If it is to be, it is up to me! It’s one of my favorite quotes – short, sweet and to the point. It’s the difference between successful people, and those who spend their whole life wishing and wanting. It’s the moment when you make up your mind to get it done.
God tapped me on the forehead about this very thing just last week when I was blessed to meet an incredible gentleman who works with young teens. His mission in life is to ensure each teen has a plan for their future, be it college or career. In his quest to reach as many as possible, he recently wrote his book.
I’m fascinated by this news as I have been on an amazing, humbling, exasperating journey to write a book myself. So, I immediately offer to buy a copy. Not because I have a teenager (my son is 25), but because I believe in sowing seeds in ministries God has given other people. And because, God help me, I’m going to figure out how so many other people can finish a doggone book and I have gone round and round with this one.
As he gets ready to hand me the book he sets the stage, “Now this isn’t a big book. It’s more like a booklet.” No problem! I just want to read it. (Not to mention I’m hoping that just by holding it that the secret passageway in my brain that leads to brilliance will miraculously unlock.)
Y’all, I got the book and was stunned. It was 35 pages…total. I didn’t even know you could print a book that small. Immediately, my “other self” kicked in.
See God, this is not what I’m trying to do. I would never publish anything like this and put my name on it. I’ve got to have a professional look, and something that represents you (…meaning ME) better.
Right then, I felt that tap in the middle of my forehead.
Excuse me. Look down. Are you not holding his COMPLETED book? Where is yours? Still in that journal you’re carrying around. Mmm…hmm…that’s what I thought. Now be quiet and get back to work.
Lord, have mercy! Here I am trying to judge someone else, and I can’t even get my own stuff together.
I love how God gently reminds us to be about OUR business. Through completely unexpected teachable moments, he lovingly points out areas where we’re weak and redirects our energy to where He can use us the most.
The whole week I kept thinking about why I’m so obsessed about the book being a certain way, why I had created this artificial standard I was trying to live up to. Finally it dawned on me that the reason I kept stalling was because some part of me is afraid that my new life won’t be as fabulous as my old one. You see, I was a Chief Marketing Officer. Woohoo…I mean really, people (……meaning ME) expect more of me than others because I have already been “successful”. Once again, I got tapped on the forehead.
Girl, if all you can see is what you had then you’re not ready for where I’m trying to take you. Face forward, and keep it moving. I’ve got so much more in store!
His message to me was so clear – Just do it! Keep taking the steps I’m laying out before you, and quit worrying about where you think you should be on the path. Stop looking for how to do it, and just do it. You’re not going to get all the answers first, and anything you can imagine for your life is way smaller than what I have planned.
So, I’m back in motion – writing, speaking, listening and praying. I’m doing the best I can with what I’ve got. Will it be perfect? Heck no! But it will be exactly what it’s supposed to be, and for that I’m profoundly grateful.
But that’s enough about me – let’s talk about you! Because I bet I’m not the only one who is dragging their feet because of our ego-driven pursuit of perfection. Has God been thumping you on the forehead too?
Girl, I don’t know about you but I refuse to stay stuck in an endless circle of trying without ever reaching a triumphant end.
You and me – let’s go on a grand adventure with God. I can’t tell you where we’ll end up, or even the next steps. But I do believe, passionately, that the ride itself will be a great reward.
Hope to see you on the road to more than we can imagine. It’s so much more fun to travel with friends.
Love and Blessings ❤
Torie Miles says
Great blog, thanks for sharing. God reminds our ways are not his way and our plans or not his plans. He also reminds us ‘ask and it shall be given’. You are right where God wants you to be. Enjoy this season in your life.
I can wait to read your finished copy; you are truly inspiring to me.
Katrina McGhee says
Thank you!!
Tanya Lee says
Excellent! We need that reminder to push pass the blockages of self and complete the journey God has laid out for us. I’m certainly inspired by your blog and may God bless the completion of your book. I can’t wait to read it.
Katrina McGhee says
Amen! Thanks for the encouragement Tanya. Love you much…❤