Saturday, June 12, 2010

The Woman Behind the Blog - Kathryn Lang - Part II

Kathryn Lang continues her guest post.

"I wrote because I needed the money - and because I have a lot to say. My first writing job after the baby was born was doing posts on forums. That expanded into writing blog posts on everything from green living to horses. The only limit to what I wrote and how much I wrote was the dial-up internet.

My husband left his full-time job in 2007 and that pushed me to write more. The slow speed of dial-up became an issue, and we put our 2008 tax refund toward running cable to our home to get high-speed internet. It was great, but the economy tanked, and so did our finances.

Finding writing jobs became a priority - more important than the words that I was writing. The more I pushed, the fewer jobs I found I had each month. The ones that did stay around were the ones that touched on my passion, but I could only see that they were not enough to do what needed to be done. This was another one of those times where I wondered if God was messing with me. After all, I was doing everything I could do.

Then I quit.

I quit trying to make things work out. I quit worrying about how I was going to pay the bills. I quit checking the stats on my blogs every morning. I quit stressing over the reaction that others might have about what I did or did not do.

When I quit trying, I turned to God, and the veil began to lift. I started to see the words I write are not about me, or my pocketbook, but about Him. He gave me the gift, the talent, and the passion to pour out words for others. The words must be all about Him.

I started spending more time with Him. Prayer time became a priority for my morning - no matter how late my day might be running. The moment He became the focus, the jobs began to expand.

The finances are still not where I want them to be. My consistency has not reached the level I know it needs to be. There are still a number of areas in my life where I'm struggling to let go, but I have seen the Truth and that makes it all a little easier."

Have you worn yourself out trying to make success happen? What stood out to you about Kathryn's story?

18 comments:

Terri Tiffany said...

I loved her honesty because I have been there and could relate--especially about the finances and about giving it back to GOd and trying to not care so much about what I needed to do for me but for him. Thank you for this!

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Terri -

It's all about who's the top priority in our lives. When things get out of order, the whole structure collapses.

I'm also in a place where I have to trust God for wisdom, direction, finances, and my future. Kathryn's original blog piece spoke to my heart, and it was a message that needed to be shared.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Jeanette Levellie said...

Have I worn myself out trying to make success happen? Do bunnies hop?

This post spoke to me like no other. I want this lady to move in next to me, and you on the other side, Susan. Today, please.

Thank you both for this peek into the true source of success. I think I'll do like Kathryn, and quit.

Love you,
Jen

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Jen -

I'm with you! It's so easy to get so wrapped up in the business side that you forget your purpose.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Sandra Heska King said...

Quit trying, quit worrying, quit checking, quit stressing . . .

Quit.

And watch Him go.

Yep--been there, done that. And spend too much time relearning the lesson!

Thanks, Kathryn and Susan!

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Sandra -

Sometimes we need a refresher course, don't we? I sure needed it when I read Kathryn's original post.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Kathryn -

Thanks for stopping by. Your writing has inspired me to keep my priorities in order.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Kathleen said...

"I started spending more time with Him. Prayer time became a priority ..."

That says it all!

Whenever I get that out of order, then nothing goes as I had hoped or planned or made ready for. In fact, just this morning I have been asking myself: So how is it, Kathleen, that you are seeking FIRST His kingdom?

Whatever the endeavor, it's a daily walk. My oh my, how I get that out of whack at times.

Enjoyed your guest blogger.

Blessings,
Kathleen

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Kathleen -

Spending time with Him is always the best place to start.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Karen Lange said...

This is so true not just for writing, but in other areas of our lives too. A good wake up call and perspective check. Thanks to both of you for doing this series.
Blessings,
Karen

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Karen -

While we looked primarily at our writing life here, you're absolutely correct. It does relate to all areas.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Kathryn Lang said...

Hey Terri - the funny thing about our finances is that when we are doing the things we know to do (consistently) then the finances are taken care of. When we worry, there seems to be more issues that cause worry!

Jeanette - thank you so much for wanting me to be your neighbor. That gave me a smile to carry me through my day.

Hey Susan - PURPOSE! I was just writing in my prayer journal that today I will boldly pursue my purpose (a commitment I intend to make every day).

Thank y'all for taking this journey with me. I look forward to sharing with you more and to getting to know each of you through your blogs, Facebooks and Tweets.

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Kathryn -

Thanks for stopping by. It was a joy having you with us.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Janalyn Voigt, escape into creative worlds of fiction. said...

Thanks for a glimpse into your struggles and your victories. I'm happy to co-blog with you, Kathryn.

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Janalyn -

Thanks for stopping by. Kathryn introduced me to Author Haven. All of you do a great job.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Carol J. Alexander said...

Please tell me there's more! This was a good reminder for me to keep things in order. I often find myself not wanting to do the things I must do...like gardening and homeschooling...so that I have more time to write. But gardening and homeschooling is what I write about! So if I don't do them, I have no topic.
Another point...no computer, no checking stats, no checking email, no checking posts...until I've spent time with God that day.
Blessings,
Carol

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Carol -

Sorry, this was a two-part series. I plan to do more, "The Woman Behind the Blog," features. :)

Yes, without nurturing our relationship with the Lord and living life, we don't have a whole lot to say.

Blessings,
Susan

Kathryn Lang said...

Hey Carol - oh, there is SO much more to the story :D. I am learning each day about the how, what and when of my passion and my purpose.

I have just discovered that when I do things for God, without thinking about outcomes, then the outcomes show up.

Thanks for all the encouragement from these posts!