Four years ago (plus a few weeks), I wrote my first real post on Tizzie’s Tidbits of Truth. After writing several cringe-y posts, making a few theme changes, modifying my site’s title, and learning some important lessons, I started to get the hang of blogging. Of course, I still refuse to pay a few dollars per month to upgrade my blog and get rid of the “.wordpress” in my URL.
I wouldn’t say that I have “arrived.” I don’t have thousands of blog followers—not even close. I haven’t been published on lots of “big” Christian websites like Desiring God or Christianity Today. 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. But I had to say “yes” to the journey.
How My Blogiversary Applies to You
I am 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’m a very 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 100% serious. I couldn’t choose between cereal or a bagel this morning…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. I think He has used this blog to strengthen my writing, grow my confidence as a writer, and prepare me for what lies ahead. Hopefully, He has used this blog to strengthen your relationship with Him.
So does my blogiversary apply to you? It applies because I bet there is something in your life that you keep saying “no” to. Perhaps now is the time to say “yes.”
Being Okay with “Yes”
Friends, I am 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.
That’s the main thing I want to gain from writing for this blog: a published book with my name on the cover. I know my heart isn’t perfect. Thus, my motives aren’t perfect either. But we can’t use imperfect motives as an excuse to not take action.
Has God been nudging you to do something recently? Perhaps through a friend, family member, or pastor? Perhaps through His Word or a worship song or prayer?
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.
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” decision is simple, like taking those wedding photos, organizing that room, or writing that script. Or, maybe your “yes” decision is more complicated, like letting go of that addiction, joining that worship team, or forgiving that individual who hurt you.
What do you have to lose? Maybe a few dollars, a little time, and slight embarrassment.
I know all about embarrassment. If you read through my first year’s worth of posts on this blog, you’ll discover the definition of embarrassment. And now I’m here—still writing embarrassing things (hopefully not as many) and still holding onto my goals.
What’s Next for Me—and You?
If you have a five-year plan or a ten-year plan, you’d probably be my friend. Even if you live by the seat of your pants, you’d probably still be my friend because I need balance in my life. Honestly, I just want to know (or act like I know) what the future holds.
Ideally, by this time next year, I’ll have a book proposal, an agent, and a book contract. But, I’m also a full-time college student. Thus, I’m doubtful those dreams will turn into a reality this year.
So I guess I don’t know what the future holds. None of us does.
But I do know that a few yeses might be required to meet your goals—whether it’s taking wedding 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 worship team to serve your church, or forgiving an individual to move on from the past.
As I mentioned earlier, I am a firm believer in the power of “no.” But I am also a firm believer in the power of “yes.” Are you?
Tizzie's Tidbits of Truth 