It was just upstairs from the bar, this swank little super-club on Hollywood Blvd. I would pick up shifts when I needed to make some cash, and this month I hadn’t booked any acting or writing jobs and rent was coming up. Black slacks, white button down dress shirt, black tie and a red fitted vest. I looked like a monkey, but I could play the part.
The night was young and the piano man was just waking up the keys. First tables were filling up and I would get the next one seated. I heard them coming up the stairs long before they reached the floor. Tourists. I guessed it before they were even seated in my booth by the window, overlooking the boulevard.
“Are you an actress?” Asked the lady with blond curls in her sweet midwestern drawl? “I bet you’re an actress. Have I seen you in anything?” Her husband laughed like we were enjoying an inside joke together, but I didn’t find it funny.
“Can I start you with something to drink? Jimmy is famous for his peach martini.” They laughed again, like it was another joke. So I told them I’d give them a few moments and come back with some waters for the table.
“Oh no, don’t go!” Said the man with the eyes still dancing. “It’s just that all our waitresses on this trip have been actresses and you’re the prettiest one so far so it’s got to be true. You’re an actress too aren’t you?”
I wanted to tell them the whole list of roles I’d played in the past years, but there I was in my uniform taking a drink order and just wanted to disappear into one of Jimmy’s martinis. “You guessed it, I’m an actress.” I said it with a smile, and the two of them erupted into applause like they had just won a bet and were going to split the pot!
When I came back with their drinks they leaned in soberly and asked me this memorable question, “How long are you going to give it?”
I wish I could go back right now and watch myself closely; see the look on my face, hear the tense lilt in my voice. “How long am I going to give what? Being an actress?” They nodded expectantly. “Well, you see, I believe that God made me an actress, it’s part of who I am. So you are basically asking me how long I’m going to give myself the opportunity to be myself before I embark on the grand adventure of being someone else.”
Of course, my answer wasn’t really fair, I knew what they meant, still I needed to reaffirm who I was to my own ears and heart.
Maybe you need to do the same thing some days. Maybe your friends ask you about your hobby-blogging; your mom doesn’t understand this drive to do something other than just mother, since she was happy simply raising you; or perhaps your husband is questioning the cost of your domain name and website and plane ticket to Allume, asking if you’re making any money yet on that Etsy shop. And it all feels like pressure – because maybe it is time to quit.
How long are you going to give it?
My face is hot as I type the question out, because I’m sort of passionate about how God made you; fearfully… wonderfully… creatively. And I don’t want you to doubt for one moment His joy over your design! I don’t want you to question His delight in your unique dreams, as you balance so many things, every facet for His glory. He is near, enjoying how He made you.
That doesn’t mean that your dreams won’t change. Go with the flow. I’m not in Hollywood anymore. But the story-telling part of me is still alive.
So how long are you going to give yourself, to be yourself?
Here’s my advice: Don’t ever stop!
Is it possible that your dreams may end up looking a little different than you penned them in your journal? Is it possible that God’s guiding Spirit takes you down some varied path? Is it possible God prepared many small good works for you, rather than big ones? Is it possible that He’s not finished with you yet? Absolutely. Time and again, Yes! So don’t you stop! You keep pressing in to Him and pressing on where His Holy faithful Spirit directs.
This month we’re talking about being Authentic here at Allume. This post is my clenched fist, shaking at every nay-sayer on your behalf. Those literal voices of family and friends and strangers… and the stealth heated whisper of the devil himself. Listen to me. Listen to me, not them, I’ve got the word for you today:
Press in and press on, my friends!
Write it out, sing it loud, say it in the syncopated rhythm of a spoken word poem, paint it, create it, lay it down and live it out in a one woman show at your next women’s ministry event. Press on in the little moments of your mothering, married, ministry loving loving days, when there is room to create. And in this way, follow the call to be authentically true to who you are.
His Creative.
Becky Keife says
June 30, 2015 at 9:41 amFriend, you *know* you are beating the drum of my own heart here! Yes, and yes, and yes!
