A New Beginning, Again

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. –Psalm 51:10, NIV 

My first goal in becoming a writer was to figure out how to make money doing it. That wasn’t my motivation to become a writer, but I knew if I was going to turn a hobby into a side hustle and, eventually, hopefully, my career, then I would need to learn how to turn words into dollars.  

In 2014, I quit my steady but stressful job to pursue something new. I was really good at what I did, but after years of working at an unrealistically fast pace (for me), I needed to be done. There was also a big part of me that longed to take a chance at pursuing a more “creative” career… something I had always dreamt about but put on the back burner. 

After a year of working full-time as a nanny but side-hustling for the fun of it, I decided that writing was the thing. That’s what I wanted to do with my life. It felt like something I was good at but had the potential to be better at. It was a creative skill that had the potential to earn an income, but most importantly, I could use it to benefit others. I didn’t want to just create, I wanted to create with purpose.  

Not My Words

It’s been eight years since then. In that time, I’ve traveled further, moved more times than I care to admit, and watched more babies, houses, and dogs than I can count. Each step led me to the next, though sometimes all I had in me was the motivation to just show up. I also somehow managed to land myself a husband and a baby on the way.  

Who would have thought? 

While I managed to work myself into a mostly full-time gig writing books and blogs, I’ve known all along that God had (has) more for me.  

My goal to earn money writing was practical, but God doesn’t put “practical” on a pedestal the way I do. The last job I had that paid my insurance premium had me take the Strength Finders test (they paid for that, too, obviously). If I remember correctly, “responsibility” landed second in my top five strengths, usurped only by “relator.” In other words, I’m not always one to take chances. I am responsible to a T and loyal to a fault. So long as my bills are paid, and everyone is happy, life is good. 

Except not really. 

In all these years I’ve been depositing words into my bank account, I’ve known in the back of my mind and deep in my heart that this writing journey is less about helping other people share their stories and more about what God wants to share through my own words. While I’ve been busy helping other people write, God has been waiting for me to write the words He puts on MY heart. Not my words, but His words through me.  

Not About the Money

I’ve started and stopped this journey far too many times. In fact, I’m pretty sure I wrote this blog once before on the cusp of what I thought was a new beginning. Yet, here we are again. Dust yourself off, pick yourself up, and just show up. 

It can take a long time to make money writing and even longer to earn any income from a book or blog you’ve written. Did you know the average lifetime sales for a book maxes out at about 2000 copies? With profit margins reaching into the cents and dollars, the book you poured your heart and soul into will likely only buy you a cup of coffee or Chipotle dinner. (Hire me, won’t you??)

So, I can tell you here and now that’s not what my goal is by sharing these words and those (hopefully) to come. Sure, one can hope and be strategic in the process. One might even gain a surprise following and the opportunity to push their book or market their skills. Shoot, I hope for that! But that’s not my motivation. My motivation is this longing, nagging knowing I need to do what God has called me to. He told me long ago to write, and nothing satisfies more than honoring the Father.  

What to Expect from Dear and Love

On a practical note (remember, that’s my jam), I also plan to share words that aren’t just my own. If you stick around, you’ll see blogs shared by other women. Women on a mission to pursue God’s call on their life, be it through mothering, starting a business, launching a ministry, or whatever that thing is that they just can’t shake. Though to be fair, sometimes that thing isn’t so glamorous. Sometimes, the thing is simply the family, community, or role in which God has placed you. After all, that’s where He can use you most. 

I’ve got a few blogs lined up from friends, sisters, and co-workers that I can’t wait to share. I hope their words meet you wherever you are to encourage and spur you on in the Lord and his call on YOUR life. My story will only go so far, only connect with so many of you. It might even bore you. But there are plenty of women with stories and words to share. They have benefitted me, and I know they will do the same for you. 

Stick around, will you?