How I Was Reminded Why I Do What I Do

A few days I was inspired by a friend I made through Instagram. She is a photographer, French, and currently lives in London*. Her photographs draw me in and make me wish I were in the places she photographs. I always look forward to her pictures on Instagram. Beautiful!

On a recent post she wrote, “The other day I had a chat with a few friends about Instagram and whether people want to see more ‘real’ content or whether we’re better off (in terms of engagement, etc.) posting ‘pretty things’. . .Besides if I was to post images of my everyday reality, you would right now be looking at one of the following: excel spreadsheets with props, my emails, a traffic jam, the hotel room I’m sitting in right now—and nobody wants to see that!”

Carole’s post gives voice to thoughts I often have. My days are full of everyday stuff. Many days I am in preparation for an exciting thing—speaking, kids coming home, friends coming over, going out of town, etc. Most of these days I am writing, cleaning, cooking, laundry, etc. and don’t have a fun picture or inspirational thought to share.

Since early summer I have been trying to post a blog several times a week. At first I posted one every day, then geared down to four to five times a week (taking weekends off). Lately I’ve struggled to find something of value to share on a daily basis. This struggle made me revisit the reason why I started writing to begin with.

Years ago I began writing because I couldn’t not write. God placed in me a compulsion to communicate with others the inspirations, truths, challenges, questions, and discoveries He had stirred in me. I fought His nudges as long as I could. I came to the point where I had to let out the words building up in me. That is why I write. I write because I can’t not write.

Nowhere in my original reason for writing (my call from God) is there anything about getting likes on social media. This is a slippery slope in the publishing world—without a social media platform an author has nothing to offer a publisher. I’m not leaving social media. I’m choosing to post content that will be worth your time—pictures or content that will either help you know me better, make you smile, or encourage, challenge, or inspire you in your journey with God, parenting, and life.

I have been giving a lot of thought to how God wants me to live this next season of my life. I believe in part He wants me to be more sensitive to His leading in every area of my life—including my writing. I will do my best to give you what He shows me. If my day is quiet and without a speck of inspiration, I will leave the page blank.

Today was one such day. Dentist. The Grand in the afternoon so Mama and Pops could work on the house. (They are getting close to done!)

This blog falls under the category of “know me better.”

As always, thanks for reading.

 

*Carole Poirot’s Instagram—mademoisellepoirot

Carole’s Website

Brenda Garrison is an author and speaker who empowers women with the confidence to live their calling. Brenda is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science Degree in Ministry Leadership with a Concentration in Women’s Ministry at Moody Bible Institute. She and her husband, Gene, are the parents of three young adult daughters and live near Metamora, IL.

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