Lose Sight of the Shore!

Lose Sight of the Shore!! 

            “You can never cross the ocean unless you have the courage to lose sight of the shore.”  I came across this quote this week and it reminded me of the many steps I have had to go through as a pastor’s wife, as an author, and as one who wants to improve as a public speaker.

            Only fifteen years ago, I was a complete introvert. I would rather cross the street than chance having to look up and say hi to someone. People terrified me!    I had the perfect job for my “condition” as I was a medical transcriptionist and was able to sit in my own little office with headphones on all day and not talk to anybody.

When my family moved to Idaho, however, the only job opportunity that I had near home was at the local bank, where I had to work with the public all day long. My husband says that I began to “blossom”.   I enjoyed my customers and it was the one thing I missed when I chose to come home and be a stay-at-home mom.   My time at the bank however, was used as a stepping stone to help me be more comfortable around people because in 2006, my husband was called into the ministry.  The Lord was gracious in the fact that he slowly helped me to overcome my fear of people because now I was in a position where I would have to deal with a lot of people on many different levels. I quickly learned that people all needed to be ministered to differently.   It was quite the challenge for me.  

I had one woman in the church who completely empowered me. I have never been a great or confident decision maker and when I would ask her what her opinion was as far as preparing lessons for the youth group or Sunday School, she would turn it around and say, “Well, what do you think?”  With much uncertainty I would tell her my thoughts and she would smile and exclaim, “That sounds like a wonderful idea!”  She helped me to start moving away from the shore a little bit at a time and before I knew it I couldn’t see the shore anymore as I was planning events for the church, finding curriculum and planning lessons for the youth group, Sunday School, discipleship, women’s studies and fundraisers! 

Soon I found myself back at the shore when  I was asked to be a speaker at a Women’s Retreat.  I found myself getting off the boat and running inland as far as I could.   I had to speak at seven sessions.   Panic rose in me.   I did prepare my sessions….but ripped them up as I shouted to God that He could not make me get back on the boat.  The next day I taped up my papers and packed my suitcase.   I was not graceful at all as I talked. I shook and had to read every word off my paper.   I went to the bathroom and cried after each session as my nerves got the best of me.   How the Lord ever used any of my words to make a difference, I will never understand, but He did.  

As I was asked to do other speaking events, I graduated to using only an outline. I could tell the boat was starting to drift a little further from the shore.   I spoke and recorded a testimony that I gave to a church youth group and even got brave enough to send it to a Christian radio program, as it was in line with the topic of one of my books I had written. It wasn’t able to be used at that time, but I could feel the wind catching the sails of my boat, pushing me further out to sea.  I was asked to speak for a High School Career Days and did my first PowerPoint presentation and didn’t use any notes at all! That was a huge milestone for me.     

Last week I had the privilege of being on a panel with six other women authors. I realized that with it being a panel discussion I would not be able to prepare anything as I would have no idea what the audience would ask me about.   I got a bit nervous as people kept coming and coming into the event. I forced myself to mingle and smile.  We were finally called onto the stage and we introduced ourselves and our books.  People asked questions about writing and publishing and about our topics.   I never would have guessed the response that this short time on the panel would generate.   People were thanking us over and over again for being real and for being transparent and for encouraging them.   Little did they know how much the seven of us were truly encouraged!   This has fanned a flame in our hearts, letting us know that we have something to offer others! 

My boat is in the middle of the ocean right now.   I can’t see the shore…..and I’m not afraid.   I’m going to cross this ocean!

I would love to invite you to meet  the other women authors with whom I have had the privilege of learning and growing.   Their stories will bless you and encourage you!    http://idahocreativeauthorsnetwork.com/


Published works available at http://www.amazon.com/JoEllen-Claypool/e/B008I6EGR6