Serving God FOR God, and Not For Myself

I took a strengths class with my husband last Winter. Empathy was one of my top core strengths. One of the instructors told me how rare that was. “It’s like a sixth sense,” she said. I guess a lot of people have empathy as a complimentary strength but not as one of their main strengths.

It made so much sense to me. How I invest myself personally into everything I do. How I take everything thrown back at me, personally, as well. Because of empathy. I emote. I relate.

I feel. And I feel. And I feel some more. I feel for myself. I feel for you. And with you.

It’s just who I am.

So it makes sense that I struggle in my skin sometimes. I struggle to remind myself of who I want to be, and why I do what I do (writing).  For I can so easily ingest those follower numbers, those likes, and those blog comments. I can personalize them and focus on “me.” When that’s really not what I want to be about.

I do what I do BECAUSE of my empathy for others. For YOU. Not for me, at all. Yes, I enjoy it, but that’s because I enjoy loving on others. I enjoy encouraging others. I enjoy impacting a life. It does bring me great joy.  But from time to time, I have to analyze my motivation and my perseverance in what I do. Is it so I get more attention – more followers and likes? Or is it so that others can see God in me, and that I can draw them closer to seeking Him?

It’s the latter I want. It’s the latter that will give me true value. And yet I still struggle with personally wanting to be liked. Loved. Accepted.  As we all do.

Empathy.

It’s my strength, yes. But I think it’s also my weakness.

I am so thankful to get realigned from time to time. I’m humbled, and thankful to be reminded I’ve strayed off of my focus and intent. I’m blessed to get back on track with serving God FOR God, and not for myself.  For I don’t ever want to use His name, His values, and His words – for my own attention.

“Lord, I am your servant. A servant that does indeed, go astray from time to time. Thank you for lovingly always bringing me back into the fold and never chastising me with anger. You are my God. And I WILL serve you.

Always.”

Sometimes You Just Have to Take a "Time-Out" From Life

Sometimes you just have to take a ‘time-out’ from life. 

I’ve been on ‘overload’ for awhile now. Getting my daughter ready to graduate from high school in June, working a part time job, planning a wedding for this Fall… and then just adding in the normal to-do’s of life.

But nobody has been telling me that I have to do it all. I’VE been the one telling ME that I have to do it all.

And I don’t. I can’t.

So, for my own well-being, I decided to say ‘no’ to some of life’s requests.

I didn’t go to this last session of Bible Study.

I told myself “no” to going to some blogger events that have come up in the last couple of months.

I’ve forced myself to relax some days – even though there was laundry and other chores to be done.

It has helped soo much! Lightening my load a little bit helped me focus on what truly was a priority and it has helped me start to get the rest that my body has been craving.

Life doesn’t stop altogether. But, you can quit for awhile on the things that don’t matter quite as much.

Sometimes you just have to say ‘no’ to the chores, and watch a movie. Put something aside and play a family game, or go on a walk.

It’s needed. For sanity. For clarity. For refreshment.

There will always be a list of things that need to get done. There will always be someone who wants something from us. But we are merely human. Our energy is not limitless. 

We need breaks. Time-outs. Time to be alone. Time to rest.

I feel strongly about following through on commitments and keeping your word. But there are times in life, where it might just matter a little bit more to focus on staying in tune with your own heart and soul. And to do that, you have to have to be given the time to hear them.

You are the only you that ever will be. So don’t forget to take care of that YOU that can get worn out once in awhile.

Take just a brief ‘time-out’ once in awhile.  Make yourself the focus and priority – so that you can fully be in the moment of your commitments – giving others the priority they deserve, as well.

I Want to Make a Difference

I want to make a difference in someone’s life. I want to know that their day was better because of something I said or did. I want to know that they are happier because of my presence in their world.

I want to make an impact.

I want to smile, knowing that I had a part in causing someone to smile.

I want to feel content, knowing that I helped make the load and burden in someone else’s life – just a little bit lighter. I want to feel like I helped someone else realize that they were valued, cherished, and loved.

I want to make a difference.

I don’t want to go about my business and fail to see the tears in someone’s eyes or the droop of their shoulders. I want to notice. I want to act.

