I’ve never been good at saying the “no” word.
I’m your typical “yes” gal.
I find it’s easy to say because the corners of my mouth turn up when
the word is formed.
Just try it. Say it with me out loud, “Yes!” See? A smile naturally
forms on your face when this word is spoken. (It’s possible to say it with a
straight face, but I contend that it’s work to do so; therefore, not natural. But
I digress.)
I’m your typical “yes” gal, and I’m
also a full-time writer.
To some people, it appears I don’t have a real job. They conclude I can
hold multiple volunteer positions, because I have so much “free time” in my
day. I must seem competent enough, so they ask for me to fill the position. And
I say, “Yes!” adding to my repertoire of skills. Like many of you, I wear many
hats. And those hats do not pay monetarily, and they squeeze my time.
But here’s the thing:
I’m also a faith junky.
That means that I love to live my life by faith, and I believe most opportunities
that come my way are venues to help me minister to a hurting world. And most of the time those open doors are
conducive to building my platform for my books to sell, lending more
opportunity to minister through the words I wrote in faith in the first place,
and I cannot say “no” to that.
So, I have issues. And I have a
feeling that many of you have the same issues.
How do we manage our time fulfilling extracurricular volunteer
opportunities and the demands in this industry to build our platform and write
our manuscripts, prepare for writers conferences, and develop and idea for the
next best-seller?
I’ve found one solution that helps me.
I live by grace.
Most days I don’t do it all perfectly. Some days I just don’t have the
energy to read five other bloggers much less share their posts on Twitter, or
join the blog-link party, and leave twelve comments, or write a fresh blog
piece of my own.
But Grace.
Grace helps me know that on the days that I do have the energy to read
and share other blogger’s nuggets, and write fresh prose, and work on the
project I plan to pitch in two weeks at a writers conference, God is with me in
all my yeses.
But Grace reminds me that I need rest. I must always take a Sabbath day
to recharge my spirit, soul, mind, and body. It’s wisdom from a loving God.
Grace is always there for me when I’m disheartened because my work
doesn’t seem to be gaining ground—especially when the comments are null and
followers unsubscribe. It just takes one to take me down a forlorn path. I bet
you know about that too.
But grace.
By His grace, He always seems to send me someone to cheer me on, or a
new subscriber, or a comment or two. And so, I keep on. By His grace all the
projects and volunteer side-jobs get done.
And it is His grace that I trust when the question arises . . . “Will
you do this for us?”
I will pray about it, but often I’ll answer, Yes! By His grace.
And I feel His smile.
Your turn: What helps you do all you have signed on to do? Are you a
yes person or is it easy to say no?
TWEETABLE
It is hard to say no. It is even harder when is something you enjoy. Sometimes you have to prioritize. Thank you Andy for reminding us that the Lord is with us in all our projects. They always advice to say no, but is hard when you know it is for a good cause. My answer is: "if my schedule opens up, then yes!" Usually, by the Will of God,it does.
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