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Flickr Photo Credit: Kansas Poetry (Patrick)
I’ve wanted to jump in to Five Minute Fridays for some time now, but fear has held me back.
I’m not a quick thinker. Thoughts need to process and words take time and how could I write well in five minutes?
I so value you, this community.
With the barrage of words in our worlds and the clutter on our screens, I am so grateful that you would share some of your time with me, here, and I never want to waste it: your time, an opportunity, the ministry we can have one to another.
I think so often of you that there are a million great posts in my head and only a few here. Sometimes the words don’t come out right, so I don’t let them come out at all.
It’s fear, really.
I’m afraid. Afraid of wasting your time, afraid you won’t like me, afraid … those thoughts sound so silly when they are no longer in my head, but there they are.
I don’t write here because I’m afraid to write here.
Writing is harder than you think. There are a million voices that tell you why you can’t, why you shouldn’t, and that you’re just not enough. I’ve listened to so many of those voices, I don’t even know what mine sounds like.
But I made the decision and followed through. Today is the day I cast fear aside and write anyway. To start, I am jumping into Five Minute Fridays — to write, 5 minutes only, no editing, no over-thinking, just writing.
And what was the first thing I read on the Five Minute Friday page?
“To gain your own voice, you have to forget about having it heard.” —Allen Ginsberg
I want to find my voice, the one God gave me, not the one I think others want to hear. I know it will take time.
The music might not be pretty and my voice might shake, but I’m confident that I’ll get there.
I know I need to stop worrying about who is listening and what you’ll think.
I hope you’ll like what you hear. I hope that when you come here, you will be encouraged and challenged in a good way. I hope that you find this place to feel a bit like home — sometimes messy and unpredictable but always full of do-overs and fresh starts.
I pray that here you will find an abundance of grace and love. There is always a place for you … here.
Question for you:
For me it’s writing, but what about you? Where do you need to fight fear to find your voice?
I think what you just said was very beautiful. As writers trying to live out God’s call on our lives we often face fear and trepidation. The best part about this post is that you didn’t allow fear to hold you back. You did a wonderful job!
I wish I could say that clicking “publish” was easy. Thanks for your encouraging words, Jennifer!
I am so thankful you pushed passed your fear and linked up! Your post is powerful, something I struggle with every time I am about to hit publish. Hope to see you again soon!
Thanks so much, Barbie!
Greetings Tribewriter-Beautiful post! My fear is in my writing, but I feel drawn to write so I slowly move onward. With each day I’m learning to speak a little louder and press the publish button a little more rapidly. I really enjoyed reading your post, thank you for overcoming your fears and writing it!
Thanks, Jennifer. I feel the same way. Sometimes I think we are most afraid to do what we are called/created to do. So thankful for a community that encourages one another to overcome!
“Sometimes the words don’t come out right, so I don’t let them come out at all.” I too have so many post in my head but worry that I don’t have the perfect words or a clever quote that will really speak to anyone so I don’t write at all. I love that you faced that fear and posted anyway.
Thanks, Amy!
Erika — for what its worth: the more I read of your blog, the more I like you! :)
Aw, Laura! You just made my night! :) Thanks for the kind words.
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oooohhhhh your humble heart shines thru here…..so clearly…….the fact that you pause before you write and pause before your click publish….just tells me you’re writing more for an Audience of One…..
Good on you for being brave. I hope you enjoy this experience and come back time and time again to FMF.
I think I fear being misunderstood – and fear writing things that just don’t mean anything to anyone…..
oooohhhhh your humble heart shines thru here…..so clearly…….the fact that you pause before you write and pause before your click publish….just tells me you’re writing more for an Audience of One…..
Good on you for being brave. I hope you enjoy this experience and come back time and time again to FMF.
I think I fear being misunderstood – and fear writing things that just don’t mean anything to anyone…..
Thanks so much, Fiona. With all my heart, I want the words here to honor and glorify Him. I fear the same thing you mentioned. Working hard to overcome that and trust HIM with the outcome.
I too tried FMF for the first time this week! And as you are, I’m getting extremely encouraging support for jumping in! Those are God hugs and definitely a way to separate those “beauties from the duties”. ;) Keep going, girlfriend. You are a great writer gifted with a great calling.
I am thankful that each time He pours through me into the hearts of many that the words touch softly and tug deeply.
God bless you,
Heather
40YearWanderer.com
Ha! Love that! Thanks for the encouraging words, Heather, and for taking the time to stop by!
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Oh, wow, Erika, I’m so glad you did join FMF! We are so overjoyed to have you be apart! I write a lot with FMF, but it comes in seasons–sometimes for a while I’m just not able. But I love it when I do. These ladies are amazing. Thank you for being vulnerable with us in your writing here. We all go through this–I still do. I can say, it gets easier though. Blessings on your writing.
Thanks for the encouragement, Nacole! Glad to hear it gets easier. :)
Well said. Nasty fear just gets in the way of our purpose, doesn’t it? I’m right there with you. Happy to have found you via Tribe Writers.
So glad you came over, Stephanie! So enjoyed reading your “Big Fat Liar Pants”!