Part Two: Five Things Strong Women Don’t Do

Uncategorized

Hey girlfriends, last week I covered Five Things Strong Women Don’t Believe. Below is the recap.

  1. I am not a leader
  2. I am disqualified in some way
  3. I am too busy to impact my world
  4. My weaknesses define me
  5. I am not good enough.

You can read the whole blog here.

In this post, I am covering Five Things Strong Women Don’t Do.

Like I said last week, this is good medicine.

Consider where you may need to step it up. I find that the more space I put between the thing I need to do and taking an action step to do it, the worse I tend to feel or the greater the procrastination sets in.

So, take the medicine and move on to what’s next. This is what strong women do.

1. Minimize My Standing as a Daughter of God

Let’s look face to face, eye to eye, and speak truth to one another.

When you are a daughter, there is nothing that you can or can’t do to eliminate your standing. In other words, God celebrates your wins with you and He pours out grace the rest of the time. Most of life is lived in the “rest of the time.”

Most of life is lived in the simple moments of commutes and dishes. Discerning when to speak up and when to let it go. In filling water bottles and coolers with snacks. Talking to God in the dark when no one else is present. Understanding the meaning of tears. Gently giving patience when your emotions call you in another direction.

It is here in these simple moments that we are living out our daughtership. Probably with more depth and meaning than when we are standing out and being recognized for the good we do in public.

Your daughtership is as much about what you can do and can accomplish as it is about your daily weaving in and out of glory. 

God always anticipated both. He greatly desires to live with you in and through both because you are His daughter. End of story. Amen.

2. Ignore Care for My Physical Health

I’m going to keep it short and simple. Please do at least these three things:

Annual Visit to the OB/GYN

Annual Mammogram

Annual Visit to your general practitioner with blood testing.

Please know what you need to know and address what you need to address. Don’t hide from your health. There is a big difference between prevention, treatment and past the point of both. If you can’t bring yourself to do it for yourself, do it for the people who love you.

3. Ignore My Mental Health

If you know my story, you know that I’ve been down roads of depression, anxiety and panic the last five years. These illnesses came about during times of intense, prolonged stress.

When you are going through hard stuff, don’t assume you will just get through the hard stuff.

We have complicated brains and emotions and so does everyone we interact with.

Keep a good counselor on hand. Go before you really need to go.

I’ve learned over the years to catch myself before the free fall. If I find myself unable to make decisions on a regular basis, I probably need to talk through the decisions or figure out the reasons why I can’t proceed. If I feel sadness hovering over me and I can’t push back, I probably need to spend some time with my therapist. If I am afraid in the night and can’t get enough sleep, it’s time to find my center again with some help.

If you can’t afford to go to counseling, there are so many local resources. Two of my favorites are Spanish River Counseling Center and Sheridan House.

4. Allow the Fear of Appearances to Hold Me Back

Last year, I listened to the testimony of a woman who bravely battled her addiction to masturbation and pornography. She told her story with grace and truth to a live audience of thousands.

I remembered her when I thought of the trap of appearances.

Most of us are not willing to share openly the battle we experience on the inside, especially when the battle pertains to appetite and desire. Is there something you won’t do or share because you are afraid of the impression it will make on others? Maybe you think a person or people will walk away or judge you?

Shame and isolation are a dangerous combination.

The fear of appearances strongly influences what we won’t do or won’t share about ourselves. Most of the time, this fear will hold us back from freedom, connection and calling.

Can you and I choose to take one small step forward? Is it body image? Rough back story? Tough set of current facts? Will you share one piece of your shame to one other safe person?

Shame is only safe in isolation. Darkness wins until you step into community. While the step forward may be scary, the outcome is probably beyond your current expectation of God’s goodness. Strong women don’t let the fear of appearances hold them back.

5. Allow Comparison to Stunt Me

Whether you find yourself on the side of better than or less than, comparison will stop you from living out who you were created to be. When you find yourself in the comparison trap, acknowledge that appearances are exactly what they are.

Don’t assume her story. Remember that God has a good, long-term plan for you.

Moreover, begin to walk in gratefulness for what you do have.

There have been times in my life when my grateful list sounded pathetic to me. So be it. This is where we begin when we are walking out of comparison.

Finally, be inspired by others. Instead of taking a critical view of the person you are sizing up, take a few mental notes on how you can be inspired by her.

Sweet friend, strong woman, get moving with your best life. It’s your calling to make the world a better place, not to judge what someone else is up to.

