Lift up your eyes on high,

And see who has created these things,

Who brings out their host by number;

He calls them all by name,

By the greatness of His might

And the strength of His power;

Not one is missing.

—Isaiah 40:26

On Sunday, my family and I returned from a multiweek sojourn to and from Phoenix, Arizona, where my church was having its convention. We decided to use the event as an opportunity to a take a long road trip out west.

For this week’s blog post, I planned to write a lengthy, photo-filled travelogue of our adventures, and all of the incredible things we saw and did on an excursion that took us to several states, some national parks, and many beautiful churches.

As I’ve sat here all day in front of this computer screen, doing everything but writing this post, I’ve realized I need to say to myself something I’ve said to some of my author clients:

You’re not ready to write about this yet.

At times, we have an experience so big, so profound, that we need time to process it. That processing can occur over days or years. Other times, we never arrive at a place where we can put into words what’s on our hearts and minds.

Yes, publisher or self-imposed deadlines can come to bear on the matter. But in my work with authors and in my own writing, I’ve seen what can happen when we try to force our brains to generate content related to a story we’re not ready to tell. The common result is that the material feels rushed, inauthentic, or raw in a way it wouldn’t be, given more time and emotional distance. And readers are quick to discern this.

Thus, as much as I want to share the fullness of my recent journey, I must admit to you that I’m not ready.

For now, I’ll share two things:

One, the photograph of the Delicate Arch in the banner, which I took at Arches National Park in Moab, Utah. My family and I woke up early and hiked there to watch the sun rise.

Second, the truth that this trip reinforced to me how awesome our God is. And how small and finite I am when contrasted with our vast and infinite Creator.

I’ll continue to ponder this truth while I process the wonderful memories and compile the thoughts and photos I want to share with you at a later date.

With love in Christ,

Amanda

xoxo

Scripture taken from the New King James Version^®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.