Can I share my heart with you for a moment?
For years I’ve battled with an internal struggle. One that pits skills against spirit; knowledge against wisdom; and pride against humility. Most of my friends and readers don’t know (because I don’t advertise) but my “day job” is being a consultant and strategist for authors and online publishers. I study blogs, authors, trends, social media, and reader responses. I use that information to develop marketing plans, vision statements, and help others to make money doing what they love.
I’ve been quite successful at it.
The problem is that I’ve bought the lie that says if you teach you must do. That is the silliest thing I’ve ever heard.
First, I have to want the things I teach others to do. I don’t want to be a mega blogger yet I’ve tried to do these things to my own detriment. Why is it so wrong…?
Because I am not a blogger. I am a Goldy woman with a message. Blogging is simply one way I deliver that message.
Over the last few days I’ve sat amongst several accomplished women serving as an entity to bring a new, fresh perspective to a thriving women’s ministry. These women were New York times best selling authors, event organizers, international speakers, founders of ministries, business owners, and that only scratches the surface. I felt like a fish out of water yet, I felt right at home. Why? Every woman there had a message from God; it was just the method of delivery that was different.
God has sent me on a path of self-discovery over the last couple of months and I’m finally getting what He is trying to tell me. My job should not be to market myself as an author, build my blog, or create a larger platform. He has gifted me to share a message. The method of delivery is simply the fruit of that. That may change over time but the message never will.
That leads me to my blog…
I’ve diluted the message He’s given me in order to do the things I’ve previously mentioned. I’m not doing that anymore. I don’t want to be known as a blogger. I want to share the message. The message He’s given me is to help women overcome the things that hinder them and free them to live in all He has for them.
I enjoy natural cleaning but I’ve neglected to give the main reasons why. It stems from my beliefs. I’ve left that out in order to reach a larger audience. I’m not doing that anymore. “31 Days to a Clean, Fresh Nest” will resume but I will not be leaving out the spiritual aspect of it in order to appease more readers. I’m letting everyone know now so you are free to unsubscribe or not read anymore if you don’t want to. I simply can’t ignore the message burning inside of me any more.
Funny thing is, at this meeting we were each given a beautiful gift. Each one was different. We randomly sat down so no one knew what they would receive. What I received is just what God has been whispering to my heart: a bracelet that was etched with Psalms 37:4.
Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart.
Blogging is not eternal. The message of God is.
I hope you understand.
btw… I do not for one minute think it is wrong to write for reasons different from mine. This is a personal issue and something I was convicted of. For some, blogging is a “day job”. It isn’t for me. For me, it should be the fruit of my message. I haven’t been treating it that way though.
Wow – I am just having my tea break and ‘looking around’ ‘accidentally’ noticed your message and here I am. I never respond to anything but I am so proud of you for taking a stand for what you know is right. If we all did this a little more, our world would be a much better place. Too many of us believing one thing but ‘saying with our actions/ or non-actions’ something quite different. I believe you have helped me to change for the better today, Amy. Thank you so much for looking at the bigger picture and getting it right.
Your heart is so authentic! I love that about you! God has great things in store for you because you are obedient to what He is calling you to do. Love serving beside you. Learning together is the best part of the experience! Blessings to you in the New Year!
This was one reason why I changed the name and focus of my blog… My Lord is FIRST and FOREMOST
Bless You!
Well said and learning this myself..well done!
Girl, you’re singing my song!!
You have always been quite the visionary! I admire that about you. Keep letting God speak through you. Listen to His voice. That is true success, is it not?… Obey our Heavenly Father and seek His glory.
Love you.
Good for you!! It’s never easy to change directions and admit mis-steps along the way. But I am glad that you have come to the conclusion that you need to be obedient in delivering the message God gave you… That kind of revelation is always encouraging to see! I’m excited to see what comes next!
Thank you for being real and for being willing to embrace His heart for you and others. As a blogger who didn’t feel like conforming to be successful, I get it. As a daughter of the king, I am encouraged to see your step of faith. Praying for God’s sweet presence to fill you with His joy ( Ps. 16:11). Blessings!
Good for you Amy! I know what you mean in trying to be all things to all people. I love social media too and started my blog as an experiment. It evolved into something different than what I planned but that was good. I have friends from childhood and high school who read Heart Choices. They don’t often comment but will bring something up about what I wrote. I am sorry to say that I wasn’t walking closely with the Lord during those early days and so they are surprised that I am a Christian. I want to share the message the Lord has given to me on my blog and not dilute it to please everyone either.
