I'm so thankful, as always, for your loving example as you continue to discern the path ahead and make changes to align with it. Though I'll miss seeing your posts here, I'm THRILLED for your new adventures!!
Meeting your in person was a highlight of 2024 for sure. I admire your love for the Lord and your zeal for his church. It is awesome to see you heeding his call to foster and serve your local community. May the Lord bless you in all of your endeavors this year, and may more in person meetings be in our future!!
If you ever do decide to post another newsletter, your subscribers (aka US) will be here waiting. And we'll be waiting for that lovely book, too. I know it will be WONDER-filled. Your words bless me. I'm thankful the Lord has given us a friendship through poetry.
#2 - Thank you for your courage! I'm sure this post took a lot. But know that we absolutely understand... writing is a gift from the Lord, used for His glory, and channeled for His glory, by His hands. So I praise God for your obedience to this, and I truly hope the spare time will be everything you need to further His work, and enjoy life. Poetry is all about reminders to see things... so I know this extra time will grant you the ability to lean in and see things. Congratulations and God bless!
You have always been a joy, Jody, and though I rarely respond, I will miss you here on substack. But totally understand. My husband and I are in our 70s (can you believe how fast we got here!?!?!?!?) and with serious health issues. Our grandchildren, and greatgrandchildren, are a priority these days, as is a group of women I lead in study in our home. I write for them.
Jody, all the best as you pursue what God has in store for you! Your encouragement has blessed me, and I know that you'll continue blessing those in your sphere of influence. ¡Vaya con Dios!
thank you, Mark, for saying so....I will continue to enjoy your poetry, I know.
((husband and I were in Southern California between Christmas & New Year's and I purchased a sticker that said those exact words--'Vaya con Dios!') I love God's sacred echoes.
Wow, Jody -- I'm inspired by your example of obedience and thrilled for you to experience this season knowing with certainty you've heard His call to let this go. Your posts will certainly be missed, but I'm so thankful for the time we've been connected here and hope to stay in touch with the continued work you're doing in the world of poetry and writing.
You've been such an encouragement and blessing to me!
Dear Jody. Thank you for having the courage to make this decision. It is a challenge to us all not to keep doing something that God no longer wants us to do. Enjoy the change of direction and I look forward to the new poems.
Thank you for sharing this update. I've only just "met" you, but you already feel like a friend. It is encouraging to read of your obedience to God's calling- what a positive example to all of us! 💚
Jody, sorry to see you go but it is important to listen to the voice of God calling us to our purpose. I am happy for you and your family as you explore this new season of life. I am glad we connected and your book of poetry will always have an honored place on my shelves. Don't hesitate to reach out. All the best to you and yours.
I find that it’s so often easy to confuse opportunities with obligations—how refreshing to see someone I admire model wisdom in the way you do. Thank you!
Ahhhh, that's a wise statement to not confuse opportunities with obligations, Cathy. As we offer all our gifts to God He does indeed guide us when we're open to Him. So glad we've 'met;' your words are an encouragement to me.
Good for you, Jody! It's not always easy to heed His voice when the thing He's asking us to give up or pause on is so big. But this only means He'll bring even more beautiful fruit into your life and give you ways to bring others to Him intentionally.
I'm so thankful, as always, for your loving example as you continue to discern the path ahead and make changes to align with it. Though I'll miss seeing your posts here, I'm THRILLED for your new adventures!!
Thank you Kristin for saying so, but the best thing is I get to see you in person, even better!
Jody,
You are such an inspiration.
Meeting your in person was a highlight of 2024 for sure. I admire your love for the Lord and your zeal for his church. It is awesome to see you heeding his call to foster and serve your local community. May the Lord bless you in all of your endeavors this year, and may more in person meetings be in our future!!
If you ever do decide to post another newsletter, your subscribers (aka US) will be here waiting. And we'll be waiting for that lovely book, too. I know it will be WONDER-filled. Your words bless me. I'm thankful the Lord has given us a friendship through poetry.
-Rosa.
Rosa, how you've brought a smile to my face. It was such a joy to meet you as well (in person!) and here online. Your kiind words bless me.
God definitely has some things bubbling up in the coming year, so stay tuned. And I'll be around Notes for sure!
#1 - We'll miss you!
