I hit a wall this past summer. We were nearing the end of our 7-week stay at our tiny house in the mountains of North Carolina, which although lovely, had been a jam-packed schedule of manual labor projects we desperately wanted to finish before returning to Texas. During this time I was also finishing up some pretty intensive, emotionally heavy Global Trauma coursework. As I look back now, I think I was just flat physically and mentally drained.

Our last morning at our beloved mountain getaway, Darron had gone into town to run a few errands and I grabbed the opportunity to take some quiet time on the freshly stained, barely dry deck. The sunshine and crystal blue skies and the cacophony of birds and breeze and the river below was mesmerizing. 

This. This is what I had been longing for. A quiet, still morning to sit in God’s glorious handiwork and soak in it until I felt restored and whole again. And as often happens when we get still enough long enough, I began to hear the whisper of the Holy Spirit, gathering me close, offering enlightenment from the heavenly throne room. I believe He loves doing this with His children, sharing hidden mysteries and treasures of the deep. We just don’t generally slow down enough to hear Him.

Here’s what I heard. “Before the world was formed, I AM. Father, Son and Holy Spirit existed in perfect harmony before any of this was.” Before mountains or swaying pines or stars or butterflies or the universe came into being, HE … the triune God … simply was. Fathom that for a minute.

But the Creator must create. It’s His nature. He can’t not do it. So He spoke and the universe became real. The thought became a tangible presence. Suddenly the ideas of God could be touched, seen, heard, smelled, tasted. And as you speak, 100 billion galaxies are born…

Why create? Because it pleases Him to do so. Because it makes His glory visible. It gives him an outlet for His extravagant oceanfuls of love. A place to pour it out. And why are we here? What purpose do we serve other than to be vessels that receive this abundant love and to pass it on? 

And I think we’re here to create. Our Father’s DNA is in us. Created in His image, made to be sons and daughters. How can we not? When we don’t, I think a little bit of us dies every day. 

I look at my family. Darron creates house plans – concepts upon which his clients build their lives and raise their families. Alyssa creates a home filled with love, learning and nurturing for her boys. She creates pictures and stories and words on a page that point others to the things that matter most in this life. Matt creates an environment for worship and a love of knowledge in his students and a safe space for Alyssa to pursue her God-given dreams. Jarod creates in his students a love for music. He creates plans, designs, furniture for his home, the heartbeat of worship with his drumming skills. Becca creates opportunities for women and children in South Asia, a lovely home and memorable events with her event planning business. We create meals, beautiful spaces to live in and to share, gardens, businesses, art and memories.

The resounding question bouncing loudly in my head was this. What are you creating in the counseling room? I’m sure it had a lot to do with my fatigue and mental state at the moment but I was feeling pretty hard pressed to come up with an answer. I do a lot of listening and praying and a little bit of teaching but not much creating and it becomes clear in this moment that it’s wearing on me. And I realize this confession doesn’t help my counseling practice … yikes. But this was the moment I knew something needed to change.

It’s been my hidden dream, tucked safely under the covers until it could be awoken and made a reality.

My passion for working with people remains strong. I long to see God’s people restored, revived and living wholeheartedly. But I’m recognizing I’m wired more for solution-focused, purposeful, future-oriented work. For digging deep to help clients find their strengths and gifts and hidden dreams rather than zooming in on the symptoms or the diagnosis. 

Turns out I’ve known this all along. For as long as I’ve been counseling I’ve been collecting tools and books and resources about life coaching. It’s been my hidden dream, tucked safely under the covers until it could be awoken and made a reality. Shortly after this little epiphany I found and hired a wonderful Christian life coach who has been skillfully and patiently awakening and calling out the things God has stirred me to do. It’s been an exhilarating process that I can’t wait to walk through with others.

Alyssa has stepped right in and is joyfully bringing her gifts to the table. We have lots of exciting things planned as we begin to offer individual sessions and group workshops and various opportunities to be part of a community of women who are rising to the occasion, stepping boldly into their calling and finding their place.

So here it is. The birth of She Rises. Ignite a fire in us oh Lord!