I was undecided

ArtTower - pixabay

I realized for the fifth time that I stink at freelancing. 

Harsh, I know.

Maybe it's self-doubt, but I don't think so.

Maybe it's fear of success, but I'm sure that's not it.

Maybe it is a lack of discipline in my life, but I believe my track record speaks for itself.

At some point I might try freelancing again, but I'm undecided.

Then, again, here I am - freelancing. I write what I want when I want to whom I want about what I want. I don't charge anything for this blog and that suits me just fine. Sometimes I don't even charge for the books I write. I love giving things that I create away. It brings me joy. And that joy and happiness and satisfaction is worth so much more than the Amazon price of $16.99. 

So, I guess, I do freelance. I just don't do it in the way other people do. 

I've taken all the online classes, talked to all the important and successful people, run with the wolves and played with the big boys. All that is just not me. 

Maybe I have leanings toward putting myself out there, but it is not sustainable. Not to me. I have so many other things I want to do.

Like write.

Like getting another job (which I just did, thank You, God!) and learning new skills. 

Like creating new artwork out of paint, fiber, textiles, words, wood, stone, clay. 

Like spending time helping my family clear houses, collect stories, take photos, build things, make memories, share experiences.

Like keeping promises I made years ago to dear ones, to myself, to God.

So, the conclusion is, I have decided that my whole life has been freelancing - just not in the way some people might think. 

The image of the knight on the dappled war horse with a strong, sharp lance ready to go to battle, ready to work at the King's command, traveling on errands that only He and I know about, showing up in unexpected places and unexpected times - 

That's me.

_RHTM_

Does this really matter?

NoName_13 - pixabay

What does it matter?

Does that really matter to you?

Mind over matter.

All mind and no matter.

Everything is made up of matter.

You matter.

Matter equals importance.

Writing matters.

Reading matters.

Having skills to adult matters.

Working matters.

Serving matters.

Giving matters.

Speaking truth matters.

Jesus matters.

Jesus matters the most. But all the other things also matter because it is these things that God uses to bring us to Jesus.

The man I married mattered because he knew Jesus so we could raise our children knowing Jesus and the way we raised our children mattered because they continued in following Jesus and are now raising their children to know Jesus and follow Him.

The people I have encouraged, and been a small part of bringing to faith in Jesus, came into contact with me because of the work I did, or my interests, or where I was, or who we knew in common, or something they needed me for, or a myriad of other possibilities that God uses to bring people together to enact His will.

When I used to do assessments for home educators (part of Ohio laws) I told them, “Everything matters. Everything counts.” If they went to the park, it became an opportunity to discover new bugs (science), take a walk (physical education), clean up (environmental science), or get hurt and fix the hurt (first aid/health). Education should be practical.

By viewing our life like everything matters, we walk carefully, watching those we meet, taking a breath before we decide, thinking before we speak (even if it means we don’t get to speak).

God uses our lives to work His will. That’s one of the amazing things about God.

Does it matter? Yes, it does.

 

_RHTM_

 

 

The Best Preserves

Nodrog1960 - pixabay

 

Food doesn’t last very long, so I try to preserve it. I have tried drying, freezing, canning and cultures. I’ve had good years and bad years. Recently, some of my cans have been expiring sooner than expected. Maybe it’s due to changes in temperature in the pantry, maybe it’s a mistake I made, maybe they’ve just reached the end of their goodness. It’s disheartening to have to throw out hard work, but, you know, better safe than sorry.

This year I decided it was best to freeze or refrigerate leftovers and skip the canning. I have also begun a tighter use cycle, and scheduling meals around a shorter expiration period. This has also led me to make smaller meals and check the freezers more often.

More work, less disappointments.

I’ve realized that no matter how hard I work at preserving food for the future, it will all eventually spoil.

Just like the earth I walk on.

I am thankful God doesn’t have the same problems. He doesn’t have to check batches to make sure they are still good. He doesn’t have to throw out mistakes. He isn’t disappointed in the results of His work.

Everything He has done is perfect. Everything He is doing is exquisite. Everything He will do will last forever.

He will preserve my soul for heaven. Praise God!

 

 

“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.” – I Thessalonians 5:23-24

_RHTM_