I am going to leave you with Joshua 1:9.

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:9

GOD’S WITHNESS WILL GIVE YOU EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO BE A STRONG, FAITHFUL WOMAN OF GOD.

Continue Reading

Part One: Five Things Strong Women Don’t Believe

Uncategorized

Girlfriends, this was meant to be a short post. Sort of like the type of conversation you have with your teenager when you have three or four minutes of attention to change the course of their life (okay, their day). As it turns out, each section is short and sweet; likened to the teenage conversation. But the whole post turned out to be long.

In an effort not to clog up your brain or your day, this post is split in two. Today’s post shares 5 Things Strong Women Don’t Believe. Next week will share 5 Things Strong Women Don’t Do.

This two part series isn’t about self care, although I love the topic of caring for your body, mind and soul. Think of this as good medicine. It’s a check up for where you are at with your beliefs about yourself and how you may be limiting yourself as a woman of God.

If you get stuck on a statement, reach out to a friend to discuss. Google verses on God’s truth in that area. Take a small step towards growth. Remember, small steps are worthy and honorable.

If you find that you “scored” well in all areas, give it a day or two and revisit the list.

I find that we sometimes don’t acknowledge a growth area because we need new eyes to see first. This recently happened to me when it came to some cantankerous thoughts I was having. Who knew that it was time for a check up in the area of comparison? (That topic is in part two of this post).

I am going to begin and end with Joshua 1:9.

God’s withness will give you everything you need to be a strong, faithful woman of God.

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:9

1. I am Not A Leader

You may not see yourself as a leader. There are hundreds of reasons why you may not. The culture you were raised in. Your religious upbringing. The limiting label someone of authority placed on you. Maybe you just feel like the space you can fill is predetermined or your voice is stuck in a sound proof room.

Let’s look face to face, eye to eye, and speak truth to one another.

By design, you are an Ezer. Yes, this is the Hebrew word that God chose when He created the first woman in Genesis 2:18.

The Hebrew definition of Ezer is to rescue, to save and to be strong. Ezer is a warrior who has the capacity to defend, protect, surround and cherish. She is both proactive and vulnerable.

There is no doubt in my mind that you can relate to one or more of these words. You have probably lived out most of these words in your lifetime thus far.

You were created to be a leader and you are leading well now. Think of yourself as a leader.

Allow your intended design of Ezer and the multitude of women who have gone before you to help you redefine yourself as a woman and lead in the way God is whispering you to lead.

2. I am Disqualified in Some Way

Do you believe you are ineligible for a role or activity because of a past mistake or failure? Or maybe you’ve ruled something out because of your race, gender, education, status or wealth?

Some of the answers to these questions are hard. Personally, I feel shame about my shortcomings; especially when the circumstance, past mistake or characteristic is beyond my control.

How do we recover from disqualifying ourselves?

Christine Caine talks about her birth mom giving her up without even a name. The hospital assigned her a number. When she learned her story for the first time, she shares that she felt unknown, unnamed and unwanted.

Disqualification results in the same feelings about ourselves.

Christine goes on to say that she had a choice to remain unknown, unnamed and unwanted or believe what God says about her.

When there is a fight between your heart and your head, experience has taught me that the best thing to do is pick up your Bible and remind yourself of what God says. – Christine Caine

Don’t be afraid, I’ve redeemed you. I’ve called you by name. You’re mine. When you are in over your head, I will be with you. When you’re in rough waters, you will not go down. When you’re in a rock and a hard place, it won’t be a dead end . . . I paid a huge price for you . . . That’s how much you mean to me! That’s how much I love you! I’d sell the whole world to get you back, trade creation just for you.

Isaiah 43: 1-6

There is no doubt in my mind that, when we rule ourselves out before the journey ever begins, we are shutting the door to redemption, love, healing and adventure.

3. I am Too Busy to Impact My World

Many of you have described the last six months with words like:

Flexibility. Healing. Less control. Togetherness. Simplify. Cohesive. Thankful. Healthy.

Slow down was mandated. Busy will return with a vengeance.

Now that you can see with new eyes the outcome of slowing down, there is no excuse for Too Busy.

Even with the roles, demands and responsibilities of family, work, home, community and church, you now know the value of staying still. As busy returns, cling to quiet, still hours. This is the time and space where God exponentially speaks life into you. This is the supernatural power that leads you to impact your world for good.

4. My Weaknesses Define Me

When it comes to weaknesses, my oldest tells me, “God can do something with nothing.”

