Edie here. Today I'm excited to introduce you to the newest member of our blogging team here at The Write Conversation. I've been a fan of Rhonda's for years and I'm so excited to also call her my friend. I'm sure you'll be as blessed as me by her wit and wisdom.
Make a Name for Myself? Or Make a Self for My Name?
by Rhonda Rhea @RhondaRhea
Life as an author has enough unabashed self-promotion connected to it to make most normal people blush. Or at least make them a little uncomfortable. Me? I’ve tried repeatedly to convince my publisher that a life-sized cardboard cutout of me would be a good idea. Of course, mostly I’ve wanted to have it at a book-signing sometime just so I could say something like, “I’m so happy to be here that I’m beside myself.”
Beside myself? Get it? Then I would mention something about a “double standard.” Then I would point with both hands in an over-animated manner at the paper me with an awkward, toothy grin and way too much eyebrow action.
I did tell my publisher several times that I’m quite sure a life-sized figure of me would be a real bargain. I’m five-foot, zero inches tall and I don’t even do big hair anymore, so how much cardboard would they even need?
I’m pretty happy, actually, that every time I’ve mentioned the life-sized likeness, the publisher has fought the urge to point out that the thing could also probably handle about 85% of my workload. Such nice people, they are.
It does beg this question, though. Do I want to make a name for myself? Or do I want to make a self for my name? Actually—jokes aside and tongue removed from cheek—I want…neither. For one thing, we’re told in Proverbs 27:3 to “Let another praise you, and not your own mouth—a stranger, and not your own lips,” So that point is clear. Sigh. Self-praise is not what these lips were built for. Probably not what cardboard lips are built for either. So lip-adjustments are currently—and pretty much always—underway. It’s a process.
More importantly, anytime I’m focusing on “me, my-cardboard-self and I”—my name and my fame—my focus is altogether off. The truth is, there’s only one name worthy of all promotion. As the psalmist prayed, “Yahweh, Your name endures forever, Your reputation, Yahweh, through all generations” (Psalm 135:13 HCSB).
How foolish I am when I make life about my own fame or fortune. And how empty life becomes when it’s focused on possessions, position or power. “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God” (Psalm 20:7 ESV). Trusting in His name. That’s what brings life around to a right focus on His name, His fame.
It boils down to Paul’s charge in Colossians 3:17: “And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him,” (HCSB). All self aside, real and cardboard, we’re to make every detail of life about and in His great name.
That focus? It never fails to lead me to a place of surrender. Lord, I surrender my reputation into Your hands. I surrender my success—whatever that might look like—into Your hands. I put my name in Your hands. May the glory of Your name—Your wonderful name—be my reason for doing everything I do, all by Your power, through Your indwelling presence. All thanks to You. In. Your. Name.
Other promotions will come and go. His name is forever.
That means I don’t have to worry so much about my own name. I’ll probably eventually even let go of that cardboard facsimile idea. Never mind that it could come in really handy in the carpool lane.
Rhonda Rhea is a humor columnist for lots of
great magazines, including HomeLife, Leading Hearts, The Pathway and
more. She is the author of 10 nonfiction books, including How Many
Lightbulbs Does It Take to Change a Person? and coauthors fiction with her
daughter, Kaley Faith Rhea. She and her daughters host the TV show, That’s
My Mom, for Christian Television Network’s KNLJ. Rhonda enjoys traveling
the country speaking at all kinds of conferences and events. She and her pastor/hubs
have five grown children and live in the St. Louis area.
by Rhonda Rhea @RhondaRhea
Life as an author has enough unabashed self-promotion connected to it to make most normal people blush. Or at least make them a little uncomfortable. Me? I’ve tried repeatedly to convince my publisher that a life-sized cardboard cutout of me would be a good idea. Of course, mostly I’ve wanted to have it at a book-signing sometime just so I could say something like, “I’m so happy to be here that I’m beside myself.”
 |
| Beside myself? |
I did tell my publisher several times that I’m quite sure a life-sized figure of me would be a real bargain. I’m five-foot, zero inches tall and I don’t even do big hair anymore, so how much cardboard would they even need?
