Are you nervous around people you admire?
I stood in the buffet line staring at the empty seats in front of me, and tried to muster up some courage, when my new friend Sharon said, “If you don’t put your stuff at his table I will.”
The sign on the lunch table displayed his name in white against a red background—Allen Arnold, author. It was printed on the same red color representing the theme of the Mount Hermon Writing Conference in thick, capital letters: BOLD. Each table at the Conference was hosted by an author, agent or publisher.
Last summer, my friend Christine felt the Lord leading her to send me his book, The Story of With: A Better Way to Live, Love, & Create
I’m glad she listened. I spent those lazy summer days nestled amongst Tahoe evergreens, highlighting quotes and soaking in God’s love for me while my children splashed in the lake and my feet curled in the sand.
It’s a book about creating and dreaming WITH God, an allegory about the Father’s love for us.
“The key is relationship. Yet so many who believe God miss the experience of life with Him.”
“I believe He gives each of us a particular calling so He can spend time with us on that unique playground. This is a way for you and God to get to know each other better as you create together.”
I returned to my seat with my lunch when he sat down.
He glanced at my name tag, “So what do you write about, Valerie?”
Red boldness somehow rose above feelings of insignificance and my completely unpublished state, “I’m working on a book that will help women who are stuck living in fear.” Then we proceeded to talk about how the spirit of fear can be a generational stronghold and the importance of praying specifically to break that.
He offered to pray for me. His meal must have been getting cold. But he didn’t care. He was humble and genuine. And somehow I wasn’t thinking about the fact that I was talking with the founding publisher for Thomas Nelson Fiction who is now in ministry with John Eldredge at Ransomed Heart Ministries.
Liz Curtis Higgs, the author of over 28 books, including Bad Girls of the Bible: And What We Can Learn from Them
She made us laugh about the time her name was displayed in lights above her when she turned around and raised her hands (unbeknownst to herself). I held back tears when she took off her wig revealing the invasion of chemo. A tumor could not keep her from ministering God’s hope to us or erase the smile on her face and the joy of the Lord in her heart.
Living out the theme of the conference, I felt brave standing in line to schedule appointments with agents and editors. They were approachable and kind. One agent prayed after our appointment, and I felt God’s peace in my heart—His presence right there at the little round table in the coffee shop.
Before the main conference started, I attended a pre-conference clinic with a group of 5 writers where we each “critiqued” each other’s writing. When I found out the mentor of my group was a male, I felt a bit nervous because my submission was very vulnerable. I looked up Mick Silvas’s website and discovered he’s worked with Ann Voskamp. I love the transparency in Ann Voskamp’s writing and her poetic prose always seems to engage my heart and mind. Once again, I fought back feelings of insignificance.
During the critique group, when I would normally be intimidated by the status and accomplishments of others, their unassuming acceptance made me feel like I could be myself. Mick Silva was kind, encouraging and humble. He created a relaxing learning environment and I left feeling affirmed in my calling to write.
We all became friends. We shared our broken stories penned on paper and helped each other edit. When the main conference started, we passed each other on our way to different workshops and gave a quick hug or an encouraging glance.
(We took a series of pictures for the FB group. At first, I was embarrassed by my cheesy grin in this last photo, but now I like the picture because it shows I felt comfortable enough to be myself and show my goofy side.)
Monday night was the autograph party. I brought my copy of The Story of With: A Better Way to Live, Love, & Create
That’s what walking the path with God is. Giving. Pouring out. Where, as Ann Voskamp says, brokenness turns into good brokenness, which gives way to abundance. That was happening all around me over this weekend—writers sharing their stories filled with loss, grief, and pain. Their brokenness will turn into abundance when their words help someone walk the path of their own suffering.
The next morning, I felt God awaken me with sudden words that held my attention as I remembered where I was and that it was the last day of the conference. Bold and powerful words:
You are just as special as Allen Arnold.
You are just as loved as Allen Arnold.
You don’t need a signature.
I love you just as much.
God’s intimate love towards me was overwhelming. I knew Allen Arnold would have gladly signed my book, but probably felt that humble feeling that he was just like everyone else.
Francine Rivers, the best-selling author of over 20 Christian fiction books, including Redeeming Love
Because God loves us all the same.
It doesn’t matter if you’ve published a book or not—if you’ve won that medal or contest, finished that marathon. It doesn’t matter where you’re at on the corporate ladder—what job you have, if people recognize your name or notice you. It doesn’t matter how many followers you have on Instagram—what you look like or how old you are.
Because God loves you the same. Just the same as anyone else!
Who do you look up to in this world?
Who do you admire? Who are you nervous to speak to?
Is it your favorite pastor, speaker, author, musician?
Whoever it is, God wants you to know—you are just as special.
And just as loved.
How can you value and be inspired by the people you admire without feeling inferior? Do you believe you are just as special and just as loved by God?
I love reading and writing book reviews. My favorite book to review was Ann Voskamp’s, The Broken Way. You can read that review here.
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. 