Ann Voskamp says, “What you always need most is need.”

“Weakness is God’s opportunity to do a new thing,” says me.

Practically speaking, weakness is your opportunity for growth. There is a lot to be said about taking steps to grow in your weak areas. Some of your greatest moments or memories may be the intersection point of growth and the supernatural power of God working in your weakness. Your weakness is just one part of your journey. Let’s not negatively amplify what God intends to masterfully use for your glory, His glory and for the glory of others.

5. I am Not Good Enough

Do you believe you are unsuitable because there is just something about you that’s not good enough?

Not good enough permeates our perspective, literally, on everything. It’s like a distorting lens we see life through. It also falls on the list of things we don’t like to talk about or admit out loud. Ugh.

For me, the more challenging life becomes, the more I am sure I am not good enough to achieve it, accomplish it or do it well.

Frankly, we will remain stuck if we continue to move in the space where it is up to us.

We can’t do this life without help from others or the Holy Spirit. Some of us are really good at some things, but none of us arrive without help and practice.

Whatever you are sure you are not good enough for, create a reasonable plan to try it out. Whether it’s a skill or job or new friendship or relationship, get advise from an expert. Remain humble. Grab a friend if you can. Try and fail and try again. That’s the model. You are good enough.

I leave you with where we began. Tune in next week for Part Two: Five Things Strong Women Don’t Do.

God’s withness will give you everything you need to be a strong, faithful woman of God.

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:9
Continue Reading

This is a Messy Post about Authentic Friendship

Uncategorized

If you’ve been an authentic friend for any period of time, you know it’s synonymous with messy.

Mamas, messy friendship is best understood as the sometimes state of our home.

Think of the dishes, platters and wine glasses piled high after a really good dinner party. The crumbs and icing fingerprints on the dessert plates. The night was filled with story after story, eyes looking into eyes, dim light, flowers and waxy candles. You can’t have that much love and joy without the mess.

Think of the ping pong balls, candy wrappers, ten thousand water bottles and empty food containers draping your home after a multitude of teenagers have come and gone all weekend. They’ve eaten eight times a day. Laughed and talked at your dining room table. Crashed on your living room couch. You are happy and your house is messy.

Think of Saturday morning after a hard, busy week with little time at home. Dishes in the sink. Full kitchen trash can. Backpacks by the door. Mail on the counter. Clothes on the floor. The week ended in success but not without a mess at home.

(I don’t have an image for this one. Obviously.)

Messy isn’t bad. It’s what happens when you live authentically.

Friendship is the same way.

Whether you are on the look out for new friends. Reconnecting with old. Standing in places of tension with a current friend. A commitment to authentic is messy.

My grown-up story of friendship started about a decade ago when my two besties moved away. To no fault of their own, I was left with two small kids, the aftermath of the real estate market crash – – which means we were broke – and my dad’s cancer diagnosis. It could not have been a worse time to be left all alone.

Despite all of that, I genuinely sought out friends. I volunteered at my kid’s new school. I showed up at the weekly women’s work out. I asked questions and listened to other moms hoping to find a connection point and exchange numbers. I shared openly at bible study.

Sometimes that meant someone pulled me in and showed me the way. Sometimes that meant I had to weather the uncomfortable of not knowing anyone in the room. Sometimes that meant I determined who I didn’t want to be friends with.

That’s the way of messy. But after years of showing up and loving and giving of myself in the best way I knew how, friendships formed.

Once you find an imperfect place of belonging, the messy remains.

Over the last few years, I’ve experienced a necessary distance from someone I held so very dear to my heart. I experienced a friend pass me up for others over a point of hurt I never fully understood. I’ve felt a bit of frost from a friend that I hoped to be close to but found myself on the periphery.

This is part of living messy, authentic friendship. If you never, ever hurt, then you never, ever loved or cared with your full self in the first place.

Friendship can only be authentic when you love hard and care too much. Unless you are willing to get beyond the clean surface of your shiny kitchen counter, you will never find the layers of mess that sometimes lead to lifetime friendship.

Messy, authentic friendship means that you give time that you don’t feel you have. You give your gifts of love and care without a demand for a return. And, most importantly, you forgive wholeheartedly even if it takes many moons to get there.

On this road of time, care and forgiveness, some friends will move on. Some will stay on the periphery. And some will stay forever.

Often, we say that the gift is in the journey. However, I would say, with authentic friendship, the gift is eventually finding your people, your person, your tribe. The gift is truly wrapped up in the friend. The messy describes the journey.

