photo: flickr cc/ hakan dahlstrom
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
