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To try to pray is to pray. You can't fail at it. It's the only human endeavor I can think of where trying is doing.
- Rick Hamlin
Redefining Success in Spiritual Life
I got depressed the other day looking at mommy blogs. It happens once or twice a year: I indulge myself in a daydream of having hundreds of thousands of followers who think every word I write is fabulously brilliant or witty or touching.
It’s OK—you can laugh.
After I got bored with feeling sorry for myself, I thought about a special midweek church service I once attended. It was breathtakingly lovely, quietly prayerful... and surprisingly empty. Afterward I commented to the pastor that it was a shame more people hadn’t come. “Oh, that doesn’t bother me!” he smiled, “Worship is our gift to God, and we need to give him our best whether there are 10 people out there or 300.”
The memory put my mommy blog wish in perspective. Do you want to write for applause, I asked myself, or for God? Because if you’re doing his work, it’s safe to say he knows exactly who needs to read it. Whether it’s one reader or a million doesn’t matter to him.
I got back to work. Success in the spiritual life isn’t measured in numbers. The metric that matters is how clearly I am focused on doing God’s will.
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Julia Attaway is a freelance writer, homeschooler and mother of five. She is the editor of Daily Guideposts: Your First Year of Motherhood, a book of devotions for first-time moms. She lives in New York.
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Your Comments (12)
Indeed, success in the spiritual life isn’t measured in numbers. Every time I read your posts I feel how truly sincere you are, and your words is an inspiration for me.
Sam, play midi http://midiplayer.info/
JULIA...you do have thousands of followers who think you're wonder, witty, highly intelligent...and all those other things you wish for.
I hope you go back and read this even though it is a couple of weeks after this September 12 entry.
I looove your blogs, Julia.
Loretta Powers ... age 78.
I have wanted to find a way to "contact" you, Julia..I have read your posts in Guidepost's Daily devotions, I have "shared your sadness" regarding your son's emotional problems for you and your family.
I lift you up in prayer to God, our Father, who gives us strength..
I hope it is "ok" to post this "here"..
blessings..
You can always write to me at:
LotsaLaundry AT gmail DOT com
Julia
Our lives are as different as day and night, but your words almost always speak to me with just what I need to hear.
Thank you for your heart-felt honesty in all you write.
I LOVE your blog. It speaks to me so often. I have shared it with others. Please don't stop!
Ditto Judy Lynch comments from me. My lack of comments is because I read on my phone and hate the typing and autocorrect challenges. I am so much better on a keyboard. But you are heard and appreciated. Love, Arie
Dear Julia,
Never underestimate the good that you do!
I have always found your writing the most perfect for getting me to where I need to be. I have never responded before so I think there are probably many others also reading you devotions and just not letting you know. Keep up the good work.
Your blog was the perfect message to me today... sometimes I feel that my efforts in taking care of my disabled son and a challenging job are not appreciated. Success can be on a small and personal level.
This is exactly how I feel on occasion about the Women's Bible Study I lead. I took it over a few years ago when the previous leader left our church. I was a participant, got so much out of it that I didn't want that experience to end when the leader left, and I volunteered to lead. I usually start each new study (as happens tonight!) with 12 or more participants, but by the end of the 12 weeks or whatever, attendance has dwindled to about half that. It makes me doubt myself--did I not choose an interesting study? Am I not as good a facilitator as she was? But I have to keep reminding myself that even if only 1 person shows up (which actually did happen one night, when a parents' meeting was called at that time and nobody told me), that is the person that God wants to speak to. And when I see the relationships forming between the women, and the help they provide to each other, both spiritually and physically, I realize that this is indeed a ministry where God has called me.
Julia, I know what you mean about all the mommy blogs. BUT, every time I read your devotional whether it is here or in Daily Guideposts (or Loads of Laundry), I grow and I thank you for what you do!