I love words. I’ve loved the power of the written word since I was young enough to dive deep into a fictional world to escape the hard realities of a broken family. I see so clearly the power of the spoken word — the way we can lift and encourage, or tear down and destroy. Although God has taken me through seasons where passions and interests and friendships have changed, my love for words has always been there. And in this season, it’s such a joy to find new ways to steward the words of women into the world.
Several years ago I discovered an amazing little writing community. These crazy women were writing for 31 days straight — the entire month of October. They were writing about big topics and little topics, creative topics and serious topics. WHAT they were writing didn’t matter as long as they WROTE THE WORDS.
I figured I’d try it. Why not, right? I wouldn’t tell anyone so I wouldn’t have to deal with disappointment if I failed. I’d pick a topic and run with it and see if I could actually complete the challenge — by far the most words in a row I’d ever presented on my personal blog.
- In 2013 I wrote a series called “31 Days of Community” and through it, I realized I had this deep and abiding love for life lived with others — a surprise to this introvert, but a realization that shaped what and how I wrote for the rest of that year.
- In 2014 I wrote a series called “31 Days of Encouraging Conversations” based around the free printable prayer cards I offer to my email subscribers. I was an over-achiever, y’all — there were videos with other people and all kinds of things. It was so much fun, though, because it felt like I was hosting a dinner party and introducing old friends to new friends, all of whom have a huge heart for encouragement.
When God brings you to a place where the gifts He’s given you find a home among women who understand, you find community. And when you find the kind of community that is genuine, safe, and true? You learn that you can do the hard things — AND you keep going back.
So it shouldn’t be a surprise to discover that last year I wrote my third series — a journey of Faith & Fitness because God had placed me in a season where I was serving His daughters in a way that brought faith, fitness, and friendship together in a way that honored Him — and our bodies. And it was the first year I hosted that beautiful group of writers.
Several months before last year’s challenge, a dear friend emailed and asked if I would take something off her plate. After hosting the challenge for six years, she wanted to say “no” to make room for some other projects she wanted to pursue, and wondered if I would say “yes.” Nester gifted me the honor of managing the Write 31 Days community. And I said “yes,” because words are my happy place, and this challenge has changed how I write.
Isn’t that a beautiful gift? To be able to say “no” to something good to make room for what God has next?
I’m learning that when God brings us to the end of a season, we don’t have to fear. We don’t have to strive and fight and scramble to get all the “next things” lined up to have hope, security, and peace. We can learn to lean into God in those unknown seasons, trusting that He’s removed us for a great reason that may not line up with our idea of great timing. But His Word is true and His promises are never broken:
God, the one and only—
I’ll wait as long as He says.
Everything I hope for comes from Him,
so why not?
He’s solid rock under my feet,
breathing room for my soul,
An impregnable castle:
I’m set for life.
{Psalm 62:5}
It’s through those in-between moments that God often shows up and does the most work on my heart, which ultimately turns into the words He wants me to share.
So while I’ve learned that I love working with words as an editor, promoting them with beautiful social media graphics, and hosting events as an emcee, God continues to ask me to share my heart on my blog. Which means that this year, for my fourth series in Write 31 Days, I’ll be sharing a journey from jealousy to joy.
If you want to join this community of writers who commit to publishing content every day for 31 days in the month of October, you can sign up here to make sure you don’t miss any announcements. We’ll hang out on Facebook in the meantime and encourage, support, and motivate one another as we get ready to launch our month-long series beginning October 1.
No matter what God is asking you to say “no” to in this season, trust and believe that He isn’t done with you. He has more for you, something better than you could ever imagine. Enjoy the breathing room for your soul as you wait expectantly on Him.
Leave a Comment
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Crystal,
How great that you are hosting the Write for 31 Days Challenge! You are the perfect hostess and community gatherer for this event! Oh how I would love to do this…the writer in me screams, “Yes”, but the reality that I have my hands full (full time) with the blessing filled ministry – Redeemer Christian Foundation, Inc., and I am doing well if I get my weekly post written and published, tells me I’d be filling my cart to overflowing. I can, however, cheer on those who participate from the sidelines :). Sounds like a great series you will be doing…I’ll be sure to tune in!!
Blessings and You Go Ladies!!
Bev
Crystal Stine says
You are one of the most gifted online cheerleaders I’ve ever met, Bev 🙂 You change lives & hearts with the words you speak! Thank you for being a constant source of encouragement and joy for me!
Paulette says
Reading this has stirred up something in me. I have always loved to write and am in a season of not knowing what God wants me to do with this. I’ll pray and would love prayer in moving forward if God says this is where he has led me. In a season of brokenness, loneliness but trusting God in the midst of it all. Blessings
Crystal Stine says
I will be honored to pray for you Paulette! I’m walking a similar season alongside you, so know that you are welcome – whatever your story looks like, no matter how unfinished or unsure. xoxo
Pearl @ Look Up Sometimes says
Paulette, asking God to encourage and protect you and give you light for whatever next step he’s leading you to take. Hugs!
Beth Williams says
Paulette,
Praying God will give you a discerning heart to know His will/plans for you life – Plans to prosper you and not to harm you to give you a hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11.
Blessings 🙂
An says
Paulette, may the Lord speak His gentle will into your heart, soul, and mind for this season. May He lift you into the loving arms of His presence, holding you close 🙂
Pearl @ Look Up Sometimes says
This sounds like an amazing, though daunting, opportunity! Thank you, Crystal, for all the encouragement you weaved into this challenge. And for the reminder that saying “no” can be for the sake of saying our bigger “yes.”
