When the Lord called Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, Moses resisted with the excuse that he was slow of speech and tongue (Exodus 4:10). I have done that with this blog. The Lord has asked me to write and I shake my fist and pout, saying, “I’m not good at writing.” The Lord didn’t want Moses to believe that his excuse was permission to disobey, and so the Lord gave him Aaron, Moses’s brother, to be his mouthpiece (Exodus 4:15–16). He has done the same thing for me. Over the summer I received an e-mail from a freelance editor offering to edit my writing, and as the year draws to a close, I want to make sure that I highlight her rather than my own work! Mary Anne Brady has been an answer to prayer as I have argued with God over the calling he has given me to write. She is professional, prompt, and encouraging. At first I was unsure how our relationship was going to work, but she quickly became a trusted voice, and the Lord is using her to equip me to write with confidence. I marvel at her master of the English language. For example, I often explain to her what I want to convey, and she never fails to help me create a sentence that eloquently states my once-jumbled thoughts. She is always eager to explain language rules so that I am learning as I go. Personally, I love having a second pair of eyes on my work and I appreciate her honesty when I ask her if my posts are easily relatable. I trust her, I appreciate her, and I highly recommend her to anyone who is looking for an editor!
For the last six months I have been attempting to write a clear vision statement for my blog to share with you in this post. However, I have struggled to find the perfect words that articulate the reason for the existence of this website. Seeking help, I performed an Internet search for “How to write a vision statement,” and a common question kept surfacing: who is your audience?
Who is my audience?
- Other bloggers
- Wives
- Women
- Friends
- Family
- Strangers
- Christians . . .
In the narrowing-down process, I realized that my audience is the Lord. He is why I sit before this computer and share my shortcomings.
He is the one I am writing for.
The times when I am not acknowledging him as my only audience are evident through the intense battles with my flesh. The times I want to boast because of my blog’s growth, or the times I battle discouragement over negative feedback, or the times I find myself frustrated over a post that received zero comments when I spent hours preparing and promoting it, I can tell that I am writing for you rather than him.
Last week I planned on highlighting the blog entries in 2014 that I most enjoyed or that drove the most traffic to my blog. Today, with a renewed focus on my true audience, I want to share a few of the posts that I wrote as an act of obedience to the Lord. I cringed with knots in my stomach as I published each of these with trembling fingers. So, without further hoopla, here are five posts I want to highlight from 2014:
1. My Greatest Regret
2. What Does It Mean to be Pro-Life?
3. False Accusations
4. Idols in Marriage
5. Spiritual Warfare
As the Lord continues to direct this blog in 2015, my prayer is that the words written will only be published in a spirit of obedience and never for the approval of man.
And even though you aren’t my true audience, thank you for being part of my blog journey!
Lisa says
These were great posts. I went back and reread several–some of us are slow learners and need the review. My favorites of yours are PrayDay Thursdays. I have copied and keep them in a word document for personal use.
Happy New Year!
darbyd says
Thanks! I love the pray-day Thursdays as well! What a great idea to keep them in word file! 🙂 Happy New Year!
Gina Sena says
Dear Darby, I founded you on Pinterest one day searching for prayers for my husband and there your were with the prayer challenge. I can tell it was so good for my marriage and so beautiful. I invited a lot of my friends to do it together and they’re were super happy doing it. So full of love, humbleness and fresh air to a special prayer time. I looked forward every morning before getting up. Then I stared to follow you and know you a little bit more and see a woman under God’s heart and I love it!!! My prayer is to be a woman of faith like you. Im sure is so many more people so bless by you and the hard work that you do. Putting in words what God has reveal into your heart and being obedient to Him. May The Lord our God always guide you and be with you and keep pouring of His love and wisdom over your life a your ministry. Much love,
Gina Sena
darbyd says
Oh Gina! Thanks for telling me how you found me! I am so humbled that the Lord would use me at all! I appreciate your words! I recently followed you on instagram so hoping to get to know you better too! 🙂
Love,
Darby