Tag: pandemic

Celebrating 50 Blog Posts!

Published on by tinavila204 Comments

Podcast available through Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Anchor!

FIFTY, Y’ALL.

I can’t even believe that’s real. I’m pretty proud of this milestone, which is why we’re going behind the scenes for a look on how we got here!

This is likely old news, but my background is in education. When I pursued a history teaching degree, I was sure I had found my life’s calling. Minoring in religious education meant all my favourite things were mixed into one undergraduate degree and I was set for life.

I truly loved each of the high schools at which I taught after earning my degree. Every school had its issues, every class had its drama, but I felt so content in my role. So fulfilled in my calling.

Mrs Avila – my first year teaching, 2009

And then, the move.

When we moved away from Montreal, I gave up a lot. My home, my family, my friends – as well as the seniority I was gaining with my school board. Still, I had no regrets.

It’s amazing how God fills you with His peace when you walk in His will.

I acquired my Ontario teaching license and was ready for that new classroom any moment now.

Well, it came as quite a surprise when I was without a teaching opportunity at all. Ontario’s teaching market was even more competitive than Quebec’s. So despite my modest seniority and the teaching experience I brought with me, I just couldn’t get my foot in the door. Nothing. Not a bite.

So I gave it up. That so-called calling was left to die.

I quickly moved on as life got busy settling into our new church, raising kids, and a part-time job I’ve been doing from home ever since.

Until two years ago when I felt a longing for more.

Sure, I missed having students, the structure of teaching, the exchange of ideas, the research and study that went into preparing lessons.

But then I realized, it was more than that! I had a restlessness in my spirit about the trajectory of my life and how I was spending my time. I felt aimless and purposeless and empty.

So when our pastor was putting together a study for his doctorate on discernment and the Holy Spirit, I took it as an opportunity to sort through some of this. I came out of the 8-week study with a clearer understanding of the source of my unrest. But also a clearer picture of what I wanted for the next season of my life.

I finally stopped ignoring my desire to continue my education. And although I’ve put a pin in that for now, one day this aging mama is going to do some graduate work in biblical studies or theology or something equally amazing.

I’ve accepted that the high school classroom isn’t for me…

Rather, I’m eager for opportunities to teach from God’s Word. It’s where my greatest passion and interest lies. I already get to do that with some amazing women at our church in a small group setting. Perhaps one day I’ll have opportunities to teach in a more formal capacity after acquiring some formal training.

Until then, starting this blog was the best thing I could have done to satisfy that desire. I couldn’t have predicted what the last two years were going to look like on a large scale. Although it’s hard for me to believe I’ve maintained consistent content throughout, I also can’t imagine what I would’ve done without this creative outlet in the midst of this pandemic.

The blog’s first year was an exercise in finding my voice. I explored all sorts of topics and some were, admittedly, complete rubbish.

Leading into the second year of the blog, I felt the immense gravity of what I was doing and was compelled to go deeper into faith topics exclusively. No doubt this has lost me readership, but I’m learning to be ok with that.

Online, as in life, I don’t feel I have much to offer if I’m not pointing to Jesus. I don’t do this perfectly by any means, just ask my family! But sharing from God’s Word is still my favourite thing. Anything else feels like a waste of your time. And I’m not about doing that!

I’m no authority on any given topic, but I do recognize where God has gifted me, and this has been my most life-giving venture by far.

First photo taken for the blog 2 years go!

Where do blog ideas come from?

The Bible! Reading the scriptures is my favourite spark of inspiration for topics to explore further. God teaches me a lot through His Word, and the teacher in me is continually compelled to pass along my findings.

My prayer, as Paul says in I Corinthians 11:23: that what I receive from the Lord, I would pass on to you… that what I’ve been learning would show up in my writing!

I’m also inspired by books, articles, podcasts, sermons, and songs. Message me for a list of current favourites!

What does the writing process look like?

I wish I had an ingenious formula to unveil here, but for the most part it’s pretty simple and not glamorous at all.

  • I start with a general thesis and come up with a working title to plug into my calendar. (There’s usually a few of these floating around in my drafts which get bumped up in the queue as they get closer to completion.)
  • I do additional research through online articles or biblical commentaries I borrow from our pastor.
  • As ideas formulate, I simply write and write and write! Sometimes just a little at a time, sometimes the entire post gets banged out in one sitting.

