Lisa Jo Baker has a blog that I love to read. She has this thing on Fridays – Five Minute Friday.
You guessed it; write for five minutes straight. No editing. No re-do.
Today’s Topic: Ordinary
GO
I’m not sure what I have to offer anyone. I’m not even a real writer.
But, I signed up for the Allume Conference.
“The Allume conference exists to offer a gathering place for kindred spirits to connect, learn, grow, and be refreshed so they can persevere in being a people who bring hope to the world through the social media medium.”
“…bring hope to the world….” the.world.
Y’all these ladies are anything, but ordinary. I’ve read their blogs, their stories and their books. Books! They’ve written books!
Me? Us? We’re not even finished with our last chapter; we’re still surviving it.
But, I signed up anyway and then totally second guessed myself, feeling so ordinary, so small.
I left to run ordinary errands, on an ordinary lunch hour and ugly insecurity made itself at home in my head, in my thoughts.
And yet, the Holy Spirit in me began shaking my core and tears began to sting my eyes as I realized that God always uses the Ordinary.
I’ve wrapped myself up in Danny and Corbin that I’ve forgotten about little, ol’ ordinary me. I don’t have to write about brain injury and recovery and care-giving all the time.
But, based on those things that have become ordinary in our lives, I can write with the knowledge and experience being rooted in Jesus Christ about our extraordinary discoveries along the way-hope, community, peace, provision, perseverance, commitment, patience.
I have a voice of my own. To some, it may sound ordinary, but God has given me an extraordinary message to perhaps none, but one.
May God give me the words for at least one.
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And, may He help me not look like a fool in the extraordinary company at Allume.
STOP
I love this “We’re not even finished with our last chapter; we’re still surviving it”
You underestimate the power of your story, it is going to be amazing. I’d bet it already is. I only started calling myself a “writer” a year or so ago. People quickly say, “Oh, where would I have seen your work?” As if it were that easy 🙂 I’m excited about Allume for you. I wanted to go too, can’t swing it. Go, be blessed!
I want to shout “Hallelujah!” from the rooftops. You are beyond ordinary – you’re extraordinary. Here’s to amazing YOU.
” … as I realized that God always uses the Ordinary.” Indeed he did and he does. I took a moment to read your story and Allison, he is using you. You may never know where the ripples of camaraderie and encouragement have fallen, but know he is using you! And good for you for the courage to sign up for Allume. 🙂
Enjoy Allume…someday I hope to go. And those ladies, they are just like you. They are women who write, each with a different voice, and a unique story. 😉
YES! He is using your “ordinary” to encourage and inspire. And it would seem, lighting a beautiful little flame of desire for a little extra-ordinary now, too.