There will be repeated obstacles when you choose to be an authentic friend in search of other authentic friends. It’s like the dinner party, the slew of teenagers in your home or a long work week. All wreak havoc on a clean, orderly home – or shall I say, your heart. But, a perpetually clean home has no war stories, joy songs or happy memories to laugh and share.

You certainly could choose to stay neat all the time. You certainly could choose to avoid the pain, work and loss of authentic friendship. You could.

But then, my sister, you would be defying all that God wrote about in His great book of life. He is the author of redemption. He creates beauty from ashes. He makes something of nothing. He allows some taking to exponentially bless on the other side. He expects mistakes so that He can show the way. Although His narrative is clean, reliable and orderly, the story line is wiped with tears, terrifying roller coasters and moments of unknown and anticipation.

If this is His story, then this is your story if you will embrace it.

He is never alone, and He gives you the gift of never being alone. His gifts are perfect, and He has already paid the price for the messy you will encounter as an authentic friend.

What’s your story of authentic friendship? I’d love to hear it.

Continue Reading

Four Action Steps when its Time to Follow Your Dreams

Uncategorized

When you think of the number of dreams hidden in your heart, what do you do?

For the Get-It-Done-ers. The Check the Box-ers. The Planners. The Executioners:

You love the dreams in your heart. With a task list and some inspiration, you can do this.

For the Scaredy Cats. Timid at Heart. Not So Sure of Yourself. Doubters. Skeptics:

You love the dreams in your heart. With a task list and some inspiration, you can do this.

So, what are the dreams in your heart?

Start a Catering business. Support Pregnant Teens.

Embrace my fun, not so serious side.

Encourage women through social media.

Sell homes with care and trust.

Give back because I have so much. Tell my single mom story.

Get back into performing on stage.

Find a job I am passionate about again.

Tell my story of sickness and health on a podcast.

Find an affordable way to showcase local artists.

Do any of these echo in your own heart?

Will you stop right here and right now and write down the dream or dreams in your heart?

Your dreams can be decades old. Brand new. Perhaps your dream is unlikely or unexpected by someone with your story or resources. That makes a dream a dream. Write it.

Is your dream to finally live an organized, non-chaotic, timely life?

Is it your heart’s desire to connect the distance between you and that child or family member?

Could your dream be to create a warm, resourceful home to welcome others?

Write down your dream. Look down. That’s what the space is for.

You did it. That was your first step.

Here are the next few steps to this glorious dream that is ready to flow out of your heart:

STEP TWO: START SLOW

Start slow. I know this makes the Scaredy Cats happy and the frustrates the Executioners. I’ve been around both of you. I have some of both of you in me too. We need each other.

Start slow means:

Take a deep breath.

Consider the outcome.

What would your dream look like if the work was already done?

Who would you be? What would you be doing?

Who would you have impacted for the better?

What would be different about your world? (Not necessarily the entire globe. Your world. That’s where all the goodness starts.)

Now that you see the endgame, you can begin with one small, intentional step.

STEP THREE: BE CONSISTENT

Take another deep breath.

Be consistent.

Typically, a large gap exists between your first small, intentional step and the endgame. The only way to bridge that gap is through consistency.

Did you create a timeline for your first step?

Each time you commit to a step, give yourself a specific, measurable outcome, completion date and a reward. All three are important. Don’t leave one out.

For example, if you want to support pregnant teenage moms, your steps may be to:

  1. Contact three nonprofits to see what work is already being done.
  2. Meet with a social worker to find out the issues and needs.
  3. Reach out to a woman you know that has been personally touched by teen pregnancy.

Specific, right?

Measurable Outcome: Three meetings with one page of helpful notes from each.

Completion Date: One connection per week for three weeks.

The Reward: The part that we all forget! Will you celebrate by meeting a friend for coffee to share all you learned? Will you buy a project planner to put your notes in?

Do what makes you happy.

Each step will lead to another step. Before you know it, you will have hit a milestone that leads to your endgame.

While there is always grace in giving up or realizing you are not on course, choose consistency until you know beyond a shadow of a doubt that it’s time for redirection.

I’m feeling guilty for having packed so much in that last sentence. The Scaredy Cats were very happy to hear me say it’s sometimes okay to give up. The Executioners were appalled. Remember, you probably have a little of both in you. We need each other to know when to press in and when to move on. Be sure to have both a cat and a slayer in your life.

STEP FOUR: LET GOD MOVE

Take your next deep breath.