I don’t want to ignore the struggle that someone else is enduring.

I want to listen. Love. Hug. Touch. Smile. And care.

If only I could always help someone feel less alone. If only I could help them see their own beauty. If only I could help the cracks in their heart heal – the ones that are there from deep wounds and hurts.

I want to try. I want to love.

I want to make a difference.

Publishing In His Name

Sometimes I wonder if there isn’t something “more” I can do to share God’s love with others. Writing is a passion of mine, but it doesn’t always feel “important.” Not when you just blog and write articles, as I do. I don’t have the desire (currently) to write a book and I don’t write Bible Studies. Yet, writing seems to be a gift that God has developed in me.

Then one day, my mom sent me this Bible Verse…

“Publish His glorious deeds among the nations. Tell everyone about the amazing things He does.”  1Chronicles 16:24

And I suddenly felt validated. All those blog posts and articles where I simply share what God is doing in my life – and I was doing exactly what He wanted me to do!

God wants us to share the amazing things He does for us. No matter how small or little we think they are – if He cares about the details of our lives; shouldn’t we share that with others so that they know He cares about the details of their lives as well? Shouldn’t we use our gifts of writing, publishing, editing, and proofreading for God’s glory and credit?

I answer with a resounding YES!

God wants us to share Him with anyone and everyone who will listen. He wants us to publish those newsletters, write those blogs, columns, and articles, and send out those magazines in His name. He wants us to take pictures of His glorious creation or awe-inspiring God-moments and share them with the world. Tell of His glorious deeds and the amazing things He does.

Every gift He has given us is important. Even if you write for your church newsletter or a community newspaper – use it as an opportunity to share the Lord with those in your circle. God will take it and flourish it. He will reach the hearts that need reaching and He will work through you. All you have to do is share.

*First published at Devotional Christian.com

Sometimes I Forget To Play the "Glad Game"

One of my favorite ‘old’ Disney movies is “Pollyanna.” Something about that little girl and her sweet desire to be positive despite her circumstances, has always resonated with me.

I try to be positive in life, although I would never call myself a ‘Pollyanna.’ I do, however, try to look at the good in life. The blessings that God has given me. For I am so thankful for those gifts.

However, sometimes I get wrapped up in my own little world and the circumstances in it that cause me to be frustrated, upset, discouraged, or mad. And I can forget to be ‘glad’ about something in spite of them.

For instance, we are going strong into week six of not having any internet in our new house. It’s a long story – but suffice it to say, that one company didn’t know they were building on our street at all and didn’t lay any internet cable at all. The other company started late and has yet to give us the ‘all clear’ – so we are just waiting… and waiting… and waiting some more for them to tell us we are now eligible for internet.

It’s been painful for me. As an online writer and someone active on social media – I’ve been enduring major withdrawals. I’ve had to go down to my church on occasion just to schedule a few tweets or blog entries.  My girls have to pay to print things out at school. I can’t shop online for Christmas gifts. Google maps? Forget about it. Can’t use it right now. Creating Christmas cards? Nope! Online bill paying? Finding a new doctor? You get the idea. It’s amazing how much we use the internet these days for so many things!  But instead of finding something to be ‘glad’ about – I’ve wallowed in my sorrow and disgust at how ridiculous it has been to sit here for six weeks without internet.

That six weeks probably could have been a lot more fun had I had a more positive attitude. I could have been glad that I had the extra time to unpack and set up our new home. I could be glad that I HAVE a church with a café and internet that I can occasionally stop in at! I could be glad for the realization that I am SO appreciative to normally be able to get on the internet every day from my home!

Seems silly, but it changes my perspective on everything. It changes my attitude, my focus, and my heart. And most of all, it makes me kinder. I get grumpy when I’m not happy. And that’s not fun for anyone.

So how about you try the ‘Glad Game?” Whatever situation you’re going through right now – the one that is not fun, discouraging, frustrating, or a challenge – try to find something to be glad about in spite of it all. Try to make it a habit and allow it to soften your heart to the unfair things in this world. I promise, you’ll be glad you did. And so will others around you!

