blogging

A Most Wonderful Time of the Year

/ LaShona Sellers / 1 Comment

I could not let April end without celebrating the power of poetry and acknowledging the end of National Poetry Month. This month I actually took time to read my own collection of poetry It’s always an interesting exercise going back to read my own words. I alternate between “Wow, that was pretty good” and “Wow, what was I thinking?” This month I also spoke to my writing accountability group about my writing journey and battle with perfectionism. While I consider “speaker” low on my list of descriptors, I enjoyed the experience and think it’s a muscle I want to keep working. If you find yourself on the perfectionist scale, here are a few thoughts:

Perfectionism skews our perception. Our perception of God, of ourselves, and of others. It impacts how we engage the world and how we answer God’s call. Perfectionism tells us if it’s not right then we’re unworthy, unqualified and incompetent. The truth is we are Known & Loved. Called & Equipped. Jeremiah 1:5 reminds us “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. Before you were born, I set you apart for my holy purpose...”

Perfectionism steals our peace. Like a bully, it torments our mind and brings unrest to our spirit. Striving to do and be it all. Painstakingly crossing every “t” and dotting every “i”. Keeping up appearances. It can be exhausting.  1 Peter 5:7 in the Living Bible says “Let Him have all your worries and cares, for He is always thinking about you and watching everything that concerns you.”

Perfectionism stalls our progress. We believe the lie that if we can’t do it perfectly, we shouldn’t do it at all. We become Paralyzed, fearing failure. We are reluctant to step out of our comfort zones and “walk on the water.” The bondage of perfection & fear of failure keeps us from moving forward. Galatians 5:1 charges us to “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.” 

The pressure of perfection is released when we trust the One who is perfect. I am grateful that He redeems, He renews and with Him nothing is wasted. 

The One who calls you by name is trustworthy and will thoroughly complete His work in you.–

1 Thess 5:24 TPT 

Something about Spring

/ LaShona Sellers / Leave a comment

The sun’s energizing vitamin D. A vibrant tapestry of color. The promise of renewal. What was dormant is revived. What is dead is alive. All the things I love about Spring. The season also marked the celebration of my birthday (a little closer to the half century mark) and the celebration of Jesus’ Resurrection (He got up!). It’s all put me in a (more than usual) reflective mood the past few weeks. Just a few musings…

Aging is a gift. Gray hair, wrinkles, menopausal mom bod and the like means I’m alive. Having the choice and resources to “fight” it or just let it do what it do is a blessing. I will see beauty at every stage.

There’s a difference between being nice and being kind. Too often I’ve been nice when I should have been kind enough to rock the boat. How often do we prioritize our comfort over someone’s need for the truth?

Most people just want to be seen and heard. Good, bad or indifferent- to see and to be seen is a mercy. It’s so easy to get caught up in our own stuff and miss it. Grace is a gift we can continually give and receive.

Less is more but extra isn’t bad. We can treasure simplicity but also find joy in the complex.

Jesus really is the Way, the Truth and the Life. I’ve questioned my faith. I’ve questioned the church. But the answer has remained the same- He is faithful and He is trustworthy. This is the Good News, ” For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).”

Happy Spring, Friends!

This is your…

/ LaShona Sellers / Leave a comment

“This is your reminder to blog today”

This message pops up in my notifications every Friday. But lately, my drafts never seem quite finished. So, today I salute perpetual works in progress…

“This is your reminder to see purpose in the process today. “

Continue

/ LaShona Sellers / 1 Comment

Isn’t it funny how we attribute our own characteristics to God? We change our minds all the time so God must change His mind too, right?

How often do we embark on a mission, project or task only to let it fall by the wayside? We become distracted with other endeavors or discouraged by imperfect progress. We even begin to rationalize reasons for not continuing on…”Well Gods it’s too late now, too much time has passed” or “It really wasn’t going the way I thought it would” or “I don’t think it really makes much of a difference anyway.”

