Wednesday, October 3, 2007

The New Look

A couple of weeks ago, I changed the look of our blog without any warning or explanation. I know all three of you were thrown for a loop. So, I wanted to explain the significance of the title image. My friend Natasha is credited with the beautiful design...thank you, Natasha!

A year and a half ago, I started a step study with a ministry of our church called Recovery at The Village...formerly Celebrate Recovery. The Lord rocked my world with it. I always knew I had issues. However, knowing you have issues and actually doing something about them is totally different. I even thought I was "dealing" with my issues. I would confess my faults to my friends and those in my close, comfortable and safe circle, but I was unwilling to be undone in front of those I didn't know. I wasn't desperate enough to take drastic measures.

Then I got desperate.

And I haven't been the same since.

The Lord has been so good to give me a picture through it all...the vision of a tree...a willowy, beautiful, fruit-bearing, shade-giving, deeply-rooted, well-watered tree. I wanted to become that. I didn't feel like I could ever become that.

In the midst of the step study, Jeremiah 17:5 - 10 was presented in all its glory and I haven't been the same since. The text says a person who trusts in the Lord is like a tree planted by water that does not fear when heat comes (and it will come) and is not anxious in the year of drought. I've written in more detail about it here.

So that explains the tree and the semi-quote at the bottom.

The birds.

I love birds. I love that they bring glory to God just by being birds. I want to be more like that...bringing glory to God just by being who He has created me to be.

That's it. If you're wondering about the grammatically-suffering blog name, click here.

12 comments:

debra parker said...

i love the look...i think it is beautiful.

Lauren Williams said...

Your Jeremiah post was what inspired me to start a blog (and read and read and read Jeremiah!) :)

The Thurmonds said...

I love the new look... and the reason for it is even better.

Nominate someone or something in need said...

oh my gosh...that is so weird! i just read your comment on mollys about dr. oz and went to yours to tell you that Yeah i found someone else that listens to what he has to say. i love him. just recorded the last one about "the mens" one for janson to watch...but then even stranger...i saw that you had posted jeremiah 17 5-10...crazyness b/c i JUST posted that SAME verse on my blog...yes, just went to the first meeting in step study and have had this verse on my MIND ever sense!!! LOVE IT!!! and scared but excited about it rocking my world too!

Kristyn said...

I really like the new look...and even more now that I know the meaning behind it. ;)
It reminds me of the "bird art" in the church right now...very cool.

jennyhope said...

I love the verse at the top. Your comment on amandas blog about the bra-tracts had me dying!! :)

Bex said...

I love this blog. Thanks for all of your encouragement throughout my recovery process. You may not think that you said much, but know that every lifting word counted when all I could see was myself and the grossness within.

Regina said...

I think it's a beautiful, serene, and peaceful look. Based on your posting, it's very reflective of what the Lord is doing through your journey. When we saw it, Paul said, "That looks like Lauren."

Sum said...

Ahhhh. reading this made me want to exhale. a good long exhale.

A Place For Ministry Wives/A Place For Me said...

I just love it...and I'm so glad you found such freedom through the Recovery program. God IS good.

Magen said...

Hi, Lauren...I found your blog on Marla's. Fun to see your posts! I'm having fun with the blog world. Maybe someday I can figure out how to make mine look all fancy like yours. :) Hope all 'them Chandlers' are doing wonderfully. Tell everyone the Robersons said hey what's up!

Richardsons of HV said...

love the significance...love the verses! i've really loved those verses lately, too!