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I stand perfectly still and try to calm my fluttering heart. The sound guy clips a mic to the front of my dress and beckons me to center stage. Row after row of empty seats greet me. In a few hours, they’ll be filled with over 6,000 women from Premier Designs {an amazing jewelry company!}. Did I mention when I read the invitation to speak I somehow missed a zero? 600 would have been scary enough but this…I can’t even think about it.
The sound guy directs, “Say something so I can adjust the volume.” Let me tell you, talking to yourself in an empty arena has got to be at the top of the “awkward activities” list. I ramble off brilliant things like, “I’m Holley. I like to say y’all. I have a beagle-basset named ‘the Beast.'” The sound guy responds, “Okay, now use your speaking voice.” Now use your speaking voice?!? I only have one. And that was it. Uh-oh.
I pray the “Help me, Jesus” prayer almost nonstop and think, “At least if this crowd throws stones they’ll be gems.” It’s finally time for me to speak. As I get ready to step into the spotlight it seems God whispers, “You’re not here to impress them. You’re here to bless them.”
Oh, yes. How had I forgotten? Peace flows over me and words from God’s heart flow through me. It feels as if it’s not about me at all. And that’s exactly as it should be…because it isn’t.
I’m happy to say I made it through without passing out, throwing up and/or dying. And even more miraculous: Premier invited me back to Rally this year. I’ll be speaking to over 6,000 wonderful women again this week {I’d love your prayers!}.
I’d like to say I’m not scared at all this time. But that wouldn’t be true. And I’m sharing this because we’ll all have moments when it feels like we’re entirely inadequate for the task in front of us–even if we’ve conquered it before. In those moments, the best thing we can do is remind ourselves again it’s not about us. It’s about serving. It’s about encouraging. It’s about grabbing that spotlight and swinging it as hard as we can in the direction of Jesus.
No one has it all together. Not you. Not me. Not the woman in your life whose jewelry sets make you drool with envy. We’re all a little more afraid than we like to admit. And we’re all a lot more loved than we realize. So let’s dare to step into whatever place God has for us and remember, “I’m not here to impress them; I’m here to bless them.”
Our lives are messages written by God that only we can deliver. {And we don’t even need a special “speaking voice” to make that happen. Whew.} Wherever you are today, be YOU. Be brave. Bring it on.
XOXO
Holley Gerth
p.s. If you haven’t already, I’d encourage you to check out Premier Designs. They’re an extraordinary company with biblical values, amazing people and fabulous jewelry. I wear pieces from them almost every day!
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Welcome to the Coffee for Your Heart weekly link-up! You’re an encourager so I’m asking you to pour out a little love with your words every Wednesday {link-up goes live at 5:30am CST}. Simply write an encouraging blog post and then share it here. Don’t have a blog? You can still write an encouraging comment. If you’re reading this by email, go to holleygerth.com to see all the fun and join in too.
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I’m having Coffee For Your Heart with my friend Holley Gerth
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