Not Gonna Compromise!

"Japanese Maple in Autumn"
B.E. Interiors Photography 

This is way off topic from my normal, but it's on my mind and I felt the need to put it out there. (In other words, God's hitting me with a cattle prod...AGAIN! I think he gets his kicks from watching me squirm.)

Once again, I've got this little voice saying...put that out there in blog land for all to read. So, I'm not gonna argue this time. I don't win anyway. Here it is:

You know, it's frustrating to read what all the "experts" claim you should NOT talk about on your blog or whatever in order to be successful. See if you can guess what the two biggest were. Yep, religion and politics. I'm out to make my blog and business a success, so I hunt for tips only to find this. Lovely.

Well, I hate to break it to "them", but I'm not gonna filter who I am to get more readers (although it's always tempting because that's so much easier!). Not all of us are out to be politically correct or to get readers/followers just to win some unspoken popularity contest. That doesn't mean I don't want readers... I'd love to make a living doing this (I enjoy it THAT much!), I'm just not gonna compromise to get them. I'd love to one day be able to look back and say, "See! Who says following the blogging/business 'rules' are what will make you successful? According to them, I should be a failure, but my God is greater than any set of 'rules'! If he wants me to succeed by the world's standards...then by golly, move over! 'Cause there ain't no stopping him!"

But, it could very well be that He lead me to blogging for other reasons than worldly success in business. It could be that just one or two people needed to see my blog because of my lack of a "filter". That's reason enough for me. Heaven knows that I've been incredibly blessed since starting this five months ago. He's shown me a side of myself that needed work...one that struggles with remembering the reason for what I do and keeping priorities straight. It's easy to get caught up in the numbers game and forget your real reason for what you do and WHO you're doing it for. I can't tell you how many nights I've gone to bed asking for forgiveness for losing focus and ashamed for patting myself on the back instead of thanking God. Success is his to give and his to take. My blogging attitude and business sales is a constant finger on the pulse of my spiritual walk. It's like a constant mirror for me to look in and see the truth...second only to raising children. That is the biggest mirror you'll ever look into! I'm just being honest, folks. It's ain't easy to always  be honest. I don't pick that road because it's a cake walk!

I've been and continue to be blessed with this new outlet to use my talents - far beyond what I ever expected! I refuse, no matter how big a struggle it is or what the "experts" say, to ever forget or quit telling the world who gave me those talents, provided me with all I need to use them, brought buyers for my pieces - readers to my blog, etc. Like the old saying goes, we tend to grow closer in the storm...and it's a definite spiritual storm. You get tempted to quit at times, then puff up like a rooster at other times. It takes daily prayer to keep you head screwed on right!


I realize I take a huge risk of losing people when I mention my beliefs. I could be like so many people and carefully monitor what I post for fear of offending, but when you do that you're just a number and you aren't sincere. In my opinion, if I'm to be good at what I do (any and all things), my heart has to be in it. In order for my heart to be in it, Jesus Christ has to be in it as well. That's just who I am and what I stand for. He's greater than any social statistic or poll and will bring the readers/buyers I need. I don't need to pretend to be someone I'm not. I'm not out to impress the world. I am out to use my God given talents to honor Him, and if that offends someone, I'm truly sorry. That's not my intent. In fact, it really saddens me, but it's a reality I have just come to accept...as much as I hate it and wish I could change it.

So let me pose a question for you:

Do you compromise your beliefs in order to be "liked" or to fit in? I'm not going to lie to you, some people will love you for being strong, but others won't. That's o.k., though. I'd rather be liked for being honest than for being a fake or ashamed of my Lord Jesus. You don't have to rub your beliefs in everyone's face to be honest. Just tell the truth when asked why you do what you do. Set an example with your actions more than your words, but if He leads you to speak, do so boldly, but kindly and not abrasively. Be more worried about offending God than others. I mean, seriously...can people just drop a lightening bolt out of the sky and zap you (not saying he will...but not saying he won't either!). Be STRONG and in the end be able to say as Paul said in 2 Timothy 4:7:

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."

If you're still reading this, then I wish I could give you a hug!  Thank you! May God bless all you who read my blog and love me for desire to be uncompromised and honest as I plod through the world of design! If we don't share common beliefs, then I'm just truly honored you put up with me:)

"Sun and Clouds"
B.E. Interiors Photography