You’re an inspiration Amy!
Blessings and love,
Debbie
I’m proud of you Amy! I love that you want to do what God requires! It’s an Awesome feeling! You are His loved Daughter, Cher!
I will be in BR tomorrow night at the Chris Tomlin concert! I’m so excited!
Blessings to U,
Jeanene
Yes, yes!! We need to remember not to get the path backward. It starts in the heart and the fruit of the heart will be successful. Because it’s not really about a successful blog, it’s about people thriving on the message!!
Amy, thank you so much for this post. I have been at a crossroads with my own blog, and have been praying about it. Your article has helped me to rethink things. It’s so easy to get caught up in the trap of what is popular to blog about, rather than being yourself and being a witness for Jesus Christ.
It is so easy to get caught up. I’m so glad my experience is helping you to rethink things. I love that!
Thank you, Amy!
Amy, this just makes me adore you even more…I love your heart, your transparency, and your willingness to go down your own path for His glory. He will bless that sweet girl and you are absolutely right…you are His and He IS using you. I am so glad I just “stumbled” over to read this today…perfect timing–as always!
Mel! I’ve missed you, lady. I hope you are doing well. So glad you stumbled over today!
That’s awesome, Amy!! I love hearing stories of God speaking to the hearts of his people and they hear Him loud and clear, and then step out in faith to walk in obedience to Him. I have no doubt that He will bless you in this. We serve such an amazing God, don’t we? I’m excited to see what He does in your life (and the lives of others) through this new chapter of your life! Love you!!
MISS YOU! LOVE YOU!!!
I’m looking forward to reading more of your blog. Adding in the Spiritual aspects will add new interest for me. God bless!
I’m happy to hear that, Victoria. Since my post my mind has been swirling with thoughts of posts I can write. I’m looking forward to it!
Beautiful! Thank you! And God bless your efforts!
Thank you, Jill! I appreciate the encouragement.
Thank you and blessings on your life! I’m somehow not inspired by the ‘professional’ bloggers, but don’t question their calling, just isn’t for me!
Thanks so much, Vickie! Blessings to you too!
That won’t cause me to unsubscribe. It just makes me want to follow you even more! Everything we do should place the focus on God! Bless you, Lady! You are a delight in my life!
Thank you! I know some will (and have) but that is okay, really. They aren’t my target audience anyway. Women with a heart for God are who I am looking to fellowship with. Thanks so much for the encouragement, Mary!
I had no idea you were struggling in this area… I”m sure everyone does to an extent. Mine has always been the opposite… I tried to fit into the P31 mold and share as a ministry {in a previous blog} but it was not my ministry, it was not what the Lord had called me to do and it was obvious after much prayer. God is awesome and he has blessed each of us with beautiful gifts, the key is to prayerfully grow and flourish where he plants us. Thanks for sharing Amy!! Praying for you as you follow his lead! Love you!
LOVE YOU! Are you free anytime this weekend? Email me if you are.
Amy, I am excited to see what God has to share with me through you! Blessings to you and yours as you seek to be obedient and honor God!
Yay! I love, love, love reading that! Thank YOU for encouraging me! (((hugs)))
I’m sensing a theme in my life, Amy. One that God has been teaching me for a couple of years now. In fact, here’s a portion of what I sent to another blogging friend just today: “I struggle with it all, too, and finally came to the place (ironically, after attending [insert name of large blogging conference here]) where I just didn’t care that much about “those people” who bloggers think they need to impress. I decided after [blogging conference] that God really expects me to be there for my family first, to write with excellence second, and to do my job well third. After all that, I am free to pursue blogging in whatever way I want. I sometimes wish I could blog more, but I just have to do what God wants me to do first.”
Thank you for following His lead.
Amen…well said Shelly!
My goodness. I really believe it was blogging conferences that began my drift and continued to cause it to sail in the first place. So often I heard others say “but God gave you this platform and you should use it” and so on but you know what? This isn’t a platform God gave me. This is His platform. It is simply my voice resonating. Instead of looking to gather more sheep I should speak to the ones He’s brought here. I’m about to preach.
“Instead of looking to gather more sheep I should speak to the ones He’s brought here.” that’s what I’ve been thinking about lately. I admit, I get frustrated when I see the huge numbers of followers that other bloggers have and then I look at mine. But then I think, what if I were holding a Bible class every month and 200 women came every time? Would I consider myself a failure? Would I wonder if I wasn’t reaching “enough” people with “my message”? I don’t think so. I think I would call it a success and be thankful for the part I get to play in blessing those 200 women.
