EMB EP02 | The Beauty of Hiddenness with Allison Allen

Everything Made Beautiful with Shannon Scott

Allison Allen shares her journey from growing up in Texas and North Carolina to pursuing a career in theater and eventually meeting her husband Jonathan. She emphasizes the importance of surrendering to God's plan and trusting in His timing, sharing her own experiences of infertility and the birth of her two sons. Allison encourages listeners to embrace their current season and trust that God is working all things together for their good. In this part of the conversation, Allison Allen shares how the waiting process and hidden seasons can be a time of preparation for what is to come. She emphasizes the importance of surrendering to the season we're in and trusting that God is working behind the scenes. Allison also discusses her involvement in the Back Porch Theology podcast with Lisa Harper and the impact it has had on her life. She talks about her books, 'Hidden' and 'Seen. Secure. Free.', which explore the hidden characters of scripture and finding beauty in hiddenness along with inviting listeners to join the Faith Gateway online Bible study for ‘Hidden.’

Keywords:

Allison Allen, journey, surrender, timing, infertility, motherhood, seasons, trust, God's plan, hidden seasons, preparation, surrender, Back Porch Theology, podcast, books, Hidden, Seen. Secure. Free., Faith Gateway, Bible study, hidden characters, beauty in hiddenness, faith conversations.

Takeaways:

• Surrendering to God's plan and trusting in His timing is key in navigating life's journey.
• Difficult seasons and experiences can shape and mold us into who we are meant to be.
• God specializes in spiritual late bloomers and can use anyone, regardless of age or circumstances.
• Embracing our current season and finding joy in it is a powerful way to live.
• God's purposes and dreams for our lives may look different than what we initially imagined, but they are perfectly suited to who we are. Hidden seasons and waiting periods can be a time of preparation for what is to come.
• Trusting in God's timing and surrendering to the season we're in is important.
• The Back Porch Theology podcast with Lisa Harper explores deep theological topics in a relatable and humorous way.
• The books 'Hidden' and 'Seen. Secure. Free.' by Allison Allen delve into the stories of hidden characters in scripture and finding beauty in hiddenness.
• Join the Faith Gateway online Bible study for 'Hidden' to explore the themes of the book in a community setting.
• Engage in faith conversations with your children and explore the hidden characters of scripture together.
• Create your own perfect beautiful day by envisioning activities that bring you joy and fulfillment.

Sound Bites:

"I could not work my way into a new season. I could only surrender my way into a new season."

"You're not too young. You're not too old. God's plan for you has not passed you by because of a clock."

"The trajectory of my life is one far more suited to my gifts, far more suited to my temperament, and far more suited to delight."

"God is preparing you in that hidden season."

"He's never caught off guard by our season.”

Links:

Allison’s Website: https://www.allisonallen.net/

Allison’s Books: https://www.allisonallen.net/books

Back Porch Theology: https://www.accessmore.com/pd/Lisa-Harpers-Back-Porch-Theology

Faith Gateway Free Bible Study: https://pages.faithgateway.com/hidden-allison-allen-obs-registration/