Four years ago (plus a few weeks), I wrote my first real post on Tizzie’s Tidbits of Truth. After writing several cringey posts, making a few changes to my blog’s theme, modifying my blog’s title, and learning some important lessons about craft and consistency, I started to get the hang of blogging.
I wouldn’t say that I’ve “arrived.” I don’t have thousands of blog followers—not even close. I haven’t been published on lots of “big” Christian websites like Christianity Today or Desiring God. I don’t have a book proposal ready (or even started, ahem). But I’m here—and “here” is a good place to be because this is where God has brought me. He’s the One who helped me say “yes” to this journey.
How My Blogiversary Applies to You
I’m a firm believer in the power of “no.” I’m okay with telling people that I’m unable to do something—whether it’s doing homework together, joining a club, or signing up for a class. “No” isn’t an uncomfortable word for me. But “yes” is.
“Yes” is a difficult word for me because I tend to be indecisive person. I’m indecisive about what classes to take, where to apply for jobs, and what to eat for breakfast. (That’s not a joke; I’m being completely serious. This morning, I couldn’t choose whether to eat cereal or a bagel—but I ended up choosing cereal.)
Because I’m such an indecisive person, I needed a loving push from my parents to start Tizzie’s Tidbits (now Tizzie’s Tidbits of Truth). And I needed to say yes. Praise God that I did. He has used this blog to improve my writing, grow my confidence as a writer, and prepare me for what lies ahead. And I genuinely hope that He has used this blog to strengthen your relationship with Him.
So does my blogiversary apply to you? Absolutely! Because I bet there’s something in your life that you keep saying “no” to—but perhaps now is the time to say “yes.”
Being Okay with “Yes”
Friends, I’m nothing special. I’m not a spectacular person because I said “yes” to starting a blog. I’m just a girl with a few (hopefully) uplifting words, a love for grammar, and a passion for getting a book published.
Has God been nudging you to do something recently? Perhaps through a friend, family member, or church leader? Perhaps through His Word, prayer, or even a worship song? What’s holding you back?
I encourage you to put it aside and just try that thing. Don’t be rash, but don’t be stubborn either.
And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” They immediately left their nets and followed Him. Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. He called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him. (Matthew 4:18-22 NKJV)
The disciples’ “yes” was leaving everything behind to follow Christ. Maybe your “yes” is simple, like taking engagement photos for a friend, organizing a room, or writing a script. Or maybe your “yes” decision is more complicated, like letting go of an addiction, joining a ministry, or forgiving someone who has hurt you.
What do you have to lose? Maybe a few dollars or a few hours? Maybe some embarrassment? I know all about embarrassment. If you read the posts that I wrote in my first year of blogging, you’ll discover the very definition of embarrassment. And now I’m here—still writing a few embarrassing things (hopefully not nearly as many) and still holding onto my goals.
What’s Next for Me—and You?
Ideally, by this time next year, I’ll have a book proposal, a literary agent, and a book contract. But I’m also a full-time college student, so that plan may not happen. Honestly, I don’t know what my future holds. And I don’t know what your future holds either.
But I do know that a few yeses might be required to meet your goals—whether it’s taking engagement photos to start a photography business, organizing a room to clean up your life, writing a script to become a screenwriter, letting go of an addiction to obey God, joining a ministry to serve your church, or forgiving someone who has hurt you so you can move on from the past.
As I mentioned earlier, I’m a firm believer in the power of “no.” But I’m also a firm believer in the power of “yes.” Are you?
Tizzie's Tidbits of Truth 