I’d stopped and started more times than I could count. Waded into the water only to quickly retreat to the familiarity of the shore.
What’s the definition of insanity? Doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. I needed to do something different. I needed accountability.
I’d done writing conferences and workshops but always shied away groups. I’d convinced myself I wasn’t a group type of girl- I dreaded group projects in school, I was the poster child for “works well independently.” But obviously that mindset was not serving me well as a writer.
So when I finally took the leap and joined the YBJ Writing Accountability Group, my expectations were tempered. I figured I could gracefully bow out if it didn’t suit me. What I didn’t expect was to feel immediately and absolutely at home with a group of women I’d just met. Led by Yvonne Marie, M.Ed., these women were determined to live life on purpose with Christ at the center, using every gift and expression to serve and honor Him. As a writer and beyond, the group has challenged, encouraged and motivated me in ways I couldn’t have anticipated.
What does accountability mean to you? Where in your life do you need it most? Pursue it, invite it, embrace it -because you’ll never know the blessing that awaits.
Around this time last year, I tried my hand at microfiction with The Writer Magazine’s 100-word contest. I don’t consider myself a fiction writer but, with time and a $10 entry fee to spare, I thought “Why not?!” So color me shocked when I finished as 1 of 50 semi-finalists. Ok. Not bad. Was I convinced I needed to begin creating characters and plotting a grand story? No. But I was, and still am, encouraged to keep challenging myself; trying new things, flexing new muscles and thinking outside the box. Step by step, a little more each day. How about you?
Here’s my 100-word story “Dear Kelly” (with a little homage to the classic Les Miserables):
“Dear John, Today is the first day of the rest of my life. I’m headed to New York. I can no longer deny my destiny. If I stay I will be devoured by bitterness and regret. I hope you understand. Please find a way to move on without me. Also, I have taken Marius. I don’t feel you ever had the time or capacity to give this brilliant soul the care he needs… Dear Kelly, A little surprised but also quite relieved. Hope you find what you’re looking for. And Marius was more your pet anyway. I’m allergic to cats.”
I remembered the quilts folded in closets, spread across beds and laid on floors as pallets. I remembered sleeping soundly tucked under their heavy warmth. To my young eyes they were just fabric scraps stitched together, a colorful hodgepodge, a mosaic of everyday life.
So as I stood with my husband in the Baltimore Museum of Art, I marveled at how what I considered such an ordinary part of my life now hung as art, admired and coveted by museums all over the world. Someone recognized the powerful beauty and impact of the stories of these quilts and the women who made them.
What do you have? An ability? An idea? A story? Your presence? It seems so ordinary and inconsequential to you yet it may have the power to shift the world around you for the good and the glory of God.
Sometimes our reflections are muddied by distraction and discouragement but I’m grateful God always sends reinforcements to remind us for whom and for what we’ve been created. Let this be your reminder. Don’t underestimate or diminish the impact of the “ordinary.”
“We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.” -2 Corinthians 4:7 NLT
So I did a thing. Fleshed out an idea. Took a leap!
First, The Published Journey now has a logo! *woohoo and and a round of applause for Canva* Check out the header.
Second, you can now follow The Published Journey on Instagram & Facebook. This was a major leap. Why? Because I have a love/loathe relationship with social media. I love the connections, community and encouragement I’ve found (especially on Instagram). But I loathe the negativity, distraction and discouragement. Am I the only one who has gone down one rabbit hole too many, wasting precious time and occasionally left questioning my whole life? Then, there’s always a nervous anticipation that comes with sharing words and thoughts that only you may understand. But I’m constantly reminded that, even with an audience of one, I am honoring God with the gift He’s given me.
So a huge WELCOME and THANKS for following this journey…a work in progress. I’ve stopped and started this blogging thing many times over the past decade. I’ve revamped, changed directions and moved from Blogger to WordPress. I’ve plugged away on book ideas. I’ve submitted, fielded rejections, and pondered constructive (and not so constructive) critiques. But I keep learning. I keep going. And maybe I can encourage you to do the same.
On July 10, 2020 my grandmother passed away. Gran Gran graced the world with her presence for 96 years and, though her body was worn with age; her mind, her memories and her wit were sharp.
On Legacy
To me, Gran Gran, was a Renaissance woman. She could and did do it all. She challenged stereotypes and set her own narrative, leaving a rich and vast legacy. Of the many things she taught me, today I’m reminded of the importance of telling my story. Gran Gran was a treasure trove of stories, and she left nothing to chance in making sure that she told her own, leaving us the summary of a long, beautiful life.
