As the year 2019 was drawing to a close, like many, I had two goals in mind for the year 2020. The only problem was 2020 had a few ideas of its own.
I have been participating in blog linkups for several years. They have been a blessing to me in that I have come to read the words of many wonderful writers I would otherwise not have known. Many have come to seem like friends as their words and experiences have been shared so transparently.
As the year 2019 was coming to a close, the desire grew in my heart to begin a linkup of my own. Insecurity nagged at my thoughts each time it raised the question as to who would even join in. But the desire grew stronger than the insecurity.
Then in 2020, the pandemic hit and overshadowed my goal of beginning a linkup. Tending to my family and keeping up with the rapidly changing way of life became the focus of my days. Staying connected with the loves in my life (aka – family) became the lifeline we threw out to one another.
Video chats with my granddaughters brought joy to my days, as they took me on adventures throughout the months and I was able to see them grow even through the screen. We laughed and cried together, enjoying snacks and silly antics to keep ourselves encouraged.
While I seemed to have forgotten my goals, God seemed to have remembered and had other plans as well.
By the time the end of February arrived, my goals were pushed to the back of my mind and only when contacted by Sue Donaldson did I begin to think about them once again.
When Sue emailed to share she was wanting to pass on the linkup – Let’s Have Coffee – asking if I would be interested in taking it over, the desire immediately sprang to life once again. But I responded with asking for some time to think and pray on it, as I asked the question silently, “Lord, is this You?”
All throughout the year as challenges came with the pandemic, my “go to” verse was:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” (Proverbs 3:5-6, NLT)
His voice had brought assurance often …
“Trust.”
“Do not depend on your own understanding.”
“Seek My will.”
“I will show you which path to take.”
Over the months, I repeated the verse and the assurances to others, wondering if I sounded like a broken record. Yet the peace and confidence of God’s presence with us grew stronger each time.
As I took time to seek Him in the decision over the linkup, He brought another Scripture to light:
“Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass.”
(Psalm 37:5, NKJV)
And so today, it is with deep joy that I embark on my “Let’s Have Coffee” journey.
May the linkup be a place we come to share our days and thoughts over a cup of coffee, or tea, your preference. May it be a place where we encourage and spur one another on.
But mostly may it be a place where we see Jesus in one another!
** “Thank You, Sue” for graciously and hospitably hosting the linkup these past few years. Thank you for having a place for me, and all of us, at your table each week. May God bless and grow your future endeavorsĆĀ at Welcome Heart as He continues to unfold His plan in your life!
Come and read the encouraging posts which have joined in. If you link up, kindly visit those who have pulled up a seat around you. If you share on social media, the hashtag #LetsHaveCoffee would be greatly appreciated!
You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!
What an amazing story of your desire being met in such an unexpected way!
Thanks so taking on the responsibility for hosting us!
It was an interesting and unexpected development, but one that has spoken deeply to me. Even in the midst of a year that appeared to have decreased activity, the Lord was at work. Grateful you came and participated!
I enjoyed hearing the story behind the link-up! It’s neat to see how God works.
It really was the Lord as I had not shared my goals with anyone, not even my family, until I decided to take Sue’s invitation. I was so happy to see you join as your posts always bring a wise word and encouragement.
You’re already a wonderful host, Joanne! I never doubted it for a minute. But I understand your thoughts; those were my thoughts too about creating the One Word 2021 community. Would anyone come? Would it serve a purpose? Could I do it? But I decided to take the plunge too, trusting that God could do whatever he wanted to with it; I only had to show up in obedience.
Proverbs 3:5-7 are my theme verses for my One Word Uncertainty this year, so this post really speaks to my heart! Thanks for hosting. Sue was wonderful and I know you will be too.
Lisa, you summarized it well – we only need to show up in obedience. I did notice that our posts and themes wove together and so, I will be following along with you for sure!
So glad to see you here. Trust is my word for the new year so I really appreciate you sharing your thoughts and this story.
Trust is a life long journey for sure. It is ever winding and developing along the way. The comforting thing is that He goes with us. Grateful you shared, Lauren, and glad you are feeling better!
