Click below to hear me read this post (and begin the journey of answering this call).
I remember the Still Small Voice perfectly.
I was sitting at a table during the 2013 Allume conference and we were reflecting on what God was telling us during the conference. We were all asking him to make his callings and purposes known.
He spoke to me the one word that made my knees knock together.
“Speak.”
I knew he wanted me to talk about early motherhood. That was the easy part to understand.
“Speak.”
But, God, I don’t want to speak. I’m okay on the podium…but all that afterwards small or deep heart talk shuts down this introvert.
“Speak.”
And I remembered Moses. He would make a way.
So being the overachiever I am, I decided I would act immediately in obedience. I contacted 3 MOPS groups in the local area saying that I would be willing to speak.
I was rejected by every single one.
I decided that I would just let God figure this whole thing out while I did nothing and went on with my life.
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Fast forward to early Sept 2015. I’m having a hard time falling asleep at night because I’m brimming with ideas (this is not an unusual situation for me and usually means I’m not giving myself enough quiet daytime rest).
A few months back, I had written a series for New Mama’s outlining some of the things I wish someone had said to me in the first six months of motherhood (click here if you want to indulge in reading). This series is sent via email auto-responder to new mama clients or email subscribers at 2:30 am so she can read it while doing a night feeding. But during this week it had suddenly struck me that most new mamas aren’t able to read very well even with all the sitting and feeding hours. Because there is spit up, and overflowed diapers, and the constant bouncing down the hall trying to get a little one to settle down before the next feeding.
What a new mama really needed was a podcast to listen to during these lonely miles wearing thin the carpet in front of the crib.
I dismissed the idea. Too time consuming while already juggling my growing business.
It fit, but it wasn’t for me at this time.(<====Click To Tweet)
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A week later, my mentor and friend Amy Hunt of C’est la Vie the magazine whispered some crazy words to me.
“I can see you doing a podcast.”
She didn’t know about my late night podcast thoughts. She was talking about C’est la Vie but I heard the still small voice again.
I decided I would curb my thoughts of grandeur this time. I invited my email list to take a survey (would you take it too?). And I decided to start slow: simply recording my earlier written series to be listened to in the wee hours of the morning.
I had misheard the earlier call to speak. And this one didn’t have the crowds of people clamoring to talk to me after speaking.
This one might be the perfect fit.
What happens when you hear His voice distinctly, but misinterpret the call? (<====Click To Tweet)
Melissa, My problem is hearing the word from Him. I am glad you were able to discern His voice with God given help from friends! What a wonderful idea He planted in you!
Melissa your good word has come at a interesting time in my life. I write at carmenhorne.com and I also feel called to speak. I think…. Yet, I would have expected God to open doors for me locally to do that and I just haven’t seen that happen. I have made a few FB videos that are pretty well received (around 500 views) each time. I don’t particularly like video (I’ve gotta get over me) but I often think of podcasting. With your encouragement today I am thinking maybe I’m looking at this all wrong. Praying for clarification and ask for your prayers as well. Loved this ma’am.
got shivers as I read this. The misunderstanding is where I was at with my heart to be in international ministry. When I was 20, I was certain God called me to international missions. I was going to be on the field, ministering to people who needed love, resources, someone to advocate for them. I slowly faded as real life ensued. I kept pursuing, but in ways that made more sense… bring the nations into my home, for example, as a life coach who works with people worldwide on Skype… or adopt two kids who are from a different ethnic background. Then my friend in North Africa invited me to visit, out tumbled “yes,” God opened dozens of doors, I went, and I knew while I was there that it really was something he’d called me to. I am supposed to actually go. It just needed 20 years to brew. There are more trips to encourage believers in closed countries to come! Sometimes the misunderstanding is just a not-yet-seeing. But that podcast sounds like a very very exciting way to walk toward the dream!