It’s time to party again! Welcome to the “Wellspring” Ninth Anniversary & Birthday Edition. Join me in blowing some kazoos and losing balloons that float up to the cathedral ceiling! Though out of reach, balloons know how to hang around until they run out of hot air. Near or far, you’re welcome to hang a while with me!
Today, May 2 “Wellspring” and our granddaughter turn nine years of age. Neither one is little any longer! They have both been actively growing, learning new things, becoming more skilled, and developing in who they are. As her grandmother, I look at RJ and wonder at how quickly the years have gone – for Gma Nanc! Meanwhile, I see my granddaughter living in formative years, from a blessed vantage point of decades’ assurance and confidence that beneath our generational lives are Abba’s secure, eternal arms. That eases growing pains. For both of us ♥
How well I remember nine. So much so, that I recorded a post by that title three years ago. It was written when I was part of a collaborative blog called Ishshah’s Story. Though no longer an active blog, treasures remain on the site. I share Nine with you in its entirety here on Wellspring of Life. I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one who can readily identify with standing between childhood and the early budding of girlhood. Such a lot of change and almost but not yet woven together. Through it all, our Heavenly Father sees us, loves us, and remains the Home to which our hearts may always return.
Streams from the Faucet
When I began Wellspring of Life nine years ago, it was an act of stepping out in simple faith. I worked with what I had in my hand, shared stories of God’s very real Presence in our lives – if we but look for Him, and have since witnessed Him draw forth more than I could have thought or imagined with streams from the faucet He turned to the ‘on’ position in me.
I’ve needed a plumber from time to time; some seasons it has trickled while others it has flowed. Every twist and turn has held a lesson to be learned. How true of life whether nine or decades plus.
Since Nine was written three years ago the Lord has crammed a lot of life learning into that trio of years. Which means it has come out in writing, and writing, and more writing. Vineyard Days remains and will yet produce. The series of Reflections of an Election Heart and More of What Matters stepped to the forefront over the span of two years, and 2019 began with Dear Christian.
What’s been written has its roots in what Father God imprinted in this wellspring since the ancient days He first created fountains and springs. The journey is one of re-tapping into the Source.
The Latest Riverdeavor
In early 2018, I began to be carried on to a new endeavor. Riverdeavor is an accurate rendering of the latest things the Lord had waiting up His sleeve. The past sixteen months have brought us to two days ago when I re-launched my nancybentz.com website with a refresh and refocus. Five grace-filled years since it (and this companion website) was first launched, nancybentz.com has a new direction to flow. Remember what I said about re-tapping into the Source? That’s very much at the heart of the new site.
I invite you to visit, subscribe if you haven’t already, and share the site with others who are desirous of embracing your design for redemptive living. Pre-posted articles and pages on the menus / dropdowns are there to share background and lay a foundation for the ongoing riverdeavor God has appointed me.
Over these nine years, I can trace the Lord’s touch on my hands as we have written together. In the growing, which at times has been hard, painful, or called for perseverance with patience, He has placed ones on my heart, known and unknown. So it should come as no surprise that this riverdeavor is for the many.
These days in which we live are not as easy and carefree as we would like. However, there is richness to be found in the shade and shape of our lives by the hand of the One who loves us more than life itself. Please receive as a “Wellspring” Ninth Anniversary & Birthday Edition gift, the following Gemstones of Remembrance, the first blessing posted in Blessings For Your Spirit, a new feature on the refreshed nancybentz.com website.
as the balloons float down…
Tomorrow will be the first day of a new unfolding year – for you, RJ sweetie – and for Wellspring.
Today, happy birthday with joy! I pray that what is released this fortuitous ninth year will cause you to grow strong in spirit and be filled with wisdom. Yes, nine year old wisdom can exude grace.1
Finally, since the last shall be First – Bridegroom King, You have and hold my heart and life. Still ~
In You, we’ve ever only just begun, yet are made complete.*
May Your grace be upon us all,
Grandma Nanc & Gracefully Free
1 Luke 2:40
*the biblical 9 means divine completeness and represents the nine fruits of God’s Holy Spirit – faithfulness, gentleness, goodness, joy, kindness, longsuffering, love, peace, and self-control
(alas, no photos of RJ – dad’s employment calls for online safety precautions, wisdom in today’s cultural climate)
Shammahs Field LLC/Shammah Ministries is the biblical counseling, coaching, teaching and spiritual growth ministry entrusted to Wayne & Nancy Bentz. You can learn more about the resources they have to offer here at shammahsfield.com and nancybentz.com.
Happy Birthday to both 9 year olds! 🙂 I was thinking about this birthday coming as I sent out Rielyn’s
birthday card. The new web-site is beautiful, all of the time and effort that has gone into it shows.
I haven’t been able to peek into all of the areas yet, but as I get a few minutes to sit down, I will work my way through.
I love the blessing in the post, beautiful!
Love you lots Sis,
Jan
Thank you for the double birthday wishes (and remembering Rielyn – she likes mail)! I’m glad you like the new site – so different and colorful; I’m pleased with it too ♥ Yes, a lot of time and work…to continue too. May the blessing soak deeply into the spirit of all who read it. Wear your sparkling crown as royalty. Love you too!