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Abigail's avatar

Convicting in the best possible way. "What if there is no hierarchy of service?" So good to think through.

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Caroline Beidler, MSW's avatar

Thanks for sharing! I'd love to hear more about how this moves you after you think through. God has really been convicting me on this topic of late.

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Abigail's avatar

Your essay stuck with me. I need boundaries around my substack time and especially the social media/notes part of it. I have been feeling that tug to linger with the Lord instead of rushing through my Bible reading to write before the kids wake up. I feel my heart mining the passages for potential poems rather than worshipping. I know Jesus is the one my heart craves, so why do I think comparing my subscriber count with someone else and analyzing their strategy will give me lasting satisfaction? These things aren't wrong, but they are creeping in to replace the greater good. What you said about service was orienting. I spent a couple hours today working on a birthday poem for my mom's 70th party, incorporating my sisters' ideas, and this felt like an act of service, humbling, cleansing even... such a different feeling from the other type of writing that can become self-focused or envious. I felt like God gave me the green light to make time for my writing in 2025, and I have loved it, but I want Him to stay first: the Caller above the call. Thank you for asking me a good follow-up question to help me flesh out why your post was convicting.

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Caroline Beidler, MSW's avatar

I’m so moved by your note, thanks so much for sharing. I love how the Lord can lovingly convict and stir our hearts in different seasons and in different ways. Glad you are here.

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Allison Deraney's avatar

This was beautiful.

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Caroline Beidler, MSW's avatar

🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

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Melanie Jarboe's avatar

Thank you. So helpful for this season of my life.

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Caroline Beidler, MSW's avatar

So glad this connected with you, I’m right there with you 🙏🏼

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Woman Rising's avatar

What an important reflection, thank you for sharing your heart.

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Caroline Beidler, MSW's avatar

So glad you connected with this. Reflecting in community has been key for my writer journey.

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Christy Osborne's avatar

Always so encouraging, my friend. Love you.

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Caroline Beidler, MSW's avatar

🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼our little group has been so encouraging to me! Love you!

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