When Words Jumped Off the Page

More than fourteen years ago, I found myself at a crossroads.

I knew I wanted to go deeper in my faith, but after moving to Atlanta, I wasn’t sure what that next step should be. A friend from Chicago connected me with a spiritual director in Atlanta.

During one of our conversations, I asked if there were any programs or resources he would recommend. He replied, “Well, I’m biased, but I think Renovaré is one of the best things out there.” Then he suggested I read some books by Richard Foster and Dallas Willard.

At the time, I had never heard of Renovaré, Richard Foster, or Dallas Willard.

For some reason, I confidently replied, “I’ll know within the first two chapters whether I connect with it or not.” Looking back, that was a strange thing to say. But it turned out to be true. When I got home, I looked up Richard Foster’s Celebration of Discipline online and began reading.

Then I came across these words:

“God intends the disciplines of the spiritual life to be for ordinary human beings: people who have jobs, who care for children, who must wash dishes and mow lawns.”

I kept reading.

“In fact, the disciplines are best exercised in the midst of our normal daily activities.”

And suddenly, I was in tears.

What moved me wasn’t simply the idea of spiritual disciplines. It was the realization that God wasn’t asking me to escape my ordinary life in order to find Him. He was inviting me to find Him right in the middle of it:

In my work.
In my relationships.
In my responsibilities.
In the everyday rhythms of life.

For years, I had viewed spiritual growth as something reserved for people with more time, more knowledge, or a more obvious calling. Foster’s words reminded me that God meets ordinary people in ordinary places. Those paragraphs didn’t just encourage me. They redirected me.

They eventually led me to participate in Renovaré’s two-year spiritual formation cohort. Along the way, I discovered companions, mentors, and practices that have shaped my faith for more than a decade.

Now, years later, I find myself helping lead a Renovaré summer study for more than 200 women at our church.

Looking back, it feels like one of those moments when God was quietly guiding my path long before I could see where it was leading.

Have you ever had words jump off the page of a book?

A passage of Scripture, a poem, a sermon, or a paragraph that seemed written just for you?

I’d love to hear about it in the comments.