So, I’ve been struggling with deciding between building a business that would involve the message, or just sharing the message. The trouble is, we do need the financial boost that the business would provide. I know God will show me what to focus on, and if it’s not earning money, that’s fine, he will provide. I’m in the process of pruning some other stuff so I can focus on what he tells me to do.
Probably TMI, but I just wanted to say “I hear ya” and what you wrote reminds me that being a “successful blogger” isn’t really my aspiration. (time to stop looking at everyone else’s numbers and just write! )
Very good.
I feel somewhat the same. I don’t really “do blogging” very well and feel woefully ignorant and inadequate next to so many women who have quite the blog “following” and “likes” on their fb pages. I’ve not been successful at “building a platform” despite reading Hyatt’s platform book and making some changes.
I planned to write an e-book and didn’t get past the first couple of chapters. Just as soon as I decide upon a series for the blog, I usually lose interest myself!
But I also have a message of “a faith that endures” terrible tragedy (We lost our 12 yr. son to brain cancer nearly 3 years ago.) and I have a message of “sufficient grace” when the thorn is not removed. God’s grace is my source, sufficiency and strength. Those are the God given messages that I can speak and write about whether my blog is successful or not. I live those messages every day and night. The are a big part of who I am.
Amy, I appreciate that you are making this change to spread YOUR God given message.
I think Hyatt’s book is great for those who want to operate as a business but for the purpose of reaching others in a ministry sense it isn’t a good book.
I am so sorry to hear about your son. I can’t imagine the pain you must walk through each day but I know there are others who walk through this and need to know they are not alone. Thank you for sharing your story. Please know that I am praying for you.
Amy, this really spoke to me as a still struggle with where I fit in exactly with blogging/ministry/calling, etc. I didn’t go to Allume (baby girl is due any day) but just through all the posts I’ve read and the webcasts I got to watch I hear God telling me to Delight in Him – period. Thank you for your words and your mentorship!
Brenda, you are such a sweetheart! And I can’t to see a photo of you with that beautiful little baby girl in your arms. I’m so glad we got to meet in NC even if it was only for a short time.
You have inspired me to really take a step back and look at what I do and why I do it. Thank you. I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately and I want to do what God has for me to do. Thank you for being honest and I look even more forward to your posts.
((hugs))
Awe, Dianna! I’m so happy to hear that. Thank YOU. And big ((hug)) to you!
Hi Amy! I am blessed by your message today
I was supposed to be at Allume this past weekend and cancelled my trip to do what the LORD was urging me to do – stay home, to be with my family. I had big dreams this past year – you and I talked about some of them on the shuttle from Prov 31 conf to the airport. You told me then that sometimes God leads us to serve Him is in ways that are counter to what “everyone else” says is the best way, the most “successful” way. You were right then and you are right now too! Blessings
I remember that! I’ve thought about you often and prayed that God would lead your heart. I am so glad you are listening. This is such a short season of our life as parents to little ones. We’ll get our message out there. It may not be the way we thought it would happen or it may be delayed a bit but it will get out there. I’m so glad to hear from you!
Amen, Amy!! I have always known you to be true to what God is leading you to do. I look forward to reading your future post and so excited for you and those God is going to use you to touch! You are His beautiful voice. Looking forward to hearing it’s melodies!
Cherie, Thank you so much for your encouraging words. I’ve really missed chatting with you.
Dear Amy, You are indead a Godly woman with a message. I hear you loud and clear. I have said this before, and I am sure I will say it again. I thank God for allowing our paths to cross. Every time we are together, you inspire me to rise up a little higher, to walk a little closer, and to say YES LORD a little deeper. You are such a treasure, to Him and to me!
Jeri, I adore you! It’s funny that you say those things about me because I feel the same about you. God connected our hearts for a reason. I am so honored to call you a friend. We must get together soon.
LOVE YOU!
I was planning to delete you before I read this message. I was wondering where God”s Word was. Thank you for your honesty and bravery. By they way, the 31 Days to a Clean Nest made me feel like an inadequate slob… which I am not. I am a busy mom of 3 kids ages 4 and under. They can create quite a mess in one room while I am cleaning another. It is the nature of their age. The only way I can get & keep my house spic and span is to have my kids live in another house. That obviously isn’t going to happen.
And thank YOU for your honesty, Abbey. It is difficult to share the message without providing the truth of God’s word behind it. I think I’m going to go back and edit those last few posts. They need some spiritual clarification.