By Bethany Jackson
Our yearning to write can come at any point in our life. Young or old, experienced or beginner, at some point for us there comes a deep desire to pick up a pen and tell a story. I finally listened to the nudging after many years of busying myself with other activities and did not ignore it in 2010. I joined a group called the Writers Connection Group at Rolling Hills Community Church where I attend. There I found a group of writers from every genre, age group and level of experience in attendance.
Dusting off my keyboard and listening to the most fundamental advice, I began writing again. The group was not a class but something even more important for me, a springboard of encouragement to just do it. Just write and let God fill the pages with His inspiration… through our fingers to put those words on paper.
After some time had passed and I grew to know the director, Cornelia Becker Seigneur, I was invited to join the Leadership Team for the first Faith and Culture Writers Conference being held at Western Seminary in 2011. I must tell you that this was indeed a true honor for me. As I walked into the room where the meeting was being held, I was so thankful for being obedient to the nudging in my heart to follow God’s leading to that first meeting at Rolling Hills. I sat down amongst five other women of faith. When introduced, tears welled up in my eyes as I felt unworthy of the honor that this invitation held. I knew in my heart God had a plan for the women around the table and if we stayed in His will and let Him lead us, the conference would be all that He would want it to be.
Now two years later and being asked to be the Administrative Assistant for the second Faith and Culture Writers Conference, I know that being obedient to God’s “nudging” is the first step to being available for Him to work in our lives. Putting a conference together can certainly be a daunting task, but when we let God lead and direct, He somehow puts each task into manageable steps.
We hope that you will be a part of the conference. If you feel a nudging in your heart to come, don’t ignore it, as God may have a beautiful plan for you that day. It is in the small things that God leads us into bigger experiences with Him.
~ Bethany Jackson
Wow, Bethany, this is such a heart felt blog post. Thank you for sharing, thank you for serving, and thank you for listening to that nudging of your heart, and encouraging others to do the same! – Cornelia
Dear Bethany, I am so grateful for the ways you’ve responded to the nudge! You are such a blessing to this team and the conference (that’s right around the corner). I couldn’t imagine it happening without you. Thank you for your words today, friend.
Good for you, Bethany! Thank you for sharing this and for ALL your hard work — I’m amazed by you!
Wow mom you are a great writer! Keep it up you are my inspiration in so many ways! Love you!