Writing is therapy. And it is my preferred form. I write in order to process and I process what I write.
I am processing two monumental things that have recently happened. Nay. Three momumental things. Nope, many momumental things that have happened that I can’t possibly write comprehensively about, but I could very well bore you about it all over a cup of coffee whenever you’re free. I will, however and in the meantime, share the three.
First, almost two weeks ago I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Music. I spent the last three years pursuing what I thought would only ever remain a dream, and through this journey, music—long a hobby—has become to me the sacred sense of experiencing the pleasure of God.
Second, last week my oldest son graduated from the eighth grade. My heart filled with love as I observed him quietly fall in line with the other eighty-one graduating eighth graders to take group pictures before the convocation. Thirty minutes later, I burst with pride as I watched my son walk across the stage to receive his diploma with honors.
and finally, yesterday, the members of Gentilly Baptist Church unanimously voted on my husband to become their next pastor. They have been praying for our family and have, in one accord, rallied around us in affirmation of God’s call on us.
The more I process these three events, the more I become acutely aware of three more things.
The past. Three demanding years spent listening to lectures, pouring over books, writing papers, and taking exams—gone. Hours upon hours exhausted in voice lessons, practice rooms, labs, juries, and recitals—dissolved.
The present. I blinked and my oldest son became an incoming freshman. He turns fifteen in less than two weeks. I just set an appointement at the DMV next month to get his Temporary Instructional Permit.
The future. Starting August, my husband steps into the pastorate. He will remain the Dean of Leavell College and become the pastor at Gentilly Baptist Church.
I have the past, the present, and the future all in my line of sight.
As I contemplate the past, I see how my arduous pursuit of a baccalaureate degree coersed me to pigeonhole so much of everything else in the process. I became consumed with my world of academia and struggled to maintain balance. Many a time I put my devotional life or my family life on the back burner and, in turn, I missed many things. And while I wouldn’t trade the last three years for anything, I do wish I would have done a few things differently.
In light of the past, I contemplate the present. From this point onward, I don’t want to miss anything. I want to be fully awake to my here and now. I don’t want to miss the countless small moments that will turn my almost-fiteen-year-old son into almost sixteen. I want to learn to number my days. I want to fight the apathy that teases me, languishes me, and softens my faith. I want the same God that the prophet Isaiah warns about in Isaiah 2:10 to awaken me to “the terror of the Lord and the splendor of his majesty,” becasue I am not satisfied with a pansy faith. I want a fiery one.
As I contemplate the future, I want to be wholly alive as I walk into it. I want to be fully consumed and fully captured with the goodness of God, his gifts to me, and his calling upon my life into whatever awaits.
Dear God, wake me up.
It's just Me Abby 
Sweet Abby, you constantly amaze me, but I’m positive you don’t amaze God, because He knows what you are capable of. I am also positive He is smiling over you and what you have and will accomplish.
I had not finished what I was writing above, so will try again.
you not only amaze me, but you also encourage and inspire me. We may be from very different generations but I connect with you on so much that you write about. My own faith walk has been strengthened and I want to be bolder in my testimony, and my light to shine brighter to draw others closer to Him.
keep shining Abby. I’m so excited for yours and your family’s next chapter.
Oh my goodness Abby-Praise God for all his working and blessing
My sweet friend, what a blessing it is to read all the amazing things God is doing, It truly encourage us to appreciate every little thing and value all that the Lord has planned for us. We think of you often and miss you all very much!
Ah! Abby, you captured the heart of a true follower of Jesus. We all yearn to be stronger with lessons lived & learnt. Expectant hearts for His will to unfold and be counted as faithful to His calling. Love you so! You did it 👏🤗 and God has many delightful things in store you & your precious family. Grab it with both hands!