'Day One' Blog

Say It Back to Me

January 2015 starts year four of these little “musings and mutterings” I post. I was a little surprised to find it’s been that long. In any case, I have been doing some remembering, thinking about why I write them; about the purposes they might serve.

I write because, at this point in my life, I have to write. It is the singular way I effectively sift through my inner stirrings and I happen to deeply enjoy the process. There is something utterly satisfying about consolidating language and clarifying thoughts, so that when you have strewn together 500 or 600 words, you are saying what you mean to say, with all the passion that drove its development and crafting (at least that’s the hope).

The fact that I publish is predominately about accountability. Knowing I’m going to publish keeps me honest and disciplined. And I have to make a commitment to what I’m saying before I can send it out with integrity. For me, it does not matter if one or a thousand persons will look at what I’ve written, although I love the possibility that readers would contribute their thoughts.

Countless sparks of thought land in my busy mind. Many of them ignite, but of those that do, only a few come to the fore as thoughts I feel led to pay attention to. I am convinced, that process of filtering and illumination is directed by the Spirit of God in me. When something descends in that way, landing on a “front burner,” an earnest conversation begins between The Lord and me.

“If you receive my words
and treasure up my commandments with you,

making your ear attentive to wisdom
and inclining your heart to understanding;
yes, if you call out for insight
and raise your voice for understanding,
if you seek it like silver
and search for it as for hidden treasures,
then you will understand the fear of the Lord
and find the knowledge of God.
For the Lord gives wisdom.”
~ Proverbs 2:1-6 ~

The happy scene in my mind is that God stands over my shoulder as I begin to write about what He’s been teaching me. He is asking, “Say it back to me. Let’s see if you understand.”  I am first and foremost writing for Him. I strive to say it back to Him until I sense I have the thing as He means for me to have it.

There are many ways people learn. For me, until I can give something concise language, the thought remains intangible. But when I can speak or write a thing both economically and passionately, I believe I have truly learned. I am compelled to learn, and I have found God a very generous teacher.

Thanks for taking this journey with me. May 2015 be a year of discovery unlike any other.

Happy New Year – Anne

5 Comments

  • De

    Love you sister! In this process and in our journey is the abundant life. Thank you for the years of friendship and the encouragement to seek the abundant life with Him. Rest in Him this year.

  • Gail

    Anne Barbour…..you are one of my all time favorite people!!! I look forward to your postings and all that God has to say through your journey with Him.

    Love you, Your crazy friend….. :)

  • Kathie

    I’m a bit slow in responding here but I sm so grateful for your insight too Anne. You’ve honestly have impacted my faith and walk with the Lord in a tremendous way. I am always eager to read and talk with you because I always learn so much. I admire you because you are honest, a woman of real integrity, vulnerable, humble, you constantly seek Christ even in the darkest of times. Your faith is real and you walk it out and I am a witness to that.
    I look forward to seeing what God will lay upon your heart and what you in turn will sit down to write and share with us. Love you.

  • LuAnn

    Anne,

    As always with our God, He does so much more than we can ask or imagine. Your thirst for more of God, to seek His truth and know him more intimately has deeply affected my journey. You have given me a clearer picture and deeper understanding of what it means to heed His invitation to come. Thank you for your faithfulness and for sharing with us. Your friendship is a treasure and I love you dearly. God’s richest blessings to you in 2015!! Lu

  • Melissa

    Lovely, thoughtful – per usual. Please pray for my “countless sparks of thought” to take shape and form as I look forward to my own writing journey in 2015.

    Honored to be among the 56(?). I love, appreciate and SO enjoy you, Anne. Here’s to 2015…Year 5…and all God has for us.

    Blessings and love,
    mb <

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