What do I hope to accomplish with the blog?

I’m often asked why I haven’t monetized the blog.

The reason is this: Right now, I write from the overflow of my heart. (Luke 6:45) I can’t say what financial income would do to this process. I want nothing more than to bring God glory with this blog and podcast.

So with no one to answer to, and no expectation to profit from it, I’m free. Plain and simple! No one owns me, and I don’t owe anyone a thing.

God speaks to me so loudly through His Word. He’s provided this space where I get to teach, in an unconventional way, the things that bring me life like nothing else.

Perhaps that’ll change someday. For now, I’m content in this. That you are still here is a blessing not lost on me. I’m so grateful and feel so lucky that despite 3 kids, 2 jobs, 1 Bible study, and all the other hats I wear as wife and homemaker, I get to do this.

I get to talk about Jesus and tell you about how great He is and how much He loves you and what lengths He took to reconcile you to Almighty God.

My screen is blurry with tears as I type this, but thank you for 50 posts. Thank you for being part of this journey with me.

May God bless you and keep you; May His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; May He turn His face toward you and give you peace.

– Numbers 6:24-26

What’s in the Ears

There’s a zillion songs to choose from, but this one sums up my life pretty well and how I hope it’ll end. This song was also really significant to me as it came out during our first autumn in Leamington 6 years ago. I have the fondest memories of that season and this song. Here are the lyrics. Enjoy!

Thanks again dear reader/listener! I’m curious if any of this was new to you? Drop any questions or comments below or send me a message!

Podcast available through Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Anchor!

Character over Comfort

Published on by tinavila204 Comments

Alright, I didn’t want to get into it. But sometimes God allows me to go through stuff that freakin’ sucks and then prompts my heart to write about it. So here we are. This is truly, from the overflow.

A few months ago, I shared about how my daughter doesn’t sleep and how it’s costing my very sanity. You can check it out here. Unfortunately, no change to report on that front. But it’s a tiny example of what many are dealing with in this season.

Our problems just won’t go away!

Maybe yours is related to…

  • the pandemic
  • polarized political views
  • relationship challenges (spouse, child, relative, friend?)
  • work struggles
  • physical health issues
  • strained mental health

…and all the ramifications thereof?

So let me ask you this:

Hearing that for the first time felt like a bucket of water dumped over my head; but like the coziest hug too… somehow all at the same time.

Some follow up questions:

What am I really after in this life? What do I really want?? Is it comfort? Is it ease? Is it a pain-free, smooth ride?

Umm, yes. That’s literally what I want. And all I want.

  • I don’t want things to be difficult.
  • I don’t want an uphill battle.
  • I don’t want to be pushed out of my comfort zone.
  • I don’t want to struggle.
  • I don’t want my people to struggle.
  • I don’t want to be uncomfortable
  • And I don’t want to grow. I DON’T!

This past year has been difficult on a lot of people, but not all for the same reasons. No matter your experience, I think we can all admit that it’s pretty much been THE WORST. We just can’t seem to agree on why.

Whether you fear the virus, the government, or what another minute stuck in your house will do to your mental health… we all have a choice in how we’ll deal with what we’re facing.

I confess, this year of survival mode for me has been with a lot of numbing. Numbing with Netflix, comfort foods, mindless scrolling, etc.

But is that the ultimate goal? I’ve really got to ask myself: is this all I want?? To be numbed out of feeling any kind of pain that forces me to deal with hard things?

And what then? Say I choose to deal with those things. Once that’s done and I’ve put on my big girl pants, maybe even matured a little… What do I do with it all?

It’s meaningless if God’s Kingdom mission does not become my own life mission.

Let me say that again...

If my life doesn’t become about God’s kingdom mission, it’s all meaningless.

At some point we must ask ourselves:

Do we actually want to be used by God in drawing people to Him?
And if following Jesus is so important to us, why are we not talking about it more?

These are just questions I’m personally wrestling with. I’m sorry if they ruffle feathers. But also, not sorry…?

Because honestly, I’m just nearing the end of myself with this extreme desperation for comfort over character. After all, comfort does not build character. As much as I wish it would. And the longer I sit in the presence of Jesus, the less I care about how cushy my sweet little life really is.

