I took a little risk

     I've done a lot of writing here on this sweet little family blog.  I love to capture moments with words.  I love to share what I'm learning with others in the written form.  For the past seven and a half years, I've written about little bits of our full and crazy days.  I've written about weighty things like big moves, insecurities, death of loved ones, and the many ways God shows me grace. 

     About a month ago, I decided to take a little risk.  I saw that an online magazine was accepting new writers.  After contemplating things for a week, I decided to send in a submission.  They had asked for a writing sample, so I chose one of my favorite blog posts from Deertales: one called "Magic and Wonder" that I had written here back in 2010.  Even though I had given this a lot of thought throughout the week, when I actually sent in the writing sample, my pulse was elevated from nerves and it felt impulsive.  I had not even discussed it with Lige.  I was scared to try this new thing, scared to fail, and scared to succeed, and since I wasn't sure what reaction I wanted or needed from Lige, I decided to send it first-tell him later.

     After about a week without response, I decided to tell Lige.  Of course he was nothing but encouraging and supportive.  More supportive and encouraging than I would have thought, actually.  I tend to doubt myself so much that it was refreshing to see Lige's confidence in me.  In my 12 years as a mom, I haven't done a lot of new things.  This felt like a risk and risks can be scary.

     I had waited with anticipation for a week without hearing anything from the online magazine.  After a week's worth of the exciting stress of possibilities, I decided to let it go.  I had been having second thoughts anyway.  I was praying a lot about my motives.  I was hashing it out with God about the contrast between things just falling into place or needing to work a little to achieve something.  Plus, with literally MILLIONS of blog writers in the world today, I understand that I don't have much "new" to say; I don't have a niche.  I just have a love affair with words and sharing them with others!

     Then I got an email stating they were going to use the piece I had submitted.  :)

     My article went live last Thursday on Her View From Home.  You can check it out here: http://herviewfromhome.com/magic-and-wonder/  and I hope you do!  As with all things online, "published" doesn't mean what it used to, but I'm still excited and proud to have something I've written shared with a wider audience.  The folks at Her View From Home will monitor my article's views.  There's the potential to write more for them.  I would love that.  I'm just going to wait and see what God does.  Maybe this was just a practice at stepping out of my comfort zone.  Maybe I'll be given more opportunities to write and inspire and encourage others.  Either way, I'm happy to have my Deertales space to explore, share, inspire and process all the good and grace in my life.