Inspiration Can Never Be Rushed

Sometimes the inspiration just won’t come. I look for it, I seek it out, and I just can’t seem to touch it.

I hate those times.

I don’t understand why I can’t seem to catch just a glimmer of inspiration in those seasons. For I know it’s all around me. Inspiration is in the beauty on my children’s faces and the smell of my husband’s cologne. It’s in the vastness of the sky, and the wind that blows the trees. Inspiration is in the smell of a delicious meal, and the grip of a tiny newborn’s hand.

It’s all around us. It’s IN us. It’s before, and behind us. God uses us to inspire one another and He uses His creation.

So why does it elude us at times? Why do we fail to feel what we know is all around us?

Is it because we have saturated ourselves with so much noise, busyness, and frenzy that we can’t sit still, be still, and just KNOW that He is God? That He is good?

Is it because we need to feel adrenaline race in our veins and have forgotten how to feel the small whispers and tender caresses of love, faithfulness, honesty, and integrity?

Perhaps we look for inspiration simply to get a job done. A task achieved. A check marked off of our list. Instead of getting inspiration in our heart and lives to be INSPIRED. To feel JOY. To feel alive, beautiful, loveable, and loved?

To be inspired is to see what is often unseen by the world. To feel what doesn’t need to be expressed. To understand without using words. To create with the heart.

It IS there. It is everywhere. We just need to slow, pause, feel, and let it overcome us. Let it teach us. Show us. And lead us.

For inspiration can never be rushed.

5 Ways To Still Be "You" As You Blog

There are so many sites out there with blogging and social media advice. I’ve been writing online for a while now and I’m still learning so much. Technology is changing right and left and it can almost be a full-time job trying to keep up with it all.

One thing I’ve learned along the way, is that no matter what changes – I need to still be “me.” I need to keep my own voice. It’s too easy to see what someone else is doing and try to adapt that to fit yourself. You can do that in a way, but sometimes you have to go against the grain and simply decide that being “you” is more important than being SEEN by everyone.  For if you do this, the ones that read your words will be the right audience because they will see that you are authentic to your own life and world.

So, here are 5 ways that I’ve been able to distinctly keep my own voice and heart in my blogging and writing.

1.     Use the layout that you like.  There are trends in blogging layouts. Some only show “snippets” of a post, some have a cover page, and some are only on white backgrounds with a header.  Personally, I like to be able to scroll down a page and see the whole post. I don’t enjoy having to click to “read more.” But that’s just me. And that’s my style. So my recommendation would be to use the format that works best for you. It doesn’t matter if it’s the new trend or not. Be “you.” If you like a cute background, use a cute background! Just make sure that everyone can clearly read your words.

2.     Use the blogging platform that you find to be the easiest. In a world that says “Use Wordpress or bust,” I have stuck with blogger. I’m not great at coding or using complicated systems. Blogger is easy, simple, and it’s been reliable for me. I did purchase my own domain so that I don’t have a “blogspot.com” address – but I went through blogger to do that. Simple is what I need and simple is what I use.

3.     Write about what you love.  If you only want to write about your kids, then write about your kids! It won’t feel right to write about other topics. If you are passionate about knitting or fashion, then write about those. There is an audience out there for everything.  But, you also don’t have to stick to one topic alone. It’s YOUR blog. You can do whatever you’d like! So, if you have a cooking blog, and your heart just really feels like it needs to write on a story in the news – go for it! Your audience will enjoy getting a glimpse of you that is out of the norm. For me, I write on whatever topic is on my heart and where God prompts me with that. It usually ends up being mostly on faith and learning through life’s ups and downs with a little bit of lifestyle  and beauty thrown in from time to time. I enjoy writing on life in general.

4.     Talk to people. Let people get to know you. If people leave a comment, comment back! You don’t have to reply to every single one – but a blog is partially about relating to others. If it’s just for you, you might want to keep it private. But if it’s public, others want to get to know you and talk to you. Reply to comments if you’re on twitter or instagram. Relate to others on your facebook page. No audience wants to feel ignored all the time. It can get harder the more responses you get, but it’s important to remind others that you aren’t “above” them. You are ONE of them. You can do this on any level you feel comfortable, but it truly does reinforce who YOU are.

