And so I decided I want to make art that means something to me. I don’t want to let Fear muddy up the clear waters of faith. So I say yes, and for exactly two and a half minutes, it feels good to take a risk.
But then Fear’s besties show up: Panic and Anxiety. They stand breathing heavy right over my shoulder, and it has been my habit to turn around and hold their hands, rocking to their rhythm, crying with them in the dark. But there has been a rescue. Jesus came to give me the option to make a different choice.
This art is so much bigger than me, my influence, my insecurities, my stories. I’m speaking this weekend at a retreat in the North Carolina mountains. I don’t normally say yes to speaking. I’m a writer, you see. Writers like to have the space to weigh the words we say and take them back, if need be. But this message is burning holes, and it’s time to get up from the writing of it and step in to speaking it – to look into the eyes of women like me and see if we have anything in common.
Fear and his friends still stand behind me, but I am choosing not to turn around.
I feel the same way about speaking. I would much rather have the luxury of letting the words simmer before sharing them. I hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Maryea {happy healthy mama}´s last [type] ..Meal Planning Tips for Busy Moms
Oh Emily! Be free! It’s just what I wrote about this morning …
I am praying for you. I know you’ll be exhilarated.
Can’t wait to hear all about it.
Enjoy!
Susie Davis´s last [type] ..Be Free
Emily, I know exactly how you feel!!!! I pray that you continue to look ahead and don’t turn back!!! Fear, panic and anxiety have absolutely nothing to offer us – only the sweet face of Jesus does!!! Keep your eyes on Him and live in His freedom!!!! You can do it!!! I know you will be so abundantly blessed by your speaking engagement and you will touch so many hearts!!!!!
Keep up the Good Work!!!!!
Lorraine
proud of you. praying for you.
Imperfect´s last [type] ..My Boogie Shoes
Oh! I wish I could go and hear you speak! Believe me…you will be great. The message God has given you will penetrate hearts, wether on paper, on a computer screen, or in the air. It carries the same weight.
Melissa´s last [type] ..Allowing is Like Jumping
His GLORY is burning through you!! you are setting the captives free as He speaks through you!
adornedlife´s last [type] ..downer
Saying a prayer for you today as you journey on with fear and anxiety nipping at your heels. You have a message that needs to be heard! I know it has been encouragement for my weary heart, I’ve started taking a few risks again because of your words.
Jamie @ Six Bricks High´s last [type] ..Five Minute Friday- Waking Up
Good girl! Pull up them boots…go get em. Wish we could web cam the whole thing! Remember, it is not I, but Christ who lives in me. Be bold. Be blessed. Be free.
Robyn Q´s last [type] ..Spring Break Out
thanks, Robyn! The closer it gets to me leaving the smaller I feel. But small is a good thing, isn’t it? Thanks for your words, friends!
Emily´s last [type] ..the choice
I wanna come! I like mountains, NC, speakers.
Break a leg!
Meg´s last [type] ..Da Goat
I believe that you have a gift for speaking. I saw it in our conversation in TN and I saw it again in your promo video. Those ladies will be blessed by your, and they’ll bless you right back.
-SJ
Flower Patch Farmgirl´s last [type] ..Minnie Pearl
So applicable to a whole lot of areas of life! Thank you for sharing this – it’s speaking to me today.
Shannon´s last [type] ..If Only I Loved Swimming- Thoughts from the Edge of the Diving Board
I’d love to hear you speak! But I completely understand how you feel. I was asked to speak at a women’s meeting in May and I’m shaking just thinking about it. I like my place behind my computer! I did hear Beth Moore (I think) say that if you’re not reaching, you’re probably not doing what God wants you to do. Interesting thought. I’ve been thinking on it a lot lately.
Saying a prayer for you. You’ll be wonderful!
-FringeGirl
the domestic fringe´s last [type] ..Pole Dancin’ for Jesus – My Opinion
I’ll be thinking of you and sending wishes for strength, clarity, and great success. You may not be able to take your words back this time, but you’re still a word girl. Use them to do you thing!
wow! you go girl! i’m sure your words will be as beautiful coming out of your mouth as they are typed out.
I know they will.
cat moore´s last [type] ..Progress Illness Links
Sending up a prayer for clarity and peace and that the message He has for your listeners will be heard. So exciting Emily, one more way you get to be a pencil in His hand!
Megs´s last [type] ..Go Team Go!
Panic and anxiety have been real comfortable in my house for a while. I am working, with God’s grace and power, to overcome and kick them out!
Have a great weekend!
Bernice
Living the Balanced Life´s last [type] ..The cure for everything and an interview with a blogger
I’ll be thinking of you this weekend – I’d LOVE to be there to hear you! This is good stuff, you know. Go, girl. Go, God!
I’m SO with you on writing and speaking! I like time for my words to sit and think. I so admire you stepping out of comfort, and into joy.
