There are a few projects I’ve been talking about doing for a long time. I’m not referring to the always-present discussion of getting fit and losing weight, but projects related to providing Christian inspiration for horse people.
I’m happy to report that I’m no longer “fixin” to launch a daily inspirational email, but it has really happened! “An Extra Flake”(http://www.inspiredbyhorses.com/subscribe) is officially two-weeks old, and I have been overwhelmed with the positive response I’ve received. People are writing back to say, “Thanks, and passing the “flakes on to their friends.
My plan was to use this flake to encourage and inspire people, to be a bright spot in their day. I have prayed that the right words would arrive in someone’s e-mailbox at just the right time.
While I write most of the flakes, I have extended the invitation to be a “guest flake” to Christian ministries and people with good thoughts to share, as well as photographers who want to bless other people with their photos.
The great feedback from “An Extra Flake” made me wonder why I didn’t act on this a long time ago, instead of letting the idea brew. That also got me to thinking about how many other good ideas never see the light of day.
It takes courage to launch something, to take a stand, to make a decision that you are committed to follow through on. Business owners face this problem every day. Moms and dads make tough decisions, and horse people are always facing “do I or don’t I” situations.
As much as I’d like to have you subscribe to “An Extra Flake” and tell me what you think of it, I’m not writing this post for that reason. I want to tell you what went into my decision, in hopes that will be an encouragement to you.
The idea sat in my head a long time. I chipped away at it, writing bits of this and that, and letting those pieces sit in my computer while I mused and prayed about it. I did the back end stuff, figuring out how to deliver the emails, manage a mailing list, not get stuck in the spam filters, and so forth.
Then there were the what ifs — what if I say something that isn’t Biblically correct — what if I offend someone — what if someone thinks I’m trying to be holier than thou? And the big one — what if I can’t keep my commitment to send an email five days a week?
That time “on the fence” wasn’t comfortable, though it served to help me make a good decision. I finally knew it was either fish-or-cut-bait time. I can’t tell you I had an Aha! moment or heard a voice, but somehow I sensed the door opening and it was time to walk through it. I launched “An Extra Flake.”
I will tell you, there was a release that accompanied that decision, and I’m trying to apply that to other areas of my life. Maybe this project has even given me the gumption to tackle cleaning the garage!
P.S. If you’d like to receive “An Extra Flake,” go to http://www.inspiredbyhorses.com/subscribe
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Maureen, I appreciate your “Extra Flake” so much. I don’t know how you do it though! Every day 5 days a week.:) I am praying for God to keep speaking through you. Thank you for sharing how you have been contemplating this for a while. I have also been “on the fence” about a ministry I feel God keeps bringing to my thoughts. Reading your story was great encouragement.
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