If you’re looking for validation in your quest for comfort, then good news is that you can absolutely settle for simply eternal salvation with a comfortable life!

That’s because God’s love for us doesn’t change. BUT! …our effectiveness does.

If you’re like me and the latter doesn’t sit well with you, then read on, friend! There’s work to be done if we’re willing!

Here’s what I propose regarding character > comfort:

Let’s get back to the basics!

  • LOVE GOD. LOVE PEOPLE. (Mark 12:30-31)
  • LOVE YOUR ENEMIES (Luke 6:27-36)
  • TAKE GREATER INTEREST IN OTHERS – less navel-gazing? (Philippians 2:1-11)
  • PRAY FOR THOSE WHO PERSECUTE YOU – or even just disagree with you! (Matthew 5:44)
  • BE HUMBLE (Ephesians 4:2)
  • HUNGER AND THIRST FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS – desperate desire to be right with God! (Matthew 5:6)
  • SHOW MERCY (James 2:12-13)
  • HAVE A PURE HEART – integrity! (Philippians 1:9-11)
  • WORK FOR PEACE (Romans 14:19)
  • WATCH YOUR ANGER (Matthew 5:21-22)
  • BE GENEROUS (2 Corinthians 9:6-8)
  • BE PERFECT – ok, ouch (Matthew 5:48)

We could go on, of course. But a common thread is that these can be super hard to do!

In general, we’re just not naturally inclined to do anything that might compromise our comfort. It goes against our survival instincts!

It requires intentional work and sacrifice. But these are the very things that will build REAL character in our lives.

It’s truly a matter of priorities. What matters more to me? Obedience to God, His will, His purpose for my life? Or my own plans and agenda?

Perhaps you can relate to this, but I have a tendency to manipulate my own interpretations of scripture or understanding of God’s character to suit my needs and desires.

Yes, God is for us. (Romans 8:31)
Yes, He fights our battles. (Exodus 14:14)
Yes, He works for our favour… etc etc etc. (Psalm 84:11)

These things are true AND biblical! But how they manifest may look very different from God’s perspective and our expectations.

My tattoo says: “YET HE IS STILL GOOD”. A reminder that even when things don’t go the way I want, God is still good. I am stubborn, forgetful, and lazy. So I needed this permanently etched on my skin as a reminder of God’s forever goodness. For a post I wrote about it, click here!

Let’s recall our original question, is He still good if He only sustains me through the very thing I’m asking Him to save me from?

Can I come to terms with that, and still trust Him?

Can I still believe that the comfort I’m giving up to follow Him will be worth the character He is building in me?

Worth the intimacy He offers in His presence? Is it worth it? Is He worth it?

Because it’s got to be a daily sacrifice of comfort.

Even more than that, it’s also a sacrifice of control. Or actually, the illusion of control.

I think this past year taught me that more than any other time in my life. I don’t actually control my life like I thought I did! The question is, will I trust God with all that this implies, or claw my way back to the driver’s seat of a car I’m lousy at driving anyway?

I’m almost positive that this blog post has got more questions than any other I’ve written. Probably because I’m still working through all this.

  • I haven’t arrived.
  • I’m not yet where I want to be.
  • I’m still selfish and moody.
  • Still fail constantly at all the basics I previously mentioned.
  • Still revert to numbing pain.
  • Still prioritize my own comfort over submitting to the character-building I know God wants for me.
  • Still learning to bring that mess of crap to Jesus.
  • Still learning to trust Him to sustain me.

My dearly loved readers….

I pray with great faith for you, because I’m fully convinced that the One who began this good work in you will faithfully continue the process of maturing you until the unveiling of our Lord Jesus Christ!

– Philippians 1:6

What’s in the Ears

Couldn’t bear the thought of slappin a self-promoting song onto this blog post. It’s always all about Jesus. This song is a great one for that. Check lyrics here!

The struggle is so real. The tension between comfort and character is palpable. But there’s goodness in it!
Do you feel yourself fighting against it? Or is your heart shouting, yes! To be honest, I’m a bit of both. So if that’s you too, you’re not alone, friend. Let me know your thoughts on this! Send me a message or comment below!