Recently I read The Power Of Moments which quotes Cal Newport on his study of the habits of successful people. He said, “The most common trait you will consistently observe in accomplished people is an obsession with completion. Once a project falls into their horizon, they crave almost compulsively, to finish it.”

If you read, JUST CALL ME JONAH, last week you may remember I am not a finisher. Sure I will finish baking a cake, painting a room, reading a book, or doing the laundry. The list of not finish includes: following a diet, workouts, the Couch to 5 K, my coffee once it’s cold, the last bite of every meal, and other things that are just hard to finish.

I have been stuck on studying Peter since February. The more I learn about him, the more I can relate to him. In Luke 5: 1-11 we find Peter, a fisherman by profession, coming in from the shore, cleaning his nets I am sure with both exhaustion and annoyance as he had fished all night with nothing to show for it. When Jesus asks to use his boat, to teach the crowd from, he agrees. Simple enough. Sure he is tired, but I am sure he was interested in hearing from Jesus. At this point, Jesus had quite a following and was becoming a “celebrity” of his time. So I imagine I too would be interested in hearing what this guy has to say.  

It’s what happens next that baffles me. In verse 4, after he had finished teaching Jesus asked Peter to let down his nets. Now, Peter is a professional fisherman, he has been out all night fishing, and he had already cleaned his nets. Let’s stop right here. Can I get an Amen to having something cleaned and not wanting to redo it? I am a do the laundry once a week kind of mom. I want to finish it and then not think about it. I am a mop my floors and everyone eats outside for the rest of the day so the floors remain clean, even if for a day. I am also a tried it once, it’s not happening kind of gal. Therefore when Peter responded with, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing,” I was right on board with him. But then Peter said, “But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.”

This is exactly where I was in February. I was out there making all the excuses in the world as to why I didn’t need to listen or finish writing. Then I was brought to the place of Peter “But if you say so, I will.” That was exactly what I did for three months. I wrote every chance I could get. This meant if I was at soccer practice I was writing, if I was sitting at gymnastics class I was writing. One night in particular I was sobbing. Ugly cry sobbing. Yep, right there at gymnastics. If you know me, crying makes me uncomfortable in front of people so I start laughing. Can you imagine it? Crazy lady over there on the top of the bleachers with the headphones in and writing in that journal. She is sobbing, oh wait laughing.

As I finished I began to realize the burden that was on my heart. This burden is hope for the broken hearted. I don’t want other moms to feel alone and isolated in their loss, like I did.

When Peter did let down his nets. The nets filled with fish so fast they began to tear (verse 5)! Can you even imagine? One man’s obedience and blessed in return.

When it became clear that God didn’t want me to just self publish it and place it on my bookshelf, the reality became that I wanted to get this book in other angel moms hands for free.

A few days ago I came across Craig Groeschel’s sermon “Do The Work. Make a Difference” and he said, “The burden you bear often reveals the calling you embrace.” Woah. Maybe you are reading this right now and you too know the burden that is within you. The burden you can’t shake. The burden you know without a doubt is calling you to something greater.

Pastor Groeschel continued to outline four tangible things you must do next as portrayed by Nehemiah.

1. Seek God Faithfully. Pray over and over and over again. Our prayer should be so constant that it is intimate with God.
2. Define the vision clearly. For Nehemiah it was “please send me.” For me it is to provide books free of cost for parents who lose a child at Duke Medical Center and Levine’s Children’s Hospital (to start) in doing so this will provide hope through Christ.
3. Make plans carefully. I love how Pastor Groeschel says that God is an organized God (look at the solar system) and we can honor Him by organizing our time. I would like the first box of books at both hospitals by January 2020 in time for Alexander’s 14th birthday. I am praying for protection and provision during this time. I am believing that God is going to provide the finances to make this happen through grants, donations, and organizations to partner with me.
4. Inspire people passionately. This is one reason I am writing on this website weekly. I want to share what God is doing in my life, to inspire someone else to step out in obedience too. God has been opening doors for me to walk through that I didn’t even know existed. All because of obedience.

The reality is God doesn’t really need me to be the finisher; He is taking care of that part. I don’t have to fully understand how I can possibly make this a reality. He does need me to say “because you say so, I will.” I just need to let down the nets. Therefore I am praying, keeping my vision clear, planning as best as I can, inspiring people the best I know how, and allowing God to use my “yes” to pave the way and to BE STILL (blog coming soon).

I don’t know what in your life God is asking you to say yes to. I don’t know what is the burden you bear. I do know whatever it is, all it takes is a “yes.” You may not understand or have the full picture, but your obedience to let down your nets will get you there step by step.