Waving farewell to another month, I rejoice in a glance back at my July Jubilee joining Heather Gerwing as she hosts a monthly feature called, Share Four Somethings, where writers share the fourth Saturday of each month something in each of four categories from the previous month.
Many readers notice I choose a theme for each month, which often reflects lessons or themes from my personal life. This month’s theme is “jubilee”, which intimates a celebration of sorts. My reflections on this month involve celebrating specfic events.
Each month the four categories remain the same: something loved, something gleaned, something braved (or saved), and something achieved.
The premise delights me; the new categories falling right in line with my one word 2022 journey with Resilience! Looking back over the previous month through these four categories helps me linger with God’s goodness, and ignites my gratitude.
something loved
Starting off my July Jubilee: Share Four Somethings, is the first celebratory event of the month; the July fourth celebration of our nation’s birthday! We opted for a change of pace this year with an outing to local community festivities.
Accompanied by my youngest daughter and three-year-old granddaughter, Grace we enjoyed a lovely meal out and gathering near the Susquehanna River for a delightful evening ending in fireworks!
Always a loved treat for me, the last time I attended a fireworks display seems ages ago; certainly not in recent years.
While seeming rather ordinary for a July fourth celebration, viewing fireworks through the eyes of my granddaughter was sheer Joy. She calls them “colors”, and with every new burst of “colors” exploded in delight. Never have fireworks seemed so magical to me!
something gleaned
Attending the She Speaks Conference online contributed another cause for jubilee. Though my deep desire for attending in person never materialized, God graciously allowed me participation online.
With so much to take in over the course of just two days, having accesss to all of the sessions to review them provides an ongoing opportunity for gleaning!
Certainly good information abounded for book writing, publishing, and podcasting; but also great info on managing and growing your social media presence which I found especially helpful.
My biggest takeaway came from Dr. Heather Thompson Day’s presentation, “Give Me Your Hand”. Where she empasized a perspective on relationship building and serving others both in our communities and online. Still meditating on her quote:
The goal isn’t to figure out who will take our hand. The goal is to figure out whose hand we can offer to hold.
Heather Thompson Day
something braved
Still in keeping with my July Jubilee theme, my something braved this month combined courage and celebration. For the past fourteen years the hospice agency where I work maintained a hospice and palliative medicine fellowship.
Due to core agency changes and events out of our control, the fellowship closed this month. Privileged with an integral role as program coordinator for the past eight years, the news hit me hard.
It came as a sudden decision at a time when still digesting other distressing agency news, I was not able to process as well as I might have wished.
But as I went through the motions of working with the program director to finalize the closing of the program, I realized though the release brought pain and disappointment, it also brought opportunity for celebration.
Celebration of the fellows trained in the program now practicing across the country, of a program coveted for its excellence, of the part I played in developing both the program and relationships with the fellows.
Yes, this month courage collided with celebration as I learned the art of celebration in the midst of disappointment.
something achieved
Rounding out my July Jubilee: Share Four Somethings, is another new category, dedicated to things achieved. For goal setting geeks, this category offers an opportunity to shine. But even if goal setting makes you squeamish, right here is the place for celebrating even baby steps towards getting things done.
Truly celebration worthy, finally meeting a dear friend face to face for the first time, was an achievement long in the making.
Though only a ZOOM meeting, the joy of chatting in the presence of my friend, Dianna, still brings a smile to my face. Arriving in my life almost two years ago now, Dianna, one of my first blog readers, connected with me through Instagram and eventually email.
Quickly discerning we had much in common, we emailed often and connected through Instagram DM’s growing our relationship. Nothing less than a gift from God, Dianna has supported and prayed for me and my family faithfully. Always quick with encouragement, I praise God for her presence in my life.
A few schedule changes, which ironically involved the closure of the fellowship, enabled me to create space for connecting in a more meaningful way with her. And we hope to continue our monthly chats for some time to come.
july jubilee:share four somethings
Thank you for taking a leisurely walk back through my July Jubilee with me! I am grateful to Heather for creating such a creative way to review the moments of our days which often slip by so quickly. Sharing Four Somethings is a way to savor one more time those things we loved, gleaned, braved and achieved!
But you don’t have to be a writer or blogger to enjoy this practice. Why not take a few moments and think back over YOUR July Jubilee and share four somethings with me in the comments! Meet me back here at the end of August for more joyful somethings!
Yes, I had never heard of Dr. Day before She Speaks but she blew me away!!!
Heather, I never heard of Dr. Day either, but I am so glad I heard her speak!
