The Power of Words - episode 225
It’s more natural to her than talking. Sarah Harbut expresses herself in creative ways through writing, which is her superpower. She feels a responsibility to be respectful with her words. If she can’t say something to someone’s face then she doesn’t type it. That’s a moral code not everybody has. Sarah is also more than willing to be an advocate for herself or others who need it. Someone has to be the one to stand up to what’s wrong. Either way Sarah has a gift with words. She knows their power and their potential.
Sarah has been on the show before in I’m Going to Write a Book and God, it’s Your Turn.
I did something that a small percentage of people accomplish.
— Sarah Harbut, in writing the book Less Fear More Fire
It’s Not About Me
Thoughts from The Power of Words
One of the questions I asked Sarah was to share something she was proud of. She said it was writing the book Less Fear More Fire. The fact that she wrote a book at all, much less one that is so personal being based on her life was indeed an accomplishment. As you may know I have read her book and think it is for everyone. It is a memoir and speaks to her life as a domestic abuse survivor both as a child and then as an adult. All that and the hope that came as there has been tremendous healing within her family. The cycle has been broken. Powerful stuff. Yes, most definitely something to be proud of.
So that concept of being proud. It’s a funny question to ask and an even harder one to answer. In looking up proud the definition is pleased or pleasing. Well that sounds right but for some reason the word proud conjures up a braggadocious element or something that heads into unhealthy ego. That’s not how I mean it. A while back Shaun asked me what is something I am proud of when he was co-hosting the podcast. We are both challenged by that word. But in thinking about what I am pleased by, that’s easy. It’s this. It’s you. It’s being able to pour into this podcast, connecting with guests, getting attached to each one, readying the episode and then writing these blogs. Then setting each one free to go be whatever it can be. The whole process feels like that. Whole. Complete. Each week it’s a cycle that I get to repeat. When I finish the blog and the page is complete, yes I am pleased. Very pleased. I feel like I’m putting something out there that is positive, that is encouraging, that is hopeful.
I’m also not one to tout any kind of vanity metrics. If I ever do, it feels fairly yucky because my motivation is not to share how great this is but rather to highlight how incredible the guests are. I am clear. This is not about me. At least that’s how it feels. It feels like I am serving. There is so much goodness out there and I am pleased to be a vessel to add to it. However that said, there are times this is a mostly solo endeavor. Most of it is done on my own. (Obviously I thoroughly enjoy time with the guests. It is pure joy!) But what happens after that? After I have released the episode, after I have sent the email highlighting that week’s episode? Does it have value? Is someone finding inspiration or encouragement? That’s the goal and yet I have to trust that it is going where it needs to go, that whoever can benefit will listen. And/or reading the blog brings up something for someone that is beneficial. This is where my faith comes in. I believe God knows what he’s doing with all of this and I don’t have to get all caught up in numbers of any kind. Yes it’s informative and I do check on occasion but I refuse to focus on it or have it be the end-all-be-all.
Occasionally someone will send me a few words about their experience either as a guest or they will email me and share how the blog touched them. I am so tickled when this happens! I don’t do this for the feedback but I am pleased when it happens. It’s spontaneous, it’s real. I am grateful for it. Here’s one such set of words I received recently that made me smile deeply: Keep doing what you are doing. It is an art. Not everyone can do it. I am impressed by your work. Thank you. Yes, I will keep doing what I’m doing.
Trusting God suggests good is happening even if you don’t get to hear about it.
Do the thing, put good out into the world.
