Good morning sweet bloggy sisters! Whew... I had quite a weekend but it was great. Thanks to Renee Swope and my other P 31 sisters, you did not have to wait all weekend for the answers to your many questions. I was in Virginia Beach this weekend and my internet service went down. So, my friends came to my rescue. This brings me to the answer of the most frequent question I get asked, "How do you do all that you do?"
I could write a lot on this question about how God taught this normally scatterbrained Chick, how to get intentional with every bit of time I have. But I think I'll share a different part of the answer today. One big reason I am able to do what I do with raising 5 kids, running a ministy, speaking and writing is that I surround myself with amazing people.
Did you see the way that my P31 sisters just stepped in without missing a beat to help me out? And on a weekend at that.
Now, that answer begs another question. How do you attract amazing people and invite them into the vision of your ministry? I'm convinced that every person has locked within them incredible potential. We are all made in the image of the Almighty God, right? So, I look for people who long to be used by God in teaching and writing. I don't look for superstars. I don't look for the most polished and put together. I look for that women who has the gift of pause... that when the rest of the world rushes by a least of them, these ladies would notice, stop, and take action.
You see to become part of the Proverbs 31 Ministries' speaker team, you have to first attend the She Speaks conference and then serve the ministry for a season before you start getting speaking opportunities. This helps people to know whether they feel called to the ministry or are just attracted to the opportunities our ministry offers. There is a big difference.
Those that are called to this ministry, I feel very passionate about making sure they get opportunities that will bring their ministry to life. The Lord challenged me a long time ago that I was to honor Him with every opportunity I got by asking myself a question each time somthing big happened. The question is this: "Who else can I bless with this opportunity I've just been given." And I think every woman on our team asks a similiar question as we love to help each other grow, share opportunities, and cheer each other on in our successes.
Does all this come naturally? Not always. But we make choices to protect that bond of unity that God has blessed us with.
Now, here are a few other answers to questions you asked:
A trivia question how old were you when your first book was published?
My first book was released in 2000. I was 31 years old.
How did you zero in on the topic for your first book?
After years of trying to get published to no avail... I stopped trying. But I did not stop writing. I told God I would be faithful with every writing opportunity and I trusted Him with the publishing thing. To be honest, I was so weary from all the rejection. Then one day I wrote an article for Larry Burkett's magazine called "Living Life On Purpose." I thought it was the worst artice I ever wrote. But the Vice President of Moody Publishers read it and liked it and offered me a book contract. My first book was appropriately named, "Living Life On Purpose."
Which came first for you - speaking or writing?
Writing small articles came first. Then I started speaking. As my speaking ministry grew, my opportunities for writing in more major publications seemed to grow as well.
I'll leave you with just a couple of parting thoughts... "Wisdom is to do now what you will be satisfied with later." This quote applies to many things in life, but especially the sacrifices that are necessary when pursuing ministry. Be faithful in the little everyday things now, and God will use those seemingly insignificant things to prepare you for ministry. God develops our character to match our calling in the fields of everyday life.
Now for the winner of the "For the Write Reason" book:
Amanda!
Congrats Amanda. Please send us your address and I'll make sure it is sent out to you right away... Lysa1@Proverbs31.org.
I could write a lot on this question about how God taught this normally scatterbrained Chick, how to get intentional with every bit of time I have. But I think I'll share a different part of the answer today. One big reason I am able to do what I do with raising 5 kids, running a ministy, speaking and writing is that I surround myself with amazing people.
Did you see the way that my P31 sisters just stepped in without missing a beat to help me out? And on a weekend at that.
Now, that answer begs another question. How do you attract amazing people and invite them into the vision of your ministry? I'm convinced that every person has locked within them incredible potential. We are all made in the image of the Almighty God, right? So, I look for people who long to be used by God in teaching and writing. I don't look for superstars. I don't look for the most polished and put together. I look for that women who has the gift of pause... that when the rest of the world rushes by a least of them, these ladies would notice, stop, and take action.
You see to become part of the Proverbs 31 Ministries' speaker team, you have to first attend the She Speaks conference and then serve the ministry for a season before you start getting speaking opportunities. This helps people to know whether they feel called to the ministry or are just attracted to the opportunities our ministry offers. There is a big difference.
Those that are called to this ministry, I feel very passionate about making sure they get opportunities that will bring their ministry to life. The Lord challenged me a long time ago that I was to honor Him with every opportunity I got by asking myself a question each time somthing big happened. The question is this: "Who else can I bless with this opportunity I've just been given." And I think every woman on our team asks a similiar question as we love to help each other grow, share opportunities, and cheer each other on in our successes.
Does all this come naturally? Not always. But we make choices to protect that bond of unity that God has blessed us with.
Now, here are a few other answers to questions you asked:
A trivia question how old were you when your first book was published?
My first book was released in 2000. I was 31 years old.
How did you zero in on the topic for your first book?
After years of trying to get published to no avail... I stopped trying. But I did not stop writing. I told God I would be faithful with every writing opportunity and I trusted Him with the publishing thing. To be honest, I was so weary from all the rejection. Then one day I wrote an article for Larry Burkett's magazine called "Living Life On Purpose." I thought it was the worst artice I ever wrote. But the Vice President of Moody Publishers read it and liked it and offered me a book contract. My first book was appropriately named, "Living Life On Purpose."
Which came first for you - speaking or writing?
Writing small articles came first. Then I started speaking. As my speaking ministry grew, my opportunities for writing in more major publications seemed to grow as well.
I'll leave you with just a couple of parting thoughts... "Wisdom is to do now what you will be satisfied with later." This quote applies to many things in life, but especially the sacrifices that are necessary when pursuing ministry. Be faithful in the little everyday things now, and God will use those seemingly insignificant things to prepare you for ministry. God develops our character to match our calling in the fields of everyday life.
Now for the winner of the "For the Write Reason" book:
Amanda!
Congrats Amanda. Please send us your address and I'll make sure it is sent out to you right away... Lysa1@Proverbs31.org.
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