{Be Real} Let’s Journey Together

Phew. I’m letting out a breath on this side of the screen. I’m so amazed that God brought this opportunity into my life, to write to you every week. And on a Monday, no less! A day when we all need a voice of encouragement, is when I will be able to be that for YOU.

Okay, so you have no clue who I am. Well, you can breathe a sigh of relief!  My name is Kerri Lynne, and I’m just a woman from New York following God’s call to write to you. I grew up in an Italian family with one awesome little brother, my mother and father. I’ve always been a Daddy’s girl, and My mom is my best friend.  (This is my family – the most true-to-life picture I have of us.)

My family chose me, and I’m grateful for them every day. But sisters have always been women I choose. And sister, I’m choosing you.

I am taking your hand as we run toward God together, because the creative journey toward God is a journey I’ve walked, and run, and stumbled over too…I know the path intimately. I know the fears and the pain and the risk and the joy and the hope. I know the questions and the doubts and the mundane daily tasks that nobody tells you you’ll have to face. I know the feeling that you’re on top of the world and you want to fling your arms wide and ask God, how did I get here?

The creative journey, I’ve found, is messy and winding – not straight and simple. It’s complex and deep and it asks you to look inside of yourself. It’s hard. But it’s also joy-full, and the most rewarding thing God has ever asked me to do. And I know it will be for you too.

Creating is choosing to be “all in.” It’s choosing to empty ourselves to use our gifts and our joys and our hands to join our Creator in the act of making something new and beautiful. It may the most vulnerable work we can do – our hearts have to be in it. And I know that’s what God wants most from us – our hearts.

It sounds good and pretty and we may think, “Sign me up!” – while forgetting that creation gets messy and dirty. Before I became a wedding photographer, I had to die to the way I was living my life, which was pleasing others. I still struggle with this, but I came to a moment in my college career 7 years ago where I was literally paralyzed. I was studying elementary education, and realized suddenly that I did not want to listen to all of the voices encouraging me down that path – it just wasn’t me anymore. I’m an introvert who loves people, but I was feeling depleted. This realization came 3 years in to my college career. So I entered into a depression, and quit college for awhile to examine my soul. It was a path I never imagined for myself, but I thank the Lord it was the path He had for me. Because this path got me here. The pain broke me and opened me and made me ask the hard questions early. I had my mid-life crisis at 21.

But because of this path, God freed me to try new things, go back to college, and take risks that I never imagined I would take. And be who I never thought I would be. It’s still a daily process, but this, writing to you, is my next step of faithfulness on my creative journey with God.

So would you join me? Every Monday, we’ll chat together. My favorite season is fall (slightly obsessed!), and my hobby is hiking, so I’ll imagine we’re sitting together on a rock with a cup of coffee or a chai latte as the leaves fall all around us. We’ll talk about the real pieces of the creative journey and following God, and I promise – to end on a note of encouragement! Because what we believe – no matter how hard the walk is – points us to a God through whom all things are possible. A God that is working all the things you’re going through for good.

So keep walking faithfully, with each step. You’re here – that’s already an amazing sign that you’re pursuing Him and love Him. Rest today and know He is pleased with you and loves you more than you can fathom.

I can’t wait to see you next Monday. But don’t forget to check out the blog on the other days – we have an amazing team of women here and incredible things in store for you!

p.s. If any of you feel like being brave and leaving in the “comments” any topic you’d love for us to “chat” about on Mondays, I’d love to read what’s on your hearts!