Trusting in His Guidance
I have always had a passion for writing. I feel like I speak two languages and am only fluent in one. I cannot speak the thoughts that I am able to write down.
The person who I really am is the one hidden behind the words that are stirring around in my heart and mind. These words are not capable of expressing themselves verbally. They are only expressed when they flow from my mind to my fingers.
Words help me sort through the sting of life and realize the truth of God in their midst. I cannot escape them. They swirl around in my mind, bidding me to write them down before they escape me.
Ten years ago, I went to a Christian Writers Seminar. The classes were filled with writers wanting to be discovered. I felt lost in the crowd.
As a new mom, the process of submitting my work seemed insurmountable. At the time, I wasn’t sure why my desire to write led to dead ends. I remember a speaker at the conference said some writers were meant to write just for themselves. And so I continued my own therapeutic writing.
Recently, I had been thinking about writing and starting a blog. One night, I had a dream. One of my favorite authors put her hand on my shoulder and said, “Are you ready? God can use you. But it’s going to be hard work. Are you ready to take the risk?” I woke up and couldn’t believe that I had such an incredible dream.
God, is that you telling me to start a blog?
It was an exciting but scary feeling.
The hard stuff of life brought me to a place where I sought some help from a Christian Counselor. I gave her a piece of my writing since it was the best way for her to get to know me and express myself. During my first session, she told me that she loved my writing. She told me that I had a gift and that I had to use it, I couldn’t keep it to myself. I felt humbled and honored that God gave me confirmation.
And so I decided to take a leap of faith. Maybe God had been preparing me all along and now he wanted me to take a different path, put aside my fear and take a risk.
I found posts all over Pinterest about how easy it is to start a blog in just 15 minutes. However, I spent weeks reading every single article about How to Start a Blog in order to understand what I was doing. I couldn’t have done it without this step by step guide.
Starting a blog is easy, but setting up your blog and preparing it to launch is HARD WORK.
I don’t know my way around the computer that well. I have been a stay at home mom for 11 years now. But through this process, God increased my faith.
I tackled problems head-on and stretched myself to figure out how things worked.
I learned how to buy a domain (website), find a hosting company and upload my elegant themes design to WordPress. I spent weeks figuring out how to use WordPress and customize my theme, upload images, insert code and set up email and add social networks to my site.
At times, I felt like I would never be able to figure out how to do it. But with God’s help, I was able to work through every obstacle that came my way.
Ironically, God was also showing me that if I could break through these obstacles I could also have breakthroughs in other areas of my life. This included overcoming fear.
Starting a blog is risky. It’s vulnerable. It’s one of the biggest steps of faith I have ever taken. It’s my hope and prayer that God will use my words to bring glory to Himself and comfort to others.
It’s easy to get lost in the overwhelming feeling that your small voice will be drowned or is not needed among the many ships on the vast ocean of the blogging world.
If God is setting your boat on the ocean, then trust Him to lead the direction of the boat. Share on X
You just have to take the risk and take your boat off of the dock and put it in the water. Then you have to trust God to lead you where he wants you to go.
Is God calling you to put your boat out on the water of faith so he can direct your path? Let’s trust him and see where he takes us.
My heart’s desire for this blog is to offer hope to others and declare the glory of God in my life through everything I write.
Psalm 71:16-19 is my mission:
I will go in the strength of the Lord God; I will make mention of Your righteousness, of Yours only. O God, You have taught me from my youth; And to this day I declare Your wondrous works. Now also when I am old and gray-headed, O God, do not forsake me, Until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to everyone who is to come. Also Your righteousness, O God is very high, You who have done great things; O God, Who is like You?
Hello there! I'm Valerie, a mom of four and wife of 27 years. My writing inspires others to cultivate courageous faith and find solace in trusting God, especially in moments of fear and uncertainty. Join me on this adventure as we explore the beauty of trusting God when we are afraid. 
Hi, Valerie! I’m in CBB and a new blogger… I totally get what a huge learning curve the whole writing online thing is! I love how God is using the blogging process to address fear in our hearts as well as trust Him more. I’m visiting from The Loft.
Thank you for visiting. I can’t wait to get to know you and check out your blog. I have learned so much in the last few months! CBB has been the best way to get to know other bloggers!
Valerie, what an encouraging post! I love how you allowed the Lord to lead you and teach you each step of the way. Thank you for linking up at The Loft this week. Please join us again.
Hi Leah,
Thank you for reading my post. I love your link up with the cozy name “The Loft”. I would love to link up each week! Thank you!
Hi, Valerie!
I could have written that entire first paragraph! Sometimes I don’t even realize I have a thought until I’ve written it down. LOL.
So glad that you are sharing your gift with us. 🙂
Thank you for linking up with Grace & Truth this week!
God bless,
Jenn
Hi Jenn,
Thank you for your kind words. I have enjoyed getting to know other writers through this process. I enjoyed visiting your blog and appreciate that you stopped by.
Thank you,
Valerie
Valerie, Thank you so much for visiting Counting My Blessings! It’s so nice to meet you. Welcome to the blogging world. You will love it. I’ve made many wonderful friends. And I’m looking forward to getting to know you better. Blessings!
Hello Deb! I’m so glad to meet you and learn through CBB! I feel so blessed to be a part of such a great group!
Just added you to my Feedly. So excited to see a familiar name in my blog role!
Yay Dana! Thank you so much for taking the time to comment and adding me to your blog role!
What an accomplishment this blog website is and a beautiful testament of your faith. I can learn much from you! What a rewarding outlet to use your formal education through too, this must feel great! I look forward to watching for your new input, love you!
Thank you so much for your kind comment and for reading my post!
Loved this and instantly connected! I have always felt the same way about writing-so glad I found your lovely space!
Thank you for leaving my first “blogger” comment! You have a beautiful blog! I’m glad we connected through our love for the Lord and writing. God is good!
Way to Go Val!!! I will be a subscriber! I’m already motivated by your words to launch my boat from the dock in areas of my life I too have held back but always wondered where God would lead it!
Awe Keri, I’m honored to have you as a subscriber! Thank you for your support, it means a lot.
Val, this is so awesome! I can’t wait to read more. Such an inspiration!
Thank you so much! I appreciate your kind words Susan!
This is such an encouragement! Way to tackle fear and allow God to use you!
Thank you for your kind words Sheri!