I’m so jealous that you and Dianna got to meet in person! 🙂 I would have loved being there amidst you two. Such wisdom, grace, love, Jesus–all in one place. I’ve had the privilege of meeting a few blogging friends in person too and I’ve loved each one!
Aw, Lisa, it wasn’t really “in person” just the next best thing, ZOOM! Though Dianna and I only live a few hours from one another and our hope is to actually meet in person soon. I love how God brought her into my life and how our relationship has grown. I would love nothing more than to meet you too, even if it was only on ZOOM. How wonderful it would be to meet physically somewhere, maybe we should pray about organizing a bloggers retreat! We could share message of encouragement, fellowship and network. Or maybe get our feet wet with a ZOOM summit.
How fun to view fireworks with your granddaughter! We didn’t go to any big displays, but we saw several smaller ones from our back yard.
I love the quote you shared from Heather Thompson Day. I have an virtual conference coming up this weekend that I am looking forward to. I am so glad these things are made available online these days.
I’m sorry about the fellowship closing down.
Dianna is a treasure. I miss her blog. I don’t remember how we found each other, but we have occasional emails, and I always benefit from what she has to say.
Barb, it was such fun viewing fireworks through my granddaughter’s eyes! I’m thrilled we can attend these conferences online too, while it is nice to gather, I am grateful to still benefit when travel doesn’t work out! Indeed Dianna is a treasure! I praise God for her friendship!
I did not attend She Speaks, but I love Dr. Day’s quote. I’ll have to find her and learn more!
Thanks for sharing your July!
Thank you Amy for reading! I think you will enjoy Dr. Day’s material, I just found out she has a book entitled “It’s Not Your Turn”, you may enjoy.
Dr. Day’s message was so wonderful. I purchased her book “It’s Not Your Turn” and look forward to reading it. I also learned a lot of helpful stuff about social media. So glad you were able to attend virtually!
Megan thanks for reading my post! I did really enjoy Dr. Day’s message! I’ll have to look for her book, I didn’t realize she had published one. I learned so much about social media too, plus I’m glad we can go back and listen to the messages again!
I’m sorry for the disappointments, Donna, but I’m glad it enabled you to learn “the art of celebration in the midst of disappointment.” That’s a hard thing to do. Love and blessings to you!
Thank you Trudy for your kindness. Life does bring disappointments, but God is so good to help us see His sovereign hand in it all. Blessings to you!!
Donna, a month can be filled with so much. Now I see the importance of reflecting on it. I love how you are finding celebration in every moment!
Deborah, you are so right, I am learning to set aside time to reflect and sit with my month a bit before rushing head long into the next one!
What a blessing to find and develop such a sweet friendship through your blog. I am repeatedly amazed at all that God does and desires to do through these online platforms! I enjoyed your look back at July….here’s to a wonderful new month ahead!!
Jennifer, I am amazed at how God works through all of this cyber space to create relationship! I am blessed to have so many lovely friends online! Thank you for taking the time to read my post!
Donna, such a sweet photo! The July Fourth photo. It is good to write so openly about the art of celebration in the midst of disappointment. Thank you for that.
Thank you, Aritha for your kind words and taking the time to read my post! I think we need to be open about praising God in all seasons!
It sounds like a bittersweet month. It is hard to find the good amidst the pain and disappointment but sounds like you were able to do just that. It is awesome you are able to connect more with a friend as well. God is good!
Amen Cindy, truly remembering God is in the midst of it all brings JOY!
Donna, I enjoyed taking a leisurely walk back through your July Jubilee with you. I always enjoy your Share Four Somethings. Blessings my friend.
Visiting today from Let’s Have Coffee #19
Thank you Paula for taking the time to join me! Blessings on your weekend my sweet friend!
Thank you for linking up with Sweet Tea & Friends this month my friend.
My pleasure Paula, I look forward to your monthly link up!
Courage presented its challenges for you, but I am so thankful that you were able to work through it and find encouragement on the other side.
And I am humbled, my dear friend.
Thank you, my dear fiend! I do so appreciate your words of encouragement, I truly value your support!
Celebrating July 4th with your daughter and granddaughter sounds like a joyous time. I think young children bring a breath of fresh air to every celebration. I’m so glad you were able to attend the conference online, Donna! Big hug to you as you process all the changes at work. I pray the Lord will give you the grace to process all your emotions in the coming days. Rejoicing with you in deepening friendships and connections.
Thank you Lisa, for your sweet comments. July Fourth this year was such a blessing! Indeed my lesson for this month has been finding the celebration hidden in every moment no matter how emotionally charged.