilitated discussions is to create a safe space and offer connection, encouragement, and support as we go through our respective life journeys, whether that be through suggestions, recommendations, light-hearted discussions, or intimate conversations.
Other Features & Mentions
This month, I had the pleasure of joining
from the on Instagram Live to share on balancing life and work as a mom of multiples. What was originally intended to be a 40-minute session turned into an hour-long conversation. If you’re a mother of littles, this conversation will encourage you.
I also had the opportunity to share more behind the scenes of my coaching career and journey on the Inspire Coach podcast. I’ve been in the industry for going on 8 years. In this podcast, I share more about my journey and advice for anyone who’s just getting started.
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She's one of my fave romance authors - I've got one of Kennedy Ryan's books but havent read it yet. So many TBR's!! X
Fellow Abby Jiminez fan here! I've got her latest book waiting for me in my Kindle, can't wait to read it.