The Beginning of Harvesting Home
It‘s been almost a year since all of this blogging/new business journey began and I am feeling a little reflective. Looking back over the last year there have been many highs and lows, lots of lessons learned and still to be learned, and a new excitement for the future. We have hundreds of new friends that have joined the Harvesting Home family and I thought this would be a good time to let you in on how it all began and how I learned to trust God with my dreams.
Milestones Motivate
It’s funny how when facing big milestones in life, they can motivate you to do things that you have been afraid to do or have been putting off for one reason or another. For instance, that class reunion or wedding that is coming up and suddenly you are motivated to lose that weight you have needed to lose. Some milestones in my life have pushed me to finishing a degree, applying for a job, losing weight and taking control of my health , and ultimately starting a business and blog.
When the World Stopped
Almost a year ago, like many of you, I was navigating a new normal of working from home. No one knew how long we would be working from home, but we were trying to do our best with a terrible situation. I remember thinking that if I was going to be stuck at home, I wanted it to count for something. Can you relate? I mean I know there are the temptations to use the extra time to catch up on sleep, watch movies, eat, eat, and eat, but I really didn’t want to look back and realize that I had wasted that time at home.
The uninterrupted time at home gave me the opportunity to learn some new skills that I had not had the time to learn while working at the office. I spent some time sharpening my skills in graphic design and video editing, and a little more cooking, too. I still have a lot to learn, but this began to rekindle in me something that I had dreamed of doing years ago.
Fear Challenged
Every morning during the COVID lockdown, I would get up early before starting work and I would walk on my treadmill. During this time, I usually spent time praying and using several Bible Study apps on my iPad for my quiet time. I will list those at the end of this blog post in case you are interested in using one. One morning, during my quiet time, I was praying about the possibility of starting a blog. I had so many questions and fears. Things like:
- Should I do this?
- Can I do this?
- What will people think?
- What will my husband say? THIS WAS THE BIGGEST FEAR!
- How much will it cost?
- What if I FAIL? AGAIN, ANOTHER HUGE ONE!
Can you relate to any of these fears? I doubt I am alone when it comes to being ‘fear challenged.”
Immeasurably More
One morning during one of my walks, I was reminded of my life verse.
Ephesians 3:20-21 says “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”
Why was I afraid? Why was I not trusting in Him? I felt like He was leading me and if I allowed Him to work through me, He certainly would do more than I could ever do on my own.
Did my fears instantly go away? No! I had to Do It Afraid! My fears are a constant reminder that I need Jesus! I can’t do anything in my own strength and I DON’T WANT TO! I mess things up! I want to experience the “exceedingly abundantly above all that I ask or think” kinda things in my life and that won’t happen if I do it in my power.
Doing It Afraid
Whew! I still remember the day I finally spit out the words . . . ”I want to start a blog/business.” I think I might have said it and then shut my eyes really tight so I didn’t have to see what my husband’s face looked like when I said it. But the most amazing and wonderful thing happened. He didn’t laugh. He didn’t cry. He didn’t get mad. He didn’t think I was crazy. He thought it was a GREAT IDEA! In fact, he didn’t know why I hadn’t done it sooner. Do you know who my biggest cheerleader is? Do you know who is not only my partner in life but also in this blogging journey? Do you know who came up with the Harvesting Home name? My best friend and sweet husband! The person I was AFRAID to tell my dream to!
So what are you waiting for? What is holding you back from your dream? What are you afraid of? I think sometimes WE are our biggest obstacles. What can you do to take that next step? Almost a year later, that little dream that began in my heart is “exceedingly abundantly above all that I could ask or think.” The blog is close to reaching 50,000 people/month. Every time I turn around, there are new opportunities that God is giving to share about how families can build homes that are “firmly planted, bearing fruit” (Psalm 1:3). I want to encourage you to step out and watch as God does amazing things when you allow Him to work in your life and in your fears!
Favorite Apps For Bible Study:
She Reads Truth
My Utmost For His Highest
Dwell Bible App
In Touch Ministries
I am 58 accomplished a lot and wonder why do more? What can I possibly add to others anymore? I work and we have business. My husband wants me full time in the business and having me do what I am good at writing and making our jams. What I really want is to start a podcast but I feel like it’s to late and wonder what I can add to help others. I am tired drained and just sad. I love your blog and the name.
Renee,
Thank you for sharing your heart! I can definitely relate to how you feel. I have many plates spinning including a full time job. It has definitely been a lot of work to start the blog, but I have loved every minute. For me, I just knew it was something I was supposed to do. I would also say, you are never too old to start something new! Thank you for your sweet words! I hope that Harvesting Home is an encouragement to you. Blessings to you!
Jana