It’s the 5th Tuesday, writers, and that means it’s Guest Blogger Day! Please join me in welcoming my friend, Jennifer Johnson. (Be sure to check out Jennifer’s bio below.)
One Spritz to Womanhood by Jennifer Johnson
I blame it all on Enjoli. The frantic pace, the unrealistic expectations, the frenzied multi-tasking coloring my life can all be traced back to my favorite perfume commercial as a kid.
I can bring home the bacon… I’d sing in broken bravado from atop the couch cushions.
Fry it up in a pan… (Jump off couch here.)
And never, ever let you forget you’re a man. (Shame on the networks who played this commercial during the “family” time slot.)
Cause I’m a WOMAN…Enjoli! (This was always shouted loudly enough to at least annoy my big sister.)
At 10, I didn’t know what Enjoli was, but I sure wanted what it seemed to offer…one spritz to real womanhood. I watched my own mom do exactly what the pretty Enjoli woman also boasted, I can put the wash on the line, feed the kids, get dressed, pass out the kisses and get to work by 5 to 9… What I’m sure I never saw was the exhaustion behind it.
Now that I have my own 10 and 12-year-olds, “Whew!” is also a part of my daily vocabulary. My husband teaches and coaches. My son has Asperger’s. My daughter loves to play sports. I work at my church, and we all serve in ministry. On top of all that, my greatest passion is writing. In fact, just like everything else on my Mom’s To-Do list, I’ve been guilty of idolizing it, of pretending that it belonged in my definition of W-O-M-A-N.
Most recently, I re-learned this hard lesson at a Christian Communicators Conference in Seneca, SC, led by our dear friend, Vonda Skelton. I’d been to other conferences, but the moment I walked into this one, I knew it was different. Vonda ditched the “classroom” setting and instead created a welcoming environment of “sharing” her expertise and her heart for the Lord. Alongside her, Carolyn Knefely, writer, speaker, and etiquette-extraordinaire, replaced the cafeteria-style meals and fed our souls with wonderful breads, teas and delectable foods. We all felt pampered and prepared to hear what God had to say about our writing, our speaking, our desires to be genuine voices for Christ. And OH, did He ever speak?!
Personally, I went into the conference with lots of Whys for God. Why am I always exhausted? Why can’t I ever seem to get it all done? And, why, Oh, why, God would you place this strong desire to write in my heart during the craziest season of my life?
For me, one particular scripture came alive and released much of my anxiety, my self-focus, my relentless drive, my visions for the future and my demands to “know” God’s plan for me.
“The Lord is near. Do not be anxious for anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:4-8
Quite simply, God was gently asking me to SLOW DOWN, to stop running ahead of Him, to not miss today’s gifts in the anxiousness of my tomorrow thinking. His voice of peace was so true and sweet, I don’t ever want to miss it again.
Sorry, Enjoli, but I’ve traded in my one-spritz-to-happiness dream for something more substantial. Sure, I still put the wash on the line, feed the kids and pass out the kisses, but not without throwing up a hand to heaven in gratitude first. It’s no easy task, but daily I pry my fingers off of my to-do list and turn it all over to Him, including my writing. As a result, He has changed my heart and the very course of my family’s life. These days, I simply desire to, “Walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him, bearing fruit in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God,” (Colossians 1:10). Now, with no expectation but lots of sweet anticipation, I let God lead my family, my pen, and even my fryin’ pan. It feels great to be a W-O-M-A-N…of God.
Prayer: Oh, sweet Jesus, may I never, ever let You forget You’re the man!
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For Jennifer, writing is like breathing. “The fierce urge to write has propelled me from youth,” she says. “For me, writing has always been the catalyst, the spark, the necessary thrust toward forward rotation, and I am both humbled and grateful.” Jennifer juggles life in Eastern North Carolina with her husband and two “tween” children. A former award-winning English teacher, she most enjoys observing and documenting fascinating stories of everyday people. Learning from top agents and publishers at multiple writing conferences, Jennifer was inspired to create and launch the first in a series of Christian children’s books in 2008. Whimsically illustrated, The Proper Use of One’s Shell achieved regional success and received a Young Voices Foundation bronze medal award. The second in the series, Egret Gospel, a rhyming beach photography book, is due out this May. Jennifer is also loves editing and ghostwriting. She’s helped an international missions pastor commit his adventures and mission principles to print in Chinese Scientists in my ’54 Chevy- Living Out the Great Commission. She is currently assisting a Texas couple tell the story of their beautiful daughter who was senselessly killed. Jennifer also loves to carry God’s message to audiences through speaking and is a graduate of the Inaugural Christian Communicators Conference, led by Vonda Skelton and Carolyn Knefely in January 2011.
For Speaking or Editing services, please email Jennifer at . And you can read Jennifer Johnson’s writing blog here.
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Want To Be the First to Know About the Next Christian Communicators Conference?
Do you feel God nudging you to a speaking ministry to women, but don’t know where to begin? Are you already speaking, but need help expanding your platform? If so, perhaps you should consider the next Christian Communicators Conference to be held this fall at beautiful Lake Keowee, SC.
Since Jennifer mentioned the conference (and no, I didn’t know she was going to do that!), Carolyn and I want you to know the details of the fall conference are almost ready. And since registration is limited to twenty ladies, we will announce it first to those who contact me and let me know you want to be on the mailing list. Those on the conference announcement mailing list will have a
week or two to register before it will be opened to the public.
So if you feel this is a direction God may be leading you, please email me and you’ll be the first to hear the details (there’s no obligation to get the information).
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And the Winner of Your Choice of Candy Arrington’s Book is…
…#23 Crystal Hathcock! Congratulations, Crystal! Be sure to email me with your mailing address and your choice of the two books.
Thanks, Candy for your generous donation and your wise words. 
And for those who didn’t win this time, don’t worry…next month we’ll hear from another great author and offer another great book!
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It’s Not Too Late to MoGo!
Haven’t reached your 7000-word goal yet this month? Not to worry–you still have time to get your name in for the $100 cash give-away! And remember, they don’t have to be pretty words, at least not yet!
Don’t know what in the world we’re talking about? Check out the MoGo7000 guidelines here.
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Act Now to Take Advantage of the Half-Price Downloadable Class, How to Have Magazine Editors Calling YOU! (Ends March 31st!)
That’s right–you can get How to Have Magazine Editors Calling YOU! class and handout for only $7.48 until midnight March 31st! You can read about the writing class here (scroll down), but you’ll need to email me to get the special price. (If you order it through PayPal, it will charge the regular price.)
And in case you missed it earlier, be sure to check out my blog post about writing good magazine articles by using expert sources from ProfNet. I’ll look forward to hearing from you!
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Parting Words from the Word…
Tired of giving and getting nothing in return? Weary of sharing His word and not seeing a response? As we continue to walk this earth, I’m reminded that even though we’re called to write, speak, or mentor for Him, God is the one responsible for the end result. A successful Christian life isn’t measured by acceptances and royalties. It’s measured by our commitment to be faithful to His calling, whatever it is.
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Galatians 6:9-10
I pray God’s blessing on the work of your hands and your hearts,
Vonda
