I took on a 31 Days Writing Challenge to get back into blogging, again. I’ve been blogging quietly and communal, off and on for the past 10 years. I get anxious or overwhelmed with putting myself out there and then quickly close up shop. But I always come back…always. Blogging serves a creative good for me, confirmed over and over again by my husband and my spiritual father. So this morning, I said a prayer for strength. I know what I am supposed to be doing. I know why and I’m learning how. Now I need the strength.
These past few months have been trying. There is the usual complexities involved in raising a large family–finances, relationships, clean clothing and soccer schedules times five, piano and Girls Leadership. All blessings indeed, but sometimes, they are just the collective one more thing.
There was the respiratory virus that bored a huge hole in our lives, disrupting everything from outside activities, to simple household chores and home learning for nine weeks. And the respiratory virus chose to make it’s debut two days after my husband left for almost four months of out of state work…his work never travels, why then?
There has always been my creative passion, blogging, to either distract and or make sense of it all. I think out loud either verbally or through blogging. And even blogging took a hit this year. I changed the name of my blog the beginning of the year to a more user friendly name. And just shy of a couple months into the new name, for possible legal reasons, I had to change the name again. Not good for momentum and continuity and not good from a business perspective.
I have felt discouraged, rubbed raw and worn smooth–or almost smooth–at times. I have stepped back and completely away from blogging only to return, drawn to this creative outlet and compelled to share my words, my stories, and even the little details in my weekly Daybook, like what song I’m listening to as of late because I know you are there just like I’m on the other end of someone else’s thoughts and words. I have recently shifted my focus or rather clarified my intention. Blogging for me is not just a creative outlet, I know it to be my humble witness of the love and mercy of God and His workings in my life; so dare I call it a ministry?
Back to my prayer for strength Sunday morning. I didn’t sit down with the intention to pray for strength. I sat down and read from Divine Intimacy and the section I read was all about the life of the apostolate. An in my reading, I felt compelled to write and the result was this prayer…
Prayer for Strength
Lord, I know you have placed a call on my heart to share You–Your truths revealed in the scriptures–to worn and weary women struggling with anxiety, worry and doubt. Please show me and use me to reach their hearts and minds and show them there is power in positive thinking, positive affirmations and daily affirmations. Keep me from being more internet noise but a woman of conversion–always renewing my heart and mind to grow in closer friendship with You. And a woman of conviction–able to share Your truths through my life stories and ponderings which I share on The Littlest Way for the encouragement of others.
I have mentioned and will occasionally mention the struggles I have had with my thinking. Those struggles are a part of my story which make me who I am–Hi There! And those struggles were hard, scary, and lonely. I don’t have to go into the details and only mention them for context. Neither one of us need the details or reminders, they would only serve as a superficial distraction and bring out the base voyeur that lurks in all of us. I don’t like to go there, much less linger in the past. My goal is to focus on the present.
And that brings me to the purpose of The Littlest Way…to focus on the love and mercy of a gracious Father who blesses us with the gift of the present moment and grants us hope for the things to come.
Each day there is more encouragement and even some laughs over on my Facebook page. Head over and “Like” me there for more.
MonaMarieRosemary says
Yes, yours is a ministry. End of Discussion.
Some of us “process life with words.” (I want to say, what other way is there ? ? ?)
Cling. It’s been a while, but one time in prayer, I felt God telling me HE is clinging to ME. You know, like nasty Saran Wrap only better. (I love me some decent Saran Wrap but actually I use Tupperware and Rubbermaid for a more earth friendly approach). Never fear, God is here. God will never leave me. God is clinging to me. Like a shadow. Like a scent of perfume. Like, I don’t have to do all the work of clinging/holding on for dear life, HE will cling to ME.
Use me. “Bend me, shape me, any way you want me, ‘long as you love me, it’s alright.” Some musical group from the 60s?
Tami says
I’ve learned in a great way recently that I can not rely on my strength alone. I am a weakling!
Jenny says
And that’s not a bad thing because when we are weak, He is strong. Our weakness forces us to cling to Him.
Jenny @ Women With Intention says
I love your prayer (and Angelas’s)! Being a mom, wife, blogger, and everything else we do is hard but with God’s strength we can do this! Thank you for being a voice to the tired, weary women who read and provide encouragement to them.
Jenny says
So glad to meet you Jenny. Thank you for the encouragement.
Clare says
Most certainly it’s a ministry – God continues to touch us through words such as those you write so beautifully and so regularly. I would miss then if they weren’t there – and so would many others. Thank you for all you write.
Jenny says
Thank you Clare, I take those words to heart.
Mariel Collins says
Beautiful prayer!
Lysha @ Magnolia Mom says
Sometimes it is hard to put ourselves out there. For me, it can be so therapeutic. Another great 31 day post!
Debra Alexander says
Beautiful blog – I reared five children, so I can relate. It is a beautiful blessing, but can be exhausting! Press on! Keep blogging!
Sarah Travis says
I love your prayer Jenny and feel the same way. Blogging is my way of communicating with the LORD, processing my thoughts from Him, and sharing with others. Some days I feel worn out and beaten and it is also my prayer for strength to continue – thank you for sharing 🙂
Jennifer says
What a beautiful and humbling encouragement Jenny. Thanks for sharing, I always enjoy reading your posts!
Mariana Andrade says
Thank you for this encouraging post! 🙂
Angela Pea says
I Love You!!
Okay…you have to know that my first prayer upon waking is “Thank you, God, for today.” Not a recitation of the list of things that I know need to be addressed, but a simple Thank you for THIS day.
My next prayer of the day is said at my desk, or while walking up to my office – “Lord, please grant me the grace of success at whatever task you set before me today. Give me the strength, tools and frame of mind to do good work with a cheerful heart. Let my work be inspired by You, completed happily in You and most of all be pleasing to You.”
Yep. Strength. I ask my Heavenly Father for it every day.
Jenny says
Miss Bee wants to print your prayer out. Not the “Thank You for this day.” She’s smart enough to remember that one! Thanks for the love Angela. I hope you know how much you are loved in this house.
Julie Jordan Scott says
Your voice – that blessed gift from God – comes in so loud and clear. I’m so glad I visited you today. Your words are a great inspiration to me. Thank you!
Jenny says
Thank you Julie. All glory and honor goes to Him. I’m glad for your visit.
~Karrilee~ says
Oh yes… I love this! This line in the prayer specifically spoke to me: “Keep me from being more internet noise but a woman of conversion–always renewing my heart and mind to grow in closer friendship with You.” Amen! Let it be so, Lord!
Jenny says
Hi Karrilee…that line got me too. A great reminder for each time I sit down at the computer.
Erin Kass says
I’m so glad you’re allowing God to use you even though it’s not easy! Thanks for the encouraging post 🙂
Jenny says
You understand Erin, right, to be used by Him? An honor and privilege for sure, but sometimes those doubts slowly creep…creep…
Theresa says
I am so glad you are *out there* for encouragement and support since you are the first blog I visit in the morning and some days…it’s the only one I have time for ; )
Have a most blessed (and smooth?) week.
Jenny says
Ah Theresa, my friend, we have been together for a while now. You understand my heart.