5.     Ignore the advice out there if it doesn’t “fit” you. If you don’t enjoy having to have an email list just to grow your blog…. don’t! If you don’t have the time to participate in different discussion groups….  don’t! If you don’t like using SEO words in your posts just so you will be listed in Google… don’t!  You will be discovered by the people who find your words meaningful, helpful, or relatable in some way. We all only have so many hours in a day. We can’t do it ALL. Use the platforms that matter to you and ignore the ones that you don’t enjoy or have trouble grasping. It’s okay.

There are definitely certain rules that seem to work for growing an online presence. But overall, I’ve found it’s important to enjoy what I do. Don’t focus on popularity or success. Focus on passion and joy and the rest will truly follow if it’s meant to be.

**I’d love to connect with you on the many different social networks I’m a part of. You can find me here:

Blog – http://beautyinthestorm.com

Instagram – http://www.instagram.com/dionnasanchez

Twitter – http://www.twitter.com/dionnasanchez

Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/dionnasanchezwriter

Google Plus - +DionnaSanchez

Writing Blitz

I normally write when the mood strikes me. I feel I’m a better writer when something stirs in my soul and the passion comes out in my words. Then, I have a stockpile from which to draw from when life gets busy.

It works for me.

I just go to my computer, pull out an article that resonates with me at the time (even if it was written long ago) and I put it up on my blog. Of course, I write within the moment of time too. I write about my life from time to time and it goes up straight away. But having an archive of material to pull from has been a wonderful thing for me. I never have to stress when I’m sick, my kids are sick, we have company, go on a trip, or life gets busy, because I have articles on hand ready to use.

Lately, my stockpile has been getting really low. Lower than it’s been in years.

We sold our house in May and moved into an apartment in June. Then we moved from Idaho to Texas in September. My girls started a new school, we rented a house, my husband started taking some classes, we had a wedding in Georgia, my daughter turned 17, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and a visitor from England has been staying with us for a month.

I’ve been living life. And I’ve been loving life.

In the process, I haven’t had a lot of quiet time with which to write. So I’ve been pulling those articles out to use left and right.

I plan to go on a writing blitz here soon and get that stockpile up again. It’s my safety net and I’m so thankful for it.

But I’m also thankful that life is full. Life is good. And you won’t hear me complain. 

The Hardest Thing About Being a Writer

“With great power, comes great responsibility.”  I love that quote. I’ve used it with my children, and I’ve often reminded myself of its words, as well.

When people ask me what I do, I usually say I’m a “stay at home” mom. I don’t often think of saying, “I’m a writer.” But I AM a writer. I may not get paid a six-figure income for the words I put out there, but I’m still a writer.

Sometimes being a writer isn’t as glamorous as some people think. I’m sure people imagine a life filled with writing whenever you feel like it and having loads of free time to do what you want. They probably think it’s an easy job. But I’ve learned it’s nowhere near that.

I’ve worked years and years to earn my reputation and standing. I’ve worked very hard to climb a ladder that seems to not move rung by rung, as I’d prefer, but inch by inch. It’s been hard work and perseverance, and I’m still not where I want to be.

I really don’t mind any of that, though. If something is a passion of yours, the process doesn’t really seem all that terrible. Not to me, anyways.  But I think the hardest thing about being a writer is the responsibility of shouldering people’s burdens.  When people read my thoughts, and my heart, they share things with me. They share secrets, deep hurts and pains, dreams, and depression. It’s hard. It’s not hard in the fact that I wish they wouldn’t share them with me. For I am so humbled that they would. It’s hard that I don’t always have the answers or the wisdom to share with them in return.

I love people. I love the diversity, character, and uniqueness of people. They fascinate me. I LOVE helping people. I love encouraging, motivating, impacting, and moving people’s hearts. It drives me and it fulfills me. So it’s really hard when I don’t have the right words to give someone. I don’t have that “thing” that they so need to hear and I so want to give them. That’s hard for me.

With every job, comes responsibility. With my job as a mom, comes the responsibility to teach my children, to nurture, instill values, protect, and love. With my job as a writer comes the responsibility to remember that my words are hitting a human soul and that they will push or pull them in one direction or another. My job is to push them towards hope.

