“No sister should have to kneel at the altar alone. I see you and God sent me to tell you He has always seen you.”
As I typed these words into one of the chapters of my book draft the other night, I couldn’t help but well up with tears of gratitude.
You see, I’ve spent the last 9+ months struggling to start writing a book I’ve been called to write, choking on ideas because I so desperately wanted them to be born.
Hundreds of false starts, crumpled pages, and words scribbled out.
I watched my frustration mount as the days went by without writing so much as a paragraph, but in hindsight I see the truth is these stories weren’t ready to be written. And if I’m 100% honest, I wasn’t ready to write them.
They needed to simmer.
Perhaps even reduce like a rich sauce.
More importantly, I needed to heal.
Waiting for the words to pour out made me cranky and some big doubts started to settle in. Which in turn brought on more wrestling, trusting, and simmering. I wrestled so much that I may forever walk with a little limp, but that’s OK. It was all worth it.
So here I am today watching Jesus gather the pain of the last forty years and birth something powerful from those terrible, no good moments. The message God wants me to write is starting to pour out of my heart and onto the page with ease.
I don’t have it all figured out yet, and I know there will be more valleys to come in the book writing process, but I am insanely humbled and grateful for what I can see from here.
I see Jesus in it and I have learned to trust that when He is in it, people will be set free.
If you’re struggling to get the words God wants you to write out, please keep going.
Keep writing.
Keep praying.
Keep asking God how, when, where, and why.
Through you and in you, He is doing new things.
Angela J Herrington is founder of Broken Beautiful BOLD online women’s ministry and Life and Leadership Coach for Christian Women.
In addition to operating a successful boutique social media agency, she teaches women how to recognize, cultivate, and unleash their God given leadership ability. She holds a BA from Indiana Wesleyan and a Masters in Leadership from Wesley Seminary. Her graduate research project focused on leadership development and opportunities for Gen X women in the US church.
Angela is a Lark’s Song Certified Life Coach who reaches hundreds of thousands of women in 40+ countries each month on Facebook, IG, Twitter, Pinterest and two blogs. She is Director of Communications for Wesleyan Holiness Women Clergy, a women led organization dedicated to engaging, empowering, and equipping women to lead in the church.
She is the host of the soon to be launched God Sized Calling Podcast and has also been published in Hope for Women and HOPE is Now magazines.
Angela is a also wife, mom to 6, and proud resident of Marion, Indiana with her family when they’re not traveling the US in their RV.
Thank you Angela for your words! I cannot wait to see how God continues working in you through this process and how that work will benefit more of his children. Prayers for strength and focus as you continue.
Thank you for this encouragement, Angela!
I didn’t find any social media sharing icons except the Pinterest photo. That would make it much easier to share your great content. Love from a fellow Hope*Writer.
Thank you Angela, I needed this. I’m now encouraged and ready to write. Much love and blessings.
You’re welcome friend!!!!! I can’t wait to read your writing!!!!
You, my sister- friend are such a JOY! Thank you for the beautiful reminder that God often allows His work to “simmer” on the back burner! Will be keeping you in prayer for your writing project! Blessings!!??
Awww! Thank you! Honored you stopped by today. 🙂
Wonderful encouragement thank you. Timing is everything.
You’re welcome! I love how God lines things up for us when we need them most 🙂