Should I quit?
Do you ever wonder what difference it makes and why you do what you do? Do you ever question your calling? I imagine we all do. Looking at my stats this summer, I wanted to throw in the towel. Clearly, it was time for a break. More people unsubscribed to my blog than subscribed. Don’t worry, I don’t blame them, sometimes I can’t complete my thoughts and I write half-baked words. Distracted, overwhelmed, and unmotivated, my life feels like it’s been ripped out of my clenched fists. I wonder if I should quit. Do you?
I’m skinned up
Waves have knocked me off my feet before, but this time body surfing isn’t the thrill it used to be. One foot in front of the other to brace myself, I looked over my shoulder and calculated the wave’s arrival. Diving into the crest, the water torpedoed my body to shore, except when I hesitated and missed it altogether. Other times, the power of the wave dragged me along the sandy bottom leaving my bathing suit full of grit and my lungs empty of air.
That’s pretty much how I feel right now: skinned up, yucky and gasping.
Less and less people read the words I shovel up out of my soul and honestly I read less and less of what others write. We live in a noisy world and the voices of gifted authors and talented speakers rise above the background sound of my keyboard between trips to work, trips to see my kids and trips to see my parents all while trying to hold my own life together.
“But we must hold on to the progress we have already made.” Philippians 3:16 NLT
Our calling isn’t about others, it’s about obedience
But is it worth it? I heard the Bible study was cancelled because only 12 people were attending. Seriously, twelve? Of all numbers…. I’m glad Jesus thought 12 raggedy men were worth investing in and dying for. Then I remembered my own numbers, yeah, the stats. Jesus talked about numbers too; He left the 99 to find one.
Decreasing
Though my overall stats are still down a tad, my personal connections are up. I hear from individuals, often privately. So this is for you, yes you and just you. Jesus never called us to megachurches and huge platforms, He called us to take up our cross and follow him. Daily, die to self and self promotion. Do it. Do it for one or a thousand. Most of all, do it in obedience to the Lord- until He calls you out or calls you home. I’ve traveled to the far side of the globe to share the gospel with one person, why not write a 1,000 words for a few?
John 3:30, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” HCSB
Everyone has a calling #calledtoserve Click To TweetWhat is your calling?
“None of us will accidentally fulfill our calling. Fulfillment will require focus, stamina, self-discipline, and, as reluctant as we are to accept it, a certain amount of suffering. We have to be willing to do whatever it takes to go where God leads.” ~ Beth Moore
Each of us is uniquely gifted to serve the body of Christ. Find what you are called to do and do it. Whether you write words in public or rock babies in private; it matters. Personally if I had a newborn in the nursery I’d care a lot more about a clean hiney than letters on a screen. So don’t quit. Ironically, I once thought this was easy. I suppose there are seasons along the journey. Seasons of wiping and seasons of winning. Where do you find yourself?
Walk the long road of obedience, all the way home…
As one of your readers and friends, you often touch me where I need shoving in the right direction. God uses you in ways you probably don’t even know. Thank you for your obedience to your calling.
This makes me smile, then the shoving part cracked me up. Thanks friend
Well…you KNOW I can relate 😂 – a recent Compel lesson taught about the author’s platform and how we’ve gotten it all backwards. The platform is for the speaker to stand on so the people in the back can see – in other words – it is for reaching readers that might not otherwise be able to “see” – the readers God sends us to hear our given message. Loved your post and am too encouraged to write another day if for nothing else than obedience. ❤️
When I wrote this a few months ago I thought it was just for writers, but when I shared with a fellow writer she encouraged me to publish it. I love your writing Donna! Keep on sister, keep on
Thank you friend ❤️❤️❤️
Don’t you quit. For every one person who unsubscribes there are who knows how many more out there who see your words and are thinking, “Thank you, God, for this woman who isn’t afraid to be transparent,” or “Bless her heart, Lord, and thank you for showing me I’m not crazy or if I am, I’m not the only one.”
