These are the words in my mouth; these are what I chew on and pray. Accept them when I place them on the morning altar,O God, my Altar-Rock,God, Priest-of-My-Altar.
Psalm 19:14 The Message
I listened to a podcast by Seth Godin a few days ago. He’s what you’d call a thought leader. Thought leaders think ALL the thoughts and the most successful ones force, however gently, a private turning inward. Thought leaders make us think. To them we offer the mental universal affirmation “hmmm”. This inner amen frees us to pour truth on the page. When it’s good, powerful words help us release our own.
The shows host mentioned his new book What To Do When its Your Turn and my wheels started to spin. I haven’t read the book. He’s such a thought leader, I don’t have to. The title alone has me thinking about the God honoring weight and responsibility of words, particularly as a blogger. Now more than ever, its time to steward our words well.
As bloggers, we’ve essentially given ourselves permission to take the mike. In that respect It’s my turn. It’s yours too. I also read this by Mel Schroeder. Her thoughtful reflection on blogging and platforms expanded my musing. So I’m thinking about what I say and why. I’m wondering how I can do better.
If given a platform, what would I say? How can I use this space to cultivate a spirit of authenticity and grace. Truth and hope. Can I do that and still have time for life with my real, right now, in my face family and community?
I’ll start at the beginning. What is my message?
My blog began as an infertility journal. After surviving a 14 year battle with infertility I felt lead to encourage other women. Opportunities opened to share my story in many ways. I’ve known our story, our miracle was not our own, that God would use it for His glory…in His time. I’m not surprised. It’s a good story. Our lives, when given to God, are unique manifestations of His word in action. We are living epistles. Testimonies of grace. He uses each life to tell a story. His.
Knowing that, what is my life saying now?
Writing on a consistent basis is a spiritual process. A discipline of the heart where God shows us his best work. The work he does in us. He changes and transforms, rearranges and molds. You and I my friend, in our right now glory, are miracles. And He’s telling His story through us. So I’m listening. I’m paying attention.
In the past 2 years I’ve shared many of the stories that defined my life. The ways God changed me through his word, the hard lessons and life experiences I’ve learned in His laboratory. But writing is revelation. It’s seeing and growing. Writing is illumination. Writing is knowing.
And this is what I’ve discovered.
My writing isn’t only about infertility. God’s called me to other conversations. As a woman of color blogging in a predominantly white Christian community? Absolutely – I’ve got something to say about race. A vision for change based on his love compels me to speak.
So here it is – I’ve got half a lifetime of days circling the sun in brown skin under my belt. I graduated from the school of infertility. All this has earned me a degree in faith…a masters in waiting. I earned a phd in hope. And here…in the online communities God’s placed me in… I’m going for a teaching certificate in grace. I think that’s my where my message is. If I have anything to say it’s about keeping a dream alive. It’s about perseverance, it’s about love.
I’m not done here. I’ve sat with this question for a few days and know I’ll chew on it for a while. But let’s turn this around for you.
You have a platform to be your best God honoring self. What’s your message? Share your thoughts on stewarding well, these God-given words.
Let your handmaiden find grace in your sight…#GiveMeGrace
♥
You ask a question that has no easy answers. I know I write because God has given me a story. I know I write to encourage, for healing and because God’s story needs to be shared. I love that you asked what is our message. We have a responsibility to become good stewards of our words. Blessings!
Mary Geisen recently posted…The Shepherd’s Song…{The Weekend Brew}
Hi Mary! I think of this post as a conversation starter. If I inspired you to think about this topic, to check in with yourself about your words/work…I’m happy. Always grateful for your presence. Sweet sleep.
[…] #GiveMeGrace […]
[…] up with Lisha Epperson for […]
Good word! I’ve been pondering this alot – just how much influence we carry. The stakes seem so high, and I want all I do to point to Christ. God help us to do it well and in ways that invite people to community and connection with Him.
marvia recently posted…When He Takes You There
Keeping it simple with Christ is the way to go Marvia. I think it gets harder when I think about goals. Mentally planning and preparing keep me organized but it also makes me edy. The list of things I should be doing vs. the list of things I actually have time for? Yeah that list. More than anything I want to honor God. Circling back to Him every chance I get is key. Happy Sunday friend.
Beautiful, Lisha. I’ve got three-fourths of a lifetime circling the sun with my own unique experiences, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it is that we can’t glue our feet to any one platform, because God, in a heartbeat, will enroll us in a “school” we could not have imagined beforehand. All our stories matter. I learn from you what it’s like to wear brown skin and find hope in infertility and to live in the city that never sleeps, and maybe you can learn from me what it’s like to live in the rural south with the unique set of circumstances of my story. My message? Grace will find us where ever our feet (or face or backsides) land, and if we live open-handed to receive whatever God allows or allows to be taken from us, we will experience joy and peace and strength we never could have imagined. I love you and your message, Lisha. You and your story are a gift to me. Have a beautiful Sunday!
Patricia @ Pollywog Creek recently posted…I {LOVE} Sundays in Advent::to rejoice greatly…
I’ll sit with this for the rest of the day..”grace will find is” One thing I love about this community is the variety of voices. I do learn from you Patricia. Yours is a voice of wisdom. I’m grateful for your presence and perspective. And you’re so right about school. I’ve even done a few remedial classes. Lol.
Questions like this roll around my heart frequently. What is the message I’m called to share? Why do I feel this call to write and share on a blog? What really is God calling me to do with my message? I know that I’m compelled to share the hope I’ve found in Christ and just pray I’m a good steward with my words when I share. Thanks for this conversation starter this morning…
Kathryn Shirey recently posted…Hark the Herald Angels Sing!
There’s that word again…I think we feel compelled to share. Sort of like a fire in your bones impetus for action. But beyond that how do we keep it moving. What is the message and does it change? I don’t expect you to answer…just more thoughts. Have a great day.
Such an important consideration for all of us, Lisha. I believe God has called me to write about how He can and will redeem us all, and to share my ongoing stories of redemption to encourage others. Always pointing to Jesus!
Holly Barrett recently posted…Will come a ruler…
Always pointing to Jesus! That seems to be the takeaway for today. And that’s so important. No matter what we say…may it always lead others to him. Amen. Hope you had a great day!
I love the way God turns our messes into a message, our tests into a testimony. How can we speak authentically unless we lived it and found Him faithful through it? So, I guess I would say, my message is one of God’s faithfulness in the reality of my ordinary life.
Elizabeth Stewart recently posted…1 John 3:1…
I love that Elizabeth. Maybe what we’re doing is chronicling grace. Maybe it’s all an online journal of His love. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this. Happy Monday!
sleeper sofa erie Pa
Give Me Grace : On the Stewardship of Words
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Give Me Grace : On the Stewardship of Words