I’m pretty happy, actually, that every time I’ve mentioned the life-sized likeness, the publisher has fought the urge to point out that the thing could also probably handle about 85% of my workload. Such nice people, they are.
It does beg this question, though. Do I want to make a name for myself? Or do I want to make a self for my name? Actually—jokes aside and tongue removed from cheek—I want…neither. For one thing, we’re told in Proverbs 27:3 to “Let another praise you, and not your own mouth—a stranger, and not your own lips,” So that point is clear. Sigh. Self-praise is not what these lips were built for. Probably not what cardboard lips are built for either. So lip-adjustments are currently—and pretty much always—underway. It’s a process.
More importantly, anytime I’m focusing on “me, my-cardboard-self and I”—my name and my fame—my focus is altogether off. The truth is, there’s only one name worthy of all promotion. As the psalmist prayed, “Yahweh, Your name endures forever, Your reputation, Yahweh, through all generations” (Psalm 135:13 HCSB).
How foolish I am when I make life about my own fame or fortune. And how empty life becomes when it’s focused on possessions, position or power. “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God” (Psalm 20:7 ESV). Trusting in His name. That’s what brings life around to a right focus on His name, His fame.
It boils down to Paul’s charge in Colossians 3:17: “And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him,” (HCSB). All self aside, real and cardboard, we’re to make every detail of life about and in His great name.
That focus? It never fails to lead me to a place of surrender. Lord, I surrender my reputation into Your hands. I surrender my success—whatever that might look like—into Your hands. I put my name in Your hands. May the glory of Your name—Your wonderful name—be my reason for doing everything I do, all by Your power, through Your indwelling presence. All thanks to You. In. Your. Name.
Other promotions will come and go. His name is forever.
That means I don’t have to worry so much about my own name. I’ll probably eventually even let go of that cardboard facsimile idea. Never mind that it could come in really handy in the carpool lane.
TWEETABLES
Rhonda, Congrats and Welcome. The Write Conversation is one of my favorite blogs. I learn so much here. Thanks for the laugh. As a new writer, I struggled with self promotion. I prayed and God impressed on my heart "promote others and leave your career to me." I love tooting the horn of my brothers and sisters. Torry Martin, comedian and actor, promotes another person every morning before he posts tweets or blogs about himself, I watch his fan base grow. He is a great example. He is humble and loves Jesus with all his heart. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Cherrilynn--I'm so excited and honored to be included! Love your insights on self-promotion. And it's funny, I ran into Torry on the floor of a convention a few weeks ago and as people walked by, he would pull them into our conversation, introducing me to TV network folks, humor organizations and all kinds of people in these crazy-amazing swoops of connection. None about him. You're right, when he networks, his net is completely unselfish. He's such a great example for all of us! Thanks for chiming in!
DeleteHi Rhonda! I thoroughly enjoyed your post. I, too, would prefer a cardboard cut-out of myself. Having been warned of the sin of pride from an early age, self-promotion has been difficult for me. "They" say we have to do it, though, in this publishing industry, so I steel my resolve and try to do as I'm told. I only pray that I point to the real author behind my writing and give Him the glory, and not myself. Thank you for your post.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Marilyn. Tricky balance between humility and working to get our message out, isn't it? I'm praying that very same prayer that you are! Thanks for your thoughts!
DeleteThanks so much for the oh-my-goodness-you're-too-kind intro, Edie! I love you and your heart for ministry and can't believe I get to play here regularly. What a blessing! Praying the Lord multiplies those blessings right back on you, my friend. Thanks again!
ReplyDeleteRhonda, I'm so excited you're here with us. You're a blessing to so many and now I can have you here too! Luv u!
ReplyDeleteEdie, you're the best--thank you, sweet friend!!
DeleteGreat post, Rhonda! Laughter is one of the best vehicles for truth! And you've driven that vehicle magnificently in this post. Thank you! And thank you, Edie, for adding Rhonda to your writing team. Blessings to both of you!
ReplyDeleteMaryAnn Diorio
MaryAnn, this is the sweetest. I was stuck in traffic today (for-reals) and I SO wish I'd had this to read, lol! Thanks for your words of encouragement and welcome. Drove it home in the most blessed way. :)
ReplyDelete