I’m aware that for some of you this will sound very strange, and that’s ok. But I’ve always been transparent, so I know no other way to share this account than how it happened. Since it’s making such a large impact on our lives, I wanted to share. Perhaps it will impact you too.
Around the first week of August I traveled to the Fort Meyers area to visit with my aunt for my birthday. We got a hotel along the beach, but the best part of the trip was definitely the company. I wasn’t that impressed with the beach there. It was probably my least favorite of all I’ve visited, and the hotel was nothing like I imagined. I could hardly take the girls to the pool due to the large crowd of adults (doing adult things, lol) there. I promise there’s a point to my descriptions of the area. Just know, it wasn’t going down as my best mini vacay ever.
Anyway, the last night there I felt a very real uneasiness, off kilter, like something was missing. I grabbed my Bible, because that’s what I do when I feel that way, but before I could get into scripture I felt the Lord tell me to go outside where it was quiet, so I could hear Him better. The girls were awake and running around in the hotel room, so the request made perfect sense. I went to the quiet balcony and took a seat.
“I’m here,” I prayed. “What now?”
I felt the Lord say, “I need you to move here.”
“I can certainly think of better beach towns to relocate to,” I joked.
He repeated, “I need you to move here.”
“When?” I asked.
“Soon.”
I continued in prayer with the Lord, and I felt that September would be the when. I felt on one hand that the Lord wanted to move my family for our protection. For some time I have had the impression that this fall will not be a good time in our country. COVID, elections, civil unrest. I’m not afraid, but I do feel like a portion of this move will be a safety thing for us. Above that, I feel it is God positioning us for His kingdom purposes. I’ve posted on social media before a vision of red push pins on a map, strings joining the pins across the globe. I believe something monumental is going on in this world, but also in the spiritual realm. The Lord is positioning His saints for His purposes. As I prayed, I heard the words “racial reconciliation,” and I pictured a black man I had seen on the street the day prior, how his eyes had glanced towards me untrustingly, and how at that time my heart had wanted to cry, “I love you, brother.” This is the first time I’ve put down that part of all this.
I have stepped out with this word, and I believe the time has come that the Lord will start opening doors and paving the way for this move. I now feel the release to share this with coworkers, friends, and family, beyond the small circle I’ve already told. God is doing something, y’all. In this world, but also in the hearts of each person. If we are open to His Spirit, He will do amazing things. Our life the past few years has been about following the Lord’s plan for us. We consider each day of our lives a ministry. My husband is so supportive and together we are in agreement for God’s plans to direct our steps. The past eight months of stability, with a permanent job (with all its perks) has been nice, but that’s just not what God has for us right now. I’m not sure if it ever will be.
This morning, when I felt the release to speak this openly, I also felt that God is about to move big time in our lives, but God works in our hearts to the degree we are willing to allow Him access. With that in mind, I realize there is a lot of distraction in this world. I shared recently the attacks we have been under since the Lord spoke this next step, and I understand now is a time where I must focus on His truth. Each day is a ministry opportunity, but we have to be listening. With that in mind, I will be disabling Facebook and Twitter. The noise is too great. This was a difficult decision for me because I love sharing what God is doing with y’all, and I know social media is a big part of that. I have weighed the pros and cons. Maybe I’ll be back one day, but for now I cut off distraction so I will have ears to hear God in this season.
I will continue to update the blog on our lives and what God is doing, but I will not be able to share it to Facebook. As always, you can find me at briegowen.com. You can join the (email) mailing list at the bottom of each post. You can even share to social media yourself with the share buttons provided at the bottom of a post, but if you just look on Facebook, you won’t find me. If you need to contact me, my Facebook messenger will still be active even though my Facebook newsfeed and page is disabled. I will keep FB and Twitter open for the next 24 hours, just so friends can see this post, but then I’ll be absent from the noise. I think social media is awesome, and I’m going to miss a lot of it. But there’s a lot I won’t miss. I don’t think we’re meant to see some of the inner ugliness that’s been apparent lately. It’s heartbreaking, and my spirit can hardly take it. Beyond that, it brews things in me that I know aren’t always of God. Three years ago we opted for a simple life. The exit of social media will make it even more so. I am saddened for the great many, Facebook friends I’ve discovered, especially over the last year. Please, y’all, keep in touch via Messenger. I don’t want to lose the sweet spirits God has placed in my life.
With joyous anticipation I look forward to the things God has planned, and I look forward with continuing to share that with you all, via my website. Thank you for following along on my journey.
P.S. If you still want to see photos of my adorable children and our adventures, I’ll still post pictures to my Instagram account, which is the same name as my website. ☺️
Susan says
Wow that is so exciting to hear God is leading you!!!!
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you. I’m very excited!
Cynthia Murrah says
I have been so blessed since finding you again on Facebook. Your words affirm the things God has been teaching me for some time. I will miss you on Facebook but I will continue to follow your blog and pray for you and your family. Thank you! Cindi’
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you so much!
Melissa says
This is fantastic. Thank you for putting into words exactly what I have been thinking and feeling towards social media.
Your amazing to follow Gods call and move to where you are placed for a purpose!
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you ☺️
Lisa Pierce says
I’ve been so blessed to discover your blog and I’m so happy for you and your family. I have been concerned about your safety and I’m glad God is moving y’all somewhere safer.
As for fb, I think it’s only about 10% good anyway. You know God is guiding your path so just stay focused on Him. This move will help the tummy aches and anxieties. I just feel it!
Godspeed my friend and thanks for keeping the blog going. My prayers, love and best wishes go with you always.
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you so much! Love having you as a reader!
Wanda Malta says
Thank you Brie for sharing your love for God with us. Remember that being in God’s perfect will isn’t always popular, but it is always the best place to be for peace in our spirit. Knowing He’s holding you close gives such courage, confidence and love that it’s going to spill out and move others closer to a personal walk of their own. I have been considering strongly that it’s time for me to get off Facebook too. It can distract me too easily. I have used it as a platform to share Bible study….I may be led to do that from time to time when God guides. Praying for your ministry. God’s continued blessings and protection. Wanda from Louisiana.
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you so much ?
Tosha Lowery Vanderford says
I believe That You are doing a wonderful job of letting God lead you and your family and I am continuing to Pray for Y’all!
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you!
Penny L Lozon says
Prayers for a successful move for you all. Being able to hear God speak and actually listening and obeying don’t always go together. We know that God will not lead us astray. May your family be blessed and may you all stay safe wherever the Lord leads you.