Pearl @ Look Up Sometimes says
Is anything else required besides writing everyday? Wanting to sign up…have a topic picked…but wanting to know what I’m getting myself into first!
Crystal Stine says
Nope, there’s nothing else required! Just committing to writing for 31 days – no word count requirement, no social media graphics to create, just purely getting the words out of your head & onto your blog!
Julie Sunne says
I joined the Write 31 Days community last year for the first time with a series titled 31 Days of Praise, and found it quite enjoyable and, in many ways, easier than I thought. I am praying about whether I should say yes again this year. I’d love to … but we’ll see. Thanks for hosting again, Crystal!
Rebecca L Jones says
I did this for the first time last year, I wrote Searching For The Prince of Peace, my blog now has almost 700 posts and I believe I have helped some people and enjoyed it thoroughly. I recommend it to any fellow ” wordie ” I hope my schedule allows me to do it again.
Melissa Henderson says
I just signed up. This will be my first time participating. I recently started writing a blog and am really enjoying writing. Looking forward to October.
Crystal Stine says
Yay! Excited to have you join us Melissa 🙂
Melissa Henderson says
Thank you. I am looking forward to the challenge and will definitely need help in linking. 🙂
Corena says
I don’t have a website or a blog but I’ve repeatedly walked away from a God given gift to write because of circumstances. In this hard season of life the written word has been solace and strength. It gives me His voice as I read others words. But in turn those whom I am honored to do life with and pray for benefit as He allows His words to flow through my writing; uplifting, encouraging and (scarily) sometimes honestly truthful. So if not having a blog yet or a website yet is okay than pursuant to His glory I have thrown my hat in the ring.
Crystal Stine says
Absolutely! We had several women join last year who took on the challenge and journaled daily for 31 days! The spirit of the challenge is to write – where you do it and whether you share it is completely up to you!
Micky says
This is soooo needed in my life right now. God is calling me to say NO to something really big in my life. I will essentially be starting over, but I know it is so that He can point me back to the path that He has for me. I am ready Lord, show me the way.
Steffanie Russ says
I am so excited to learn about this 31 Writing Day challenge! I love to write. I love to share what God shows me through the simple things of life. Is it October yet?! lol In the meantime, I’ll be sharing little tidbits on my blog and looking forward to a great October. Blessings~
Jane Armour says
As I was reading through the previous comments, I had one question answered, which was regarding the blog. As I have seen that I don’t have to have a blog (which is good, as I do not), I do still have a couple of questions. Would we still be posting anywhere what we write each day? Are we supposed to follow a particular theme we have chosen for the month, or can we use a variety of topics? Thank you for any answers. Definitely interested, as I have been wanting to do SOME sort of writing for years!
Crystal Stine says
Hi Jane! Why don’t you hop on over to write31days.com and check out the FAQs? A lot of your questions might be answered there, and if not, you can email write31days@gmail.com 🙂
Deborah Ellsworth says
Hi Crystal and the other writers here! I have always been told that I have a gift of writing. I write from the heart and if that is my gift that God has chosen for me to do, then who else to write with, but you. I would be more than glad to be a part of the challenge of writing. I have a Heart of many words and willing to share my thoughts and whatever comes along. God has given me so much and I need to give back. To tell what’s in my heart.
Beth Williams says
Crystal,
I’m in a “down” season. Last year I quit my job to be more available for my aging dad. His “no” was in having a second paycheck. My “yes” was in becoming a “local” missionary. I had prayed about becoming more of a missionary. Not only do I care for my aging dad, I also look after my husband’s aging parents. This year I was open to help my pastor’s wife with a day camp, help her with junior church (5-8 yr olds). I have been doing “feed the multitude” once a month. This is done with another church. We make cupcakes, brownies, cookies-while they make the meal for about 250 families.
Like you said “It’s through those in-between moments that God often shows up and does the most work on my heart.” His no turned into a heart warming yes in serving Him more.
Blessings 🙂
ELIZABETH-ANNE says
I too do not think I would have survived my abusive and unloving childhood had it not been for sticking my nose in a Beverly Cleary, Frances Lattimore, Judy Blume, etc book. This year marks my 50th anniversary of being a library patron and was awarded by the Brooklyn Public Library as a power reader, an award I take seriously, as I was never the person to win or achieve anything in my life.
Between my book and my Beatles albums – those were my go to places to drown out the screaming and name calling that were daily evnts in my home.
So I hear you.
Joanna @ Modern Ruth Project says
I just signed up! Looking forward to it!
arteemom says
Dear Crystal,
First I felt a little current go up my neck as I read about the 31 days writing challenge. Asking the Lord is this alittle nudge. Lol.
I just want to share with you what a total blessing it was to see and listen to the (in)courage group of writers in July. You came to our neck of the woods in California for a meet-up and it was awesome.
I have followed this site for almost seven years and have been given so many wonderful reading experiences. Truly you women are encouragers for so many. I was so excited to meet all of you I forgot how to act. LOL it was such a God moment for me. In these times of uncertainity it was proof of what God can do when we say “YES”.
Please keep me in prayer as I do all of you. I know this is off topic but may I ask is it too late for me to respond to the follow up email for the meet-up asking to share. I think it said your story matters. I’d really like to share how all of you at (in)courage have touched my life.
In Faith