“I don’t want you to question His delight in your unique dreams, as you
balance so many things, every facet for His glory. He is near, enjoying
how He made you.”
I’m hard set on *continuing* (there’s that blessed “One Word” again!) right where God has me, and I’m so very grateful for sisters like you who see sisters like me and cheer us along in the pressing in and pressing on. Thank you, Wendy.
Wendy Speake says
June 30, 2015 at 10:11 pmHe absolutely delights in your unique dreams, as you balance so many things, every facet for His glory.”
Asheritah Ciuciu says
June 30, 2015 at 2:32 pmThis is beautiful, Wendy! I loved this especially: “Yes! So don’t you stop! You keep pressing in to Him and pressing on where His Holy faithful Spirit directs.”
As I’m fighting fear and trepidation on this last day of writing my book manuscript, these words are giving me the momentum I need to press forward, leaning in to Him, His heart, His message, and His comfort. Thank you for cheering us on, friend!
Wendy Speake says
June 30, 2015 at 10:08 pmI’m glad this came just at the right time. Press in and press on! Can’t wait to read your book!
Katie Reid says
June 30, 2015 at 8:38 pmDry-bones-living-again type of words Wendy! I can feel the power, passion & urgency of these words, spoken from a deep place. Thank you, a gift! Shine on friend. -Katie Reid
Wendy Speake says
June 30, 2015 at 10:08 pmI was a little hot when I wrote this one. Thanks for joining in the conversation.
thegrommom says
July 1, 2015 at 12:44 amSo beautifully said Wendy. Thank you for speaking the heart of so many of us…And as you already know, I have had to press on myself, and am so so happy that I have. (though I’ve still only just begun, as we all have. :)) XOXOXO Thank you!
Wendy Speake says
July 1, 2015 at 4:52 pmSo glad you pressed on, too, Monica. You bless me so much.
Kelli says
July 1, 2015 at 7:18 amThis was good, friend. Really, really good!
Wendy Speake says
July 1, 2015 at 4:53 pmThanks, Kelli. Love pressing on with you.
Kristen Munson says
July 1, 2015 at 11:03 amI am so glad Monica linked to your blog. I love it and especially this post! What an encouragement! I remember when after two boys I miscarried and a friend said maybe I’m not meant to have more kids. I pressed on and now have two boys and two girls. What a loss that would have been had I stopped.
Wendy Speake says
July 1, 2015 at 10:31 pmPress in and Press on in the vision God casts… absolutely!
Susan says
July 2, 2015 at 10:16 amAND THIS IS WHY I LOVE YOU. Real.Deal. Raw, fist-clenching, fingers pointing, defending. #rahrahsisterhood How glad it makes my heart that we met. xoxoxo
Messy Mom says
July 2, 2015 at 10:38 amYES! I relate and I needed to hear this. Such a great message.
Sharon says
July 2, 2015 at 11:42 amI my goodness. I ask myself those questions all the time. “… about your hobby-blogging; your mom doesn’t understand this drive to do something other than just mother, since she was happy simply raising you; or perhaps your husband is questioning the cost of your domain name and website and plane ticket to Allume, asking if you’re making any money yet on that Etsy shop. And it all feels like pressure – because maybe it is time to quit.”
I have a really hard time blogging consistently. I blogged on a several times a week basis for the first two years. Went to the first Relevant and have been having a hard time justifying the money I spend on that domain and site ever since but I have been to every Relevant/Allume so far… and that esty shop or big cartel shop seems always just out of reach or not with in my “YES, I CAN DO THIS.” I signed up for both to reserve my name and have yet to open either. Self doubt and the “I don’t know enough to do it” click on in my head and brings me to a dead stop.
I wish there were seminars on how to get from blogging about your painting or photography to printing/reproducing/shipping your work to selling on-line at Allume… maybe this year? 😀 I can talk about wanting to do it all day but fearful of actually doing it.