I love your humility and honest feelings here. I am about to start working on my first book (I say that like I know there will be others) and I’m terrified. Don’t feel adequate. Intimidated by the process. But I know I’m being obedient. Thank you for the encouragement that is in your story. Visiting you from the God sized dreams link-up. laurensparks.net
I’ve always wanted to go to a Mount Hermon conference but it’s too far away from me and out of my price range. So I’m glad to hear about your experiences there, Valerie. Makes me feel like I was there through you! And I’d be the same way around all of those notable writers and publishing people. I’m so glad it ministered to you and you shared your experiences with us. Oh and I love Liz Higgs. I got to see her at the She Speaks conference last summer. She’s so roll on the floor funny! I didn’t know she was/is battling cancer! I’ll be praying for her and for you, my friend! I hope you’re able to get that very important book written and published one day!
I loved reading about your experience at the Writer’s Conference and I love that you shared this encouragement here. God loves us all the same. That’s such a beautiful truth!
Thank you Dawn. Sometimes when we compare ourselves to others we begin to feel less than. But God never sees us that way, and I’m so glad!
I know God loves me just as much as another.. but it’s hard not to feel a bit inferior to someone admired. This is something I need to work on 🙂
I know it’s hard, isn’t it? God wants us to feel just as special and loved because we are. Blessings to you Dawn!
Oh friend, ALL THE FEELS on this one. Beautiful message and so glad God encouraged you in your journey to brave that weekend! xoxo
Your friendship is a blessing to me Nicki!
I understand your feelings, Valerie. I was somewhat starstruck at last year’s She Speaks, but I got an amazing opportunity to enjoy three hours with the agent who represents Gary Chapman, Ben Carson, and Jen Hatmaker! Glad I didn’t know that at the time. She thanked me for treating her like a “real” person and inviting her to lunch with me. You never know what connection you’ll make if you trust God and act in courage. 🙂
What a great experience! Sometimes not knowing is the best because we can be ourselves. Thank you for sharing!
Enjoyed this post, Valerie. I’ve never attended that particular conference, but at another writers conference I have attended for four years, we sat at meal tables with conference staff. Love that your experience was met with humbleness and prayer over you by Allen Arnold. And this quote in the article from the book, “The key is relationship. Yet so many who believe God miss the experience of life with Him.” Wow! Thanks for sharing!
Hi Karen! It was a great conference. There were so many little God moments I had meeting people.
Being brave and bold doesn’t come at easier on me . I rather hide and pretend things are all okay than face some bold choices . I am hoping to overcome one particular fear this summer .
Thank you for the bold post 🙂
Oh Diana, I understand the struggle. I’m praying for you (especially that one particular fear) that the Lord would guide you as you face it. I pray the reality of His constant presence would give you the strength and courage you need. You are a blessing!
Great job. Valerie. We never know what’s in someone else’s heart, do we? You seemed so confident. I’m so glad I found you there.
Thank you, Sharon! I felt God giving me confidence and helping me to be Bold. It doesn’t come easy for me. I felt like I was surrounded with like-minded people, and that brought me great joy. You had a spirit of peace about you that made me want to get to know you. I’m glad we met.
Sounds like an incredible experience, Valerie!
So glad you got to attend!
It sure was! Thank you for reading!
Valerie, this post literally had me on the edge of my seat! Last summer I attended the SheSpeaks conference, and had the honor of bumping into some of these same people – Liz Curtis Higgs being one of them. I also had moment that mirrored your moment at the table with the humble man who prayed for you. I really love the truth this post shares – that we are just as special, just as loved. I felt a little star-struck at times, and as I think of diving into another conference in the future, these words will stay with me! Thank you thank you!
I’m so glad this encouraged you Stacey! I hope you have a great time at your next writer’s conference and feel “just as special & just as loved. Blessings to you!
What a beautiful post and what a great experience at the writer’s conference. Wish I could have been there, too. Yes, He loves us all the same. Amazing truth. Thank you for the reminder. I love Allen Arnold’s book and his testimony. It does change the way you think about writing–a must read for every writer.
Christine, thank you so much for giving me The Story of With. You gave me the book before I even knew that Allen Arnold would be one of the speakers—even though I registered a year in advance for the conference. I appreciate you and am blessed by you.
Valerie, this is so beautiful! I felt like I was there walking and listening with you. Thank you for this sweet reminder of God’s unsurpassed perfect love. Blessings and hugs!
Thank you for your kind words. When we walk the scary path that requires us to be brave, God walks right beside us. Blessings and hugs!
Hey Val, I loved reading this part of your personal journey to authorship. It’s a beautiful thing to allow yourself to be vulnerable. It’s always a blessing to others. And I love that you shared your “goofy” self. You looked great to me!
Awe, thank you Tiffiney! I look at that picture and laugh. You are a blessing to me and I’m so glad that we are blogging friends.❤️
What a lovely post, Valerie. I think all of us face similar fears when going to a writer’s conference. As I go to one next month with first time proposals in hand, I will keep your words in mind…and be brave. 🙂 P.S. Allen’s book has been mentioned in more than one of my posts. God used it to change my {writing} life forever!
Hi Cathy, Congratulations on completing book proposals! Book proposals take a lot of hard work. I would love to know how it goes. I think every writer should read The Story of With! Blessings to you!