Saying So Long and Hello to What's Next

I'm still here on Substack--you can find me in Notes :-) Just not your Inbox.

You rock. Really, you guys rock.

May I Share?

The last few weeks I’ve been pondering something profound my Spiritual Director said last time we were together. She always says something profound. ¹

We were discussing my struggle with trying to balance writing online with my personal life, time for freelancing and coaching, time for kids and grandkids, a Bible Study small group and writing poetry…. and well, fill in the blank.

Here’s what she said:

“Your focus of attention creates energy leading to actions. What are you focusing on? If you keep moving, say with a balance bar in your open hands as you walk across a tightrope, keeping your eyes on Jesus, your life will be energized by what you’re focused on. The only way to stay on the tightrope is to keep moving, holding the bar as lightly as possible.”

Her words described dynamic movement, not I’ve got it figured out static, sitting-still life and they resonated deeply.

“Balance is an illusion, Jody.”

Here's the thing, I want to keep moving towards what Jesus is calling me to in every part of my life, which usually happens all at once, not in a sequential straight line. Sequential = boring in my book.²

So…Moving Forward and saying “So Long”

Some readers may recall I said nearly the same thing at the beginning of this year.

It's time for me to step away for good from my weekly posting, hosting comments and engaging with you all around the world of poetry and other made things. There are nearly 600 subscribers/readers of Poetry & Made Things and I don’t take that for granted; I appreciate you all more than you know.

(And for new subscribers who j u s t signed up to receive my posts—well, I apologize.)

Several factors go into my decision to step away from my writing here on Substack.

Spiritually, God has been stirring up my desire for a deeper closeness to Him, a desire to be in the Word, and offer myself again in teaching and worship to my local church community. That takes time and attention I need to recapture.

I have another poetry project brewing, a poem/prayer devotional inspired by many readers’ reactions and comments surrounding my two poetry books, Mining the Bright Birds: Poems of Longing for Home and Hearts on Pilgrimage: Poems & Prayers.

Who knows, I might even revise the Christmas season book I wrote “Living the Season Well-Reclaiming Christmas.” (Too soon?)

To that end, it's time to open up space for me to be more intentional and redirect my energy to my own writing projects as well as making time and space for the in-person family, friends and fellowship.

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What that means for readers

The content currently on my Substack site will continue to remain unchanged.³

Whether you are a new subscriber or have been following my work for awhile, take a look around by clicking on this archive link, where you’ll find not only poetry but reflective essays on everything from leaving social media to why you should read poetry if you’re writing it. Oh, and there’s a free download of 25 Christian Poets to start with.

Also, be sure to look for the curated poetry lists I’ve crafted for you. There's a tab at the top of my website here unsubstack for that.

Yes, writing is the way I process the world and there is a lot going on that doesn’t make here to my internet home. It’s important to address my current season of life; our oldest grandchild is 22 and change, the youngest one is 5 1/2.

Life is short and there is much to participate in, family-wise. My husband turns 80 in July I will be 73 in August. We are, shall we say, in the Golden Years that Matter stage of our lives, and I am prioritizing accordingly.

You Rock

It has been a joy to connect with so many of you virtually and in person in the year and a half since I jumped into Substack. The community here has been welcoming, engaging and encouraging. Many, many of you who are readers now were people I first met online and then had the joy of meeting in person. Hi Rosa! Hi Ali! Hi Claire!

My soul is filled because of those relationships.

So for now, I guess it’s time to say So Long, Farewell, Auf Wiedersehn, Goodbye (Rahel, did I get that right?!)

Your presence has been a blessing.

-Jody

1. At one point in the conversation I mentioned how I was ‘pushing back’ in a text message with someone. “What about ‘push forward’ or ‘push through’,” she posited. Yes. Yes, indeed.

2. The greatest discovery and practice I found when I was a teacher for 20+ years was my Random Abstract processing way of thinking. It was incredibly freeing. Maybe you can relate? Or you might find this essay “Sometimes I Feel Like an Any-a-Gram” an illuminating read.

3. I have paused Paid Subscriptions, also. Thank you to all for that vote of confidence.