Put Yourself On The Shelf, Sis!
AM I THE ONLY WIFE AND MOTHER THAT DOESN’T LIKE TO GROCERY SHOP OR COOK?
My family always makes fun of me because I’m not very domestic. Hey, my kids are still alive, and my husband still loves me. On one of my very few and far between trips to the grocery store (I promise I’m not starving my family), I made my way down the bread aisle. I beelined towards my favorite bread. After I figured out how I was going to hold the bread, without it getting smashed up, I realized there were about three other people in the aisle with me. (I never get a cart or basket and then regret it after picking up my tenth item) Each of us with a different brand. Outside of the four brands we chose, I suddenly realized there were several other brands on the shelves as well. I realized each bread company wanted to make bread, so they did. They made it despite the many brands that were already out there. They all put their twist to it. These bread companies knew that most people love bread, but not everyone likes theirs the same. So, they made bread for their buyers.
That’s when it hit me. I’ve been in love with expressing myself through writing since I was a child. I started a blog once before, but when self-doubt and fear of the unknown got a hold of me, I stopped. Everybody’s a blogger, you’re not good enough, who cares about what you have to say, no one will read your books, what you say won’t matter. Those are just a few things I told myself to stop me from continuing blogging and writing years ago. If Nature’s Own would’ve said to themselves, “who would like Honey Wheat bread?” I wouldn’t have my favorite bread, which is disheartening because I love it with PB&J.
As I stood in that bread aisle looking around, I decided there can be a million people doing what I want to do, but that doesn’t mean they will impact those who I’m called to reach. There are people assigned to me and my story. We can all do the same thing, but we may or may not reach the same people. However, my blog doesn’t need to be for everybody. Everybody won’t like or care about what I have to say. I have come to realize it’s ok. Everything isn’t for everybody, but it is for somebody. I may not be someone’s Wonder bread, but hey, I like Nature’s Own anyways. Through my writing, I desire to reach people. God didn’t just give me the desire to reach people; He gave it to millions of people. God gives several of us the same idea. Think back to a time where you thought of something and then months or even years later somebody does what you thought. It’s probably not the exact way you would’ve done it, but it’s still closely related. It’s because God will use them and you too if you let Him.
My journey may be relatable to someone else’s’, but it will never be the same. That’s the key. It’s what matters most. One or two different ingredients will make a difference. What I’ve been through is the ingredients to my recipe. Being in that bread aisle made me realize all bread is purchased, whether I like it or not. That’s why they’re always on the shelves. I had to tell myself, “put yourself on the shelf, sis!” I’m also telling you,
PUT YOURSELF ON THE SHELF!
What dream have you been burying? Think of the dream, undoubtedly God placed on your heart. Why are you, disobedient? Yes, disobedient. You are not doing what God called you to do and then wondering why you feel a void. What has you up at night and then dreaming about while you sleep? What is the one thing you tried to suppress feelings for that keeps coming back up? That’s the one! Focus on it! Chase after it! Don’t focus on who it’s not for. If God called you to it, then do it. If it only impacts one person, it’s better than never doing what He called you to do. Where could you be now if you just chased after your dream months or even years ago when you dreamed it? It’s not too late! You still have breath in your body. Start today, so you’re not living with regrets tomorrow.
God has put a gift in each of us, and the world will make room for it no matter how many others are doing it.