Welcome to A Pocket-Sized Desert!
Poems, essays, and reflections on a journey of faith.
Hi friends,
Well, here we are! It is officially week one of my newsletter, A Pocket-Sized Desert. As we embark on our first week together, I want to welcome each of you and begin with a sincere thank you for joining me in this new endeavor!
First, a poem for the desert…
Erēmos
In the desert, I find you.
And while I’m seeking, the vastness of the dune sand changes— the landscape shifts as light chases shadows across the peaks and mountain faces.
And though I’m searching for you, in the deepness of the wilderness, I find me.
And when I find myself, I also realize you’ve always been there too, waiting for my wandering spirit to awaken in the wilderness.
What is a pocket-sized desert?
Seven months ago, I began a six month sabbatical. If I’m being perfectly honest, I fought the idea for almost a year before finally giving in. I have always been a doer. I love helping people, and I enjoy being productive. The idea of pausing life entirely and taking a break from the career I had spent nearly a decade building was not in my plans.
But, as he so often does, God kept reminding me of what he was inviting me into. Whether it was through words from trusted friends, comments from complete strangers, or quiet whispers in my morning meditation, all I kept hearing was an invitation to rest.
Most thirty-six year olds are settling into their careers and establishing themselves in their work, and yet here I was getting ready to pause it all and lay down everything I had spent my whole adult life building. Why? What was the purpose here?
When I finally gave in, I drummed up as much courage and faith as I could, but I had no idea what was ahead. I assumed that my sabbatical would be a time of rest, healing, and renewal, but I never envisioned the reality of the season to come. I would definitely rest from many things and healing would certainly come in waves; God would also renew me in ways I could never have orchestrated on my own.
However, before I experienced the fullness of these things, I would go through a wilderness. And in that wilderness season, I would collect breadcrumbs of identity and calling which would lead to deep levels of surrender and trust. I would also lay down my teaching career entirely and begin to pick up my writing more intentionally. Things would shift beneath my feet and everything would change around me in the process.
To be honest, I didn’t expect any of it. Yet, here I am living in my new beginning.
What is a pocket-sized desert? It is a space deep within us that can become a well spring of wisdom, faith, and hope. A space cultivated in the more difficult seasons of life which becomes an access point to God’s heart within our own heart. It is the space within us where we come face-to-face with our true selves, where we confront lies and false narratives, and where we learn to stand firm in our identity (all of me - the light and the shadows).
It is the place within us where the wisdom and identity we gain in the desert dwells. For me, it is the place I go to when I need to be reminded of who I am and who God is.
My hope is that this newsletter traces some of my journey and invites you in. My longing is that through vulnerability in sharing my own experience of self-discovery, I encourage you to take your own. My deepest desire is for you to see God in all the ways he exists — in the minutia, in the big transitions, in the unanswered prayer, in the miracles, in the margins of a busy life, in the shadows of the past, in the reality of the present — in it all.
Because, the truth is… He is always there. He just isn’t pushy. His love is not the kind of love that will barrage the entryway. He will never force you to go to the depth of where he calls you, but he will always invite you in.
My hope is you, like me, will answer this divine invitation.
What can you expect?
Weekly Newsletter
As a subscriber, you will receive a weekly newsletter (usually on Tuesdays), which will include exclusive essays from me along with some weekly features. Weekly features include the Poetry Nook where I share some poetry I’m writing or reading, the There’s A Book On That where I share some great resources on the week’s topics, the upcoming Desert Spirituality series where I deep-dive ancient practices in spiritual formation, and much more.
Devotional Series
Every once in a while, I will launch a devotional series. Each devotional series will be organized around a specific theme or topic relevant to spiritual formation. Each series will run for several weeks and include readings, reflections, prayers, and spiritual practices to encourage and inspire you along your faith journey.
Writing and Event Updates
You will be the first to hear about any new books, projects, or event announcements. I have several manuscripts in the works and will send exclusive updates as things begin to take shape. I am also working on a project on identity and calling, which will hopefully be ready to launch later this year, so stay tuned!
Join the Conversation
Join in on the conversation by giving a like and/or dropping a comment below. Every contribution matters, shaping a community where meaningful discussions thrive. Your insights can enrich our collective understanding and ignite a thoughtful exchange of ideas.
Finally, some housekeeping…
If you can’t find the newsletter, check your Spam folder or Promotions tab, and move this email to your primary inbox.
Feel like sharing?
Feel free to share my newsletter with your family and friends — on social media, email/text, the link below, or otherwise. My dream is to grow this community and create a space where we can listen and learn from one another.
Thank You
Thank you for supporting me in this new adventure. Thank you for believing in my writing and believing in me. This moment marks a big vocational shift for me and I couldn’t do it without you all. Truly. So, thank you. Have I said it enough? Thank you.
Cheers to diving into the deep together!
With love,
Jamie