Just Say Yes … No … Yes
1 December 2009
I keep struggling with how to start this post, because the natural thing that comes to mind is, “Back in college, I had this friend…” Except I didn’t GO to college, so what I really mean is, “Back when my husband was still in school, and I was living in the college town while not actually going to college…” But that seems a little cumbersome.
So.
In my early twenties, I started hanging out with this awesome girl, Kate. Kate and I went to the same church, but she was a freshman when I was a senior, so we didn’t really have the opportunity to get to know each other well. When she moved to Manhattan, Kansas for college, I was living there with my husband and was eager for a Kansas City connection.
Kate really blossomed in college, and when I commented on it, she told me that she was saying “Yes” a lot more. She ended up joining the rowing team because a friend of hers was interested and asked Kate if she would tag along to the meeting. She went to concerts and parties and other events she might have been afraid of in high school. Kate told me her father had advised her to say yes to new opportunities that arose. That it was a way to stay open to God.
No disrespect to Kate’s father, who’s a fabulous guy, but this is one of those life philosophies that made much more sense to me pre-kids and pre-career. I’ve found that saying yes to too many things is also a way to spread myself so thin that I don’t have energy to do the things that God is calling me to do.
So I’d like to suggest that maybe there are seasons of life for both. (And I’ll interject here that I DO NOT HAVE LIFE FIGURED OUT so don’t take this as gospel.) In high school, my quasi-college experience, and early twenties, it was good for me to say yes to random opportunities. Especially the ones that pushed me out of my comfort zone. But with what limited time I have now as I raise my daughter and pursue the career God blessed me with, it’s not only a good time to say “No” more often, but to weed out things that take up time but don’t contribute to the goals God has for me.
Like everything else, this time in my life is a season. I won’t always be launching a writing career. I won’t always be raising kids. And a time may come again when I need to diversify and open myself up to new things God has for me.
Hope everyone has a great Tuesday!
(And as a side note, congrats to my pal, Roseanna, whose book A Stray Drop of Blood re-releases today in paperback. To win a copy, check back December 16th.)
Comments
Hmm, that Kate girl sounds awesome, but I have to agree with you, saying ‘yes’ is an excellent way to hear God’s calling and to let him show you his purpose for your life, but a side affect of that is getting overwhelmed by responsibilities. I’ve learned recently, with the on-set of gradschool, that it’s okay to say ‘no’, too!;)
P.S. Congrats on the new baby Morrill!!
Posted by Kate Hamlin on 6 December 2009
This is how I get people to read my blog. I mention them so they’re forced to read.
And thank you :)
Posted by Stephanie on 7 December 2009
Definitely seasons for both! There’s only so much one person can handle.
And thank you for the mention. Love ya! =)
Posted by Roseanna White on 1 December 2009