Landscapes of a Sacred Journey

As I prayed about how to write this book, I stood back and looked at a distance at my life and wondered how I was going to blend it all together into some sensible story. I heard the Lord say, "Paint the landscape of your life with words." As I continued to reflect, it made perfect sense. He showed me that what makes a beautiful landscape is that you view it from a distance. You're able to see how it all works together to become the master piece that it is. My life and who I am today is because of all of it; the deep valleys and the mountain tops and everything in between. (Romans 8 v28 In all things God works for the good of those who love Him and have been called according to His purpose.) Do I wish there had not been as many pit falls along my path? Yes, but even those times of darkness and choices that I made that were not right for me, are a part of my landscape and I met some wonderful people along the way who have been great blessings. This book is a snap shot of the landscape of my life with its trials and triumphs. From deep valleys of depression, mixed with times of sexual promiscuity, and a life long struggle with food addiction; to mountian top miracles of grace. In spite of my inner struggles though, God has blessed me with many oppoortunities and many miracles that I believe need to be shared. Prior to the decision to write this book, I had been introduced to Matthew Kelly's work. He is a Catholic evangelist who says, "Gods dream for you is to become the best version of yourself, whatever that is." I had continued to struggle with my food addiction and realized that I would never fully realize the dream that God has for me as long as food was running my life. Food was my God. I want to be the best version of myself. At that time God gave me the grace to fervently work at putting food in its rightful place. I began eating healthily, and working out. With the help of a trainer and the support of a life coach and the love and support of many others that God has placed in my life, I have lost 145 lbs. It is a daily decision. My weight loss journey has been and will continue to be a spiritual journey. The next step is to continue walking the walk and begin sharing my story with all those who care to listen. As you read, may you become aware of your own struggles, your own ways in which you have been held back from realizing the dream that God has for you. We all have a similar story. The characters are different and the circumstances and weaknesses may be different but we all have a landscape that we may wish looked different, but when the struggles lead us to a place of surrender, then it is a gift. May you know that no matter what you've done or where you've been, that He can and will use you in spite of it; sometimes because of it. We are all on a path on this journey called life, wrestling and working it all out. Trying to find our way back to our heavenly home. I believe that there is an innate desire within each of us to seek fulfillment and love, but often we choose the way of the world that will never fully satisfy. The world has many idols that we turn to in a attempt to make us feel better but at best they are distractions rather than satisfaction. Jesus said in the gospel of John Chap 14 v6 "I am the Way the Truth and the Life" It is my prayer that as you read this book, you will look at the landscape of your own life and see that God has been there. He is there and He will remain there along your way. It can be a landscape of beauty because He uses all of it to blend together your masterpiece as well.