Behind the Scenes: A Message From Your Hostesses

Hello my darling Zesters! This past month has been unlike any other time in my life, and I want to share a little of it with you, my zesty chicks. You know that God called Heidi and me to start this blog. And you know that a lot of prayer has gone into it. But what you might not know is how things have been working behind the scenes here at Adding Zest, and that's what I want to share because it's a testimony of how great our God is and how He cares for all the little details we (okay, I) tend to get hung up on.

God has teamed us up, and even though we're on opposite sides of the world—literally, we're side-by-side on everything we've had to make decisions about. And I mean everything.

When one of us emails the other with a hesitant idea—hesitant because we feel like we're being completely crazy—the other writes back bouncing off the walls. Why? Because God had given them the same idea, or one very similar.

This happened on Friday. I had sent a verse to Heidi that Amy Bayliss had read at the A Woman Inspired conference and when she read it, my heart stood up and screamed “YES!!! THAT'S IT!! That's what we're doing at Zest!” It was truly a God-moment, loud and clear and in full-color. So I sent that verse to Heidi, and my little computer vibrated with her joy and enthusiasm when her email pinged back to me. It was the same theme God had given her a few weeks ago.

THIS is what's been going on behind the scenes here at Adding Zest! And it's feeding our excitement. We're so glad you're joining us on this journey.

I'll let Heidi explain more...

Since starting this blog, there has been much behind the scenes work, prayer, and communication. Patty and I think it is important to share some of what has transpired because it all points to one thing: God has a plan for you!

The bottom line? God wants you to experience freedom, joy, and fruitfulness. Someway, somehow, He is calling us to address this issue of sexuality as a door to promote freedom and fruitfulness as we were created to experience.

Over the past few months, God has instructed Patty and I regarding the direction of this blog and He independently and individually impressed on us His goal. The theme He has given us is "Rebuilding the Ruins."

Many of us have experienced sexual shame, sin, addictions, and abuse. Many others of us have experienced trauma, loss, legalistic and authoritative backgrounds, and much more. The result of these factors is the same: we live with fears and beliefs that affect our capacity for intimacy (sexual and non-sexual). In some cases, we are repeating in our homes, parenting, and lives what was passed down to us from our parents and their parents before them.

As you can see, this is about more than just sex. Yet our sexual lives deeply reflect these issues and affect our husbands, homes, and ministries, robbing them of becoming all they are meant to become. Since sex is so powerful an experience, it also has the capability of getting us "stuck" in these second best patterns. Fortunately, for the same reason, it has the capability of getting us "unstuck," praise God!

If you are reading this blog, then I believe God has a specific purpose for you. It is stated in Isaiah 61:4

"Then they will rebuild the ancient ruins. They will raise up the former devastations. They will repair the ruined cities, the desolations of many generations."

The purpose God has for you is to rebuild the ruins and/or to help others rebuild theirs. In some cases such as mine, these are ruins that may have been in family lines for many generations. Your sexuality is part of it, as is your whole being. As we learn to open up through giving and receiving intimacy and serving our spouses through our sexuality, we will find ourselves empowered and changing in other areas as well.

One last thought I think is important to mention is that the goal of all this is not for ourselves. It is not just so that we can have more joy and freedom in life. It is not just so our families can be happier and healthier. It is ultimately for God's glory to be manifested to a world in need of transforming hope. Exekiel 36:36, another verse God gave Patty and I says it this way:

"Then the nations that are left round about you will know that I, the Lord, have rebuilt the ruined places and planted that which was desolate. I, the Lord, have spoken and I will do it."

The result of "Rebuilding the Ruins" is one that points others to an Almighty God and affects many, many others for generations to come. Want to be a part of that? I sure do!! Stick with us, help spread the word, and please pray for us as we seek God's face in fulfilling His purpose for this blog.

We love you, zesty chicks!