It’s started. The first full week since the end of my employment. The big themes the Lord is having me reflect on are trust, rest, and surrender. So, if it doesn’t look like I’m pounding the pavement or scouring the Internet and filling out every job application I can find, I’m only trying to be obedient. I’m stewarding the gifts He’s given me. Even if they’re not returning revenue right now. Did I mention trust?
My gratitude list for the week:
- Morning thunderstorm
- Friends who understand
- A new school year for my kiddos
- Pentatonic scales (geek gratitude)
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Thanks Jonathan, for prayers! I’ve been learning the guitar pentatonic scales, too. Taking the free “lead guitar” mini-course from Jamorama.
Good for you, Diane!
Jonathan — Brenda passed this along to me, as it’s quite relevant. I’ve just finished my second full week of unemployment, having been very suddenly eliminated from my position at Country Weekly magazine due to “restructuring.” I appreciate your clear and calmly expressed thoughts on the matter; I’d arrived at something similar, though I must admit that, for me, hearing God’s voice can be difficult, as my normal mental mode is a noisy one (think neuron rush hour). I did sense that the running in circles I began doing was moot, and overwhelming because I wasn’t even sure what it was I was trying to do. This will indeed be an exercise in trust, perhaps also trusting in the unique talents, inclinations and desires God has sewn into me.
Prayers going up now for your path going forward and your needs as you rest, trust, and move as He leads. I’m reminded of Kahlil Gibran, who wrote in The Prophet (and I paraphrase) that the difference between reason and passion is that we rest in reason and move in passion.
Gibran rocks — The Prophet was the first book I ever read that sparked a spiritual awareness in me. That was 20 years before my Christian conversion! Blessings to you and your family – Steve
Hey, Steve!
Thanks for commenting. I’m sorry about your loss, but believe good things about your future.
On the journey with you,
Jonathan
The uncertainty can be difficult; we are in a job loss and waiting mode right now, too. And we are trying to trust (if you have to try to trust, are you really trusting?). What are you doing with pentatonic scales– is that a guitar pentatonic thing or are you composing songs that use pentatonic scales?
Hi, Diane. Grace and peace to you during this season. I pray good things for your family. …I’m learning the finger patterns of pentatonic scales on guitar. It’s foundational for soloing / improvisation. I’m exclusively a rhythm player, but decided that this year I would intentionally work on my guitar as a melodic instrument. I also discovered that thinking about pentatonic scales helps when I play keyboard as well. The notes of the pentatonic scales are among the “safest” notes to play when improvising.