Abundant Life Advent Challenge: Day 17
Not only is this space an often dark place, it’s often neglected. Don’t worry, we’re talking about under the kitchen sink. It’s not the same dark place many find themselves in this time of year. Or through the process of answering a call from God. Yep, I went deep. Real. Quick. If you are struggling, please send me a private message. I know firsthand the darkness that can chase us. A real enemy is trying to stop us from talking about our amazing God! The good news is, our God is mightier! Lean in and He will protect you!
Today, as you work through the dark space under your kitchen sink, pray for those who may be facing darkness. Just as adding a light under the sink can help you clean the space and keep it clean, adding the Light of God to the darkness, helps everyone see more clearly. I know this seems like a strange metaphor, but this is what God gave me for today.
A few years ago, my sister gave me one of these stick-on light switches. I mentioned it in Save the Butter Tubs! Discover Your Worth in a Disposable World, when sharing about sincere gift-givers. One of these switches can change how you feel about the darkness under your sink. This 4-pack is a fabulous find because you can light up every under-the-sink cabinet in your home.
I can’t help but share of how a little Light in the dark corners of our world can change so much. I’m now laughing out loud at how God would use the “kitchen sink” post for me to talk about everything on my mind at once! Knowing about the darkness that writers face, that creators face, I’ve been praying. How do I help more Christian women tell their stories? What’s keeping them from doing so? Yes, it’s the nuts and bolts of how to. I teach that in my Author Business Network, but it’s so much more than that. We teach author mindset and overcoming writer’s block, but I know firsthand that the biggest issue for Christians is Spiritual warfare.
Regularly, Christian women tell me they feel the nudge to write. Not all of them would consider themselves writers. They have other careers. But, God is calling them to share their story. Many of them talk themselves out of it before they even start. I also know firsthand how you can easily talk yourself out of a calling. God provided a clear lesson through an encounter I had with Him more than a year ago. I documented the process in A Moved Soul. I wouldn’t believe the story and call in that book actually happened if I hadn’t documented it. I’ll forever be grateful I did because I too need this reminder.
Six months ago, God prompted me to start something new. I’ve been overthinking it for months. Why? Because it’s bigger than me. It’s going to stretch me. But what did A Moved Soul teach me? Lean in! About a month ago, I surrendered to the call, leaned in, and the clarity poured out. If you’re curious about what the prompting from God was, head over to the homepage. God wants me to provide a safe and cozy place of encouragement for those women to share their stories. I’ll be doing this in three ways:
Now, if you’ve been following me for any length of time, you may be questioning if this is a pivot. It’s not a pivot but an expansion. I’m beyond excited about the BIG vision God has for this and can’t wait to see it all unfold.
So now, if you’ve read this far, what do you do today? You clean under your kitchen sink. You shine your light. You share this with anyone you know who has been called to write. And, if that’s you, you join at whatever level God provides for. God is calling.
Brenda A. Haire is the Co-founder and CEO of Joy of Pursuit, helping authors write, publish, market, and build an author business. She is the founder of Publish & Tell creating retreats and cozy inspiration for writers. She’s the author of The Worth Saving Series: Knowing Your Worth Changes Everything, The Worth Pursuing Series: A Moved Soul, The Team Solution Series: HR Coaching to Grow Teams and Profit, and The Author Solution Series.
