For the last six years of being a mother, I have found that I have been reluctant to say “yes” to things outside of my family. I have felt like my priority had to be my family.
While I know there are certain seasons in life when we cannot say “yes” to a lot of extra activities- I found that there was a deeper issue why I was reluctant. I was afraid to say yes. I’ve been asked in years passed to step into leadership roles and I have usually declined.
The root cause of my declining I have figured out is fear.
This past spring, the call came from a gal with my MOPS group asking if I would prayerfully consider being one of two coordinators for the following year. Me? Coordinator? With all honesty I thought she had confused me with another woman in the group.
I could not fathom standing up in front of the group leading women in prayer and having all eyes on me.
Do they not know who I am? I have shortcomings and failures! Lots of them! How could I stand up in front and be seen as a leader?
But, then I began to focus on the calling rather than on what I thought of myself.
My husband was on board and encouraged me to say yes. After more praying, I felt like this was God knocking and I needed to answer. I was comforted by the saying that goes “God equips those that He calls.” I was gaining confidence that this was what I was being called to do.
So after a summer of training/praying/and preparing for this MOPS year along with other mothers who said yes to leadership roles- I have been encouraged and amazingly inspired seeing God at work. God has been equipping me for this role all along.
Our first meeting has come and gone. I stood up in front of 60 ladies and by nothing short of a miracle; I stood solid, not shaking like a leaf. I served these ladies with a glad heart. I prayed for them all summer and knew God lead them there to our group for a purpose.
The biggest lesson through this experience was figuring out, that it is not about me. It had nothing to do with how I looked, or how eloquently I spoke.
I was so focused on myself that I could not say yes before. I was so focused on my inadequacies and insecurities and doubts that I would not allow God to do a good work through me. By laying down my life and saying yes, use me Lord, I have experienced true joy and contentment that I have not experienced before; from serving others and being the hands and feet of Jesus.
I encourage you, too, to say yes.
We are not all called to EVERYTHING, but all of us are called to something. What is your something?
It might be uncomfortable that which we are being called to. It might feel like a joke, like, really me? Why would I be good at that? Sometimes it is not about being the best at something, or the smartest, or wittiest, or most talented.
God uses us ordinary women to do extraordinary things for His glory, and all we have to do is say yes.
By Katie Brown, Simple & Special
Leave a Comment
Athena says
Oh, man, how this speaks to me! It’s as if you wrote the words for me 🙂 There have been a few opportunities where it’s been plainly obvious God was calling me, but I caved in to my fears. I have a huge fear of speaking (not just in large groups, either!!!), and while I know He’s given me gifts as a writer, I know He’s asking me to lead in a way that is uncomfortable for me. I know He’s calling me to stop following and hiding in the shadows. I do try to remember, though, that my “gifts”, “talents”, and inclinations are not my own, but they are drops from the overflow of God’s own heart; they were entrusted to me not for personal use but to reach the world (both locally and globally). May we have the courage to overcome the fear that tries to take us down!
Katie says
Hi Athena,
I love that, “my gifts, talents, and inclinations are not my own, but they are drops from the overflow of God’s own heart.”. Beautiful words. Thanks for the encouragement!
Kim says
Have begun to answer yes, sometimes standing firm, sometimes shaking. You are so right about where our focus needs to be. When we pray for Him to use us, we must focus on what it is He wants from us, not how we sound, appear, or are dressed, etc. Thanks so much for that always important reminder!
Katie says
Thank you! 🙂
Lisa says
There is a lot of personal growth in saying “yes” and stepping out of our comfort zones.
Katie says
So true!
grace at {Gabbing with Grace} says
great reminder. There is something right now that I feel God is asking me to say yes to but I feel scared, not up to it, lazy, fearful, weary…did I mentioned scared? Of what? I’m not even sure, it all feels buried so deep I’ve barely let myself wonder about my fears. anyway, thank you for sharing this…it’s helpful to see others take those risks, say those “yes’s” and have that enoucouragement to do it too.
Katie says
Praying for you that you will follow God’s leading and know clearly how to respond. Thanks for your words today.
Julie says
Wow, thank you. I was really inspired by this post. I just recently began thinking about and praying about goals for next year, and the minute I read the title I knew it was something I needed to ponder. Thanks!
Katie says
I pray that His leading will be clear as you make plans for this next year. Thanks for your comments today.
Deb Kennedy says
This is MY Year of Saying Yes, too…. Yes to all that God has for me, because I know it is ultimately for my greatest good. For His purposes, not mine. To help me serve Him in the way He created me to. I am starting to have an inkling of what the ultimate purpose might be, but will wait for His leading. I finally trust Him to show me the way.
All I have to do is be ready, and say YES, Lord. <3
Katie says
Yes!!
Ana Sullivan says
People have told me for years to write a book. After deciding to start a blog, it took me another year to actually do it. Coming on 6 months now, I have been so blessed by the support and subscribers. Your article also reminds me of a recent post about being a room mom and my hesitancy. Read it here:
http://www.thelostapron.com/2012/11/be-a-room-mom.html
Katie says
Thanks for the encouragement, Ana!
Christine says
YES!!!! I want to stand up and cheer!!! I love your willingness to say yes and walk through your fear. God will be there every step of the way! Keep going girl!
(It’s my year of saying yes too!!!)
Katie says
Thanks, Christine! Blessings to you.
BarbEzell says
TY Katie for this post! You eloquently yet simply spoke the truth which moves mountains, “by laying down my life and saying yes, use me Lord” You inspired me to continue saying yes, to continue laying down my life.
Denise says
God equips the called, and he gives us his force and power to accomplish his work. I wasn’t sure about saying yes to the same thing, but three short years later I’m now training those very leaders to stand strong and rely on Jesus for strength. I’m going to share this on my blog and fb page, with credit to you of course. 🙂
Beth Williams says
When I was young I would never ever get in front of an audiance solo and sing, speak or anything. I had that dreaded fear of failure. I know I had a speech impediment and people would laugh at me. Too shy. I was comfortable in groups–choirs, bell choir, etc. Not alone.
A few years ago I was sitting in church & singing songs, but doing sign language to them as well–what few signs I knew. The choir director saw me and asked me to go “in front” of everyone and do a simple song as they all sang. She then asked if I would do special music for the church periodically. Wow that means getting in front of that group again. Over the years I have done a number of songs and each time I gain a little more confidence. One thing I know is that everyone enjoys watching me & it brings a new perspective on praising our God.
Way to go to stepping out and saying Yes!