Get to know the Open Door – Shut Door Policy.

You can also call this policy the Let God Move policy. God gave you a dream so that you could do the valuable work of watering and growing the good gift He gave you. Good gifts get built upon by trusting Him with the process.

Sometimes it unexpectedly rains really hard and your dream gets sopping wet. Perhaps you shared your dream for the first time and you were met with pessimism or criticism. Perhaps one of your intentional steps towards living out your dream crashed and burned publicly. Maybe you asked for help with your dream and you got a no. When you’re sopping wet, your current situation doesn’t resemble the endgame you initially imagined.

Is the door shut forever?

You could let the sopping wet feeling lead your heart to grow cold or bitter towards your dream. You could let the feeling cause you to throw the dream into the trash can instead of into the dryer. Or, you could let the sopping wet feeling bring you to know firsthand that the best dreams are only realized after getting to the end of yourself.

Shut doors do open again.

A dream can also go through a scorched season. If sopping wet looks like defeat, then scorched feels like no man’s land. Sometimes a dream may need some time in the desert. Enthusiasm may need to be replaced with depth. Shallow purpose may need to be replaced with a three strand knot. A deep desire for the endgame may need to be replaced by a worthy and valuable journey.

Do you see why doors can be shut for a season?

This is the Open door – Shut Door Policy. Shut doors don’t necessarily mean failure. Open doors don’t necessarily mean success. My simple wisdom is to let God move. Dreams are lived out best when there is an abundance of space to let God move.

The bottom line is that you love the dreams in your heart whether or not you want to admit it. My bible boyfriend James (who I have agreed to share with my friend Connie) says that

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

James 1:17

You can’t deny the dreams He’s given you. They are good and perfect gifts. It’s time, my friend. It’s time to step out into what He has given you.

Love,

Your Soul Sister

Sasha

Continue Reading

How to Know the Difference Between Regret and Revelation

Uncategorized

Back in the day, I drove my Corolla under the warm sun between my downtown Coral Gables apartment and my law school campus; and wherever else those spontaneous, adventurous days would take me. I mostly drove on my own and listened to the God of the universe speak.

All of the performance and perfectionism that had piled up high in my twenty-two-year-old life came to a halting stop in my first year of law school. Law school was hard and competitive.

On top of that, there were a lot of fancy white girls (as my brown skinned goddaughter now calls them). My hard work and success of the past didn’t really amount to anything in this environment – at least that is how it felt.

But.

You know what happened. I got small and afraid. Of Failure. God took my frailty. He opened the door of my heart. I began to hear Him for the very first time.

I will stop here for a moment. I know you know your moment too.

Perhaps you were younger or older.

Perhaps it was joy in your life that God used to usher in His voice to your soul.

Perhaps you found His voice as someone else prayed over you.

Perhaps you hear Him in His design of the sun rays or ocean waves.

Perhaps ___________ (you fill in the blank).

The Alternative Road to Atlanta

On one of those banner, sunny afternoons under the massive Gables trees, God reminded me of an option I had about seven years before. I had chosen to go to college in New Orleans over Atlanta. This was a good choice that I walked through with family. However, in that moment, driving in the black Corolla under the warm sun, God helped me see that each choice leads down an alternative road. I saw a glimpse of that alternative life, had I chosen to move to Atlanta.

We have paths. Paths are powered by our choices. Choices come in the number of 35,000 per day. With so many alternative choices, can we even imagine the different courses our lives could have taken at any given point? Even if we narrow down the hunt to the most relevant, impactful lifetime events, we still have the path and the path not chosen.

What May Have Been

Over the years, I have pondered the alternative road to Atlanta from time to time. Can you relate? Do you ever consider the alternative roads? What may have been. Implicit in that thought is comparison. If I am painfully honest, the enemy sometimes uses these moments to falsely convict me – – wrongly pin me down to regret.

Just last week, the alternative road to the city of Atlanta came to mind. For the first time, God had more to say about that path. While I choose to keep the intimate words of the Spirit within my heart, I wish to share the following.

In every choice. In every path.
There is a certain amount of heartbreak.
There is a certain amount of joy.
In every choice. In every path.

The aerial view of the particular path may look rather different. You know, New Orleans or Atlanta. Corporate v. Entrepreneur. Hunker down or Move around. Single v. Spouse. Quiet or Bustle. Risky v. Cautious. Sunshine or Snow.

Regardless of the specific choice, the substance of all paths includes the fullness of the human experience. There is a certain amount of heartbreak. There is a certain amount of joy. In every choice. In every path.

