I stand somewhere in the neighborhood of my childhood, twilight drifting slowly in, and I hear a voice speak my name from far away, “Holley, come home!”
It takes a moment for the words to register in my busy mind. But then, I realize, someone I love is calling. So I set out, bit by bit, and begin to make my way back to the place where I belong.
You know what this is like, yes? Close your eyes for a moment and think of home—not the place but the feeling.
It still takes time after I answer that call. There are even obstacles, perhaps. But I know I will get there eventually.
I heard a similar call in my heart again over a year ago. “Holley, come home!” a Voice I loved said within me. But this time, it was not only a coming back but a building up.
And, today, I’m honored to reveal this home that Love has built where we can share life together. Its name is (in)courage and over twenty amazing women have already spoken it on their blogs this week. They are the team, the heart, of this place…
Amber, The Run-a-Muck
Andrea, Under Grace & Over Coffee
Ann, A Holy Experience
Annie, Annie Blogs
Angela, Becoming Me
Angie, Bring the Rain
Anne, Flowerdust
Emily, Chatting at the Sky
Ginny, The Thoughts I Think
Jen, Balancing Beauty and Bedlam
Jennifer, Studio JRU
Jessica, The Mom Creative
Kristen, We Are THAT Family
Lainie Button, (in)courage product manager
Lindsey, The Pleated Poppy
Mary, Giving Up on Perfect
Melissa, The Inspired Room
Nester, The Nesting Place
Robin, Pensieve
Sarah, The Best Days of My Life
Sarah Mae, Like a Warm Cup of Coffee
Stephanie Bryant, (in)courage business development manager
Tsh, Simple Mom
(in)courage, as you will soon see, is a bit like a beach house—a home for our hearts that is a glimpse of the greater Home we all long for somewhere deep inside. These amazing women are some of the faces you will often see around the kitchen table with you.
Earlier, while waiting for the site to go live, I prayed again for God to be there—to meet us. I felt prompted to read from the book of Zechariah for a bit. When I did, these are the words I found…
“Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,” says the Lord.
And I realized anew that we can build a house but only God’s presence makes it home. So I ask Him once more to go before us, to be with us there, and I ask you to join me in doing so.
Welcome home.
I gratefully usher you through the door with these words…
I’m six and courage is school bus yellow. I stand on the curb, holding my lunch, and wait for my first day of kindergarten. My sweet mom tells me again that she’ll drive me to school (and she does every day after). But that morning I stubbornly put small feet in patent leather shoes on the steps to independence and ride.
To read the rest go to (in)courage…