#2 - Thank you for your courage! I'm sure this post took a lot. But know that we absolutely understand... writing is a gift from the Lord, used for His glory, and channeled for His glory, by His hands. So I praise God for your obedience to this, and I truly hope the spare time will be everything you need to further His work, and enjoy life. Poetry is all about reminders to see things... so I know this extra time will grant you the ability to lean in and see things. Congratulations and God bless!
Sierra, you are so kind to say so :-) I've enjoyed getting to know so many poetry folks via
Substack--but I do look forward to the next (writing_) chapters.
I'll be dipping into Notes I'm sure and grateful for the connection there, too.
Thanks for your encouragement.
You have always been a joy, Jody, and though I rarely respond, I will miss you here on substack. But totally understand. My husband and I are in our 70s (can you believe how fast we got here!?!?!?!?) and with serious health issues. Our grandchildren, and greatgrandchildren, are a priority these days, as is a group of women I lead in study in our home. I write for them.
my dear friend.... thank you for (quietly) being here and for saying so. I've so enjoyed our connection over the years.
May God be with you as you serve your family and the women in your home.
God bless you, Patricia.
Best wishes in this new year, and on your new path.
Jody, all the best as you pursue what God has in store for you! Your encouragement has blessed me, and I know that you'll continue blessing those in your sphere of influence. ¡Vaya con Dios!
thank you, Mark, for saying so....I will continue to enjoy your poetry, I know.
((husband and I were in Southern California between Christmas & New Year's and I purchased a sticker that said those exact words--'Vaya con Dios!') I love God's sacred echoes.
Wow, Jody -- I'm inspired by your example of obedience and thrilled for you to experience this season knowing with certainty you've heard His call to let this go. Your posts will certainly be missed, but I'm so thankful for the time we've been connected here and hope to stay in touch with the continued work you're doing in the world of poetry and writing.
You've been such an encouragement and blessing to me!
Kristine, thank you for saying so. That is the joy of being connected, the opportunity to encourage one another. I so appreciate you reading along...
A new season ahead for you. I’m inspired to how you listen to God’s guidance and move into the next and new with joy. Blessings, friend!
Dear Jody. Thank you for having the courage to make this decision. It is a challenge to us all not to keep doing something that God no longer wants us to do. Enjoy the change of direction and I look forward to the new poems.
Phillip Nash (Australia).
Phillip--you are too kind; thank you for the well wishes.
Jody! You have been a huge encouragement to me as I start my journey in sharing my poetry. I wish you the best in these new focuses.
Zane, may God bless you as you hand Him your pen. So glad to have been an inspiration to you!
Hi Jody, cheering you on as you go faithfully into this next season. Thankyou for sharing your heart and your beautiful poetry with us!
Grace and peace to you, your husband and family 🙏❤️
Ishah thank you for your prayers and kind words. So glad to be connected, albeit virtually. God knows!
Thank you for sharing this update. I've only just "met" you, but you already feel like a friend. It is encouraging to read of your obedience to God's calling- what a positive example to all of us! 💚
Rahel, I'm so grateful to be connected as well. Thank you for your gracious words--and yay for actual email!
Blessings, Jody.
Go forth and "Do whatever he tells you" (John 2:5).
Jody, sorry to see you go but it is important to listen to the voice of God calling us to our purpose. I am happy for you and your family as you explore this new season of life. I am glad we connected and your book of poetry will always have an honored place on my shelves. Don't hesitate to reach out. All the best to you and yours.
Thank you Matthew, you are too kind. I will be in touch about April...I'd still love to contribute to Beyond the Bookshelf.
Jody, you lead by example in so many ways.✨
I find that it’s so often easy to confuse opportunities with obligations—how refreshing to see someone I admire model wisdom in the way you do. Thank you!
Ahhhh, that's a wise statement to not confuse opportunities with obligations, Cathy. As we offer all our gifts to God He does indeed guide us when we're open to Him. So glad we've 'met;' your words are an encouragement to me.
Good for you, Jody! It's not always easy to heed His voice when the thing He's asking us to give up or pause on is so big. But this only means He'll bring even more beautiful fruit into your life and give you ways to bring others to Him intentionally.
Prayers for you and your new endeavors!
thank you for saying so, Ericka!