Pursuing Her Passion: Katie of A Place to Dwell

I'm excited to share another lovely lady's story on the blog for our Pursuing Her Passion series! I'm warning you ahead of time that you are going to fall in love with the sweet heart of Katie from A Place to Dwell.  I've been touched by this Beauty's encouraging words and story about how she is personally pursuing her passion and call on her life. Be encouraged, friends:

{photo cred: LuSarah SEAS Photography}

I’m so thankful that Moriah has welcomed me to share my creative story with you here on her beautifully inspiring blog. I just love the heart and purpose behind this series — to encourage women to discover the passions He’s given them and to inspire them to pursue those passions fearlessly.

I recently read a great piece of scripture shared via The Influence Network: "Use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms." (1 Peter 4:10)

{photo cred: LuSarah SEAS Photography}

I feel truly blessed that He has gifted me with a heart that loves to create. Following my God-given passions has been an adventure in getting to know myself — and Him — better. It’s been exciting and challenging, and it’s taught me to take risks and to trust Him even more. There have been — and continue to be — plenty of moments of doubt and uncertainty, but He never fails to step in and nudge me to keep going, keep learning, and keep creating.

A bit of background for you: I grew up an avid reader and writer, and so, when it came time for me to settle on a major in college, it just made sense that the focus would be writing (journalism and English). Somewhere along the way, he also captured my heart with art. I fell in love with creating collages, using art and poetry to create beautiful and meaningful stories.

As the years have passed, my adventures in writing and art making have only expanded through blogging, graphic design, painting, and typography. I love using each of those mediums to express myself and give glimpses of who He is and what He’s doing in my life and my heart.

All of those experiences have led me to my current passion, which is using my writing and artwork to bring hope, beauty, and encouragement — and to inspire joy in Him. Through my words and artwork, I hope to encourage women to live inspired lives — to live their lives fully and creatively no matter what season they find themselves in.

{photo cred: LuSarah SEAS Photography}

With this mission in mind, I write and create from a place of honesty and vulnerability, because I currently find myself in a season where I am often struggling with His timing. One of the deepest desires of my heart is to be a wife and a mother. However, I’m currently 29, and I still find myself in a season of singleness. I’ve certainly wrested through this with God many times in prayer, crying out and asking why He’s given me these desires, only to leave them unfulfilled for so long.

In the midst of my questions to God about those unfulfilled hopes, I recently felt Him speak this to my heart: That He was giving me this season as a gift to pursue the creative dreams I have and to continue to learn and serve and to be prepared. He gently told me that if I continue to seek Him and be who He made me to be, He will take care of those other desires — in His perfect timing. 

I wrote these words in my journal during one of those times of prayer:  I just want to keep being me, doing what I was made to do, and trusting that God will work out everything in my life, according to His perfect plan and timetable.

As I wait on answers to some of the prayers and hopes I hold closest to my heart, I’m making the most of this season to create. I want to fully use the gifts He’s so generously given me to share His grace and story and character with others.

I’m currently writing an eBook to encourage women to live inspired lives, and I’m also working to set up an Etsy shop where I will sell my digital and collage artwork creations. I’m truly excited to continue on this creative adventure He’s designed just for me, and I know that through it all, He will continue to help me become more and more of the woman He created me to be.

I want to encourage you that no matter what season you currently find yourself in, He has big plans for you. Seek Him, talk to Him, ask Him what He hopes for you right now, today. Invite Him to shape your dreams and your passions, and ask Him to give you the courage and confidence to be the woman He created you to be. He’s gifted you with talents that are uniquely yours, and if you open your heart to His leading, He is always faithful to lead you and use you to make a beautiful difference in His name.

Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. (Proverbs 16:3)" - Katie

Thanks so much for sharing your story with us, Katie!

To connect with Katie, visit her: blog // facebook // twitter