Where does God want you to be?
I started Discipline December with a simple prayer:
“Lord, help me see myself as the person You created me to be. Help me to learn myself, know what You are calling me to do, and be disciplined in doing it.”
And, my goodness, this month was extraordinary.
I ran into three fans.
I’m not famous, nor do I have a ridiculously large audience, and I wouldn’t feel comfortable using the word “fan” if they hadn’t done so themselves. So, I knew this was all God’s doing.
The first fan stopped me while I was walking through the streets of London. I thought I was imagining hearing “Isis! Isis!” over the bustling crowd. She ran up to me and told me how much she admired “the way I think.” She had purchased my first book on Amazon, followed me on social media, and, ironically, felt inspired to get offline and travel the world for a year. She was now touring through Europe.
The second fan approached me at a café in Dallas, where I was sitting, head down, planning my writing residency. She walked up and shared that she “saw God in everything I touch.” She told me she was agnostic, but through my work and words, she’d found her way to Christ and had never felt such peace.
The third fan was a client of mine whom I noticed first. I was in a sushi restaurant with my family in Birmingham, Alabama, when I saw her walk in. When I went over to her table, she screeched with joy—and so did I! I was so overwhelmed with excitement and trying not to cry that I missed much of what she said. But I heard clearly that she’s thriving and happy, and her therapy practice, which I guided her in launching, is doing well.
Finding Joy in Simply Being
It was through these three encounters that I finally understood what the Lord has probably been trying to tell me for a while now:
Simply existing and serving God is good enough.
I tend to overthink sometimes, questioning how I can help others, what tips to offer, and which strategies are worth sharing. It’s been ingrained in me, through my years on social media, that I need to share “valuable content.” Or worse, that I need to be a walking, talking piece of valuable content.
These three people reminded me that my value isn’t in the strategies I teach but in who I was already created to be. Everything will work out when I’m obedient to my calling. My clients’ lives are transformed not through what I have done but by what God is doing through me.
Building My Dream, Simple, Quiet-Luxury Life
I learned more about myself in these past 30 days and three encounters than in the entire previous year—literally, I made a list and counted. Now, I’m stepping into 2025 with renewed clarity and discipline. What I’ve realized is that my dream life isn’t about constant motion—it’s about finding joy in intentional presence.
Cutting Back on “Convenience”
I’m trading my iPhone for a simpler device, choosing deeper connection over constant connectivity.
I deleted my Amazon Prime account. Since the beginning of November, I haven’t ordered anything, opting instead to shop from small or local businesses. I’ve enjoyed getting out and about more!
I’m considering deleting Netflix and all streaming services. Is it too extreme? I haven’t yet decided.
Relocation + Home Building
My husband and I are finally actively planning the cross-country move we’ve been dreaming of. We’ve been putting it off and waiting for the perfect time: when it’s warm, when I’m pregnant, when I finish grad school, etc. But perfect circumstances aren’t given—they’re created through faith and action.
I’m scaling back travel, finding freedom in stillness and the joy of being home. I love to travel, but flying overseas monthly takes the wonder and excitement out of it. I like home. I like my plush, hotel-style comforter and my breakfast nook during sunrise. I like my oversized sofa that fits a family and the little French jewelry tray that holds all my pens. I’m excited to spend more time here.
Hiring + Scaling
I’m rebuilding my support team, recognizing that even in this season of intentional living, delegation multiplies impact. When I left Instagram, I assumed I no longer needed a team. I was wrong. I still appreciate someone being a sounding board for me like I am for others—and some help planning my creative residencies and responding to emails.
So, where does God want you to be?
As you step into this new year, remember that your greatest offering isn't in the endless doing but in the sacred act of being. God's purpose for you may be quieter, simpler, and more profound than you imagined. Trust that in stillness, in presence, in simply showing up as who He created you to be, you're exactly where you need to be.
I definitely needed this read I have been revisiting the slow present moments now that I am not working that I asked and prayed for and now that I am here I find myself struggling with the mental battle of why am I not doing more.
I know it’s because this stillness doesn’t look the way I planned it because I am not working and have no idea my next move to earn an income or have enough savings to sit still for awhile but that defeats the point of walking by faith.
Thank you for sharing your journey!
Isis your messages are channeling beauty resilience and everything that you write. I’m hoping I can follow a similar path with my art and art therapy. I appreciate your presence here.
Blessings