Finding God in the Gap with Nathan Westwick

What do you do when your life doesn't look anything like you thought it would?

In this episode of Diamonds in Dumpster Fires, Melie welcomes back licensed minister, author, and Wild Goose Coffee founder Nathan Westwick for an honest conversation about disappointment, unanswered hopes, and the gap between the life we expected and the life we're actually living.

Nathan and Melie talk about what it looks like to grieve dreams that haven't happened without losing sight of the good that is already present. They explore why we don't always need to find a lesson or explanation for every painful experience, how the Psalms give us permission to be honest with God, and why surrender sometimes means releasing our preference for how life "should" look.

They also discuss the difference between contentment and settling, the importance of Christian community when we're trying to discern our next step, and Nathan's powerful reminder to choose presence over preference.

In this conversation, you'll hear about:

How to navigate the gap between expectation and reality
Giving yourself permission to grieve what hasn't happened
Holding joy and sorrow at the same time
Bringing disappointment honestly to God
Why not every painful experience comes with a clear lesson
The difference between contentment and settling
How community can help us discern when to stay and when to move
Remembering God's faithfulness when circumstances feel uncertain
Finding moments of joy, play, and connection in difficult seasons
Choosing presence over preference when life doesn't follow your plan

If you're in a season of wondering why your life hasn't unfolded the way you hoped, this conversation is a reminder that disappointment and hope can exist in the same place. You can grieve what's missing, appreciate what is here, and trust that God is still present in the middle of the story.

Connect with Nathan Westwick

Nathan's book:
Clearing the Path: Connecting with God in a Cluttered World

Wild Goose Coffee

Nathan's website: Check out his resources and listen to the first few chapters of his book

Learn more about Diamonds in Dumpster Fires and find additional episodes and resources at diamondsindumpsterfires.com.

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