“Wellspring” Sixteenth Anniversary & Birthday Edition

Happy Birthday, Rielyn & Happy Anniversary, Wellspring of Life!

Sixteen years ago today, “Wellspring of Life” and our granddaughter, Rielyn, were birthed. That first post I wrote was an introduction to both, accompanied by a sensitivity to Holy Spirit that He purposed to grow and nurture. I had no idea I would still be writing Wellspring sixteen years later, while simultaneously, I had no reason to think otherwise. I had already passed the point of no return in my spiritual relationship with Christ. Twenty-one years had passed, with a multitude of life lessons burgeoning within while others were in play – the life-in-Christ cycle that never has to stall.

In 2010 at fifty-three years old, I began to write publicly. Five years of writing and teaching prior pieces was warm-up. Count me a grateful heart for the way the Lord has led. What the enemy meant for harm has brought me to the King.

It is in His presence that I have watched, and learned, and been the recipient of His lovingkindness, mercy, and grace. He has caused me to know that life is full of meaning; His meaning as He has worked all things together for my good.¹

For the years behind me, I can truly say that the deeper He leads, the more I love Him as the Beginning and the End.

Sixteen – New Beginnings, Once, Twice …

On May 9, 2010 “Wellspring” and Rielyn were one week old. I published the first actual post, which had to do with a childhood longing the Lord has met in ways I never expected; that of a desire to dance. I titled it “The Humble Stumble” – and Other Dance Steps. While my feet remain on terra firma, He captures my heart with new beginnings.

A couple of weeks ago our granddaughter went to her first prom. Photos of her and her boyfriend showed her arrayed in a gorgeous emerald gown. With her mane of beautiful brunette tresses, it was her hue. The blog photo above is a special nod to how exquisite she looked ♥ And, how I envision the rainbow encircling the throne of God –  

After all this I looked and saw a door in Heaven standing open, and the voice that I had previously heard, which resembled the blast of a trumpet, again spoke to me and said, “Come up here, and I will show you things which are to happen in the future.” Immediately I found myself in the Spirit, and saw a throne in Heaven, and some One sitting on the throne. The appearance of Him who sat there was like jasper or sard; and encircling the throne was a rainbow, in appearance like an emerald.

(Revelation 4:1-3 ~ Weymouth)

Is it any wonder that those skilled in precious gemstones are partial to an ‘emerald cut’ for this beautiful stone? A hexagonal cut, it is eight-sided.* Beautiful here. Eternally glorious around the throne – God’s promise of new beginnings forever heralded as the eighth facet of His rainbow of covenant to the seven portions of our human spirit.

Vineyard Days – A River Runs Beneath

No matter in what category or context I write in the body of “Wellspring”, in Vineyard Days, a river runs beneath.

This past year has been a difficult one, to say the least. But through it all, the river has not stopped flowing. If anything, it’s been preparing to crest again. As I continue to write, I do know this. The writing has changed and grown over the years, as it should. How otherwise do you discern that true and healthy growth has taken place, if not for the fruit? There are cycles to fruit-bearing. When you stop growing through life’s cycles, a stunted harvest results.

The Lord of the Harvest is ever mindful of every branch connected to Him. He has ways to coax new growth. Perhaps some of those ways are recorded in your own private diary of new beginnings. His eternal work in our internal being.

And some of those ways will yet be recorded in “Wellspring” and in the companion writings of the Redemptive Gifts. Lord willing, as I lift a glass of the spiritual wine long pressed and kept for the timing of this next year’s vintage.

Happy Sixteenth Birthday, sweet girl ~

RJ, this is the part that is hard to wrap my mind around. That you are now 16 years old is a testament to the years you have been growing. You are growing up. And like a wellspring, you can keep the grow flowing ~ Here’s to sixteen – new beginnings, once, twice… Abba God’s emerald facet of eight multiplied throughout your life ♥

Happy Birthday from my Grandma and Wellspring heart to yours, dearest Rielyn. You are so loved by Jesus and me.

Happy Sixteenth “Wellspring” Anniversary ~

From that first waltz in heaven’s realms, You have ensured the music has never stopped, my Bridegroom King. At times I have been barely able to keep up with You; at other times, Your heavenly metronome has been steady and deliberate. And often, it is Your singing over me that keeps me rooted in mercy land’s fertile soil for a fruitful yield.

To You I owe all the new beginnings You have ordained for me. Our story is far from finished in the annals of Eternity. Thank you for choosing the eighth day of the month for me to be born. You prophesied new beginnings even then. How could I not love You more today than yesterday? For with You, all things are possible; especially new beginnings.

~ Grandma Nanc & Gracefully Free

¹Romans 8:28 (NASB) –  And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

*the biblical number eight means new beginnings

“Wellspring” Fifteenth Anniversary & Birthday Edition        

Photo credit: Photo by Michael Dziedzic on Unsplash

©2026 Nancy C. Bentz