tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post5554103060179223959..comments2023-06-10T22:42:19.087+10:00Comments on Australasian Christian Writers: Saying No Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-37276734127873006272018-03-17T10:13:53.348+11:002018-03-17T10:13:53.348+11:00It is a fine line, isn't it Paula, to know whe...It is a fine line, isn't it Paula, to know when being pushed out of our comfort zone is God, and when it is the world placing its demands on us. I truly believe we are in a spiritual battle with our writing. God gives us words and stories that can touch so many, but it seems so hard, so discouraging to actually get them out there and see the value of what we do. Please be assured that your writing has been a great blessing to me and to so many others. I loan out your books so often I've had to get second copies. As writers we so often don't get to see the impact of our work, not like a speaker who looks out and sees the tears running down the faces of the audience. But God knows and that is why He's given us this love of writing for Him and the joy of seeing our finished product going out into the world. You and your writing have been such an inspiration to me. Thank you for writing!Jenny Glazebrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09709461499025091397noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-64034547218230676872018-03-17T10:09:09.522+11:002018-03-17T10:09:09.522+11:00I'd really like to know if you come up with ot...I'd really like to know if you come up with other reasons, Iola. I'm a master of self-sabotage and still haven't worked out exactly why. I'm sure there are other people who have other reasons, too. That's really hard to be 'voluntold' ... much harder to say 'no'! I can see why people want to 'use' your gifts as so many of us have been greatly blessed by them, but I figure God gave them to you and He's the one who shows you how/when/where to use them, so it's not fair of others to be deciding that for you. May God give us all His firm, gentle spirit as we fix our eyes on Him and His purposes!Jenny Glazebrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09709461499025091397noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-27791022579121029772018-03-16T22:17:58.665+11:002018-03-16T22:17:58.665+11:00Thanks Jenny, I really needed to read that post to...Thanks Jenny, I really needed to read that post too. I've found the several 'shoulds' that consume time and push us too far out of our comfort zones are some of the things that steal the joy of actual writing, as you say. And I'd love a NO button like yours 😉 Thanks for inspiring and challenging us, as usual.Paula Vincehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02079952414990463270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-23420136596364247812018-03-16T19:32:46.244+11:002018-03-16T19:32:46.244+11:00Jenny, thank you for yet another honest and though...Jenny, thank you for yet another honest and thought-provoking post. I always look forward to reading your posts, because I know you'll both challenge and inspire me. <br /><br />I'm someone else who finds it hard to say "no" (and even harder when I'm not even asked, just voluntold and handed a roster with my name on it!). Now I'm reading and rereading your questions, wondering which ones apply to me, and what applies to me that you haven't thought of. Iolahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17199141868703826943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-74659607617419291862018-03-16T10:42:35.888+11:002018-03-16T10:42:35.888+11:00Thanks Jo-Anne. Yes. It's interesting that alr...Thanks Jo-Anne. Yes. It's interesting that already I have seen God's hand in ways I haven't had the time to notice in past years. When we sit at His feet, there is such healing to be found. I'm discouraged that it seems to take something drastic (such as illness or pain) for me to stop and connect with God more closely. My son recently said, 'Mum, do you think prosperity can actually be a trial?' I answer that with a resounding 'yes', because true treasure is found in the times we have nothing left but Christ and we realise that He is our everything and always was. Health, goals, busyness, possessions ... they are all a distraction from the joy of knowing He is all we truly need and were searching for.Jenny Glazebrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09709461499025091397noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-46682163761894910592018-03-16T10:36:48.551+11:002018-03-16T10:36:48.551+11:00Thanks Carolyn. I'm so glad you've said no...Thanks Carolyn. I'm so glad you've said no to other things and have focused on writing recently. I, (and many others) have been so very blessed with the way you are using your gifts.Jenny Glazebrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09709461499025091397noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-68308075262881337522018-03-16T10:35:22.359+11:002018-03-16T10:35:22.359+11:00I love that idea of prefacing with 'No is an a...I love that idea of prefacing with 'No is an acceptable answer'. I'm going to take that one on board! And yes, we are a peculiar kind : )Jenny Glazebrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09709461499025091397noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-16485036484324166862018-03-16T08:50:38.063+11:002018-03-16T08:50:38.063+11:00I'm hearing you, Jenny! Well done for making t...I'm hearing you, Jenny! Well done for making the decision you have made for this year, to focus on your family, your writing, your own well-being etc and to say no to those other 'helping' roles for now at least. It's so easy, isn't it, to kind of lose ourselves in running around doing everything--and to lose our close connection with God in the process. God bless you as you write--and may that op come soon for your wrist. Jo-Anne Berthelsenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09775045057529728396noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-88514249226111636252018-03-16T07:02:54.581+11:002018-03-16T07:02:54.581+11:00Thanks, Jenny, for sharing (again!) in such a real...Thanks, Jenny, for sharing (again!) in such a real and honest way. Saying no always seems just a little impolite to this people-pleasing-inclined person, but what a good reminder as to its importance. As I get older I think I am getting better at saying no, perhaps because I’m recognising and valuing God’s purposes in my life more; regardless, it’s necessary for my sanity! Praying for many days of free-flowing pain-free writing for you!Carolyn Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04180744278101977974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-65531728979698150102018-03-16T06:44:12.306+11:002018-03-16T06:44:12.306+11:00Jenny, thank you. It is interesting that when we l...Jenny, thank you. It is interesting that when we learn to say no, others seem to have a hard time accepting "NO" as an acceptable answer. One way I have discovered to help this anonomy is when I ask someone something I preface it with "no is an acceptable answer." I get stares and weird looks so be it. Nevertheless some have been so grateful that I have not heaped an unwarranted expectation on them. Others who can't say no end up overwhelmed and fall in a heap from what they consider people expect of them. People will be people, eh! We humans are indeed a peculiar kind. Rusty A. Langhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10178635022652339135noreply@blogger.com