Who are you, Lord?
Kaleigh • Ozark, Missouri
I Am Here
Stephanie • Asia Pacific
A Boy Goes To War
Grant • Nixa, Missouri
At My Right Hand
Sabrina • Hannibal, Missouri
Show Off
Kirstin • Knoxville, Tennessee
FROM THE EDITOR
Our stories are teasers to who we are. “Let me tell you what happened this morning,” we say, and we go on to share the adventures and wanderings and the ups and downs and the barely hanging ons. Maybe the tales have been forgotten by mid-afternoon or the next month. Then again, sometimes the day’s developments linger, wearing out their welcome.
Listen carefully, past the black and white of the details, and a story can provide clues of lessons learned and marks of growth pressed hardest into the door frame.
Books I Like
Click each book to learn more about the author. No affiliate links here, folks.
Inside people
• People growing above fear and anxiety
“Whatever form of rejection you have experienced, take heart that God calls you His own — accepted and chosen.”
Brooke Sneed, Better than Rejection Therapy
What we are reading
Redemption
“At the time, I let anxiety, fear, and anger rule my life. I was a self-proclaimed atheist, after being raised in church by God-fearing, devoted parents.”
Rescued from Darkness
“My take away from that conversation was any life I could offer her was better than life as an orphan on the island of Haiti.”
Created for Purpose
“We were both shaken by the suffering, pain, and trauma this woman had experienced, and we simply could not fathom that no one would help her.”
Big, Bad Days; Brighter Hope
“Many times as I would pass through the entrance, I would feel fear in the air. Yet, I would sense the presence of my Father ever so greater. He reminded me Whose I was and Who had sent me on the mission.”
because our stories have purpose
Poet Emily Dickinson wrote, “If I can ease one life the aching, … I shall not live in vain.” Ah, purpose. Growth often brings gratitude and joy, but getting there isn’t always quick, smooth or easy. Homegrown Journal was created to cheer others on by sharing true stories of real people growing through one journey or another. Stories of hope, courage, grit, bravery, joy.
Help Homegrown Journal keep growing. Peruse upcoming topics and write your story. Connect us with folks whose experiences need to be shared. Spread the word about the good happening here. Click the links and complete the forms or email us at yeptohelp@homegrownjournal.com.
• People growing through grief
To keep growing is to keep learning. As it turns out, curiosity becomes us. Now and again, Homegrown Journal trades writing and telling for asking. Happy to say, we could do this all day.
The Letter
“Nothing compares to knowing people are cheering you on in life, celebrating your successes and championing you through each season of life. In a world full of hate, conflict and fear — be the light. Be someone’s cheerleader and blessing for the day.”
Morgan Copeland
Leaders,
Roll Up Your Sleeves
“The best leaders come to mind because they live a story with you, build something together, and leave a legacy in your development. The best leaders make you better and celebrate growth through challenges.”
Philip Herzog
• People growing in purpose and calling
True Love
Dezirae • Republic, Missouri
Ready, Set, Restart
Milana • Bentonville, Arkansas
Created for Purpose
Savannah • Springfield, Missouri
An introvert, standing alone, inside a maximum-security prison
Mark • Bolivar, Missouri
Incapable
Chrissy • Ozark, Missouri
Meet us @homegrown.journal
Search for more to keep you growing
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THE AUDACITY • Consider with me the audacity of growth. On one hand, a seed will never produce a cucumber, strawflower or peach while stagnant. A relationship must evolve if it wants to move past hi. A teacher will never be without leaving the safety of self. Yet, what growth requires of us is absurd. The usual, the normal, the routine – poof – gone. Something has to give in order for something different to come about. THE INSTIGATOR • Or, like a red turtle shell in Mario Kart. A plot twist sends us spinning, dizzying us up, then expects us to decide how to best proceed for a comeback, albeit a bit banged up. If we can muster up the courage and find our bearings, a bend in our curve can be the instigator of growth. THE GRATITUDE • If I may be so bold, perhaps the reptile projectile might even cause our future selves to be grateful for the change of pace, new perspective, series of fortunate events (seeya, Bowzer). If the discomfort of sand can grow a pearl, imagine what an uncomfortable moment or two might grow in us. #keepgrowing • Julie, editor@homegrownjournal.com
Springfield, Missouri
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