I look forward to your emails in my inbox! I read. A lot. And lemme tell ya, you are gifted in that you make the reader feel like they are sitting right there with you – Using imagery, you say what’s on your mind and on your heart in a way that has the reader connecting with you. So, do not throw that towel in, girlie. Don’t let that roaring lion, Satan, do a number on you. He aint worth your time.
I have no idea where this reply is going out there on the world wide web and I’m about half afraid to post it and find out but it’s more important that you know there are folks out here rootin’ for ya! Have a beautiful rest of your day!
Favorite comment ever! The wondering if I’m the only one who feels this way is the risky part. It’s scary letting the world see inside your head but the reward is when it hits home with others. Thank you for reading, commenting, encouraging and joining me on this journey
Saturday morning is one of the highlights of my week! I eagerly read your new post- always blessed, forever amazed at your giftedness, and usually repentant because God uses your vulnerability to expose sin in my own heart.
“Though my beginning was insignificant, my end increased greatly” -Job
Keep trusting and obeying! Can’t wait to see what happens next,
Thelma. 😉
God is seriously so cool! I read that verse about 20 minutes ago. Love, love, love that God partnered us together
I’m wiping my eyes with the towel I felt like throwing in. I know feelings lie and we have an enemy seeking to devour.
This timely message let’s me know
I am not alone.
Thank you
Use your gift. All the way home
Your words resonated with me this morning. It seems like there is temptation all around to quit, but somehow I keep going. Thanks for the encouragement.
We are tempted by the enemy who sees our threat to his work. Keep on
Thank you Vickie for your encouraging words and that little nudge. You reminded me that no matter how small of an impact we make we are still making a difference. ❤
It matters!
Timely message, I needed to hear this today and girl, my numbers are way lower than yours.
Couldn’t sleep as my mind was tossing trying to find the perfect name for my blog….then I got up and read the first chapter of Why Her by Nicki Koziarz. I realized my Her, was my fellow bloggers. Oh yes caught in the comparison trap wanting to have a blog name as cute, memorable and searchable as theirs.
If we are going to give anything up I think it should be pride.
Ouch! Truth to my heart. I love you and. Your graceful, polka dotted self
Love you too.
Please don’t quit, I don’t always comment but I read every word. Everyone has sinking spells, so hang in you’ll surface.
I had a big old sinking spell, so I took a break. Glad I’m back. Thanks for your encouragement
Hi – I usually read your blog straight from my e mail instead of going onto your Web page so maybe it doesn’t show up as traffic? Anyhow I read these words recently somewhere which will hopefully encourage you. ” A strong woman knows she has enough strength for her journey, but a praying woman knows it’s in her journey, where she’ll find her strength” so…… keep praying!
Good advice!
For starters, I can’t imagine anyone unfollowing you! But I’m also reminded of advice I heard before I started my blog. It was something to effect of don’t get bogged down in numbers; just write what’s on your heart and your readers will find you. I think anyone who blogs or writes for public consumption can fall into this trap. Just keep on writing. Now I need to take my own advice!
I also think when it’s a trend I need to ask myself why. I took a much needed break but I’m glad to be back and so thankful for the writers who’ve influenced and encouraged me along way
Vickie, I always look forward to reading your blog. You have ministered to me on so many occasions thru your written word and in person. This past Saturday, I had my quite time, reading my Bible and praying and as I prayed for you,, I knew I had so much to do that I was not going to take time to read the blog on Saturday morning, but was sure it would speak to me when I had a chance to read it. Well, I just now read it while taking a late lunch break at work and as always, it definitely spoke to me. Wherever our individual journey leads us, there are times we all want to throw in the towel. Fortunately, for many of us we have not necessarily put ourselves out there for public scrutiny so others do not always realize when we may give up – – – or at least have thought about it. Your honesty and transparency are so real and I am always inspired by your message.
Keep on writing and telling your story. There are a lot of us out here who look forward to getting that boost from you weekly.
Love you and continuing to pray for you.
You’re prayers mean the world to me. Thanks and big hugs
Never let the numbers discourage you. God is using you in much greater ways than numbers!
He definitely has a plan. For all of us