One Year Anniversary

November 9, 2010

I feel I have much to celebrate!  One year ago last October, I took the plunge, and I began to write.  My blog was my first step.  I was terrified when I began.  I was afraid I would have nothing to say.  I was afraid of what people would think.  I was afraid to take the first step.
Writing had come up in prayer for almost 18 months, and I continued to shove the idea out of my head time and time again.  I knew I could no longer deny my call to write.  Finally, with lots of support and tough love (in the form of do it or else I am going to start it for you!!!) from my husband, my best friend, and my brother, I dove in.  

As I reflect on the journey of this past year, I am overwhelmed with gratitude:

-At the words that have been given to me to write
-At the people at I have met along the way
-At the opportunities that have come because of taking a risk to follow a deep desire
-At the trust you (my readers) place in me as you read my work
-At the trust you place in me as you share your thoughts, prayer intentions, and faith struggles
-At the inspiration you, my readers, are to me.  

-At the support and encouragement I have received from family, friends, strangers, colleagues
-At God answering my prayer of “I will write if you give me the words”.
-At the growth I experienced in my spiritual, personal, and professional life
-At the gift of awareness that the Holy Spirit has given me to see God at work in our lives
-At the deepened love I have for my own children and husband

On the first blog entry, I quoted Rabbi Lawrence Kushner’ Setting Out.  This past year has taught me just that… to be open.  To be open to the amazing things that will unfold if I trust and if I am willing to be a “co-creator”, to be open to God’s love for me, and to be open to God’s presence alive and active in our daily world. 
I have no idea what is ahead of me.  I have no idea what road writing will take me or if it will take me anywhere.  But I know that I am thankful for this journey, this wild, invigorating journey, and I cannot wait to see where it takes me.

As you reflect on a journey you have been on, what are you grateful for? 
Is there a deep desire that you have begun to follow or want to start to follow?  
What would happen if you took a risk to follow a deep desire that God gave you?
***As I continue this journey, I ask for your continued prayers for clarity, encouragement, and hope!

Becky is an Ignatian-trained spiritual director, retreat facilitator, and writer. She is the author of the Busy Lives and Restless Souls (March 2017, Loyola Press) and The Inner Chapel (April 2020, Loyola Press). She helps others create space to connect faith and everyday life through facilitating retreats and days of reflection, through writing, and through spiritual direction. With nearly twenty years of ministry experience within the Catholic Church, Becky seeks to help others discover God at work in the every day moments of people’s lives by utilizing St. Ignatius’ Spiritual Exercises and the many gifts that our Catholic faith and Ignatian Spirituality provide.

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4 Comments

  1. Kiwi Nomad 2008

    Thanks Becky, for the gentle inspiration you provide with your posts.
    Margaret

    Reply
  2. Chris

    Becky,

    I know that one of the first things I do each morning is read what you have posted or written about. It is a great start to my day, a great moment to pause, and the questions you pose always keep me thinking, usually for a while.

    Thanks for your words — they are so meaningful and inspiring.

    Love,

    Chris

    Reply
  3. Becky Eldredge

    Margaret, Chris, and Kate,

    Thank you for the kind words and encouragement!

    Reply

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