That’s a great responsibility and one that I take very seriously – never lightly.

I will always treasure the gift of someone’s heart given to me.  I will value each dream, burden, and longing that is shared with me and I will do what I can to honor that trust.  For it is something very fragile.

Writing Helps Me Process

I can’t speak for other writers. I don’t know what their daily disciplines are or how they get motivated to write what they write.  I think writers are about as individual as readers. People are unique in every way, shape, and form. Writers are no different.

I do know, that for me, writing helps me process life. It helps me process my faith, my feelings, and myself.  There is something inside of me that is fueled to get ‘it’ out on paper. To help others. To help myself.

It’s a driven thing. You can’t explain it to someone who doesn’t also know it. Feel it. It just is.

My fingers can fly across a keyboard as my heart does the talking. And in the process of it all, I can see things more clearly. Feel them more deeply. (Or less deeply as the case may be.) I can understand. And in the process of MY process, I hope to resonate with others. To let them see that they are not alone. That they are validated in their feelings and that there is hope.

A lot of times, I can’t speak about what I’m going to write about until I’ve written about it. Or the passion would fade. The process would get tainted in a way. It has to go from my heart straight to the written word. First. 

Other times, I can have something stirring in me for quite awhile. And it grows. And other thoughts join in with it and add to it. And then I can go to the paper as the once small thought or feeling has grown into a whole subject matter.

All in all – for me – my writing has to stay pure. I do my best writing when I have to run to the computer to get something out.

I believe it’s God.

For my thoughts in and of themselves are so basic. So raw. But He somehow uses it to become, at times, something beautiful. Something valuable.

No one may ever understand my love for writing. No one may ever find it valuable in terms of human cost or payment. But I believe the heart does. My heart and the hearts of those who resonate with my words. HIS words used through me.

And I will do it as long as He lets me. Being thankful for the processing He allows me to go through in the process.

Things Change

Sometimes I lose sight of who I am. I identify with what I do.

For example, when I had my “Emphasis On Moms” website and ministry – I identified with being a writer and mentor for moms. It gave me a sense of significance outside of just being a homemaker. Yet being a homemaker also gave me a sense of significance. It was something I did. Something I KNEW. I felt comfortable in those roles.

When I decided to let go of my ministry -  it was really good for me. I was shedding a skin in a way. I loved that ministry, but I also wanted to know who I was apart from it. I didn’t want IT to become me. I was more. There was more inside of me to be explored and discovered.

As my girls have grown up and become more independent, I’ve also seen the beginning of more possibilities to explore what I want in life. As a parent, you are so used to doing things for the family that you often put aside your own wants and desires. But as they grow up, a new sense of freedom can enter your heart as you find out you can pamper yourself a little more often. It’s fun even though you also grieve the loss of having children who totally need and rely on you as well!

Life is about navigation. You navigate through different roles and seasons. Each one molds and shapes you, but there is also so much more potential that lives inside of us. We are more than one cause or one dream! If we allow one thing to totally become us then if that should ever be stripped away from us, we’d be exceptionally lost.  We need to remember who we are, what we think, how we feel, and where we want to head in life. 

We can’t lose sight of who God created us to be. We have natural instincts. Natural personality traits, character strengths, and drives that live in us for a reason.  We need to see that loss is a part of life. Loss of people we love, loss of hobbies and jobs that we identify with, and loss of seasonal roles.  Our roots and foundation need to go deeper than where we currently are in life – as much as we may love it.

I want to love what I do. I want to love where I’m at and the things God has placed in front of me. Who doesn’t? But I also want to always let something more live on inside of me – like a spark for a flame that can grow into something bigger, deeper, and more. For I know that as long as I’m here, God has a purpose in mind for me. And I can rise up to new challenges and things – wherever He wants to take me – the sky is the limit!

Shedding skin is not a bad thing. It’s a chance at something new and fun. It’s a way to get a new and fresh start. Embrace it and thank God for making you into such a diverse person.  Don’t lose sight of who you are. What has been may not be again, but what “will be” could be such a blessing….if you just give yourself a chance.