The other day I was having lunch with Aaron and we ran into a friend and her mother-in-law. After we did our introductions she grabbed my hands and smiled a huge smile of encouragement and began to tell me how much she loved listening to me on the radio. My heart swelled up, because those were some fun days for me, and to hear someone tell me that they enjoyed it means the world to me. Her words of encouragement were great for my soul. She said she was proud of me, even though we had never met before, for hanging with all those men every morning.
This has happened many times before and each time I'm encouraged that one day I just might be back on the air again. Each conversation includes them telling me that I made the best choice ever to put my kids first, and each conversation includes them asking if I miss it and think I'll ever go back. My answer is always the same. That decision to leave was so hard for me, but so easy at the same time. My family is worth way more than any job, even if it's the coolest job I've ever had in my life! I do want to go back on the radio one day, and honestly I hope I do.
When I was on the radio I felt as though I had a voice. You give someone a microphone and an audience, and they have a voice. It's one of the reasons I love blogging. I started blogging to keep our families up to date with the kids since we lived hundreds of miles away. It then became a place where I could write my feelings and pour out my heart. It has become such a voice for me. Sure, there's no microphone involved, but I get enough emails from strangers telling me that my words have encouraged them, that I feel as though I do have an audience.
One of my biggest desires in life is to have a voice. I mean that in the most humble way possible. Not a voice that's on a stage, but just someone that gets to share her thoughts, opinions, life with people. I struggle with finding the balance of “wanting to be known” and wanting to be used by God to encourage other women. Don't we all at the core struggle with wanting to be known more. I'm constantly looking for the balance of those two things.
A life goal of mine is to write a book, or two. I have had this goal for a few years now, and honestly it's just not that easy. I want to write about my life. Seems like it falls under the “wanting to be known” category doesn't it? But really, I want to share God's story in my life. I've been through a lot in my short 34 years. I've jumped off some cliffs that God brought me to, that I never in a million years thought I would ever get to. I've been in the pit more than one time and have seen God rescue me over and over again. I've been desperate for him and have seen him pull through immediately, and I've had to wait on him for days, months and years. He's faithful though. Always. I want to tell that story.
So, I have officially shared a life goal of mine that I'm very reluctant to put on paper. If it's on paper it's something that I can be held accountable to. Of course Aaron knows of this dream, and few friends, but now the world knows. This terrifies me and excites me all at once. I'm not a writer. I'm a blogger. Two different things. We shall see if somehow or another this blogger can accomplish this goal.
so glad you’ve shared this with the world – now EVERYONE can hold you accountable to working toward this dream!
don’t be intimidated by the idea of sitting down and writing a huge chapter book – there are ALL kinds of books. dream up something new and different! don’t let your dream be limited by what you see on the shelves. 🙂
love you and can’t wait to see this come to life!
love!
Girl, I want to write a book too! And for the same reasons you listed. 🙂 But I get anxious at the idea of actually going from blog writer to paper writer. Who knows, maybe one day!
I think you’ll be great, Jamie! You are funny and interesting and real.
Do it!! It will be an awesome book, I have no doubt!
I love what Ginger said – don’t feel limited to what you see on the shelves! It’s so true. Looking forward to hearing more about this.
Do it! Do it! I’m doing that very thing right now.
I only approached one publisher and they said it didn’t fit their list of titles for the year, so I decided (on advice) to publish my memoire one chapter at a time on my blog. I’m currently editing chapter six to be put up on Monday.
My blog is not a Christian one, but it is impossible to write my life’s story without talking about my conversion and the presence God has had in my life. It’s exciting (and painful) to relive it. And one day I hope my words will reach a larger audience – so I get you, about having a voice, about how blogging does that, about wanting to be heard.
Anyway. Do it! 🙂
Thanks Lady Jennie!!!!