And so I’m also reminding you, friends. Tell your story. It is important. It is needed. Someone is waiting to be encouraged, inspired, and to simply know they are not the only one.
On Grief
Grief defies logic. It’s complicated and unpredictable. I’m riding its waves and sitting with its ripples. Remembering a life well lived. Refocusing the life I’m living.
“Life’s Reflections
Nora “Katie” Rodgers Jones aka Gran Gran
“And I heard a voice from Heaven saying unto me, write, blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.” Revelation 14:13
Mrs. Nora “ Katie “ Rodgers Jones the daughter of the late Plent Walter and Addie Sumpter Rodgers, was born December 2, 1923 in Georgetown County, passed into eternal life and rest from her labours on July 10, 2020.
She accepted Christ as her personal savior at an early age. Her first place of worship was Jerusalem AME Church of Hemingway, SC. She attended Deep Creek Elementary School, finishing the 5th grade, then moved to Georgetown SC. There she joined Big Bethel AME Church where she worked as a junior usher and was a member of the junior choir. After graduating from Howard High School, she moved to Colombia, SC.
Affectionately known as “Katie”, her life was one of a servant. She worked diligently to prepare herself to serve and bless others by joining the US Cadet School of Nursing at Good Samaritan Waverly Hospital for four years. She was also affiliated with the Norfolk General Hospital while living in Norfolk Va. Mrs. Jones later moved to Wilmington, NC and worked at the Community Hospital where she met and married Marine Sergeant Alfonzo Jones. She then moved to Birmingham, Ala where she continued her work of mercy at the Jefferson – Hillman Hospital. She joined Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church, re-dedicated her life to Christ and was baptized. There she worked as the Assistant Matron of the local Boy Scout Chapter.
Mrs. Jones then moved to Charleston, SC and continued her labor of love at Roper Hospital for several years. Upon moving back home she worked at the Benevolence Society Hospital in Kingstree, SC for six years.
After the closing of Benevolence Society Hospital, she was employed by Waccamau EOC Headstart for seven years, she then retired from public work.
Within the Deep Creek Community, Mrs. Jones joined Walkers Chapel Freewill Baptist Church where she worked faithfully as a member of the Senior Choir, Senior Sunday School Teacher, president of the YPCL, annual president of the YPCL, vice president of the Missionary Ministry, member of the Freewill Baptist Association, union and school convention.
Mrs. Jones was also the financial secretary and Assistant Superintendent of the Sunday School of her church. She worked as the secretary of the Deep Creek Community Center Association for years.
To her family and all others she came in contact with, she was serving, honorable, loyal, understanding, dependable and “fun loving”. Her love for life and living it to the fullest was contagious.
Left to cherish her precious memories, her husband of 67 years Alfonzo Jones, of the home, three sons; Alfonzo D. Jones (Daphine) of Goldsboro, NC; Norman Jones (Myrna) of San Tan Valley, AZ; Rayford G. Jones (Dell) of Columbia, SC; Six grandchildren, LaShona Sellers (Ronaldo) of Baltimore Md; Alfonzo D. Jones II (Gwendolyn) of Greenville NC; Donte Weaver of Johnsonville, SC; Latoya Stewart Chandler (Wali) of Hemingway SC; Kyuan Jones (Thuy) of Columbia SC; Matthew Jones (Faith) of Phoenix AZ; nine great-grandchildren, Dontravia Weaver of Johnsonville, SC; Alyssa Jones of Greenville NC; Ronaldo Sellers of Baltimore Md; Ja’Toria Bellamy of Hemingway SC; Joshua Jones of Greenville NC; Sydney Sellers of Baltimore Md; Kelsie Jones of Columbia SC; Hakeem Chandler and Zy’Keem Chandler of Hemingway SC; five sisters-in-law: Ernestine Garner of Louisville, KY; Hattie Stansbury (Walter) , Betty Marbury (Morris), Brenda Jones and Carolyn Rowser all of Birmingham AL; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and devoted friends.
To be honest I can’t immediately think of anything that I’m grateful for today. It’s been “one of those days”- a day of unpleasant moods and brooding reflections, a day where the cons seem to outweigh the pros. But then I am grateful, grateful for a gracious God who knows me at my core, a God who won’t berate or strike me down in my current state but love and encourage me in spite of…
Barnabas Blessings 