This makes me think of what I just heard Frank Viola say yesterday at Hope*Writer’s – āIf youāre serious about being a writer or an author, you need to have a Gethsemane with fear.āĀ I’m glad you took the step of hosting!
Jerralea, thank you so much for sharing that quote! One I am going to write down to remember. Thank you for encouraging me today!
Joanne, I could not be more thrilled that you are hosting Let’s Have Coffee, and I LOVE the story of how it came to be as God fulfilled your desire in HIS timing. š Hugs, friend!
Lois, I am so grateful you joined in! Your posts always encourage me. It was such a powerful lesson of how God remembers our desires and brings them about in His own way. Actually, if I may share with you … I think He kind of pushed me through the open door because I was resisting His gentle nudges š Either way, He knows how to move us where we need to be!
Joanne, thank you for sharing the beautiful story of how you came to host the link up! It’s so refreshing to hear how God worked in His amazing way to bring the desire He placed in your heart to fruition. I cannot express how much I have been blessed by this link up and others as a new blogger. I greatly enjoy your blog and will enjoy it even more in the months to come as I visit to “have coffee” each week!
Donna, I have been amazed to see how God brought it all about in the most unexpected and sweetest of ways. I will always be grateful to Sue for reaching out to me. I look forward to all God has for all of us in the weeks ahead!
I loved reading about how you came to take on the link-up and I know you will do a great job!
Thank you for always having a word of encouragement!
Joanne, I have had the same experience as you with link-ups. I had no idea what I was getting into when I first began blogging almost 3 years ago. The friendships I have made and the encouragement I have received have been such a blessing. I enjoyed Sue’s link-up and I am so grateful that you are taking over to Sue. Good luck with the link-up and blessings in the new year.
It is amazing the bonds which can be formed through the sharing of words. I truly look forward to what God has for all of us in the days and weeks ahead. Blessings!
I’m always amazed at God’s backstage work. So glad the timing all worked out and blessings on this new very fun endeavor. I already miss everyone but I made so many good friends along the way!
Sue, it was amazing to me to recognize God had opened the door on my goal, and I “thank you” for helping push me through š You know where to find everyone as we shall be here each Wednesday. There will ALWAYS be room for you here!
What a blessing to have you hosting us!
Good luck with your new link-up. I’ve been doing a monthly linkup for about a year. It’s a great way to meet new writers. Don’t get discouraged if at first there are only a few participants. Keep doing it!
Before I decided to go ahead with the linkup, I decided in my heart that the numbers would not become important to me. My desire is to truly develop community, connection, and concern for those who join in – even if it were only one š Thank you for not only linking up but taking the time to encourage me! Most appreciated!
Joanne, I have to be transparent here. I read and reread your post several times over. It was almost like I was seeing the scripture verse Proverbs 3:5-6 for the first time, even though I’ve read that verse many times over during my walk with Christ. I sat here staring at those words, definitely intentionally using my one word 2021 Selah, came so natural. I not only sat here meditating on that verse, and your whole post, but I can’t explain why it made me teary. I felt peace and comfort. Your post was evidently meant to touch me today. Thank you and Thank you Jesus for using Joanne as your vessel today to touch me. Blessings.
Paula, thank you for your transparency in sharing as it is deeply appreciated. My prayer and hope when I took over the linkup was for community and connection to be authentic and fruitful in the lives of all of us. Thank you for sharing and for being a friend – You have touched me deeply this morning!
Thank you Joanne. I can’t wait to be a part of the Let’s Have Coffee community. I’m thankful Jesus has led us to cross paths, and become friends in him.
Hi Joanne,
I’m blessed to see how God led you to host “Let’s Talk On Wednesdays.” Your heart, so open to His will and guidance, exemplifies the gentle and gracious person I’ve always admired in you.
And it encourages my heart to surrender my plans to Him.
I look forward to joining you this Wednesday with coffee on hand.
Love, Janis
Hi Joanne,
I’m blessed to see how God led you to host “Let’s Have Coffee On Wednesdays.” Your heart, so open to His will and guidance, exemplifies the gentle and gracious person I’ve always admired in you.
And it encourages my heart to surrender my plans to Him.
I look forward to joining you this Wednesday with coffee on hand.
Love, Janis