Alie´s last [type] ..100!
You will be wonderful. I am sure of it. Because you just are. =)
shelley.´s last [type] ..some other beginnings end
You will be your amazing self.
deb @ talk at the table´s last [type] ..finding robins in winter just so
It’s Holy Sweetness, girl! He led you to this place. He’s given you the words to say. Receive and be blessed!
Amy´s last [type] ..letting it all go
So proud of you Emily. I promise to be praying for you throughout the weekend. Jesus will be standing right over you shoulder – and beside you – and in front of you.
Linda´s last [type] ..Just Yarning Along
And if you DO turn around, you will see all your cyber-buddies cheering you on! YOU. ARE. COVERED!!!! <3
Joy @ B-Joyful´s last [type] ..national not really-take-a-risk-day
You are covered in prayer this weekend.
Go get those girls!
Tracey´s last [type] ..Five Minute Friday- Waking up
emily – you will bless many because you are real and you know where your strength comes from. love you!
Jami´s last [type] ..when we dont understand
writers like to have the space to weigh the words and take them back, if need be.
YEAH! I feel that way. I HATE talking, because then I rewind what I said and I want to melt into the pavement. I’m so impulsive. IS this helping you with your speaking anxiety? Probably not. So, good luck and I’m not worried. You seem to have a natural talent for it.
JoAnn´s last [type] ..The Hairless Squirrel- The Wet Shoes- And The Frazzled Mommy
Good for you!! I am sure that your mouth will open and you will be able to share the words of your heart. You go!!!
Pattyann´s last [type] ..Behaving Badly
On my knees right now praying for you, sweet girl. He will give you everything you need! Update us after you speak, k?
Kristen-Chasing Blue Skies´s last [type] ..Five Minute Friday- Waking Up
I hear you. That is wonderful! Press on!
I’m a writer. But, sometimes I have to face people – people who may or may not have the same things in common with me. And it’s scary. Yet, somehow it bolsters my faith. Recently I’m standing on 1 Chronicles 20:17 (take your position, stand firm, and watch Him deliver you!).
Blessings this weekend!
Here’s to a wonderful conference with lots of truth, soul contecting, and refreshment.
Scary art finds me. I always think who am I to take this on, to speak as some sort of authority through a voice/culture/experience I can’t claim? I try to remember I am human, and that is enough to tie me to the rest of humanity, but I will confess I continue to doubt.
Oh, I hadn’t seen your book cover. I love it!
Amy Sullivan´s last [type] ..The Power of Words
Praying for you today! Blessings!
Abby´s last [type] ..Birthday
Exactly how i feel. sure one minute, panicked the next. let me know how it goes!
Yes, much easier to write than to speak; changes can be made with a gentle pat on the “Delete” button when writing; words can be rearranged and prettied-up. In real life… sometimes not even apologies erase off-the-cuff words. However… God is faithful. When He calls, He equips. He will use you to bless and set free many hearts that belong to Him that grieve under shame, guilt, not being perfect or measuring up.
And those two besties? They are brats! But on each arm of God are the muscles of His power. One swipe of His word and we can send them scurrying. But they sure like to visit often, don’t they?
Liz Grundvig´s last [type] ..Prince Charming
Wow!!! I love this, soooo reminds me of my life story…a little book called “Hind’s Feet on High Places” by Hannah Hurnard!!
I just started reading a book by Celia Thaxter (An Island Garden). She has this to say about having a passion for flowers :
“… I do not mean a light or shallow affection; no butterfly interest, but a real love which is worthy of the name, which is capable of
the dignity of sacrifice, great enough to bear discomfort of body and disappointment of spirit, strong enough to fight a thousand
enemies for the thing beloved, with power, with judgment, with endless patience…”
This helped me to understand having a passion for something.
Wish I could be in that audience cheering you on!
Michelle DeRusha@Graceful´s last [type] ..Seeing
there’s such a warmth and realness to you, emily.. i’m sure those women were blessed hearing your heart and found connection in what you had to say~
i like the point you brought out about fear still being there, but forging ahead regardless. sometimes i feel “less than” .. not brave enough. confident enough. spiritual enough to live life fear-less. but i was reminded hearing your words here that it’s our fears that cause us to cling tighter to Him… and in some ways, i wonder if it doesn’t make us more “tangible” to those around us. being able to admit we’re nervous and scared. like reading how you felt to speak at the retreat i thought, “wow. she’s so normal! i think i could be friends with this girl!”
and when people feel that understanding from someone i think the message God’s given them to share just becomes that much more powerful!
grace.to.be´s last [type] ..Thursday- March 24- 2011
This is how I felt when I signed up for Blissdom…so elated and excited for the adventure, oh, the possibilities! That didn’t last long, and I quickly began to wonder whatever was I thinking! Have I lost my mind?!
imoomie´s last [type] ..Try…