Shining Stars Community (SSC) was created to be a bridge. A bridge of support, encouragement, hope, community and connection. As someone who has a heart for people but is challenged to make meaningful connections, I created SSC as a way to connect without the pressure and pour out my heart in service to others.
We held a few events that were enjoyable but not as well attended as I’d hoped. Which caused a bit of discouragement and a lot of questioning if the project was worth it, needed, relevant?? I sat with the discouragement and the questions for a few years. All the while still considering ideas and writing lessons and workshops, just not actively doing anything with them. There was so much uncertainty of the direct I should go. In my ability to perform, fund, and sustain the project once, if I ever picked it back up again! Doubt had definitely settled in. I was frustrated because I knew what was in me but just didn’t know how to put it all together so I could be consistent, intentional, and fruitful.
In this time, I am not only sitting on content, ideas, and aspirations. I was also intentionally, growing in relationship with my creator, learning to quiet the noise, in my head and all around me that was feeding the discouragement, doubt, frustration and fear of just being me. Worried that it wasn’t good enough, or maybe even too much!
I had come to the end of myself, having done all I could physically do, in my own understanding, strength and capacity. The time had come to bring it all to thrown of my heavenly father, for clarity, guidance and direction. I didn’t allow myself to become distracted by the fact that it took so long to get there, because I knew that where I was, was exactly where I needed to be.
In a place of surrender and submission to the life I had been given and path ahead. Still working through the muck of frustration, fear, doubt, discouragement, and all the things keeping me bound and preventing me from moving forward. But GOD!!
Once I began to release all that, I thought I was supposed to have accomplished, be, do or have by my 40’s… God began to show up!! And not as much in a physical sense but more so spiritually. It’s hard to explain, ifykyk!
I started to settle into a place of contentment and trust in GOD, fully and completely. There was an unexplainable peace that came over me amidst life still presenting itself. But something was different. The angst dissipated. The fear subsided. The doubt, frustration, and disappointment were no longer relevant. That’s not to say these things don’t still creep up, I just know how to take the thoughts captive and bring them into the obedience and truth of God – who wants to order my <our> steps.
That said, it will continue to be a process and an intentional heart posture, that will always need to supersede my flesh, all the feels, obstacles, and challenges that will inevitably arise. But to have come to a place of knowing that the only way to not continue living as I have is to truly begin to lean on God.
I got in my bible and on my knees in prayer <figuratively speaking, I usually pray in bed>. But I was intentional about learning about God in a tangible sense and coming to understand who I was in him and what I was called to do. Although, all has not been revealed, and I am still not sure of what the path ahead has in store.
What I do know is that I began walking by faith and not by sight. I was overtaken by the thought that if I truly believed that what is in me is a direct result of what God has created in me, and that I have been <we all are> created in HIS <their> image. And that I was created with intention and purpose, I needed to start walking, talking, thinking and living like it… It will be journey, will you come along on the ride with me?
The goal of this blog is to bring you along for the ride as I live life and figure out how Shining Stars Community will continue to unfold and carve out space for encouragement, connection, and community.
Disclaimer: This will not be a journey based on the world’s ideals or standards. It will however be my personal account built on the foundation of and belief in a creator of the Universe – GOD. The GOD I believe to be triune as Father, Son, Spirit through which all things were created.
I get that, that may sound crazy!! Especially, to an unbeliever or maybe someone who has been hurt by the church or in the name of religion, you might be skeptical, uninterested, or maybe even in full opposition. I challenge you to follow along, anyway. Visit from time to time, whatever you can manage!
In doing so, I challenge you to release what you think you may know and I encourage you to push thru the noise of the past, the hurts, unfortunate encounters, disappointments, and obstacles that have held you hostage long enough. So that, you may receive the blessings, peace, and abundance that comes with knowing, seeking and living as God has created you and in accordance with his will purpose and plan for you.
So here I am, a sinner saved by grace, embracing all that comes with being me, past mistakes, flaws, quirks, imperfections and all. Humbled that you are here and interested in learning more about my life’s journey and the direction and building of Shining Stars Community.
My prayer is that the content that comes from this blog minsters to hearts and changes lives. I realize that that is a bold statement, but I believe that the GOD I serve wants to do a mighty and transformational work in his people for the glory of his kingdom. I am simply a vessel, and my heart grieves for those who do not know him as father, savior, redeemer, and sustainer. My hope is that through the sharing of my journey you will be inspired to seek God to reveal his plans for you and that the trajectory of your life is ever changed as result of your seeking, surrender, and obedience to the will purpose and plan that God has for you, me <us>!
Be blessed but also seek to be a blessing!!!
Shining Stars Community 