Good morning…
As our writers’ group gathered for dinner last week, a nagging question gained significant weight in my mind. I had avoided this question. Then resisted this question. Then wrestled with this question for nearly ten years. Finally, I felt myself let go. I felt lead to seek trusted counsel. When it was my turn to share with our dear writing sisters, half-embarrassed, I blurted out: “I have been wondering if it is time to give subscribers an opportunity to financially support our “SueToYou” ministry. What do you guys think about this possibility?”
Through a caring, collaborative conversation, the group unanimously confirmed,”It would be a blessing to offer people this invitation.”
After speaking this humbling option into existence, the next morning I wanted to sweep it back under the rug. It scared me. Finances and technology have never been my forte. Opening the door for people to support our written word ministry felt awkward, presumptuous, out of my comfort zone.
I know I have invested many early morning hours crafting messages with God for our online community. Two or three hours. Most days before work. For almost ten years. My time given freely, with little chance to give back.
I also know myself. I keep status quo as long as I possibly can. I avoid. I resist. I wrestle. I prayerfully pondered my fear of change. Would changing our interactive balance ruin a good thing? As I strained to sense God’s final answer, a friend from the writers’ group came to our home. She hugged me and handed me a card, a card I read later, privately.
Her handwritten note said: “Precious Sue… Each morning I wake up wondering what the Lord has in store for me this day and the place I always begin, with my cup of coffee, is your “SueToYou” message. Oh how I want you to know how much it means to me that you were up during the night listening to what God wanted you to send to all of us on the other end. I know that as I read these words each day that you wrote them just for me – haha! You always manage to touch my heart deeply and bring a tear to my eye. Thank you for sharing your love and faith with the hundreds of readers following you. You are a treasure and a huge blessing in my life. I am delighted to “plant this seed” in your ministry so that you know how much I love and appreciate your work. May the Lord continue to bless you and keep you.” In her note, she included the first official “gratitude gift” given to support and expand our written word ministry.
Once I let go of my restraint, God’s response rolled relentlessly on. Hours of prayerful journaling. Good discussions with my husband. A joint visit to our bank. Talks with my web designer. Two ongoing strings of emails filled with wise suggestions: one with our writers’ group, another with a small group guiding our “SueToYou” ministry. Within two short weeks, the LORD helped to open an account, hone the words, and pave the way for “gratitude gifts” to be quietly received. Thanks to a strong “community of trees” we have an opportunity to “Give” on our daily email and on the main page of our website.
A few days later, for added encouragement, a dear friend sent a new-to-me Bible verse. The Master directed that those who spread the Message be supported by those who believe the Message (1 Corinthians 9:14, MSG).
…Sue…