God grants us the opportunity of choice. Because of His kindness and love towards us, our choices are covered in His sovereignty. No choice or path is outside of His hands. His nature works everything for good.

Revelation: Life Has Its Ups and Downs

I won’t ponder the alternative road to the city of Atlanta any longer. I had my revelation. I now understand it is less about the specific facts and more about what makes up a life.

God has already authored the content. He has packed the human experience with everything we need to grow in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. He gives us everything we need to become the mirror image of Him.

Rather than imagine the different courses our lives could have taken at any given point. Rather than ponder. Rather than entertain the implicit comparison of what may have been. Rather than let the enemy convict you with wrongful regret. Simply acknowledge that life has its ups and downs. Both in the present path and in the alternative path not chosen.

With wisdom, gather information. With intention, create a life giving list. With humility, pray. With an open mind, get advise. Do your best not to act like a fool (although it is inevitable from time to time). Choose the path ahead. With confidence. With God.

Choose in the present to grow in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. For against these, there is no law of regret. No implicit comparison. No pondering of the road not taken. No Atlanta over New Orleans. No matter the path, you have everything you need to become the mirror image of God.

Follow Your Calling

My sweet friends, I write to you because it matters to me that you believe you are free. When you believe you are free, you heart opens. The whisper of God comes in and tells you things you did not know, so you can do the things you’ve haven’t done yet.

God has a calling over your life at every stage. In every season. It’s my hope, my dream, that you wouldn’t let this season, this life, pass you by without following His calling over your life.

If you enjoy these letters and haven’t joined the Follow Your Call Class, click the button below and reach out to me for details – Sasha@SashaAKatz.com. We start on Thursday, June 11 at 6:30pm via Zoom.

Love,

Your Soul Sister Sasha

Follow Your Call Class
Continue Reading

What are you in love with?

Uncategorized

Calling is a broad word. But I am very much in love with the concept.

You too know the things you are in love with.

  • My friend D serves as a liaison between her church and a foster care organization.
  • My friend C serves nine “last chance” girls in a group home with a revolving front door.
  • My friend C teaches new immigrants much needed skills.
  • My friend S aims to start a home decorating firm.
  • My friend S sits with nonprofit boards and teaches them financial sense.
  • My mom advocates for endangered and victimized animals.

What is under the umbrella of your calling?

The things that you love to do and the people that you love to serve fall under the umbrella of your calling. Your passion and purpose and your determination towards the target of your love make perfect sense to you. When what you do and who you serve make perfect sense to you, you are in the center of your calling.

I am in love with this concept of calling.

God planted something in you before time ever began. He gave you strengths so you could follow your calling. He gave you hard parts of your story to deepen your impact on others. He gave you cheerleaders to help you pave the way. And, if all of that was not enough, He gave you a calling because He wants more than anything to do something special with you.

Author Shannan Martin recently helped me remember one of the reasons I love to encourage people to follow their calling. The truth is that God has every reason to carry out His plans without us.

With us by his side, everything is guaranteed to take one thousand times longer along a path potholed with our mess-ups and general antics. . . [God] doesn’t tire of us . . . He hitches his glory to our ruin and keeps on trucking, delighted by every tiny step we make in the right direction.

– Shannon Martin, The Ministry of Ordinary Things

Sisters, God can get it done better, faster and wiser without us. But he doesn’t. He chooses the slower, up and down road of God and humans working together for good. God gave you a calling so that he could do something with you that you are both passionate about.

The Icing on the Cake of Calling

The icing on the cake is that calling is about expressing your passions in a way that loves and serves outwardly. When you love and serve with your gifts, your faith and trust in God and his purposes for your life grow and grow. Calling never ends.

Your Calling Matters

It matters to me that you know why I write these letters. It matters to me that you know there is a place for you to go with your fears, second guessing, mental traps and questions. Calling gets held up in many ways. When that happens, I’m here.

The Live Follow Your Class Begins in June 2020

I’m teaching my Follow Your Call class in June 2020. I am looking for nine more women to join me. The class will be live by zoom. If a lot changes in the next few weeks, I will gladly meet you face to face in my office’s conference room. (It’s probably too soon for a snuggly living room). If you would like to join us, click the button below or email me at sasha@sashaakatz.com. I’m planning to close the registration at end of this month.

Follow Your Call Class

Love,

Your Soul Sister

Sasha

Follow Your Call!
Continue Reading