The Lovely Little Introvert

     I am a writer, have been since I was a little girl. Sometimes a story works its way into my heart and I can't get it out. I have to write it or feel the words swelling inside my stomach, pushing their way out of my throat and my head and my fingertips. It's like magic.      Once upon a time, I wanted writing to be my profession. But most people don't make a living writing, so the Lord and I have been talking, and we've decided that I will always write, but not necessarily as a career. So I have been thinking about using my blog to share some of my stories, too, not just my thoughts. If you're curious, read on. This isn't the whole story, just the beginning. The rest will come later, but let me know what you think, anyway! :) Beatrice of Saddle Hope © Saddle Hope, North Carolina, 1965         I knowed Miss Beatie from the time she was five years old. She used to ‘scape the big house and run through the field all the way to my shack. I would take h

    I've been thinking a lot the past few days about love, particularly in the context of romantic love. It seems to be all around me, pressing in on me from every side. And it's nice sometimes. Other times it is incredibly annoying, knowing I don't have it. So I asked God why I seem to be the only one going without here. Instead of directly answering me like I wanted Him to, He said, "My challenge for you is to think outside the box of romantic love. I want you to love the people around you in the best ways you know how. Do whatever you can and it will be a great adventure." It was such a simple thing, yet it totally shifted my perspective. I was so focused on romantic love that I was completely turning a blind eye to all the beautiful kinds of love surrounding me, the ones I do have.      In this same way, I'm learning more what the love of Jesus looks like towards me. So far I've seen that He shows He loves me by wanting to spend time with me. We have