God isn’t moved by our excuses, He is moved by our obedience. When He directs us to move, He fully understands the intricacies of our life and the challenges along our journey. We just have to trust He will give us grace for each step.

What have you let fall by the wayside? What needs to be continued? God has not changed His mind.

“Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.” Hebrews 10:36 (NLT)

Routine

/ LaShona Sellers / 1 Comment

If you’re a creature of habit like me, you might agree that routine is our groove. It gives rhyme and reason to our day. Our routine seems to set everything right in our little world.

But what happens when our little world shifts? What happens when our routine collides with possibility?

Possibility wrapped in the unpredictable. The possibility of something different. The possibility of something better.

Don’t be afraid to…See it. Consider it. Embrace it.

The Truth & a Lie

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Justified lies still lie

Selfishly protecting comfort

Desperately hoarding acceptance

Necessary truths left unsaid

Denying their power to set free

-LAS

“Instead we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of His body, the church.” – Ephesians 4:15 (NLT)

What’s in a Name?

/ LaShona Sellers / 4 Comments

If you’re scratching your head thinking “Wait. What happened? Barnabas Blessings? I thought this was The Published Journey. Is this right? Am I in the right place?” Yes! Same blog, different name. Let me explain…

Who is Barnabas?

Acts 4:36 introduces Joseph, nicknamed by the apostles, Barnabas, meaning Son of Encouragement. He was known for his service to others, a good man, full of the Holy Sprit and full of faith. He gave generously of his resources. He encouraged those around him in their life and faith. He cheered for the underdog and offered acceptance to the outsider. He was a grace giver. He didn’t just talk the talk, he walked the walk. Read more about Barnabas here.

Why Barnabas Blessings?

Nearly 15 years ago, at a time in my life when I desperately needed encouragement, I was compelled to pay it forward and thus began “Barnabas Blessings.” Along the way “Barnabas Blessings” became a book (a slow but steady work in progress) and my blogging focus turned to my journey and musings as a writer (“The Published Journey”). But sometimes God leads you back to the first thing, the main thing that you are so uniquely wired for, the thing that flows so naturally you might miss the significance. Encouragement has always been the undercurrent of this blog so the name change is simply a return to the Creator’s blueprint.

Why Jesus?

Just in case there was any question…Jesus is the reason for everything. I am who I am because of my faith; a personal, committed relationship with Jesus Christ that I pray informs every expression of my being. Some would have you believe you have to jump through hoops and make yourself worthy to come to Jesus, but He says simply, “Come.” No matter who you are, no matter what you’ve done, He loves you and invites you…baggage and all.

“Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” -Matthew‬ ‭11:28‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“However, those the Father has given me will come to me, and I will never reject them.” -John‬ ‭6:37‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” -John‬ ‭3:16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.” -Romans‬ ‭10:9-10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Finally, whoever you are and however you’ve come to this space… Welcome and Be encouraged!

Blessings,

LaShona

Taking Leaps

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So I did a thing. Fleshed out an idea. Took a leap!

First, The Published Journey now has a logo! *woohoo and and a round of applause for Canva* Check out the header.

Second, you can now follow The Published Journey on Instagram & Facebook. This was a major leap. Why? Because I have a love/loathe relationship with social media. I love the connections, community and encouragement I’ve found (especially on Instagram). But I loathe the negativity, distraction and discouragement. Am I the only one who has gone down one rabbit hole too many, wasting precious time and occasionally left questioning my whole life? Then, there’s always a nervous anticipation that comes with sharing words and thoughts that only you may understand. But I’m constantly reminded that, even with an audience of one, I am honoring God with the gift He’s given me.

So a huge WELCOME and THANKS for following this journey…a work in progress. I’ve stopped and started this blogging thing many times over the past decade. I’ve revamped, changed directions and moved from Blogger to WordPress. I’ve plugged away on book ideas. I’ve submitted, fielded rejections, and pondered constructive (and not so constructive) critiques. But I keep learning. I keep going. And maybe I can encourage you to do the same.

Keep going. Take a leap. Write on, friends.